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The helicopter on Frigate HMAS ANZAC

The helicopter frigates HMAS ANZAC and HMAS TOOWOOMBA and the support ship HMAS SUCCESS came with a total crew of 73 officers and 569 sailors. The commanders and crew from the three ships will meet with senior officers and sailors from the Vietnam People’s Navy to engage in a range of goodwill activities and to conduct professional experience sharing and exchanges on ship operations including CUES, PASSEX, Logistics and Medicine at sea and Search and Rescue. The crew will also participate in a friendly sporting activity with cadets at the Naval Technical College, participate in community engagement in Ho Chi Minh City as well as taking advantage of the opportunity to explore Vietnam’s rich culture and to meet the people of Vietnam.

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Frigate HMAS TOOWOOMBA at Saigon Port on April 19
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The prow of Frigate HMAS TOOWOOMBA 

Colonel Nerolie McDonald, Australian Defense Attaché to Vietnam, stated, “It has been 17 years since we had three Australian Navy ships visiting Vietnam at the same time and this year marks the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Defense Relations between Australia and Vietnam, the 45th Anniversary of diplomatic relations and the recent elevation of the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership. Defense relations continue to expand in areas such as high-level dialogues, visits and practical engagement activities including cooperation in education and training, Special Forces, United Nations peacekeeping, maritime security, aviation safety and information exchange. I know that the officers and crew of HMAS ANZAC, HMAS TOOWOOMBA and HMAS SUCCESS are looking forward to their visit to Ho Chi Minh City as one of the highlights of their deployment.”

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Commanders of the three ships in a joint photo with officers of the Vietnam People's Army
HMAS ANZAC is commanded by Commander Michael Devine, RAN, who is also Commander of the Task Unit-South East Asia Deployment. HMAS TOOWOOMBA is commanded by Commander Stuart Watters, and HMAS SUCCESS is commanded by Commander Grant Zilko, RAN. HMAS ANZAC and HMAS TOOWOOMBA are ANZAC Class helicopter frigates with roles including air defense, anti-submarine and surface warfare, surveillance, interdiction and reconnaissance. Weighing 3,600 tons and 118 meters in length, HMAS ANZAC and HMAS TOOWOOMBA are armed with Evolved Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles, Harpoon Block 2 Anti-ship missiles, a Mk 45 127 millimeter gun and six Mk 32 torpedo tubes. Both ships are also fitted with a flight deck and a hangar for a multi-role MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and have a top speed of 27 knots. HMAS SUCCESS is a support ship which can perform oil replenishment, ammunition, food and stores supply for other RAN ships at sea. With the displacement of 18,000 tons at full load, she is the largest ship built in Australia for the Royal Australian Navy. Capable of day and night replenishment at sea to ships alongside and concurrently by her embarked helicopter to other ships via Vertical Replenishment, HMAS Success enable RAN fleet units to operate with a greater degree of flexibility and independence from shore support than has previously been possible from other RAN sources.

Song Anh