ANZAC takes the weight
4 July 2007 By LTCOL Jeff Squire
HMAS Anzac is now on station in the Persian Gulf, having 'taken the weight' from HMAS Toowoomba on 18 June.
ANZAC's Commanding Officer CAPT Ian Middleton said his ship was proud to be in the Gulf making a direct contribution to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq.
"The Iraqi oil platforms that we protect with our coalition partners out here account for about 85 per cent of Iraq's gross domestic product. By protecting these platforms we are ensuring the future of Iraq's fledgling economy," he said.
Anzac physically took the weight from HMAS Toowoomba when CAPT Middleton was handed a symbolic dumbbell by TOOWOOMBA's Commanding Officer (CO), CMDR Jaimie Hatcher.
The 'weight' was constructed by HMAS Darwin using 76mm shell casings at the start of 2005 and has been passed from CO to CO since that time. While the 'weight' is symbolic, it represents the outstanding service and ongoing commitment that the Royal Australian Navy is making to support Iraq as part of the ADF's Joint Task Force 633.
CAPT Middleton praised the achievements of HMAS Toowoomba as she sails back to Australia. 'She has an excellent reputation in the Gulf and we have very big shoes to fill', he said.
CAPT Middleton said the greatest challenge facing Anzac was to maintain vigilance in demanding conditions against a foe that is difficult to detect.
"Finding the bad guy is the challenge here. The Gulf is an extremely busy body of water with hundreds of vessels moving every day. It is just as hard to pick the bad guy out here as it is on the ground in Iraq. We have well developed procedures to meet this challenge and we are determined to achieve our mission," he said.
"Conditions will be difficult with high temperatures and humidity providing a daily challenge. It will often be over 50 degrees with temperatures on the steel deck hitting around 75," he said.
CAPT Middleton said his crew was looking forward to working as part of the coalition naval force in the Gulf.
"It is always fulfilling to work as part of a multi-national force and for the sailors to actually come here and do the job," he said.
As she steamed into the Gulf to commence her first patrol, HMAS Anzac carried the ANZAC spirit and reputation with her.
"Taking station here on an Australian-built ship named Anzac is a tremendous honour. We are all committed to making our contribution to protecting Iraq's economy and living up to the expectations that go with the name and history of ANZAC," CAPT Middleton said.
