January 13, 2020 – The Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac Class frigate HMAS Toowoomba has departed from her home port of Fleet Base West in Rockingham, Western Australia to the Middle East. Toowoomba is the 68th rotation of a Royal Australian Navy ship to the region since 1990. As part of Operation MANITOU, the deployment is part of the Australian Defence…
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HMAS Sirius Home for Christmas
December 1, 2019 – Following a busy 12 months for HMAS Sirius, the Royal Australian Navy’s West Coast based replenishment ship returned to her home port of Fleet Base West, Rockingham to the smiling faces of family and friends. Sirius has spent just 10 weeks of the past 12 months at Fleet Base West after three overseas deployments in 2019.…
Read MoreSubmarine Farncomb home after busy deployment
August 28, 2019 – After busy and demanding Asian and Australian deployments, HMAS Farncomb returned to Fleet Base West at Rockingham, Western Australia last week. During her five-month deployment, Farncomb took part in Exercises BERSAMA SHIELD, PACIFIC VANGUARD and TALISMAN SABRE. Commanding Officer HMAS Farncomb, Commander Gary Lawton said it had been a demanding time for his crew. “The team…
Read MoreSubmarine Sheean home after busy deployment
August 22, 2019 – After departing from Fleet Base West in early April, HMAS Sheean recently returned to her homeport to the delight of waiting families and friends. Among those welcoming Sheean back was Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, and Commander Submarine Force, Captain Doug Theobald. Once alongside, Sheean’s crew eagerly came ashore to be reunited with their…
Read MoreHMAS Ballarat Home From Deployment
July 15, 2019 – The Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Ballarat has been enthusiastically welcomed home to Australia following a highly successful nine-month deployment as part of Operation MANITOU. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC and Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP, were joined by family, friends and supporters on the wharf at Fleet…
Read MoreRankin Home for Christmas
December 16, 2018 – After nearly seven months away on deployment, the crew of HMAS Rankin has returned to Fleet Base West, to be met by the sight of familiar faces. Arriving just in time for Christmas, the crew were welcomed by friends, family and representatives of the Submarine Force. Rankin’s return to her home port comes after several busy…
Read MoreHMAS Stuart welcomed home from Asian deployment
November 17, 2018 – With families and well-wishers waiting eagerly on the wharf, HMAS Stuart has returned to her home port of Fleet Base West after a three-month North East Asian Deployment. While deployed, Stuart took part in a number of exercises conducted in the North East Asia region in company with HMA Ships Melbourne and Sirius. Stuart Commanding Officer…
Read MoreHMAS Ballarat deploys for nine-month Middle East mission
October 28, 2018 – HMAS Ballarat and her Ship’s Company of 190 officers and sailors departed Fleet Base West at Garden Island, Western Australia for maritime security operations in the Middle East on Sunday, 28th October 2018. Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead joined family and friends to farewell the ship and loved ones for their nine-month deployment to…
Read MoreHMAS Toowoomba returns from seven-month deployment
September 2, 2018 – HMAS Toowoomba has returned to her homeport of Fleet Base West, Rockingham, Western Australia, after the ship’s longest deployment to date, successfully contributing to seven Task Groups in seven months. Commanding Officer, Commander Mitchell Livingstone, said Toowoomba achieved many milestones since February, supporting an extensive series of exercises, international engagements and training activities. “I’m extremely proud…
Read MoreHMA Ships Stuart and Sirius Deploy
August 28, 2018 – There were banners, tears and hugs on Diamantina Wharf at Fleet Base West on August 22 as HMA Ships Sirius and Stuart headed off on deployment. The bright sunny conditions did little to take the chill off the strong southerly wind that kept families and friends huddled together as their loved ones departed. Speaking before Sirius…
Read MoreHMAS Sheean returns from deployment
After departing Fleet Base West at the end of May, Collins Class submarine, HMAS Sheean, has made a welcome return to friends and families who lined the wharf on August 14. Among the welcoming crowd was the Director General Maritime Operations, Commodore Matt Buckley, CSC, RAN. Commodore Buckley, who exercised Operational Control of Sheean throughout the deployment, is also a…
Read MoreGarden Island – where conservation meets capability
There is often something charming about an older building, but if one truly feels like it might be from another century, it may be time to consider some improvements. But what happens when heritage value and modern warfare combine? Navy’s home in the west, Fleet Base West at Garden Island has a thought-provoking history but is about to get a…
Read MoreSilent service secrets revealed
The crew of HMAS Waller had the unique opportunity to show their family members what they do when they go to sea on a recent sea ride from HMAS Stirling at Rockingham to the Port of Fremantle. The visitors were treated to a hands-on adventure which included several hours with the submarine dived as Waller sailed in preparation for Port…
Read MoreSupport Ship returns from Indo-Pacific mission
True to her motto of ‘To Serve and Provide’- HMAS Sirius sailed into her home port of Fleet Base West after almost four months at sea on 15 December, in time for well-earned Christmas break. Family and friends of the 73 crew gathered around Diamantina Wharf to welcome back the underway replenishment ship after participating in the Indo-Pacific Endeavour deployment.…
Read MoreBilateral Training Between FS Auvergne and HMAS Waller off Perth
From November 23 to 25, 2017, the Auvergne frigate and the Australian Collins-type submarine, the HMAS Waller, conducted a series of training exercises off the city of Perth, Western Australia, deepening operational cooperation. between France and Australia.
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