Nov-Dec 1968 – Jan 1969 - Navy League of Australia

Tibaldi SmallgoodsPty. Ltd.7-21 LENS STREETCOBURG, VICTORIAPhone: 35-4363•If Its a Sandwich make it aTibaldi, Salami or MortadellaSandwichCompliments of the Season toNaval Personnel from . . .A. Victor Leggo& Co. Pty. Ltd.•11-13 OBAN ROADRINGWOOD, VIC. 3134Telephone 870-9933D.J. & ILL.SARGEANTRear 2 Sterling CrescentSURREY HILLS, VIC.Specialists in Die PolishingPlastic Dies — Plastic MouldsDie Cast DiesTelephone: 83-3243FOODGUARDPTY. LTD.— for —Commercial Refrigeration99 BELL STREETPRESTON, VICTORIATelephone 44-1328CONTRACTORS TO ROYALAUSTRALIAN NAVYEXERCISE SILVERA large seal* NATO maritime exercise involving shipsand aircraft from nine nations, began on September 16, in theNorth Atlantic Ocean.The combined exercise, named"Silver Sands", was scheduled byAdmiral Ephraim P. Holmes. U.S.Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic(SACLANT) in Norfolk. Virginia;Admiral Sir John Bush.K.C.B.. D.S.C., Allied Commanderin-ChiefChannel (CINCHAN) inNorthwood, England, and GeneralLyman L. Lemnitzer, U.S. Army.Supreme Allied Commander (SA-CEUR) in Casteau. Belgium.Maritime forces for this NATOexercise were provided by Belgium.Federal Republic of Germany.Denmark. Netherlands. Norway.Portugal. United Kingdom. UnitedStates and Canada.In all, more than 100 ships participated.including NATO's standingnaval force Atlantic — a multinationalsquadron of destroyers andfrigates currently consisting ofvessels from the U.S.. U.K. andNetherlands.The purpose of "Silver Sands"was to exercise NATO and nationalforces and headquarters in theirdefence tasks both on the easternand western sides of the Atlantic.Fleet manoeuvres included antisubmarinewarfare, air strikes, minelaying and sweeping, submarineoperations and convoy escort forwhich a large number of merchantships were chartered.The exercise was designed to improvethe co-operation and readinessof a multi-nation fleet and todemonstrate the ability of nationalmaritime forces to integrate rapidlyinto an effective defence organisation.Close Soviet surveillance on theNATO fleet engaged in the exerciseSANDSunder orders to keep a lookoutwhile on passage through the exerciseareas. Three KOTLIN class destroyers— one an improved shipof the class armed with surface toair missiles — trawlers equippedwith complex electronic equipmentand smaller craft participated insurveillance duties.In the air. BADGER, BISONand BEAR reconnaissance aircraft,sometimes flying very low overships, maintained a "fixed look-see"pattern of flighLs.Stated a SACLANT staff officer:"The very close interest of the.vas a highly organised operationwith surface vessels and aircraftmaintaining a regular watch on theactivities of the allied ships. Russians was not unexpected andIt was apparent that the highest indeed added very much to theimportance was attached by Russia reality of the exercise as far asto gaining the maximum possible the ships and pilots of our aircraftinformation by strictly legal high were concerned. No doubt theyseas snooping on all phases of the were also making a comparisonNATO exercise from spy ships with their own manoeuvres heldworking on a systematic pattern in the same area last July."and sorties flown by long-range aircraft.There were no reports of harass-The Soviet even had oilers ment or interference with Alliedstationed in pre-arranged positions ships, but there were strong indicationsto refuel the Russian ships.of systematic monitoring ofAt least 18 Soviet vessels were radio messages and the detailed recordinginvolved, including ships obviouslyof manoeuvres.Russian Escort Destroyer of tho KOTUNPage Seventy-two THE NAVY November-December-January, 1968-69November-December-January, 1968-69 THE NAVY Page Seventy-three