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Kitty Hawk Strike Group Aims to Strengthen Bilateral Capabilities in Talisman Saber

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050627-07
Release Date: 6/27/2005 11:28:00 AM

By Journalist 3rd Class Christopher Koons, USS Kitty Hawk Public Affairs

USS KITTY HAWK, At Sea (NNS) -- The United States and Australia opened a new chapter in their military partnership June 12 as USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and other members of the Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group, alongside forces from the Australian military, began participation in Exercise Talisman Saber 2005.

Talisman Saber will see a combined force of about 6,000 Australian and 11,000 U.S. personnel from all branches of the armed services operating in several locations in Central and Northern Queensland, Australia, with maritime forces conducting exercises off the coast of Queensland in the Coral Sea.

“Talisman Saber is a combined U.S.-Australia exercise to show that we can operate together, work toward common goals and practice our ability to operate as a united front in the event of a crisis,” said Lt. Cmdr. Keith Patton, Kitty Hawk’s electronic warfare officer.

“On the Australian side, the refueling ship HMAS Success (AOR 304), the frigate HMAS Canberra (FFG 02) and other Royal Australian Navy ships are participating,” said Patton. “The Royal Australian Air Force also has F/A-18 and F-111 fighter jets taking part.”

On the U.S. side, the Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group also gets to show its colors, said Patton.

“Kitty Hawk, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, USS Cowpens (CG 63) and USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) are all participating,” he said.

Talisman Saber combines two previous exercises between the U.S. and Australian militaries, Tandem Thrust and Crocodile.

“Talisman Saber has combined all of the objectives from the previous two into one big exercise that will be held every two years,” said Patton.

Overall, the Hawk/5 team will benefit greatly from the exercise, said Patton.

“Kitty Hawk and CVW-5 are both gaining familiarity working with our Australian allies and operating in a new environment,” he said. “Coordinating such a large scale operation is always a challenge, but I see it is a great learning experience for everyone involved.”

Talisman Saber is a great test for all involved, said Capt. Ed McNamee, Kitty Hawk’s commanding officer.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Kitty Hawk to train with the Australian Navy,” said McNamee.

Given the pace of the exercise, those Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group Sailors who are directly involved with Talisman Saber do not need to worry about getting bored, said McNamee.

“We are staying busy, doing something different every day,” he said. “It is just like the real thing.”

The Kitty Hawk Strike Group is the largest carrier strike group in the Navy and is composed of the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, the guided-missile cruisers USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and USS Cowpens (CG 63), and Destroyer Squadron 15.