11 October 2024
To finish HMAS Sydney’s contribution to Indo-Pacific Endeavour, the crew participated in activities at sea with Royal Malaysian Navy ships KD Selangor and Rencong.
This included a cross-deck, where personnel from each nation departed Kota Kinabalu in the other countries’ ships.
Sydney personnel showed their Malaysian counterparts a damage control exercise, which involved a fire in an engine space, to compare similarities and learn from each other.
Both nations observed officer-of-the-watch manoeuvrers from the bridge, including replenishment-at-sea approaches in which the ships came within a few hundred feet of each other.
They also witnessed helicopter operations where the embarked MH-60R Seahawk conducted take-offs and landings on the flight deck.
The highlight of the day was the gunnery exercise during which both Sydney and Selangor fired their main guns at a target.
The day ended with rendering honours in a sail-past, with Selangor and Rencong waving to Sydney.
Able Seaman Jessie Gamble hosted Sub-Lieutenant Janushaa Bala Krishnan on Sydney and said it was a wonderful experience.
“Janushaa was so friendly and interested in everything we had to show her. As the only female on her ship, I think she appreciated being able to spend some time on our ship and see how the Royal Australian Navy operates at sea,” Able Seaman Gamble said.
Commander Indo-Pacific Endeavour Commodore Michael Harris also sailed with Royal Malaysian Navy Captain Mohammad Fairuz Hassan on board Sydney to experience the day.
“The people-to-people engagement is such an important part and focus of IPE. Getting to experience and witness it in Sydney by watching friendships form and the cooperation between our two nations was another practical demonstration of that in action, and underscores what we’re trying to achieve,” Commodore Harris said.
“These activities directly contribute to a peaceful, stable and prosperous region and build mutual understanding of interoperability between nations and their armed forces.”
Sydney’s Able Seaman Matthew Ough, who departed Kota Kinabalu on the Malaysian ships, enjoyed the experience and made friends.
“It was really interesting to learn about the different culture on board the Malaysian ships,” Able Seaman Ough said.
“They let us walk around their ships and provided a delicious lunch, including mango custard with fresh mango.”
Sydney is conducting a regional presence deployment, enhancing cooperation and relationships with regional partners and allies.
