US, Australian Naval Forces Conduct Bilateral Operations

24 October 2024

From Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Gregory Johnson

The U.S. Navy (USN) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) conducted bilateral operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific in the Strait of Malacca, Oct. 20-23.

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BAY OF BENGAL (Oct. 20, 2024) – Royal Australian Navy Communication Information Systems Specialist Able Seaman Karl Jamieson (left), from Albany, Australia, talks with U.S. Navy Information Systems Technician Caleb Jones, from Phoenix, on a missile deck aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) while operating in the Bay of Bengal, Oct. 20, 2024. Dewey is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)

The U.S. Navy (USN) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) conducted bilateral operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific in the Strait of Malacca, Oct. 20-23.

Participating ships included the USN Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) and the RAN Anzac-class frigate HMAS Stuart (FFH 153). The two ships took part in exercise Malabar 2024 earlier in October.

"This exercise further builds on our existing interoperability and combined readiness we have with the Royal Australian Navy,” said Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “Every time we operate together, we strengthen our capabilities and shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Over four days, the ships engaged in a formation sailing exercise, an air defense exercise, maritime communications training, personnel cross-decks and visit, board, search and seizure drills.

“Conducting a joint sail with USS Dewey has been of great value, with multiple different activities conducted between the ships, including personnel exchange, boarding practices, manoeuvring in close company, and warfare drills,” said Cmdr. Warren Bechly, commanding officer, HMAS Stuart. “Whether it is large scale exercises, or ships in transit between the same ports, working with our allies and partners is always a valuable opportunity to build closer ties and enhance interoperability.”

BAY OF BENGAL (Oct. 21, 2024) – U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) approach the Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class destroyer HMAS Stuart (FFH 153) in a rigid-hull inflatable boat while conducting a visit, board, search and seizure drill in the Bay of Bengal, Oct. 21. Dewey is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)

BAY OF BENGAL (Oct. 21, 2024) – U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) pilot a rigid-hull inflatable boat while conducting a visit, board, search and seizure drill with the Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class destroyer HMAS Stuart (FFH 153) in the Bay of Bengal, Oct. 21, 2024. Dewey is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)

BAY OF BENGAL (Oct. 21, 2024) – Royal Australian Navy Seaman Noah Jones boards the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) during a visit, board, search and seizure drill while operating in the Bay of Bengal, Oct. 21. Dewey is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)

BAY OF BENGAL (Oct. 21, 2024) – The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) conducts a live-fire drill of the close-in weapons system while operating in the Bay of Bengal, Oct. 21, 2024. Dewey is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)

BAY OF BENGAL (Oct. 21, 2024) – Royal Australian Navy sailors pilot rigid-hull inflatable boats while transiting from the Anzac-class destroyer HMAS Stuart (FFH 153), seen in background, to the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) during a visit, board, search and seizure drill while operating in the Bay of Bengal, Oct. 21. Dewey is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)

BAY OF BENGAL (Oct. 20, 2024) – Sailors assigned to the Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class destroyer HMAS Stuart (FFH 153) pilot a rigid-hull inflatable boat while transiting to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) in the Bay of Bengal, Oct. 20, 2024. Dewey is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)

The U.S. Navy regularly operates alongside our allies in the Indo-Pacific region as a demonstration of our shared commitment to the rules-based international order.

Bilateral operations such as this one provide valuable opportunities to train, exercise and develop tactical interoperability across allied navies in the Indo-Pacific.

Dewey is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.

U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.