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Coalition Partners Enhance Interoperability During Talisman Saber Air Exercises
Story Number: NNS090724-27
Release Date: 7/24/2009 3:58:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John J. Mike
USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- Australian service members embarked aboard USS George Washington (GW) (CVN 73) for Exercise Talisman Saber 09 (TS09) are working side-by-side with U.S. Sailors to enhance air operations July 22.
TS09 gives GW Carrier Strike Group and Australian forces a chance to improve their working relationship as strong allies in the Pacific region, said Royal Australian Navy Cmdr. Neill Bell, the Australian liaison officer for GW.
"The most important thing about TS09 is it lets Australia strengthen its ties with the Navy and increase interoperability through the sharing of knowledge," said Bell, one of seven Australian military personnel currently embarked on board the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier.
Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lt. Catherine Rubin is sharing her experience to help GW Sailors better understand the details of Australian flight operations.
"The U.S. and Australia have a lot in common when it comes to flying aircraft," said Rubin, who performs duties similar to U.S. Navy air traffic controllers (AC). "However, there are certain guidelines pilots have to obey while flying in Australian airspace."
One example that embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 pilots might encounter during TS09 is the subtle differences in flight boundary rules.
"In Australia, aircraft have to maintain a buffer zone of two-and-a-half nautical miles and an altitude of at least 1,000 feet for boundaries near civil airspace," Rubin said. "Typically in the U.S., pilots have free range within operational boundaries."
Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW) Ennis Hooker, an air intercept controller with CVW 5 operations, said learning about these differences helps service members from both countries work better as a team.
"I've also been able to work with Lt. Rubin and other Australians to show them how the Navy does certain things differently, like talking to pilots, so we can accomplish our mission," said Hooker.
He said a concise form of English is spoken to pilots in the air, in which unnecessary words are omitted so information can be transmitted quickly.
"Our two countries communicate with aircraft in almost the same way, but there are minor differences," Hooker said. "By working together like this, we are able to teach each other our respective ways."
Hooker said that while he plays only a minor role in TS09, his work with Australian forces adds to the bigger picture of maintaining security in the Pacific region.
"Coalition forces in general help solve problems better, especially when your allies are extremely knowledgeable and are willing to share that knowledge," he said.
Bell agreed that a strong U.S.-Australian relationship is important and exercises like TS09 make both sides stronger through the exchange of methods and ideas.
"We've brought a lot of good things to GW, and I know we will take home a lot more," Bell said.
TS09 is a biennial joint Australian and U.S. military exercise designed to enhance combat readiness while maintaining the highest levels of interoperability between the two forces.
The flagship of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group, GW is commanded by Capt. David A. Lausman and is currently making its inaugural summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan.
The carrier strike group is also comprised of CVW-5, Destroyer Squadron 15, and the guided-missile cruisers USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Cowpens (CG 63).
For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn73/.
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