Media Release

29 September 2012

Navy Ships Return with Prizes And Bounty

Two Royal New Zealand Navy warships returned home today from a four-month deployment, which reinforced the Navy’s role as an integral member of the Asia-Pacific security community.

Throughout their time away, frigate HMNZS TE KAHA and fleet replenishment ship HMNZS ENDEAVOUR demonstrated their versatility and value by participating in three major exercises, which included the world’s largest naval exercise RIMPAC off the coast of Hawaii.

It was the first time in 28 years that New Zealand ships were invited to take part in RIMPAC and the exercise gave our Navy an opportunity to train and work alongside some of the Pacific’s biggest navies, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Australia.

The Navy performed with distinction among the 22 countries participating. Frigate TE KAHA took podium places in three main competitions, placing first in Specialist Warfare Skills and Knowledge; second in Sport, and third in Gunnery.

Fleet replenishment ship ENDEAVOUR set impressive records, including the pumping of over two million litres of fuel in one day and the completion of 51 replenishments at sea, a number well above normal activity.

The deployment also included participation in Exercise PACIFIC BRIDGE in the Western Pacific as well as Exercise KAKADU off the coast of Darwin, where TE KAHA led a task force of ships from other navies.

But that’s not all; on her way to RIMPAC, ENDEAVOUR provided diesel fuel to Penrhyn Island in the north of the Cook Islands group, guaranteeing the island was able to maintain domestic utilities and power generation.

“The crew have all worked extremely hard over the last four months, and are looking forward to spending some time with family and friends,” says ENDEAVOUR’s Commanding Officer, Commander Keith Robb. “I have been blown away by their unfailing effort. They are a great crew and I’m proud to be associated with them.”

These sentiments were echoed by TE KAHA’s Commanding Officer, Commander Jonathan Beadsmoore: “Everyone is proud of what we’ve achieved, but we are also looking forward to getting home and having a well deserved rest. I am impressed with the crew’s can-do attitude. The amount of great feedback I’ve received from our partner navies has been overwhelming.”
ENDS

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