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Australian Midshipmen Experience U.S. Navy During Talisman Saber 09

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090714-08
Release Date: 7/14/2009 4:25:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bryan Reckard, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West Det. Japan

USS MUSTIN, At Sea (NNS) -- Royal Australian Navy (RAN) midshipmen arrived aboard USS Mustin (DDG 89) July 5 to observe how the U.S. Navy works on a day-to-day basis.

Mustin is participating in Talisman Saber 2009, a joint exercise between U.S. and Australian military forces that includes participation from more than 20,000 U.S. and 10,000 Australian personnel.

"It's been great so far," said RAN midshipman Nick Dening. "We've been able to do a few things that we haven't been able to do up until now with our limited experience in the defense force so far, and everyone's been really helpful, and it's been really good," Dening continued. "It's an opportunity for us to get a bit of experience and see how our countries work together.

"There aren't that many differences; I suppose that the similarities between the two navies are more obvious than the differences. Obviously, we're pretty close allies, and a lot of the systems and procedures we use are pretty similar."

During their time on Mustin, the two midshipmen have fired some of the weapons, experienced flight quarters, watched the five-inch gun fire, visited different departments and met the crew.

"We haven't been to sea that many times before," said RAN midshipman Mark Esposito. "This is certainly my longest cruise, so it's obviously been a real eye-opener for myself, but I'm enjoying it. It's been fantastic. It's a really friendly crew. I have yet to ask a question that somebody has not known the answer to. Everyone's been really helpful."

Mustin is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. Talisman Saber 2009 is an exercise to train U.S. and Australian Joint Task Force and operations staff in crisis action planning for execution of contingency operations.

For more news from Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c7f/.