Top military
brass from the Australian and Thai Navies salute the start of AusThai
2011.
Patcharapol Panrak
With CARAT 2011 just concluded, the Royal Thai Navy
launched another round of war games, this time with counterparts from
Australia.
AusThai 2011 got underway May 26 with two ships from down under and two
from Sattahip at Chuksamet Pier. Rear Adm. Dusadee Sangkapreecha,
commander of Frigate Squadron 1, led the HTMS Phutta Loetla Napalai and
HTMS Rattanakosin through the week-long exercise that saw operations
between Sattahip and Koh Samui.
Two Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigates, the HMA Parramatta and
HMA Ballarat participated in the games, which focused on honing boarding
skills and reviewing lessons from the two navies’ joint mission off
Somalia last year. Fire-fighting techniques, casualty handling and first
aid were also covered.
Australian Rear Adm. Steve Gilmore said AusThai ’11 presented a great
opportunity to work alongside the Navy of a regional partner.
“It strengthens our capability and the skills of our sailors and
officers while promoting a shared understanding of how Australia and
Thailand can work together in a regional environment,” the admiral said
in a statement.
The first joint exercise with Australia took place in 1973, when New
Zealand and British forces also participated. Australia and Thailand
launched their first bilateral games in 1977.
AusThai launched a week after Thai Frigate Squadron 2 wrapped up its
two-week Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training exercise with the
United States.
