816 Squadron Helicopter Crew Returns Home with HMAS Parramatta

4 March 2009

“Absolutely fantastic” was how LCDR Mark Massie summed up his feelings on arriving home after a six month deployment to the Middle East aboard HMAS Parramatta.

LCDR Massie, CPO Scott Whitby and PO Andrew Watson, a Seahawk helicopter crew from 816 Squadron, received two enthusiastic “Welcome home’s” in the one day.

Parramatta was first greeted in Sydney with a traditional naval ceremony which was attended by the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MO and the Commander Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM RAN.

Minister Snowdon said the Parramatta had served with distinction during the deployment ”This is a credit to the hard work and dedication of the ship’s company”, he said, adding that it was a “mission they could not have achieved without the support and encouragement of their loved ones.”

One of the loved ones waiting to greet them in Sydney was LCDR Massie’s wife Deanne de Leeuw who chose a very distinctive red dress for the occasion. Ms de Leeuw looked so stunning there was no chance of LCDR Massie missing her in the crowd.

Ms De Leeuw was so excited to have her husband home after a long 6 months that, after greeting the Parramatta in Sydney, she raced back to HMAS Albatross to be part of the second welcoming party when the crew landed back at their home base in Nowra.

Whilst deployed, Parramatta assisted with the protection of Iraqi offshore oil terminals and helped train the Iraqi Navy.

LCDR Massie described the operation as “a complete success” saying “Our aim was to protect the Iraqi infrastructure and assist in rebuilding the economy and that’s exactly what we did. We had such a dedicated team and their families should be extremely proud of the work they’ve done for our nation”.

LCDR Massie's flight was also awarded the Collins Trophy for the best performing embarked Flight along with their ship, HMAS Parramatta who won the Gloucester Cup.