US, NZ warships dock in Cairns after Exercise Talisman Sabre exercise
Three allied warships have made a rare simultaneous port call in Cairns following the completion of Exercise Talisman Sabre in Central Queensland.
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Three allied naval vessels have docked in Cairns following the completion of Talisman Sabre in Central Queensland.
HMAS Cairns commanding officer, Commander Andrew Thorpe, confirmed the three vessels,
New Zealand frigate HMNZS Te Kaha and US Navy amphibious ships USS Rushmore and USS San Diego, which docked in Cairns on Tuesday, would head out to sea on the weekend.
“It’s unusual to have three at the port at the same time,” Commander Thorpe said.
“They got in earlier in the week … and will be heading back out to sea in the next day or two, to resume their routine operations.”
Commander Thorpe said the international visit was a great way, not only for the sailors to enjoy a respite, but to foster connections with their Australian counterparts.
“The navy Indigenous development program run from HMAS Cairns had an opportunity to visit one of the US ships and also have a game of volleyball with the US sailors on the Esplanade,” he said.
“It’s a good opportunity for new recruits to start building the mariner network and speak to other sailors from different countries.”
While on shore leave, Commander Thorpe said sailors had taken the opportunity to visit the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.
“They’ve taken the opportunity for rest and respite after a pretty intense exercise period,” he said.
“Speaking to some US officers on board, they took the opportunity to get up to the reef and the Daintree and have a look at the best of Far North Queensland, trying different foods and immersing themselves in Far North culture.”
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Originally published as US, NZ warships dock in Cairns after Exercise Talisman Sabre exercise
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