10 march 2015 defence.gov.au/
 

HMAS Success’ ship’s company in the Middle East recently witnessed the awesome display of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s amphibious vessel USS Iwo Jima.

Deployed on Operation MANITOU, Success was in company with the Iwo Jima on transit through the Gulf of Aden.

Iwo Jima carries MH-60S Seahawk, MH-53E Super Sea Stallion, Bell AH-1W Super Cobra and Bell UH-1N Twin Huey helicopters, as well as Bell MV-22 Osprey (tilt rotor) aircraft and AV-8B Harrier Jets.

Boatswains Mate Able Seaman Thomas Darcy said it was incredible seeing Iwo Jima’s operations up close.

“The Harrier Jets sliced the air leaving a stream line from their wing tips which produced great action photos. This was definitely the highlight of our deployment so far.”

Success recently conducted a Replenishment at Sea (RAS) evolution with Iwo Jima, transferring 685 cubic meters (CZ) of F76 marine diesel fuel, and 405 CZ of F44 aviation fuel to the carrier, the latter a record amount for the RAN’s Battle Tanker.

Iwo Jima dwarfs Success, a tanker that usually makes other warships look small.

It was a stunning sight for Success’ crew, which is used to looking down on frigates or corvettes from the flag deck.

Success’ own embarked dependable S-70B-2 Seahawk spent much of the RAS evolution in the air, capturing images of this spectacular scene.

Pilot Lieutenant Jordan Taylor was impressed by Iwo Jima’s aviation capability.

“I can see why these ships are so versatile,” he said.

“The flight decks on these types of carriers would be among the most dangerous workplaces in the world.

“There is so much happening, with such little margin for error.”

Success is in the Middle East on Operation MANITOU, the ADF’s contribution to maritime security, stability and prosperity in the area.

Working occasionally as part of Combined Task Force 53, Success provides logistical support to Combined Maritime Fleet coalition naval ships in the Middle East, enabling them to remain on patrol for longer periods.

Success is due to return home to Fleet Base East in June.

Joint terminal attack controllers from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force and French 3rd Maine Artillery Regiment observe the exercise during a bilateral close air support training exercise in Arta, Djibouti, Feb. 4, 2015. The event was part of a scheduled bilateral CAS exercise between a contingent of MEU Marines and French soldiers and sailors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)

Arta, Djibouti, February 24, 2015 By Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma - CJTF-HOA

French and U.S. coalition forces conducted a live and simulated close air support exercise in Arta, Djibouti, Jan. 31-Feb. 4, 2015.

The five-day event involved the U.S. 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the French 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment joint terminal attack controllers guiding U.S. Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawks and French Air Force Rafale-M multirole combat fighters to specified targets during the day and night CAS exercise.

"This is the first significant stop that we've made, conducting a live firing exercise in coordination with the U.S., preparing the French Naval Airway pilots for upcoming operations," said Lt. Cmdr. Ian Sloan, British Royal Navy exchange pilot to the French Naval Airway.

To increase partner nation interoperability, each exercise day was separated into three sections with two aircraft guided by both nations' JTACs, illustrating the different operating conditions they may encounter in future operations.

These exercises introduced both military partners to integrating and refining work tactics for time-sensitive procedures. A JTAC instructor evaluated the teams in locating targets on different terrain and communication skills between one another.  This exercise ensured that all aerial munitions called in by coalition JTACs and delivered by both nations' aircraft were on target and on time.

According to Sloan, it is easy to conduct training inside your comfort zone when you are doing it in a familiar environment.  However, working with coalition nations using different languages and procedures, in unfamiliar terrain, is when the real benefits come out of the training/exercise/event.

English was the designated language for both U.S. and French forces, their conduct of all CAS missions became successful by working through the language barriers and completing specific directions that are unique to each country.  Communication challenges included different military language being used over the radio from both nations and the available light.

"There were mostly similarities controlling the aircraft, especially procedural control," said U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Ashley McMillan, 24th MEU senior air director and Air Support Element officer-in-charge. "It can only be done one way. It's almost like having a universal language, the pilots knew what to expect from the JTAC and exactly what they had to do."

By the end of the exercise, both JTAC parties gained valuable experiences by working through friction points during the exercise, in turn helping strengthen relations and improving security amongst participating partner nations.

"It's always a benefit to train with our coalition partners, and any opportunity you get to do that is worth taking," said Sloan. "Even if you think you have learned all the lessons and you're on top of your game, there is always something to take away from the way other people do business."

The 24th MEU is currently embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.