The Navy Vol_37_Part1 (Feb-Mar-Apr, May-June-July 1975)

ACOMMANDSHIP iANRANREQUIREMENTNotes by Alex GamkrelidzeThe present Government'spolicy to remove all AustralianServicemen from overseasbases brings to light anurgent requirement for flexiblenaval forces patrollingour coastline.The former HMAS SYDSEY, transporting troops and equipmentJrom Vietnam SYDXEY steamed more than 146,500 miles on herVietnam voyages.Since the retirement of HMASSydney, no multi-role ship exists inthe RAN.A replacement for Sydney shouldhave flexibility of roles and shouldencompass:(A) Surveillance(B) Civil AidHMAS STAL WAR T(D125j at sea — present configuration.(C) Training(D) Overseas Equipment Transfer(E) Amphibious Capacity(A) SurveillanceFor example — Flagship of smallnaval task force (perhaps including 2type 12 Destroyer Escorts) patrollingIndian Ocean, both deep oceanand coastline. Provide surveillanceon Foreign naval forces, fishingresources protection, off-shore rigprotection.The Command Ship should havecapabilities of:• Helicopter Capacity (eg. 3 SeaKings and 2 Iroquois)• Troop Capacity (100 troops withlandable vehicles and support).• Task Force Command Post (longrange communication facilities).• Replenishment for DestroyerEscorts of a task group.(B) Civil AidFlagship for civil disaster eventualities.Rapid overseas commitmentof civil disaster task forceproviding:• Helicopter for evacuation andreconstruction.• On board hospital facilities.• Landable vehicles and personnelfor reconstruction.built LPD (landing platform deck)also known as AmphibiousTransport Dock of Austin or RaleighClass (^e photograph).One of these type ships could bepurchased from the US Navy andwith minimum modernisation,could hanger 2-3 Sea Kings or 4-5Iroquois Helicopters.Troop and amphibious capacityalready exist in these ships.SHORT TERM SOLUTIONHMAS Stalwart (see photographand drawing), could be modernisedto take 2-3 Sea Kings or Iroquois Helicoptersand provide for two landingcraft. Existing space allows for— — — — — _ — — _ hospital and troop accommodation,n lieu of sailors asThe Amphibious Transport Dock, VSSJVNEA V(LPD 10).in P resent ro| e(C) TrainingShip to be capable of long rangecruises for officers and sailors andincluding facilities for helicopterpilot training at sea.(D) Equipment and PersonnelTransferShip to be able to undertake seatransport of service equipment, forexample: New aircraft purchasesoverseas, transfer of men andequipment to overseas commitments.such as United Nations PeaceKeeping Duties.(E) Amphibious CapacityAbility to land a self-containedsmall troop task force with vehicles,helicopters, medium guns andstores, for the dislodgement ofBy Courtesy offoreign guerilla activity onAustralia's Northern Coastline or aspart of UN or SEATO commitment.SHIP (ACQUIREMENT)Existing ships suitable for theabove requirement would be the USIDAVIS POST CO4 BOULTER STREETASPLEY, QLD, 4034Milk VendorsPhone: 63 5842(Readers are invited to commenton this article and submit their ownideas, plans, photographs anddrawings (black ink) regarding ourneed for a Command Ship. Suitablestories will be included in the nextedition — in full or abstract —Editor.)HMAS Stalwart. A uihor's drawing showing his concept of amodernised prof lie, enlarged helicopter deck and landing craft.BLUE RIBBONBUTCHERY172 HARGREAVES ROADWEST END, QLDalio2 CLARENCE ROAD, INDOOROOPILLYSuppliers of Prime Meat to the NavyPhone: 44 6633 — 71 2923Page Forty-fourTHE NAVYFebruaiy/March/April, 1975February/Ma rclVApfil, 1975 THE NAVY Page Forty-five