Australian amphibious ops video

[Colin Parkinson]

Australian amphibious ops video


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hBjMohFQ90

 

[The Rifleman]

HMAS TOBRUK gives the Australian Defence Force an amphibious heavy lift capability. The ship is a multi -purpose troop and roll-on/roll-off, heavy vehicle carrier built by Carrington Slipways Pty Ltd at Tomago, near Newcastle , NSW. The design includes facilities for bow and stern loading, beaching, a drive-through capacity and inter-deck transfers via ramps.

TOBRUK can transport 18 Leopard tanks, 40 Armoured Personnel Carriers or 40 Australian Light Armoured Vehicles. The Vehicle Deck has been reinforced to enable the transportation of two Landing Craft Mechanical-8 (LCM-8) on specially designed cradles. In addition, two Landing Craft Vehicular Personnel units (LCVP) are secured by davits on either side of the superstructure. The ship's roll-on/roll-off function is supplemented by 2 x 8.5 tonne capacity Favco cranes and a Velle derrick capable of lifting up to 70 tonnes. The amphibious role is enhanced by forward and aft helicopter decks, which can be operated simultaneously. Helicopters can also be refuelled on both decks.

TOBRUK can accommodate up to 300 troops for extended duration. In an overloaded state, the ship can provide accommodation for up to 520 troops for short periods of time.

http://www.navy.gov.au/ships/tobruk/default.html

It seems a bit small for the lift capability - I bet its very cramped even on extended ops. Unloading is slow - I wonder how long it takes to get all vehicles and troops ashore?

 

[cobbler]

HMAS TOBRUK gives the Australian Defence Force an amphibious heavy lift capability. The ship is a multi -purpose troop and roll-on/roll-off, heavy vehicle carrier built by Carrington Slipways Pty Ltd at Tomago, near Newcastle , NSW. The design includes facilities for bow and stern loading, beaching, a drive-through capacity and inter-deck transfers via ramps.

TOBRUK can transport 18 Leopard tanks, 40 Armoured Personnel Carriers or 40 Australian Light Armoured Vehicles. The Vehicle Deck has been reinforced to enable the transportation of two Landing Craft Mechanical-8 (LCM-8) on specially designed cradles. In addition, two Landing Craft Vehicular Personnel units (LCVP) are secured by davits on either side of the superstructure. The ship's roll-on/roll-off function is supplemented by 2 x 8.5 tonne capacity Favco cranes and a Velle derrick capable of lifting up to 70 tonnes. The amphibious role is enhanced by forward and aft helicopter decks, which can be operated simultaneously. Helicopters can also be refuelled on both decks.

TOBRUK can accommodate up to 300 troops for extended duration. In an overloaded state, the ship can provide accommodation for up to 520 troops for short periods of time.

http://www.navy.gov.au/ships/tobruk/default.html

It seems a bit small for the lift capability - I bet its very cramped even on extended ops. Unloading is slow - I wonder how long it takes to get all vehicles and troops ashore?

I just got off her two weeks ago, during my short stint onboard we held an amphib ex, so in response to your comments.

Amphib ops are always slow. Maybe a whole day to get all kit off, depending on the unloading methods used and other vessels/aircraft involved.

The troops accomodation is actually pretty spacey compared to the other amphibs in the RAN fleet, however when large amounts of embarked forces hang around the embarked forces cafe it can clog things up.

http://www.defence.gov.au/exercises/ts07/images/gallery/20070613/default.htm

Shes a good ship, you are right that for a big lift amphib she is on the small side, she is also getting on in age, but she is a hard worker and provides a valuable and useful capability that very few navies have.

 

[Jungle]

It seems a bit small for the lift capability - I bet its very cramped even on extended ops. Unloading is slow - I wonder how long it takes to get all vehicles and troops ashore?

I sailed on the Tobruk from Darwin to East Timor in 1999. The ship was loaded at capacity, with Troops from the NZ Battalion and the Cdn Coy Group, and vehicles. The trip from Darwin to the Bay of Suai took 24 hrs, and unloading of the vehicles to the landing crafts was done overnight. The next morning, before first light, Recce Pl was moved to the shore aboard LCVPs, followed by the rest of the Troops and the vehs. The Sea cans were unloaded later with the help of US Super Sea Stallions from USS Belleau Wood, that took them directly to the Cdn installations on the Suai airfield.
I was impressed by the capabilities the Tobruk offered, and wished the CF had similar capabilities. Actually, I'm still wishing... 

BTW, thanks for the clip...