HMAS Melville (A 246)

An Agusta 109 helicopter prepares to conduct vertical replenishment with HMAS Melville during Minor War Vessel Fleet Concentration Period. The Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army have tested their collective metal in a major exercise near Darwin. The second Minor War Vessel Fleet Concentration Period of 2011 has concluded after a week of joint-service-in -company-training in the Northern Australian Exercise area. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Melville (A 246)

HMAS Melville exercises force protection tactics during Minor War Vessel Fleet Concentration Period. The Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army have tested their collective metal in a major exercise near Darwin. The second Minor War Vessel Fleet Concentration Period of 2011 has concluded after a week of joint-service-in -company-training in the Northern Australian Exercise area. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Tobruk (L50)

HMAS Tobruk with French Naval Ship Jacques Cartier and Royal New Zealand Navy HMNZS Canterbury in the back ground prior to Beaching onto Cowley Beach, Military Exercise Area Queensland. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Tobruk (L50)

A LCM8 (Landing Craft Mechanised 8tonne) conducts a stern door marriage with HMAS TOBRUK for a vehicle and passenger transfer as a French Puma helicopter sits on the ships flight deck in Canala Bay off the coast of New Caledonia during Exercise Croix Du Sud 2006. (Photo: Australia DoD)

FNS Jacques Cartier (L 9033)

The French Amphibious Ship FNS JACQUES CARTIER, sails away after rafting with HMAS TOBRUK in Canala Bay, to conduct a vehicle transfer in which to land vehicles and troops onto the beach head off the coast of New Caledonia during Exercise Croix Du Sud 2006. (Photo: Australia DoD)

FNS Jacques Cartier (L 9033)

The French Amphibious Ship FNS JACQUES CARTIER, returns to sea after beaching its self in Canala Bay after landing its vehicles and troops onto the beach head off the coast of New Caledonia during Exercise Croix Du Sud 2006. (Photo: Australia DoD)

FNS Jacques Cartier (L 9033)

The French Amphibious ship FNS Jacques Cartier at sea off the coast of New Caledonia during Exercise Croix Du Sud 2006. (Photo: Australia DoD)

FNS Jacques Cartier (L 9033)

The French Navy ship, Jacques Cartier, comes alongside HMAS Tobruk in New Caledonia during Exercise Croix du Sud. Deep caption Exercise Croix du Sud (Southern Cross) is a biennial multinational amphibious exercise hosted by the French Armed Forces of New Caledonia with visiting forces from Australia, New Zealand and Pacific island states. Exercise Croix du Sud 2006 is scheduled from late April to early May 2006. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Tobruk (L50)

HMAS Tobruk anchored off the coast of New Caledonia during Exercise Croix Du Sud. Deep caption Exercise Croix du Sud (Southern Cross) is a biennial multinational amphibious exercise hosted by the French Armed Forces of New Caledonia with visiting forces from Australia, New Zealand and Pacific island states. Exercise Croix du Sud 2006 is scheduled from late April to early May 2006. (Photo: Australia DoD)