Aug-Sep-Oct, Nov-Dec 1971-Jan 1972 - Navy League of Australia

Autco Engineering Pty. Ltd.SEABRIGHT STREET, NORTH SHOREGEELONG, VIC., 3214Manufacturers of MUFFLER SYSTEMS. BUMPER BARS. FUEL TANKS — PressCapacity 300 Tons. SPOT-SEAM PROJECTION AND WIRE WELDING. ALLTYPES OF CORROSIVE PREVENTION. ZINC PLATING. PHOSPHATE COATING.NICKEL AND CHROME PLATING TO THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE STANDARDPhone: Geelong 7-7254Consult Us with Your Next Glazing ProblemLANSDELL GLASS12-14 AUDREY STREETNORTH COBURG, VIC.Phones: 35-2787 — 35-2876Glazing Contractors — Sheet Glass — Figured Glass — PolishedPlate Glass — Mirrors — Table TopsContractors to Trade and Retail. Aluminium Windows a SpecialityAluminium ShowcasesConsult Us With Your Next Glazing ProblemFree Quotes — No ObligationDEFENCE REPORT 1971in Vietnam, members of the R.A.N. Flight earned sevenD.S.C.s. three D.F.C.s. two M B E s and 21 mentions indispatches.The R.A.N, continued to maintain one fleet unit inVietnam area as part of the United States Navy'sSeventh Fleet until September this year. Since 1967. thiscommitment was undertaken by guided missiledestroyers H.M.A. Ships. Perth, Hobart and Brisbane andthe Daring-class destroyer H.M.A.S Vendetta.By 30 June 1971 the troop transport H.M.A.S Sydneyhad made 20 return passages to Vietnam since mid-1965 carrying troops, vehicles and equipment.Strategic ReserveTwo ships have been deployed- to the BritishCommonwealth Strategic Reserve on a continuing basisduring 1970-71. H M.A Ships Vendetta, Derwent.Parramatta, Swan, Duchess and Yarra served in the areaat various times during the year.It is intended that the R.A.N, will make a contributionto the A.N.Z.U.K. force in the area after the transitionfrom the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve on 31dOctober 1971Exercise Swan LakeIn October and November 1970 the first majormaritime exercise sponsored by the R.A.N, was held inthe Indian Ocean off Western Australia.Named Swan Lake, the exercise was conducted todemonstrate the practicability of deploying ships fromAustralia's east coast and other areas to the WestAustralian area, and to provide tactical, anti-submarine,air operational and weapon training for ships of theR.A.N and R.N. and maritime forces of the R.N.Z.A.F.and R.A.A.F.Ships which took part in the exercise were H.M.A.S.Melbourne, the guided missile destroyer H.M.A.S.Brisbane, the destroyer escort H.M.A.S. Swan, thefrigates H.M. Ships Charybdis, Minerva, Lynx andAshanti, the submarines H.M.S. Finwhale and H.M.A.Ships Oxley and Otway, and the patrol boat H.M.A.S.Acute. They were supported by the fleet oiler H.M.A.S.Supply, the submarine support ship H.M.S. Forth, thedestroyer tender H.M.A.S. Stalwart, and the Royal FleetAuxiliaries Olemeda, Resource and Typhoon.Neptune and Orion anti-submarine aircraft from theR.A.A.F. and R.N.Z.A.F also took part.Exercise Swan Lake was directed by the Flag OfficerCommanding the Australian Fleet.Patrol BoatsTwo patrol boats transferred their base from Sydneyto Cairns in January and a third in February toundertake regular patrols in North Queensland waters.After an investigation into the relative advantages ofTownsville and Cairns as a North Queensland patrolboat base. Cairns was selected because its harbouroffered better protection from cyclones,accommodation was more suitable, an all-weatherpassage through the Barrier Reef was closer and it wasnearer the main areas of operation for pafroj boats.Twenty-nine houses have been purchased in Cairns asmarried accommodation for patrol boats crews andmaintenance personnel.Patrol boat operations continued to be conductedfrom Sydney. Westernport and Darwin, and by thePapua New Gujnea Division of the R.A.N, from ManusIsland.Pag* Thirty-Four THE NAVY Novambar-Dacambar-January,November-December-January, 1971/72THE NAVYPage Thirty-five