Australia deploys air units to Guam to conduct air-naval exercises with RIMAC-bound ships

RAAF and RAN contingent during exercises off Guam. Photo c/o Australian Department of Defence.


Australia has deployed Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) units to Guam, as it meets up with a Joint Task Group from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) arriving in the area to conduct advanced joint air-naval integration drills, and local units of the United States Air Force (USAF).

The RAAF unit consists of Boeing F/A-18A Hornets fighters, Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic warfare attack aircraft, a Boeing E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft, and an Airbus KC-30 Multi-Role Transport Tanker aircraft together with 150 personnel. 


The unit met the RAN Joint Task Group composed of the Canberra-class amphibious assault ship HMAS Canberra (L 02), the Hobart-class air defense destroyer HMAS Hobart (DDG 39), the ANZAC-class frigates HMAS Stuart (FFH 153) and HMAS Arunta (FFH 151), and the fleet replenishment ship HMAS Sirius (O 266) while on its way to Hawaii to participate in next month's multinational Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercises 2020.

Before leaving for Hawaii, the RAN Joint Task Group conducted regional deployment in Southeast Asia including sailing in the contested South China Sea.

Australian Minister of Defence Linda Reynolds said that the training of air and sea forces is an important progression in joint force capabilities, and integrating in an air and sea environment.

Min. Reynolds also mentioned the deployment's demonstration of Australian Defence Force (ADF)'s being a capable force able to conduct complex and deploy extended periods at sea and air organically with its regional partners.


The exercise also improves on the interoperability of RAN and RAAF units with the USAF forces in the region.

The RAAF contingent will return to Australia in late July 2020, while the RAN contingent is expected to arrive in Hawaii by early August 2020.


[1] Australian Department of Defence
Australia deploys air units to Guam to conduct air-naval exercises with RIMAC-bound ships Australia deploys air units to Guam to conduct air-naval exercises with RIMAC-bound ships Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on July 26, 2020 Rating: 5

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