KD Lekiu (FFG 30)

The Royal Malaysian Navy Ship KD Lekiu conducting replenishment at sea approaches with HMAS Tobruk during exercise Bersama Padu 2010 in Malaysia. Mid Caption: Forces from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia and the United Kingdom have joined together under the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) to participate in Exercise Bersama Padu (BP10). The aim of BP10 is to exercise force elements from maritime, land and air forces from member nations of the FPDA to enhance interoperability among assigned forces. The exercise is hosted by the Malaysian Defence Force and staged from Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth. BP10 is taking place in the South China Sea and on the Malaysian Peninsula from 11-29 October. (Photographer: SGT Chris Weissenborn)

KD Jebat (FFG 29)

Malaysian Ship KD JEBAT and HMAS MARYBOROUGH conducting Officer Of the Watch Manoeuvres (OOWM) during Exercise MASTEX. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMTS Sukhothai (FS 442 )

Thai Ratanakosin Class Missile Corvette, HMTS Sukhothai in the background. Ships depart Fort Hill Wharf in Darwin and the HMAS Coonawarra Basin for the two week sea phase of Exercise Kakadu. Two thousand sailors and airmen from nine nations are gearing up in northern Australia for Exercise Kakadu IX, an important international Defence exercise. The 19 day exercise will bring together Defence personnel from Australia, New Zealand, the French Armed Forces - New Caledonia (FANC), Singapore, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Japan and Thailand; with observers from the Philippines, Indonesia and India. (Photo: Australia DoD)

PNS Babur (D 182)

Pakistan Navy Destroyer, PNS Babur in Darwin Harbour with Pakistan Replenishment & Auxiliary Ship, PNS NASR in the background. Ships depart Fort Hill Wharf in Darwin and the HMAS Coonawarra Basin for the two week sea phase of Exercise Kakadu. Two thousand sailors and airmen from nine nations are gearing up in northern Australia for Exercise Kakadu IX, an important international Defence exercise. The 19 day exercise will bring together Defence personnel from Australia, New Zealand, the French Armed Forces - New Caledonia (FANC), Singapore, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Japan and Thailand; with observers from the Philippines, Indonesia and India. Exercise Kakadu IX is a multilateral exercise aimed at developing interoperability in maritime operations in an international environment. It is the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) premier international engagement activity for 2008 and will take place in the Northern Australian Exercise Area off Darwin. (Photo: Australia DoD)

JS Samidare (DDG 106)

Japanese Destoyer, JS Samidare departs Fort Hill Wharf in Darwin for sea with Thai, Ratanakosin Class Missile Corvette, HTMS Sukhothai in the background. Ships depart Fort Hill Wharf in Darwin and the HMAS Coonawarra Basin for the two week sea phase of Exercise Kakadu. Two thousand sailors and airmen from nine nations are gearing up in northern Australia for Exercise Kakadu IX, an important international Defence exercise. The 19 day exercise will bring together Defence personnel from Australia, New Zealand, the French Armed Forces - New Caledonia (FANC), Singapore, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Japan and Thailand; with observers from the Philippines, Indonesia and India. Exercise Kakadu IX is a multilateral exercise aimed at developing interoperability in maritime operations in an international environment. (Photo: Australia DoD)

JS Samidare (DDG 106)

Japanese Destoyer, JS Samidare departs Fort Hill Wharf in Darwin for sea with naval hospital ship, USNS Mercy in the background. Ships depart Fort Hill Wharf in Darwin and the HMAS Coonawarra Basin for the two week sea phase of Exercise Kakadu. Two thousand sailors and airmen from nine nations are gearing up in northern Australia for Exercise Kakadu IX, an important international Defence exercise. The 19 day exercise will bring together Defence personnel from Australia, New Zealand, the French Armed Forces - New Caledonia (FANC), Singapore, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Japan and Thailand; with observers from the Philippines, Indonesia and India. Exercise Kakadu IX is a multilateral exercise aimed at developing interoperability in maritime operations in an international environment. It is the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) premier international engagement activity for 2008 and will take place in the Northern Australian Exercise Area off Darwin. (Photo: Australia DoD)

