Following a five month deployment to south-east Asia, Australian Navy submarine HMAS Sheean returned to Fleet Base West, in Rockingham, Western Australia last week.
Sheean’s deployment included visits to Singapore, Kuantan, Subic Bay and Darwin as well as involvement in Exercise Kakadu, held in the waters off the top end of Australia.
During her deployment, the submarine also completed a supported maintenance period with the assistance of Submarine Enterprise partners. Personnel and stores were effectively mobilised and deployed in challenging monsoon conditions for logistics and maintenance support visits in the region.
Commanding Officer Sheean, Commander Jason Cupples said he was proud of his team.
“After several months away and numerous hours dived, the crew have worked and performed impeccably, accepting all challenges and displaying professionalism second to none,” he said.
Commander Submarine Force Captain Matt Buckley said the boat had been busy completing tasking in support of protecting Australia’s national interests.
“This is yet another highly successful deployment for an Australian submarine into the Indo-Pacific. Through the excellent work of the crew, supported by the Submarine Enterprise, Sheean has delivered a sustained and highly effective deterrent capability with excellent reliability achieved throughout,” he said.