HMAS Choules – SeaWaves – the BEST naval news since 1995

Milestone RAS as East Meets West

August 6, 2019 seawaves

August 6, 2019 – On her way home to Fleet Base West from the warmer climes of the South West Pacific, HMAS Sirius rendezvoused with east-based HMA Ships Hobart and Choules in the waters off Jervis Bay for a replenishment at sea. A key milestone was achieved for Choules as she conducted her first ever replenishment with Sirius, an activity which supported her Unit Readiness Evaluation (URE). It was the second time that Sirius had conducted a replenishment with ‘the Green Ghost’ (HMAS Hobart) whose speed and manoeuvrability was on…

HMAS Choules Visits Honiara

March 15, 2019 seawaves

March 5, 2019 – HMAS Choules arrived in Honiara today for a three-day visit to train with, and deliver stores for, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in advance of the national general elections in April. Australian Defence Force personnel from all Services have deployed on HMAS Choules for a month-long activity to undertake engagement and training with our regional partners and other government agencies in the Southwest Pacific. The Commander of the Joint Task Group, Commander Phillipa Hay, said the deployment provides an opportunity to contribute to long-standing…

HMAS Choules completes vist to Papua New Guinea

February 27, 2019 seawaves

February 27, 2019 – HMAS Choules has departed Papua New Guinea (PNG), having successfully completed a visit to Port Moresby and the Lombrum Naval Base, Her Majesty’s Papua New Guinea Ship (HMPNGS) Tarangau in Manus Province. HMAS Choules delivered equipment and tools, gifted as part of the Defence Cooperation Program, that will be used to support the capability development of Lombrum Naval Base. HMAS Choules also hosted 18 members of the PNG Defence Force for the four day transit between Port Moresby and Manus Province. During their time onboard, the…

HMAS Choules Embarks on Engagement with the Pacific

February 20, 2019 seawaves

February 20, 2019 – HMAS Choules has deployed on a month-long activity for maritime and land training with Australian regional partners in the Southwest Pacific. HMAS Choules, an amphibious landing ship, departed Townsville on 19 February bound for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, where Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel will undertake an extensive program of bilateral training with regional militaries and other government agencies. Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said the activity was an early contribution to the Australian Government’s Pacific ‘Step Up’ announced by…

HMAS Choules Flagship at the Royal Hobart Regatta

February 12, 2019 seawaves

February 12, 2019 – HMAS Choules spent a busy weekend in Hobart, proudly representing the Royal Australian Navy as the Flag Ship for the Royal Hobart Regatta and opening her gangway to the public. The open day saw around 2000 people explore the amphibious Landing Ship Dock on Saturday. People young and old took the opportunity to explore the ship’s dock and embarked naval flight and take in Army and amphibious displays. Many also sat in the Captain’s chair on the Bridge and tried on damage control equipment. Fifteen-year-old Ashley…

HMAS Choules to open its heart to Sydney on 22 September

September 19, 2018 seawaves

September 19, 2018 – Navy enthusiasts and curious minds of all ages are in for a rare treat on Saturday 22 September as one of Australia’s largest and tallest Navy ships, HMAS Choules, invites civilians on board in support of the NSW Kids in Need charity. The Royal Australian Navy Tour includes exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to naval base Garden Island and 176-metre long amphibious Landing Ship Dock HMAS Choules. More often deployed for the ‘heavy lifting’ required in national and international disaster relief, HMAS Choules and its crew will dedicate a day in port at…

Amphibious forces join for major exercise

June 14, 2018 seawaves

Navy’s amphibious focus has shifted into top gear with two Task Groups now deployed across the region. While the Indo-Pacific Endeavour Task Group continues its successful deployment in the South West Pacific, a major exercise has concluded off the north Queensland coast. Exercise SEA EXPLORER was one of a series of exercises, providing an opportunity for both Navy and Army to participate in community events in the town of Bowen. Amphibious operations are among the most complex, required for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, non-combatant evacuation, and joint combat operations.…

Choules supports First of Class flight trials

March 27, 2018 seawaves

Landing Ship Dock HMAS Choules has conducted First of Class Flight Trials for the CH-47F Chinook helicopter marking a significant increase to amphibious capability. Elements from the Australian Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment and the Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit embarked Choules for the duration of the flight trials. The CH-47F conducted 206 launches and flew for a total of 66 hours. Observations and measurements of the flights formed the basis for the development of Ship Helicopter Operating Limits, which define the conditions for the safe conduct of CH-47F flying…

Flight deck marshaller shares milestone with HMAS Choules

January 25, 2018 seawaves

HMAS Choules, together with Leading Seaman Aviation Technician Aircraft Jesse Palmer, achieved a significant milestone recently as both reached the milestone of 1,000 flight deck landings. On 30 November Leading Seaman Palmer, performing marshalling duties, directed the landing of a helicopter on the flight deck of Choules. It was the 1,000th landing on an Australian warship in his career as a Flight Deck Marshaller. The milestone was shared in part by the ship, which only 12 hours earlier had achieved 1,000 helicopter deck landings for the 2017 calendar year. Leading…

Choules on task in New Zealand

October 24, 2017 seawaves

HMAS Choules has delivered a combined force of 150 soldiers and marines from Australia and Tonga to New Zealand as part of Exercise SOUTHERN KATIPO. Her responsiveness was on show when she arrived alongside at Picton in the South Island only a week after supporting the people of Vanuatu as part of the evacuation of Ambae Island under threat of a volcanic eruption. As part of the exercise scenario, Choules was approached by role-playing protestors in small boats during her transit through the Marlborough Sounds to the wharf at Picton,…

Choules proves assistance prowess again

October 14, 2017 seawaves

Preparing for an exercise scenario in New Zealand quickly became a real life disaster relief effort for the ship’s company of HMAS Choules as a result of an active volcano. Choules had embarked in Townsville troops from 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, 1st Combat Service Support Battalion and 10th Force Support Battalion, in addition to a platoon of His Majesty’s Armed Forces Royal Tonga Marines, for Exercise Southern Katipo. However, on 29 September, their plans changed when Choules was tasked to Operation VANUATU ASSIST 2017, the Australian Defence Force…

Navy Completes Cyclone Assist Tasks

April 8, 2017April 8, 2017 seawaves

April 8, 2017 – As North Queensland continues its transition from the emergency response to the recovery phase, HMAS Choules and Melville have completed their tasks, in consultation with the Queensland Government, and now returned to normal duties with the Royal Australian Navy. Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral David Johnston said both ships provided valuable assistance in Operation Queensland Assist 17 under Joint Task Force 661 to support those affected by Tropical Cyclone Debbie. “Hydrographic survey vessel HMAS Melville conducted port surveys across the region and used its Rigid…