HMAS Toowoomba welcomed home
7 December 2009
Senator Mark Bishop, representing the Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, has warmly praised the ship's company of HMAS Toowoomba, following their return from a six-month deployment to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO).
The Anzac Class Frigate's 193 men and women were welcomed before a large gathering of family and friends, in a traditional ceremony at Fleet Base West at Garden Island, WA.
Senator Bishop congratulated the Commanding Officer of Toowoomba, Commander Ivan Ingham, for the dedication and achievements of his ship's company during a busy and challenging deployment. He commended Toowoomba's company on their successful involvement in international Counter-Terrorism operations in the Arabian Sea and Counter-Piracy operations off the Somali Coast.
"Toowoomba was faced with a series of new challenges given the nature of this deployment. Her people have shown themselves to be highly trained and well prepared for the tasks they faced in a vastly expanded area of operations. The crew and their families should be very proud of their achievements in the last six months," said Senator Bishop.
Commander Ingham said HMAS Toowoomba provided essential naval support to coalition Maritime Security Operations and made a significant contribution to the international effort to counter terrorism and piracy in the region.
"The work carried out by this ship's company has been first class. They can be very proud of their contribution to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea," Commander Ingham said.
This was the second time that Toowoomba has been deployed to the Gulf, with the frigate's return marking the completion of the Navy's twenty-first rotation since September 2001. HMAS Toowoomba was replaced by HMAS Stuart, which is due to return to Fleet Base East in mid 2010.
Further imagery in our gallery.
