Lieutenant Commander Paul Hannigan RAN (left), and Lieutenant Ivan Hussein RAN, sit at the controls of the MRH90, as the helicopter undergoes a ground run whilst onboard HMAS Tobruk's South West Pacific Deployment. [Photo:Defence]
The new multi-role MRH90
helicopter and HMAS Tobruk are
being put through their paces on a South West Pacific deployment.
HMAS Tobruk set sail on September 24 to participate in three
amphibious exercises; Sea Lion, Croix du Sud and Pae Tata.
The deployment is providing Navy with the opportunity to
conduct individual and collective training and some early Test and Evaluation
of the MRH90.
So far, the 10-tonne helicopter has landed on the flight deck of Tobruk during
Exercise Sea Lion in Townsville, and flown over Koumac, in New Caledonia, as
part of Exercise Croix du Sud.
Both events said to be positive steps for the capability that has
experienced some delay due to contractual issues.
Contrary to some reports, HMAS Tobruk has also
completed necessary exercises during this deployment.
Though Tobruk experienced
a clutch defect during Sea Lion, the exercise provided important basic level
amphibious skills for both the ship’s company and the Army units involved.
HMAS Tobruk has recently undergone maintenance to
allow it to operate until its planned withdrawal from service at the end of
2014.
![Lieutenant Commander Paul Hannigan RAN (left), and Lieutenant Ivan Hussein RAN, sit at the controls of the MRH90, as the helicopter undergoes a ground run whilst onboard HMAS Tobruk's South West Pacific Deployment. [Photo:Defence]](//yaffa-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/adm/images/dmImage/StandardImage/20121022ran8098578_012_main.jpg)
Lieutenant Commander Paul Hannigan RAN (left), and Lieutenant Ivan Hussein RAN, sit at the controls of the MRH90, as the helicopter undergoes a ground run whilst onboard HMAS Tobruk's South West Pacific Deployment. [Photo:Defence]
![Lieutenant Commander Paul Hannigan RAN (left), and Lieutenant Ivan Hussein RAN, sit at the controls of the MRH90, as the helicopter undergoes a ground run whilst onboard HMAS Tobruk's South West Pacific Deployment. [Photo:Defence]](http://yaffa-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/adm/images/dmImage/StandardImage/20121022ran8098578_012_main.jpg)