KD Jebat (FFG 29)

Malaysian Guided Missile Frigate, KD Jebat (front) in Darwin Harbour with Pakistan Replenishment & Auxiliary Ship, PNS NASR in the background. Ships depart Fort Hill Wharf in Darwin and the HMAS Coonawarra Basin for the two week sea phase of Exercise Kakadu. Two thousand sailors and airmen from nine nations are gearing up in northern Australia for Exercise Kakadu IX, an important international Defence exercise. The 19 day exercise will bring together Defence personnel from Australia, New Zealand, the French Armed Forces - New Caledonia (FANC), Singapore, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Japan and Thailand; with observers from the Philippines, Indonesia and India. Exercise Kakadu IX is a multilateral exercise aimed at developing interoperability in maritime operations in an international environment. (Photo: Australia DoD)

PNS Babur (D182)

Pakistan Navy Destroyer, in Darwin Harbour. Ships depart Fort Hill Wharf in Darwin and the HMAS Coonawarra Basin for the two week sea phase of Exercise Kakadu. Two thousand sailors and airmen from nine nations are gearing up in northern Australia for Exercise Kakadu IX, an important international Defence exercise. The 19 day exercise will bring together Defence personnel from Australia, New Zealand, the French Armed Forces - New Caledonia (FANC), Singapore, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Japan and Thailand; with observers from the Philippines, Indonesia and India. Exercise Kakadu IX is a multilateral exercise aimed at developing interoperability in maritime operations in an international environment. (Photo: Australia DoD)http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

KD Jebat (FFG 29)

Malaysian Guided Missile Frigate, KD Jebat (front) in Darwin Harbour with Huon Class Mine Hunter Coastal, HMAS Diamantina (right) in the background. Ships depart Fort Hill Wharf in Darwin and the HMAS Coonawarra Basin for the two week sea phase of Exercise Kakadu. Two thousand sailors and airmen from nine nations are gearing up in northern Australia for Exercise Kakadu IX, an important international Defence exercise. The 19 day exercise will bring together Defence personnel from Australia, New Zealand, the French Armed Forces - New Caledonia (FANC), Singapore, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Japan and Thailand; with observers from the Philippines, Indonesia and India.(Photo: Australia DoD)

KD Jebat (FFG 29)

Malaysian Guided Missile Frigate, KD Jebat (front) in Darwin Harbour with naval hospital ship, USNS Mercy in the background. Ships depart Fort Hill Wharf in Darwin and the HMAS Coonawarra Basin for the two week sea phase of Exercise Kakadu. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Diamantina (M 86)

Huon Class Mine Hunter Coastal, HMAS Diamantina departs the HMAS Coonawarra Basin for sea with naval hospital ship, USNS Mercy in the background. Ships depart Fort Hill Wharf in Darwin and the HMAS Coonawarra Basin for the two week sea phase of Exercise Kakadu. Two thousand sailors and airmen from nine nations are gearing up in northern Australia for Exercise Kakadu IX, an important international Defence exercise. The 19 day exercise will bring together Defence personnel from Australia, New Zealand, the French Armed Forces - New Caledonia (FANC), Singapore, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Japan and Thailand; with observers from the Philippines, Indonesia and India. Exercise Kakadu IX is a multilateral exercise aimed at developing interoperability in maritime operations in an international environment. It is the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) premier international engagement activity for 2008 and will take place in the Northern Australian Exercise Area off Darwin. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Diamantina (M 86)

Huon Class Mine Hunter Coastal, HMAS Diamantina departs the HMAS Coonawarra Basin for sea with Japanese Destroyer, JS Samidare in the background. Ships depart Fort Hill Wharf in Darwin and the HMAS Coonawarra Basin for the two week sea phase of Exercise Kakadu. Two thousand sailors and airmen from nine nations are gearing up in northern Australia for Exercise Kakadu IX, an important international Defence exercise. The 19 day exercise will bring together Defence personnel from Australia, New Zealand, the French Armed Forces - New Caledonia (FANC), Singapore, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Japan and Thailand; with observers from the Philippines, Indonesia and India. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Diamantina (M 86)

