RSN commands
multinational task unit in Hawaii
Rough sea
conditions and having to operate in unfamiliar waters did little to dampen the
spirits of RSS Formidable crew during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise
2012. The frigate, currently into the fifth day of the 24-day sea phase, is now
situated off the coast of Hawaii.
This year's
world's largest multinational maritime warfare exercise, RIMPAC involves more
than 40 ships, six submarines, 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel from 22
participating nations.
It also saw
the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) assume command of a Combined Task Unit
(CTU) for the first time in the history of the exercise. The RSN's task unit
compromises warships from Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States.
When asked
about the challenges of helming the task unit, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Ong
Chee Wei, Commanding Officer, RSS Formidable, said: "We have to make sure
that plans are well executed and that the ships work together, in terms of
operability and to gain knowledge of each other's tactics and procedures."
The
groundwork was laid as early as December last year when the RSN started
formulating its plans for the exercise. In the preceding months to April this
year, representatives of the participating nations attended three official
planning conferences held in various parts of the world.
RSN Fleet
Commander Rear-Admiral Lai Chung Han (third from left) cheering with the rest
of the crew in the CIC as they receive the news that both missiles were on
target. (photo : Mindef)
"Each
naval force has different procedures. There were also language and cultural
differences. There was a real need to work out the best ways to conduct each
serial," explained Captain (CPT) Esmond Han, Operations Officer 1, RSS
Formidable. He is in-charge of planning operations for the CTU. RIMPAC begins
with several serials of various naval war fighting drills before transiting
into war games.
For example,
the RSS Formidable conducted flight deck familiarisation briefings on 6 Jul for
foreign pilots who would be landing on the frigate over the course of the
exercise, while berthed at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. These briefings are important
for safe helicopter operations as landing and take-off procedures are different
across navies.
Communications,
too, posed its own set of challenges as some of the naval forces were more
comfortable conversing in their own language. There were also the individual
radio call signs which had to be assigned, as well as ironing out some
differences in terms of radio protocol.
Though the
planning process was long and tough, CPT Han said: "Overcoming these
challenges will only make us a better and more capable naval force."
The thorough
preparations paid off as the CTU transited into the sea phase on 10 Jul. The
Combat Information Centre (CIC) on board the RSS Formidable was a hive of
activity as Principal Warfare Officers and ship crew seamlessly directed and
coordinated the other four ships in the CTU to neutralise simulated threats.
RSS
Formidable berthed at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii during the shore phase of RIMPAC. (photo : Mindef)
Over the
past four days, the CTU conducted combined anti-submarine, anti-surface and
anti-air exercise serials. Each of these serials took between four to six hours
to complete.
During the
anti-submarine serial, the embarked S-70B Seahawk naval helicopter's dipping
sonar, an advanced underwater detection capability, was used to complement the
RSS Formidable's on-board sonar systems.
With a
longer range and speed, the S-70B functions as the "eyes" and
"ears" of its mothership when it is dispatched to investigate and
survey areas of interest.
"Thus
far, we have achieved a very good level of shared awareness and showed a high
degree of interoperability (with the other CTU ships)," said LTC Ong.
Adding
another feather to their cap was the successful simultaneous live-firing of two
Harpoon Surface-to-Surface missiles on 14 Jul. As they received news that both
missiles hit their target, the usually silent CIC broke into cheers.
Refuelling
of the embarked S-70B Seahawk naval helicopter while the rotors are still
spinning. This is known as a "hot juice" operation which enable
faster turnaround times. (photo : Mindef)
A complex
operation which involves the entire ship, firing two missiles simultaneously
increases the chance of a direct hit as opposing forces will have less time to
deal with multiple incoming missiles.
"The
crew was well-drilled and was very aware of what lay ahead, every minute of the
time (leading up to the live-firing)," said LTC Ong.
This is the
third time that the RSN is participating in the biennial RIMPAC exercise,
following its inaugural involvement in 2008.
"Exercise
RIMPAC is a good opportunity for the RSN to train with other established navies
to perform complex maritime operations in a high intensity environment,"
said LTC Ong.
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