16 March 2016

USA: 3rd Fleet Commander Visits Australia

From Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Vice Adm. Nora Tyson visited Australia, March 9-12.

During her trip, she visited the Australian capital Canberra to meet with Chief of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Vice Adm. Tim Barrett, and travelled to Sydney where she met with RAN Fleet Commander Rear Adm. Stuart Mayer, attended briefs, and toured installations, vessels, and training facilities. 

U.S. 3rd Fleet is operating throughout the Pacific more regularly, and Tyson said witnessing some of Australia's military capabilities and meeting with senior Navy leadership in person has been priceless. 

"We value our alliances and partnerships throughout the region and understand it is these relationships and shared interests that allow us to work together across the full range of military operations," said Tyson.

Tyson said Australia has long been a vital partner and ally of the U.S. 

"For more than 75 years, our countries have trained and fought alongside each other in every significant conflict since World War I. It is the steadfast alliance between the United States and Australia, supported by shared democratic values, common interests, and cultural ties, that is the anchor to peace and stability throughout the Asia-Pacific and around the world," said Tyson.

Tyson also noted, Australia has been a key participant in past Rim of the Pacific Exercises (RIMPAC) and has been invited to participate again this summer. RIMPAC is the world's largest international maritime exercise and takes place in and around the Hawaiian Islands every two years. 

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.