Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates
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t68
Well-Known Member
Fair dinkum, nice touch glad to hear it.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8285187/ex-rn-ship-to-be-named-after-last-wwi-vet
Im not sure a dedicated ASW frigate is the ideal solution. It would take additional funding and post cold war these assets were the ones to lack upgrades and political purpose. Plus there is benifit to having more than one ship when doing ASW. You get an additional sonar point, you can approach from additional vectors, cover more area, helos can operate inbetween or to the nearest vessel, points to drop munitions from, UAV's etc. Its much harder to evade two assets and a helo than one asset and a helo.
Ideally we need the frigates or OCV to have two helos. Thus pairing two assets would give you decent ASW capbility. Worse case AWD 1 helo, AnzacII 1 helo, OCV 1 helo (ie 3 assets deploying together). Thats not ideal, I would imagine they are hoping that something happens in the UAV/UUV space. I would assume something would happen by the time the Anzacs are reefed and the OCV's are built.
Ideally we need the frigates or OCV to have two helos. Thus pairing two assets would give you decent ASW capbility. Worse case AWD 1 helo, AnzacII 1 helo, OCV 1 helo (ie 3 assets deploying together). Thats not ideal, I would imagine they are hoping that something happens in the UAV/UUV space. I would assume something would happen by the time the Anzacs are reefed and the OCV's are built.
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There is a current order to have all RAN ships going on excercises etc to go in-company and maximise training between units. With these two units only one carrys a helo between them as training and operational flights reduce the ready flights for having both ships embarked.
If we could see these units both carrying helos then you would get more training with more air assests. at this point its rare to have two RAN helos in training during any excercise off aus. With the purchase of Romeos we will see more ships travelling with flights, but manning priorities and bunks available will not see 2 onboard a ship such as FFG at any point, let alone a future ship with 2 hangers. Flights and their aircrew are not considered a training priority over getting more junior sailors from critically short manned departments. Knowing they get the same work and training ashore let alone at sea reduces the need to have them onboard.
Theres not much point in ordering a ship with 2 hangers if you dont utilise them, although the 2nd "shed" is always handy for storage.
The red rat is actually stuck on not painted and will go on when she gets commissioned.She's missing a kangaroo on the side as far as I can see from that photo....don't forget it.
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As will the red lighted one for night time, looks really good when your stumbling back at night looking for which ships yours parked next to the kiwis...:drunk1
Manoora's old one's were sitting in our stores office before I left for England.She's missing a kangaroo on the side as far as I can see from that photo....don't forget it.
Maybe we will be using them for HMAS Choules?
What a fantastic name!
A second hangar is always a nifty thing to have, even if most of the time it is used as a gym...Theres not much point in ordering a ship with 2 hangers if you dont utilise them, although the 2nd "shed" is always handy for storage.
I would hope in the new vessels they do actually dedicate decent space for a gym (and not just left over space). (Although won't be a roomy as a second hanger). While the AWD will be tight, the Anzac II & OCV's have seen significant growth over predecessors. For example the room to house 100 refugees on the OCV could easily be flexible space, gym, food and aid stores, make shift hospital/triage, troop space, ideally be able to load shipping containers/equipment, combat growth (ESSM) etc. With helo facilities this all becomes more capable.
All the rec space will be on the LHD's. Until we get some more helo's I would imagine its going to be very empty. I would imagine its hanger would look more like an indoor sports centre than an aircraft hanger. Then on deck you have all that deck space to run fitness, even a hill sprint area. Army guys will love it. Then at the rear you have an indoor/out door pool/spa area. Although it’s probably a bit too tall to throw a cargo net down the side and jump off.
I wonder if the RAN would consider purchasing and deploying A109's or squirrels on the OCV for aid delivery, basic search and rescue, EEZ enforcement/policing. While not a true naval helicopter, this would free up more larger more expensive helos for what they were intended for while these operated in shore or around coasts (not blue water gallivanting). For going 1 NH-90, we could pick up 8-10 smaller helicopters enough to supply any OCV that would benefit with one. It would also help with pilot training and hours. You might also be able to fit on 109 and one UAV rotary asset in the same small hanger (or 2 109s/as350).
All the rec space will be on the LHD's. Until we get some more helo's I would imagine its going to be very empty. I would imagine its hanger would look more like an indoor sports centre than an aircraft hanger. Then on deck you have all that deck space to run fitness, even a hill sprint area. Army guys will love it. Then at the rear you have an indoor/out door pool/spa area. Although it’s probably a bit too tall to throw a cargo net down the side and jump off.
