Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder

CORAL SEA (NNS) Sailors aboard guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) participated in a series of personnel cross-deck exercises with Royal Australian Navy (RAN) guided-missile frigate HMAS Newcastle (FFG 06) July 20-23 while deployed with the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group in support of the bilateral exercise Talisman Saber 2009.

The biennial combined training exercise is designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting combined operations, to improve combat readiness and interoperability between the forces.

Over the course of the exercise series, 34 Newcastle Sailors boarded McCampbell to spend the day observing the ship’s operations. Following a general tour of the ship’s Combat Information Center, forecastle, bridge, Central Control Station, flight deck, and topside weapons systems, McCampbell Sailors in comparable ranks and ratings paired off with their Newcastle counterparts to observe specific operations and tour spaces in line with their work.

“The opportunity to see the inner workings of a U.S. Navy ship at sea proved to be a valuable learning experience,” said RAN Sublieutenant Stacey Rigney.

“I’ve never seen an American ship at sea, and I wanted to learn about the difference in the machinery spaces. I’ve done tours before when I was a kid, but this is the first time I’ve come and really known what was going on,” Rigney said. “It helps to realize we’re not just one ship operating on our own out there, and it’s good to see the other ships who operate with you.”

Cryptologic Technician-Maintenance 2nd Class Christopher Cooper of New York, N.Y., was one of the McCampbell Sailors selected to cross-deck with the Newcastle. His first experience aboard another naval service vessel, he said, was both enjoyable and enlightening.

“I learned a lot about the differences with us. It’s interesting to see how a defense force does things as opposed to a forward-deployed force,” said Cooper. “You get a better understanding of how the equipment and mechanics of the Australian ship works when you actually go over there, and you can see first-hand how the operators carry out their mission. Everyone was friendly, and it was a great opportunity.”

USS McCampbell is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 and patrols the 7th Fleet area of responsibility conducting routine operations. Operating in the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean, the U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets covering 48 million square miles, with approximately 60-70 ships, 200-300 aircraft, and 40,000 Sailors and Marines assigned at any time.