Huon Class Mine Hunter Coastal, HMAS Diamantina departs the HMAS Coonawarra Basin for sea with HMAS Gascoyne in the background. Ships depart Fort Hill Wharf in Darwin and the HMAS Coonawarra Basin for the two week sea phase of Exercise Kakadu. Two thousand sailors and airmen from nine nations are gearing up in northern Australia for Exercise Kakadu IX, an important international Defence exercise. The 19 day exercise will bring together Defence personnel from Australia, New Zealand, the French Armed Forces - New Caledonia (FANC), Singapore, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Japan and Thailand; with observers from the Philippines, Indonesia and India. Exercise Kakadu IX is a multilateral exercise aimed at developing interoperability in maritime operations in an international environment.(Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Diamantina (M 86)

Huon Class Mine Hunter Coastal, HMAS Diamantina departs the HMAS Coonawarra Basin for sea with Malaysian Guided Missile Frigate, KD Jebat in the background. Ships depart Fort Hill Wharf in Darwin and the HMAS Coonawarra Basin for the two week sea phase of Exercise Kakadu. Two thousand sailors and airmen from nine nations are gearing up in northern Australia for Exercise Kakadu IX, an important international Defence exercise. The 19 day exercise will bring together Defence personnel from Australia, New Zealand, the French Armed Forces - New Caledonia (FANC), Singapore, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Japan and Thailand; with observers from the Philippines, Indonesia and India. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Collins (SSG 73)

HMAS Collins transits through Cockburn Sound towards HMAS Stirling. Collins Class Submarines, HMAS Rankin, HMAS Waller and HMAS Collins transitting in formation through Gage Roads, Cockburn Sound. (Photography by Petty Officer Photographer Damian Pawlenko)

HMAS Collins (SSG 73)

HMAS Collins (foreground) rendezuous with HMAS Waller (left) and HMAS Rankin. Collins Class Submarines, HMAS Rankin, HMAS Waller and HMAS Collins transitting in formation through Gage Roads, Cockburn Sound. (Photography by Petty Officer Photographer Damian Pawlenko)

HMAS Collins (SSG 73)

HMAS Collins transits through Cockburn Sound at sunrise. Collins Class Submarines, HMAS Rankin, HMAS Waller and HMAS Collins transitting in formation through Gage Roads, Cockburn Sound. (Photography by Petty Officer Photographer Damian Pawlenko)

HMAS Collins (SSG 73)

HMAS Collins transits through Cockburn Sound towards HMAS Stirling. (Photography by Petty Officer Photographer Damian Pawlenko)

HMAS Yarra (M87)

Huon Class Mine Hunter Coastal HMAS Yarra (M87) enters into Fleet Base West for Pacific Reach 07. (Photography by Petty Officer Damian Pawlenko)

HMAS Norman (M 84)

Huon Class Mine Hunter Coastal's (MHC) HMAS Norman (M 84) and HMAS Yarra (M 87) enter into Fleet Base West for Exercise Pacific Reach 07. (Photography by Petty Officer Damian Pawlenko)

HMAS Norman (M 84)

Huon Class Mine Hunter Coastals HMAS Norman (M 84) and HMAS Yarra (M 87) enter into Fleet Base West for Exercise Pacific Reach 07. (Photography by Petty Officer Damian Pawlenko)

USS Safeguard (ARS 50)

The only forward deployed rescue and salvage ship, USS Safeguard (ARS 50), steams off the coast of Kyushu Island. Safeguard, along with USS La Jolla (SSN 701), and the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic are the U.S. Navy participants in Exercise Pacific Reach 2002. Pacific Reach is an exercise hosted by the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) designed to improve submarine rescue capabilities. Members of the United States, Japan, Australian, Republic of Korea and Republic of Singapore navies are participating in the exercise with observers from Indonesia, United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, France, China and India. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force)