January 8 2020 – A Royal Navy helicopter pilot has helped save countless lives from the apocalyptic fires devastating Australia. Lieutenant Commander Nick Grimmer has been in near round-the-clock action for two months flying rescue missions, evacuating people otherwise trapped by the flames. The 35-year-old, originally from Great Yarmouth, is on a three-year exchange in Australia, swapping submarine-hunting Merlin helicopters…
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Milestone RAS as East Meets West
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…
Read MoreHMAS Choules Visits Honiara
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…
Read MoreHMAS Choules completes vist to Papua New Guinea
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…
Read MoreHMAS Choules Embarks on Engagement with the Pacific
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…
Read MoreHMAS Choules Flagship at the Royal Hobart Regatta
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…
Read MoreHMAS Choules to open its heart to Sydney on 22 September
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…
Read MoreAmphibious forces join for major exercise
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…
Read MoreChoules supports First of Class flight trials
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…
Read MoreFlight deck marshaller shares milestone with HMAS Choules
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…
Read MoreChoules on task in New Zealand
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…
Read MoreChoules proves assistance prowess again
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…
Read MoreNavy Completes Cyclone Assist Tasks
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…
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