[Australia]: Operation Gateway

[Owen]

​

​

Operation Gateway is Australia's enduring contribution to the preservation of regional security and stability in South East Asia. For Operation Gateway, the Australian Defence Force provides maritime surveillance patrols in the South China Sea. Operation Gateway helps maintain the bilateral Defence relationship between Australia and Malaysia & Singapore. Operation Gateway is part of the support to Australia's efforts to counter people smuggling in the region.

Date:	25th August 2012 - Present
Location:	South China Sea
Status:	Ongoing
Main Operating Base:	RSAF Base Sembawang
Commanders and Leaders:	Kevin Rudd (Prime Minister) Gai Brodtmann (Minister for Defence) Rear Admiral Jaimie Hatcher (Commander, Operation Gateway) Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin (Chief of the Defence Force) Vice Admiral Tim Barrett (Chief of Navy) Air Marshal Leo Davies (Chief of Air Force) Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld (Chief of Joint Operations)
Current Deployed Forces:	Royal Australian Air Force: - 1x P-8A Poseidon from No. 10 Squadron with 9x Personnel armed with -- 5x Mark 54 Torpedoes in internal ports - 1x E-7A Wedgetail from No. 2 Squadron with 10x Personnel Royal Australian Navy: - HMAS Toowomba (Anzac-Class Frigate) with 170x Personnel armed with: -- 8x Harpoon Block II Anti-Ship Missiles -- 6x MU90 Torpedoes -- 8x RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles -- Full Rounds for Mark 45 Mod 2 Gun -- Full Rounds for 2x Rafael Mini Typhoon CIWS -- 2x RHIBs -- 1x MH-60R Seahawk Helicopter armed with 3x Mark 54 Torpedoes ARMAMENTS CLASSIFIED
Casualties:	None

 

[Owen]

At RAAF Base Edinburgh north of Adelaide, the P-8A Poseidon would be loaded up with its personnel, armaments and required fuel to get to Singapore. It would take off from Edinburgh and would head north along route: PF -> PG -> PH -> OI -> OJ. Meanwhile at RAAF Base Williamtown in Newcastle the E-7A Wedgetail would have its personnel loaded and the required fuel to get to Singapore and would fly north-west along route QF -> PG -> PH -> OI -> OJ. On the ground at RSAF Base Sembawang, the 2nd/30th Training Group, would constitute its role as Rifle Company Singapore and would provide base protection for the aircraft on the ground. At Fleet Base West in Perth, HMAS Toowoomba would be loaded up with the listed ordnances and 170 personnel would begin boarding with their required things for an extended period of time at sea. It would completed loaded up with fuel, food and water to at least last it until it got to Singapore. It would travel north along the west coast of Australia sliding in between Sumatra and Java before heading along the coast of Sumatra towards the Strait of Singapore along route: OF -> OG -> OH -> OI -> OJ.

HMAS Toowoomba ready to depart Fleet Base West.​

 

[Owen]

At RSAF Base Sembawang, the P-8A Poseidon would come into land and would get permission from the tower. It would fly over the straits of Singapore, the officers who were commanding the large windows would see the huge amounts of container and bulk carrier ships who would scatter across the straits where almost all goods between Asia and Africa, Europe and the Middle East would go through.

"Sembawang, this is Sea Lion Eight-Eight-Four. Requesting permission to land."

The E-7A Wedgetail would not be far behind and would follow the same pattern as the Poseidon and would request permission to land at Sembawang.

"Sembawang, this is Eagle Ops Seven-Three-Nine. Requesting permission to land."

Meanwhile, HMAS Toowoomba would be approaching through the Straits of Singapore and would head towards Sembawang Port which was the old Her Majesty's Naval Base Singapore. This would be a fitting location due to its history and close proximity to RSAF Base Sembawang where the other forces were based. It would get permission to dock from the Maritime Control Tower.

"Sembawang Port, HMAS Toowoomba here. Requesting permission to dock."

 

[Jace]

Sembawang airbase had once again been activated shortly before the arrival of 2/30 training brigade to the base. Once more it grew lively with activity with various base personnel being reassigned from other bases to accommodate the kingdom's allies during their mission within the country.

"Sembawang, this is Sea Lion Eight-Eight-Four. Requesting permission to land."

The communication was received by ATC as they tracked the presence of the two planes flying above the base with the intention to land.

"Sea Lion Eight-Eight-Four, this is Sembawang Tower, you are clear to land."

The second plane in approach received the same response, and with it the all clear to land. Meanwhile across from the base at Sembawang Port, Maritime Control would reach out to the Australian ship in response to their permission to dock.

"HMAS Toowomba, you have permission to dock at port at your discretion. Welcome to Singapore, and God Bless. Sembawang Control, over and out."

 

[Owen]

The two planes would touch down one after the other at Sembawang and would taxi to a disused parking spot and would park next to each other. The Australian Army personnel based there would provide base protection and would surround the aircraft armed with F88 Austeyrs. The crew of the planes would get out and greet the Army personnel before heading to the base's main buildings for some R&R and proper food at the mess hall. The aircraft would be re-fuelled on the ground for their first mission over the South China Sea and would have routine maintenance checks.

Meanwhile at Sembawang Port, HMAS Toowoomba would glide into port and would be guided with the assistance of a tugboat. Upon coming to dock, the anchor would be lowered and the ropes would thrown to Singaporean Port workers at the dock who would tie it to the bollards on the dock. A small bridge would be attached to the Toowoomba so crew can get off to the dock. The crew would get off and have some R&R at port and would be allowed to go into Downtown Singapore so much as they returned by 1600 hours. The ship would be refuelled and restoked with food, water and necessary supplies.

 

[Owen]

At Sembawang Air Base, the 2 planes would be completely loaded up and the crew would return and take their spots on the mission control panels and two on the big windows on both sides of the P-8A Poseidon. The crew would put their head sets on and would be completely in mission mindset now. The pilots would begin taxiing back towards the runway. Upon receiving permission from the tower they would take off, Poseidon first followed by the Wedgetail. They would head in a North-East direction towards the South China Sea and the Spratly Islands. It would be completely within the OJ square, only taking an hour to get to the destination where they hope they will be able to find the confrontation currently going on. Meanwhile at Sembawang Naval Base, HMAS Toowomba would be reloaded and the crew would return from their R&R, it would release the anchor and the ropes and would begin sailing away from the dock, tooting its horn as it did. It would also head out around the Singapore Straits and into the South China Sea within the OJ square, taking roughly 10 hours to get to the Spratly Islands.

​