• HMAS Pirie is among the Australian ships taking part in the Minor War Vessel Concentration Period.
    HMAS Pirie is among the Australian ships taking part in the Minor War Vessel Concentration Period.
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The Minor War Vessel Concentration Period (MWVCP) sea phase has commenced in waters off Darwin, with Royal Australian Navy ships practicing general mariner, surface and amphibious warfare skills.

During the week-long activity, HMA Ships Glenelg, Pirie, Bundaberg, Balikpapan and Betano will focus on collective competencies including boarding operations, tactical manoeuvring, and seamanship.

"Darwin-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment, with an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV), General Motor Vehicle and three Unimogs, will join Navy in an amphibious landing, simulating a non-combative evacuation operation.

"The activity will practise relocating to a place of safety non-combatants threatened in a foreign country," Commander Mine Warfare, Hydrography and Patrol Boat Force, Captain Vaughan Rixon said.

"Maritime interception skills will also be honed with boarding operations practised on the merchant ship MV Sapphire Bay with aerial support provided by a Navy Augusta A109E helicopter from 723 Squadron.

"Gunnery shoots will also be conducted against towed air targets.

"This exercise is an important part of Navy's ongoing training program, aimed at enhancing its capability to protect Australia and its interests," CAPT Rixon said.

MWVCP is part of ongoing efforts to improve ADF capability to protect Australia and its interests, and enhance interoperability within the ADF and with the many agencies involved in the border protection task.

It is a carefully planned activity and will be conducted within strict environmental, safety and risk management constraints.

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