I wonder if the RAN would consider purchasing and deploying A109's or squirrels on the OCV for aid delivery, basic search and rescue, EEZ enforcement/policing. While not a true naval helicopter, this would free up more larger more expensive helos for what they were intended for while these operated in shore or around coasts (not blue water gallivanting). For going 1 NH-90, we could pick up 8-10 smaller helicopters enough to supply any OCV that would benefit with one. It would also help with pilot training and hours. You might also be able to fit on 109 and one UAV rotary asset in the same small hanger (or 2 109s/as350).
Personally I am very disappointed with this name. Claude Choules served the RN and the RAN for a long time through both World Wars and is to be admired for that, but at the end of the day he is not a hero of the service.
I'm not a fan of using peoples name for ships as it goes against RN/RAN traditions but at least the sub names had some meaning.
I believe we should of called her HMAS Milne Bay. This name would respect that she is a "Bay" class and honored the memory of one of the most pivotal battles of the Pacific campaign.
I respect Mr Choules for his service, so much so I volunteered to serve in his honor guard at his funeral. But at the end of the day he is just a old gezzer who lived a bloody long time.
Well there's my 2 cents guys
I'm not a fan of using peoples name for ships as it goes against RN/RAN traditions but at least the sub names had some meaning.
I believe we should of called her HMAS Milne Bay. This name would respect that she is a "Bay" class and honored the memory of one of the most pivotal battles of the Pacific campaign.
I respect Mr Choules for his service, so much so I volunteered to serve in his honor guard at his funeral. But at the end of the day he is just a old gezzer who lived a bloody long time.
Well there's my 2 cents guys
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I agree mate, I'm not sure that naming a ship after him is justified. I can think of a few more guys who possibly did more in the wars that could have had a ship named after them eg Getting or Stoker, or maybe one of the RANVR guys that won a George Cross during WWII for mine disposal ie Mould, Syme or Goldsworthy who is the most highly decorated RAN pusser to date.
Cheers
Same here, I also feel we need to keep our history andam not a huge fan of naming ships after an individual.
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- #6,396
It seems all those who were in the RAN are in agreement(for now)
the idea that naming it after a man who outlived many others compared to the deeds of some of our most heroic sailors and officers does not reflect why ships are named after people. If a patrol boat had been given the name id agree with it, but this will be the flagship of our fleet until the LHD comes online, naming it as Thepuss said after milne bay would be more of a tribute to those who fought and died there. The passages would show images of men fighting the japanese, a tremendous view as troops were awaiting disembarkment for their upcoming mission.
Its no secret this has stunned a few people, mostly the fleet. Come monday ill be interested to hear some of the others thoughts as many will have no idea whats going on(the level of knowledge in terms of the future of the RAN as well as the ADF at large is surprisingly low amongst personnel until it becomes a scandel)
I would have thought keeping in line of Tobruks name would have been more sound then a guy who lived longer then most...
the idea that naming it after a man who outlived many others compared to the deeds of some of our most heroic sailors and officers does not reflect why ships are named after people. If a patrol boat had been given the name id agree with it, but this will be the flagship of our fleet until the LHD comes online, naming it as Thepuss said after milne bay would be more of a tribute to those who fought and died there. The passages would show images of men fighting the japanese, a tremendous view as troops were awaiting disembarkment for their upcoming mission.
Its no secret this has stunned a few people, mostly the fleet. Come monday ill be interested to hear some of the others thoughts as many will have no idea whats going on(the level of knowledge in terms of the future of the RAN as well as the ADF at large is surprisingly low amongst personnel until it becomes a scandel)
I would have thought keeping in line of Tobruks name would have been more sound then a guy who lived longer then most...
John Newman
The Bunker Group
No disrespect to the late Mr Choules and his family, but was this the "bright" idea of some public servant in Canberra or a pollie??
Normally, where would the recommendations have come from regarding the naming of this ship?
And if Mr Choules had not recently passed away, had a name already been suggested and approved? And if it was, does anyone knows what was it?
And yes, I agree, that the Ship should have been named more appropriately, for example, after an historical amphibious operation, as has been mentioned by others.
t68
Well-Known Member
so what name did the skipper let slip?We were told LB HMAS name today, the skipper let it slip.
No surprises really
Considering Mr Choules passed away only 8 days before the slip.
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