Navy ships return home

JOHN SELKIRK/Fairfax NZ

BACK HOME: Navy frigate Te Kaha

Navy frigate Te Kaha and fleet replenishment ship Endeavour returned home today after four months taking part in Asia-Pacific security exercises.

"The crew have all worked extremely hard over the last four months, and are looking forward to spending some time with family and friends," Endeavour commanding officer Commander Keith Robb said.

The ships took part in the major Rimpac exercise off Hawaii, alongside some of the Pacific's biggest navies, including those from the United States, Japan, South Korea, Canada and Australia.

Te Kaha finished first in the specialist warfare skills and knowledge competition, second in sport, and third in gunnery.

Endeavour's activities included the pumping of over two million litres of fuel in one day and the completion of 51 replenishments at sea - well above normal, the Defence Force said.

While away, the ships also took part in the Pacific Bridge exercise in the Western Pacific as well as Exercise Kakadu off the coast of Darwin, where Te Kaha led a task force of ships from other navies.

On the way to Rimpac, Endeavour supplied diesel fuel to Penrhyn Island in the north of the Cook Islands group, guaranteeing the island was able to maintain domestic utilities and power generation.

                                                                                                                                                               Fairfax NZ News

Source: The Dominion Post, Wellington, New Zealand.