At the entrance to the Grand Harbour of Valletta, Malta, the Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Anzac was joined by STS Young Endeavour for a formation entry, kicking off a few days of engagement between the Australian Navy and the people of the Republic of Malta.
The Centenary of Anzac, a major focus of Anzac’s and Young Endeavour’s respective deployments, was part of the focus in Malta, with the two ship’s companies being represented at a service at the Capuccini Naval Cemetery where two Australian sailors from the First World War are buried.
The main focus of the port visit was to engage with the Maltese community and to strengthen Australia’s relations with one of only two Commonwealth countries in the Mediterranean – goals which were served by an Official Reception onboard Anzac, a ‘sundowner’ event on Young Endeavour, a series of official calls by Rear Admiral Allan du Toit, Australia’s senior military representative to NATO and the European Union, Captain Simon Ottaviano, the Assistant Defence Attache for the Centenary of Anzac, Commander Belinda Wood, Anzac’s Commanding Officer and Lieutenant Commander Gavin Dawe, Commanding Officer of Young Endeavour.
HMAS Anzac is currently deployed on NORTHERN TRIDENT 2015 during which it has participated in a variety of Centenary of ANZAC commemorations at the Gallipoli Peninsula, and in the Mediterranean, and will continue with a series of important international engagements.
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Image: Australian Navy