Tag: Cairns

HMAS Leeuwin enjoys engagement with Micronesia, Palau

seawaves

November 15, 2019 – HMAS Leeuwin has conducted a series of Officer-of-the-Watch manoeuvres with Micronesian patrol boat FSS Independence and Palau patrol boat PSS Remeliik, off the coast of the Pacific island of Yap. Leeuwin’s Navigating Officer, Lieutenant Mitchel Dupen, said this was likely the first time that Australian, Micronesian and Palau vessels had conducted the manoeuvres known as ‘OOWMANS’ together in the home waters of Micronesia. He said it represented the strong bond that was being built between the three nations. “This was an amazing prelude to our pilotage…

Read More

Paluma Assumes First Lady Mantle

seawaves

August 6, 2019 – HMAS Paluma has been formally recognised as the ‘First Lady of the Fleet’, assuming the title of longest serving ship in the Royal Australian Navy. Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead handed a perpetual trophy to Paluma’s ship’s company at her homeport in Cairns. Paluma became the First Lady of the Fleet following the decommissioning of HMAS Success after 33 years of service. Paluma was commissioned on 27 February 1989 and has sailed 421,000 nautical miles over the past 30 years, primarily charting the coastal waters…

Read More

Patrol Boat Preview for Timor-Leste Delegation

seawaves

July 22, 2019 – Senior officers and officials of Timor-Leste’s military – Falantil Forcas Defesa de Timor Lorosae (F-FDTL) – and Defence Department previewed their future patrol boat during a recent visit to the Republic of Tuvalu’s new Guardian Class Patrol Boat Te Mataili II in Cairns. Te Mataili II is the second Guardian Class Patrol Boat built by Western Australian shipbuilder Austal under a contract that will see 23 ships built for Timor-Leste and 12 Pacific island nations over four years. The patrol boats are being gifted by Australia,…

Read More

USS Green Bay visits Cairns

seawaves

November 21, 2018 – USS Green Bay (LPD 20) pulled into Cairns, Australia for a port visit, November 21. The visit comes after Green Bay’s crew and the embarked Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 469 provided security and support during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, working closely with government entities including the Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock ship HMAS Adelaide (L01). “The Sailors and Marines of Green Bay were proud to represent the United States and provide security and support during…

Read More

Solo operator meets the challenge

seawaves

For Able Seaman Mathew Tickner, being the only Communication and Information Specialist on the survey motor launch HMAS Mermaid is a challenge he is ready and willing to accept. ”Radios, flags and IT support, I do it all,” he said. Delivering the full range of communications to support the ship and crew is a role he takes pride in and one he strives to enhance and learn from each day. With nine years’ service in the Navy, Able Seaman Tickner greatly enjoys the added responsibility of working with a professional…

Read More

Proliferation security initiatives come to Cairns

seawaves

Navy has been in the thick of Australia’s commitment to international proliferation security initiatives, helping host Exercise PACIFIC PROTECTOR 17 in Cairns. It was an early start for the officers and crew of HMAS Toowoomba as they made preparations to come alongside HMAS Cairns to provide support to the counter-arms proliferation activity which is part of efforts since 2003 to build capacity through a global effort to counter illicit trade in technology for weapons of mass destruction. Approximately 150 delegates from 21 different countries looked on from Toowoomba’s flight deck…

Read More