Sea riders familiarised with big landing craft

In the lead-up to Exercise Orient Shield, five ADF personnel embarked on board Japanese and United States landing craft from Yokohama North Dock to observe littoral capabilities while transporting equipment to Hokkaido for the exercise.

The contingent, drawn from 1 Div’s Littoral Manoeuvre Group, observed cargo handling, navigation and shipboard operations while underway as sea riders.

Littoral Manoeuvre Group maritime warfare officer Leut Madeleine Kinnear, RAN, said the deployment would help inform the Army’s introduction of new medium and heavy landing craft.

“The sea riders travelled to Hokkaido to participate in Exercise Orient Shield, but they also gained valuable experience operating on board established landing craft capabilities ahead of their introduction into Australian Army service,” Leut Kinnear said.

“They are building an understanding of how these vessels can be employed to support future operations, strengthening Army’s ability to move personnel, equipment and supplies throughout the littoral environment, particularly across Australia's northern approaches.”

The vessels are capable of carrying up to 270 personnel and operating at speeds of up to 15 knots. Their roll-on/roll-off design enables vehicles, stores and personnel to be embarked and delivered directly ashore.

Landing craft vessel master Cpl Luke Smith, of the 1st Landing Craft Battalion in Townsville, said the experience would provide lessons in operating larger landing craft and integrating them into future littoral operations.

“We have experience working across Army and Royal Australian Navy landing craft platforms, but this opportunity will allow us to learn how larger vessels embark and disembark troops, vehicles and supplies at scale,” Cpl Smith said.

“By learning from our Japanese and US counterparts, we’ll take away best practices in deck operations and vessel employment that will help us prepare for the introduction of these larger platforms. Once in service, they will significantly enhance our ability to support littoral operations as part of an integrated and focused force.”