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The HMAS Sydney and USS John Finn conducted a live fire exercise to test the Sydney’s operational capability off the coast of California, early April.
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The Australian Defence Force revealed that the HMAS Sydney executed an exercise with the USS John Finn earlier in the month off the coast of California, having travelled to San Diego to trial the Aegis weapons system with the US Navy.
The live fire of the weapons system will give key decision makers insights to determine the operational capability of the HMAS Sydney. HMAS Sydney’s operational capability would afford Australia to deploy the nation’s three guided missile destroyers on operations.
Defence outlined that the ship docked at Pearl Harbor on 25 March for a resupply before continuing on to California.
Commander Bralyn Cathey, Commanding Officer of the John Finn, noted that the exercise was important training for the two navies.
“I could not be more proud of my crew operating with our Australian allies during our maiden deployment,” CDR Cathey said.
Commander Ted Seymouur, Commanding Officer of the Sydney, outlined that the deployment was an important milestone for HMAS Sydney.
“Sydney’s deployment to the California Exercise Area is the culmination of many years of hard work by everyone involved in the DDG project in both Australia and the United States,” CMDR Seymour added.
“This is Sydney’s first deployment, and noting the co-operation between our navies in the Indo-Pacific it is very fitting that Sydney’s first passage exercise is with USS John Finn.
“We appreciate the team in John Finn taking the time to exercise with us at the end of their busy deployment.”
[Related: HMAS Supply enters service]
Liam Garman
Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media
