Tag: RNZN

NZDF Begins Summer Season in Antarctica

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November 14, 2019 – The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has begun its annual support to Antarctica, with more than 200 personnel from all three Services being deployed over the summer season. The NZDF has been involved in Antarctica since 1955, supporting New Zealand’s contribution to international efforts to improve scientific knowledge and safeguard the pristine environment. Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour said New Zealand had important interests in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. “By providing skilled people and advanced military equipment, we’re able to contribute…

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U.S., Allied Forces Complete EOD Exercise Hydracrab 2019

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August 31, 2019 – Expeditionary forces from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States completed exercise Hydracrab 2019, Aug. 31. Hydracrab was a first-of-its-kind quadrilateral exercise with key partner nations, which began Aug. 19 and spanned two weeks. The exercise aimed to prepare allied explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) forces to operate as an integrated, capable force in the changing and complex maritime Indo-Pacific region. “During the inaugural EOD Hydracrab exercise, our teams took on an incredible compilation of highly-realistic unit level drills, and several tactics exchanges,” said Cmdr. Andrew…

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USCG & RNZN Conduct Professional Exchanges During Operations in Oceania

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August 14, 2019 – The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) took time in early August to conduct professional exchanges while off Samoa and in American Samoa. “New Zealand is a steadfast and key partner with significant operational expertise and strong identity as a Pacific nation. The U.S. Coast Guard benefits from combined operations and exchanges like this one, reinforcing that we are part of the same extended family, or aiga as they say in Samoa. We continue to work closely together-along with Australia and other…

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Exercise Talisman Sabre Concludes

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July 27, 2019 – The closing ceremony for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 has been held in the Port of Brisbane today, marking the conclusion of Australia’s largest bilateral defence exercise with the United States. Over 1,000 personnel embarked on the USS Wasp to formally close the exercise and farewell those who participated over the past two weeks. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said Talisman Sabre was a major success, increasing interoperability between the Australian and United States defence forces, and strengthening ties with other participating nations.…

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Ships converge for Talisman Sabre 2019

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July 11, 2019 – Seventeen ships from the United States, Australia, Canada and Japan sailed together in formation for a massive photo exercise July 10, to signify the beginning of naval maneuvers as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019. This year’s Talisman Sabre is focused on defending the rights, freedoms, and uses of the sea, air, space and cyberspace guaranteed to all nations under international law and considered essential to prosperity, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. “Interoperability and working alongside allies and partners really is the future, particularly…

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Fleet Sails for Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 2019

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July 10, 2019 – Australian, United States, Japanese and New Zealand naval vessels have sailed for Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 2019 following an opening ceremony in Brisbane this week. The ceremony, held in the Port of Brisbane on the US Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, formally launched Australia’s largest bilateral exercise with the United States of America. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds, CSC, said the exercise was designed to enhance combat readiness and interoperability between the Australian and United States Armed Forces. “This premier military engagement…

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Kiwi Sailors Return from HMAS Canberra Deployment

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June 9, 2019 – A small contingent of Royal New Zealand Navy officers and sailors returned home after spending almost three months deployed in HMAS Canberra as part of INDO-PACIFIC ENDEAVOUR 2019. Lieutenant Matthew Gajzago, the senior RNZN officer deployed in HMAS Canberra, said it was an amazing opportunity to further build on the already strong ties between Australia and New Zealand. “It’s always really great integrating, networking and forming new friendships with Aussies,” Lieutenant Gajzago said. “This trip has given us a great opportunity to gain more experience in…

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Prime Minister ‘Sponsors’ New Navy Ship

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May 8, 2019 – When the Royal New Zealand Navy’s new diving support and hydrographic survey vessel is formally commissioned early next month, it will be Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who will be announcing, “I name this ship Manawanui”. A bottle of wine will be broken on the bow and the baptism of the latest addition to the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) fleet will be complete, continuing the centuries-old tradition of sponsorship of navy ships. Chief of Navy Rear Admiral David Proctor was delighted Ardern had accepted the invitation…

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Death of RNZN Sailor

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March 27, 2019 – The New Zealand Defence Force is saddened to confirm that Able Communications Technician Zachary Christopher Yarwood (23) died in North Shore Hospital yesterday following an incident during a dive training exercise on Monday night at the Devonport Naval Base. Able Communications Technician Yarwood joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 2013 and served in HMNZS Te Kaha and Philomel. At the time of the incident, he was on an advanced diver training course, looking to join HMNZS Matataua as a qualified diver. “My condolences are with…

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Navy Officer Gets Experience on American Icebreaker to Antarctica

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February 22, 2019 – Lieutenant Sophie Going joined the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) for travel and adventure and she has found both, travelling to Antarctica recently on an American icebreaker. Lieutenant Going, 26, from Devonport, will be the navigator on the RNZN’s new ship Aotearoa, which is scheduled to enter service in 2020. That ship will travel to Antarctica every two years, so to help prepare Lieutenant Going joined the crew of the United States Coastguard ship Polar Star to experience its icebreaking operation on the month-long voyage. Aotearoa,…

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ANZAC spirit alive and well on OCEAN EXPLORER

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February 25, 2019 – HMAS Success has welcomed eight members of the Royal New Zealand Navy on board for part of the ship’s final deployment before she’s decommissioned in June. The Royal New Zealand Navy contingent, consisting of three officers and five junior sailors, jumped at the chance to sail in Success just a week after the Royal Australian Navy extended an invitation for them to join ‘Battle Tanker’ on her final voyage as a ‘Her Majesty’s Australian Ship’. Prior to sailing, the Kiwi’s relished the chance to get out and about to enjoy the…

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Joint NZDF-MPI Patrols Inspect More Than 70 Vessels

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January 16, 2019 – About 50 commercial fishing vessels were among 74 vessels inspected during joint patrols conducted recently by the New Zealand Defence Force and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). The three-week operation involved Compliance staff from MPI, offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Wellington and a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion surveillance aircraft. Simon McDonald, Manager for Fisheries Compliance, Liaison and Coordination at MPI, said the operation targeted both inshore and deep-water fisheries and covered the Chatham Rise, the east coast of the South Island, Taranaki and…

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