McCampbell Arrives in Sydney

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170724-02
Release Date: 7/24/2017 8:19:00 AM

By Lt. j.g. Soon Kwon, USS McCampbell (DDG 85) Public Affairs

SYDNEY, Australia (NNS) -- The forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) pulled into Sydney, Australia, July 23.

The port visit marks the end of McCampbell's participation in the biennial, U.S.-Australia, multi-domain exercise Talisman Saber 2017 (TS 17). This was an exercise that focused on joint training among U.S. forces to conduct a range of missions in the air, sea, land, and cyberspace.

US Navy participants included USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), Carrier Air Wing 5, USS Shiloh (CG 62), USS Barry (DDG 52), USS McCampbell (DDG 85), USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), USS Green Bay (LPD 20), USS Germantown (LSD 42) and USS Sterett (DDG 104).

More than 33,000 forces from the U.S. and Australia have participated in TS 17. Although TS 17 remained a bilateral exercise, members of the New Zealand Defense Forces participated under the command of Australia, and members of the Japanese Self-Defense Force participated under U.S. Command.

Among various events in TS 17, McCampbell and Royal Australian Navy ships conducted replenishments-at-sea and simulated warfighting scenarios that included surface action group maneuvers and anti-submarine training.

"Talisman Saber 2017 provided a rare and valuable opportunity for our Sailors to work alongside the Royal Australian Navy," said Cmdr. Ed Angelinas, commanding officer of McCampbell. "This exercise greatly enhanced our interoperability skills and displayed great teamwork in a combined maritime environment."

Australians and Americans have fought alongside each other in every major conflict over the past century. The United States has deep, sustained ties with its five bilateral defense treaty allies (Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Thailand) and strong emerging partnerships with many other nations in the region.

While in Sydney, Sailors will have the opportunity to enjoy local sights and volunteer at a local hospital.

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Eric Johnson, from Birmingham, Alabama, said, "This will be my first time in Australia, so I am excited to learn about the country and its culture. I have been looking forward to visiting popular tourist attractions and enjoying local foods."

McCampbell is currently on patrol with the Carrier Strike Group Five (CSG 5) in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.