Navy and the Defence Materiel
Organisation have worked together to achieve this outcome. Air Force
also assisted by transporting the transformers from Germany.
The ship will now participate in a number of minor amphibious exercises
in North Queensland during May and June 2013 before joining other
Navy ships in Exercise Talisman Sabre 13 off the Queensland coast.
The Navy’s amphibious force includes Choules, the Landing Ship
Heavy HMAS Tobruk, Australian Defence Vessel Ocean Shield, and three
Landing Craft Heavy vessels.
The first Landing Helicopter Dock, recently named NUSHIP Canberra,
is due to achieve initial operating capability by the end of 2014.
