Friends from Down Under

By LT Pat "Waldo" Colley, USN

While at an all-hands call during a visit to HSM-37, Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific, CAPT Christopher “Jean-Luc” Richard remarked: “We have no better friend in the MH-60R Program than the Royal Australian Navy.” The Commodore’s comments were initially regarding the massive research and development investments made by the Royal Australian Navy into the MH-60R Multi-Mission Maritime Helicopter that is operated by the U.S. Navy and eight partner nations. However, as security challenges in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility continue to grow in terms of complexity and intensity, the need for reliable friends and allies is becoming more evident.

Throughout March 2024, HSM-37 welcomed the Valkyries of the Royal Australian Navy’s 816 Squadron, Flight 607 into our home at Hangar 101 onboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The Valkyries disembarked their ship, HMAS Stewart (FFH 153) to conduct landbased operations while Stewart operated in and out of Pearl Harbor. Throughout the month, HSM-37 and Flight 607 integrated in just about every facet of operations. Easyriders and Valkyries shared maintenance lessons learned and best practices, conducted joint SAR pool training, executed ASW and SUW simulator events as a mixed crew, and even flew together. The joint efforts culminated in Flight 607’s participation in several Helicopter Advanced Readiness Program (HARP) events at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai. On operating with the Royal Australian Navy, HSM-37 NATOPS Officer LT Zachary “BOB” Strohl remarked, “The Australians use procedures similar to ours, which made the transition of flying with them essentially seamless.”

The seamless integration was not solely the result of similar publications, or shared tactics, techniques, and procedures, but a direct result of the strong professional friendship that was built between partner nations. From weeks before their arrival, up to and beyond the Valkyries’ departure, all hands aboard HSM-37 made concerted efforts to be welcoming hosts. From joint All-Khaki meetings to a Green Light Party, both sides were eager to foster camaraderie and cooperation. While their visit was shorter than all of us would have liked, it didn’t take long to learn that the Valkyries of the Royal Australian Navy are not just a tremendously capable MH-60R detachment, but also genuinely wonderful people and cherished friends.