Fresh from two months of security patrols, including drug-busting operations alongside the Royal Navy in the Indian Ocean, the Kiwi warship is now getting used to the ways of working with the multinational force, led by HMS Prince of Wales, Naval News reports.
The group is knuckling down to the Asia-Pacific phase of its Operation Highmast deployment, spending the bulk of the summer east of Suez conducting a series of exercises with allies and partners in the region.
Te Kaha – Maori for ‘The Force’ – adds a Pacific flavour to a potent group already comprising ships from Norway, Canada and Spain as well as a core of Royal Navy/Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels.
“Te Kaha already has ‘runs on the board’ following a successful two-month deployment with the Combined Task Force 150 in the Arabian Sea, so they’ll be hitting the ground running,” said Commodore Shane Arndell, the Royal New Zealand Navy’s Maritime Component Commander.
“Being able to work collaboratively with our global allies and partners and demonstrating maritime interoperability is critical for us and Operation Highmast will deliver some key outcomes for our Navy.”
The task group’s commander, Commodore James Blackmore, flew aboard the New Zealand vessel to formally welcome Te Kaha, her Commanding Officer Commander Fiona Jameson, and her 180 crew.
“The UK Carrier Strike Group is multinational by design – it’s fantastic to work with allies and partners from across the world and it’s fantastic to have our New Zealand friends with us as we develop our combined operational capabilities,” Cdre Blackmore said.
“It was a privilege to visit HMNZS Te Kaha. Having such a professional crew integrating with us as we reinforce the rules based international order in the Indo-Pacific will certainly enhance our outputs.”
Already the New Zealanders have made use of the task group’s refuelling facilities, conducting her first replenishment at sea.
And her Sea Sprite helicopter has been getting used to flight decks such as HMS Prince of Wales, while Fleet Air Arm helicopters have dropped in on Te Kaha.
The task group is spending the central part of its eight-month mission east of Suez, with a string of major exercises, interaction with allies and partners throughout Asia and the western Pacific Rim, and numerous high-profile port visits.
