Australian Navy Commander Ashley Papp relinquished command of HMAS Choules, handing the weight of command to Commander Chris Aulmann on 15 November in Brisbane. HMAS Choules is a Landing Ship Dock which originally served with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary as RFA Largs Bay from 2006-2011. Choules is a la
One of Australian Navy’s most comprehensive implementation programs aimed at improving ships’ seaworthiness and fleet sustainability and preparedness has been completed. The Rizzo Reform Program, a joint Navy and Defence Materiel Organisation initiative, was established in response to the Plan to Re
As the Australian Navy’s newest ship’s company prepared for her commissioning ceremony, two Navy helicopters marked a different milestone by making the first deck landings on Australia’s largest warship. A MRH90 ‘Taipan’ from 808 Squadron and an S-70-B Seahawk from 816 Squadron flew to Fleet Base Ea
Australia’s first Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Canberra III was welcomed into service in the Royal Australian Navy on November 28. The Australian White Ensign was raised for the first time, signaling that HMAS Canberra III was formally commissioned into the Fleet. Navy, Army and Air Force members o
On November 26th, 2014, NATO and Japanese maritime forces continued to strengthen relations and enhance interoperability by conducting a combined exercise in the Gulf of Aden. It was a follow-on to the first-ever exercise between the two counter-piracy forces that took place two months ago. Like the
The Governor General of Australia, together with the Prime Minister of Australia, were the guests of honour today as Australia’s first Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) was welcomed into service in the Royal Australian Navy. The Australian White Ensign was raised for the first time, signalling that HMAS
After returning home after spending most of 2014 away from their home port, the ship’s company of HMAS Anzac paused at Fleet Base East take a united stand against violence against women. With one woman killed each week in Australia as a result of domestic violence, Anzac’s crew took the time to draw
The Royal Australian Navy’s newest maritime combat helicopter, the MH-60R Seahawk ‘Romeo’, was introduced to the Australian public on 14 November with a spectacular flight over some of Sydney Harbour’s most iconic sites. It was a welcome return home to Australia from the United States for members of
Defence force personnel from Australia are in China for Exercise Cooperation Spirit 2014 which begins today. The exercise aims to enhance coordination and cooperation between Australia, China and New Zealand in responding to unforeseen disasters that occur in the Asia-Pacific. This year the exercise
As the sun slipped below the horizon, the Australian White Ensign was lowered for the final time on Navy’s three remaining Landing Craft Heavy (LCH). Past and present crew from HMA Ships Brunei, Labuan and Tarakan watched from the HMAS Cairns quarterdeck as the ships were decommissioned after almost
Australian Defence Force vessels and aircraft have completed monitoring a Russian Surface Task Group that was operating in the Coral Sea to Australia’s north. The Russian ships did not enter Australian territorial waters and have now departed the Coral Sea. The flotilla included Russian Federation S
HMAS Toowoomba has intercepted a vessel carrying approximately 388 kilograms of heroin in international waters off the east coast of Africa. The drug seizure on 17 November 2014 was part of a determined multi-national campaign to disrupt drug smuggling in the Indian Ocean, profits from which provide
Seven Royal Australian Navy members left Australia this week to embed with the Combined Maritime Force’s Canadian led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF150) in the Middle East. From December 2014 to April 2015, the Navy team will work in CTF150 to deter, disrupt and defeat international terrorist organisa
After over six months away from their homeport of Fleet Base East, the crew of HMAS Anzac has returned home with an upgraded ship that brings new capabilities to the Royal Australian Navy. Commanding Officer, Commander Matthew Doornbos, and his crew departed Sydney, on 23 January, in Anzac’s sister
