Melbourne’s Major Milestone
18 August 2010
HMAS Melbourne (Commander Michael John Harris) achieved a small but important milestone for the Navy when she sailed from Fleet Base East (FBE) for OP SLIPPER on 16 August.
Her deployment to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) marks the first operational deployment by an Adelaide Class Frigate since the billion-dollar FFG upgrade project was implemented.
Melbourne’s deployment to the Gulf of Aden, where she will soon commence anti-piracy patrols, marks her first operational deployment since 2004, when she deployed to OP CATALYST.
CMDR Harris told us "this is a significant deployment for our ship and is a great honour to be undertaking this important job on behalf of the Australian people.
“To deploy the first upgraded FFG in support of operations makes the deployment all the more professionally rewarding for us," he said.
The upgraded FFG, which has the motto ‘She Gathers Strength as She Goes’, was farewelled from FBE by CN, Vice Admiral Russ Crane AO, CSM, RAN, and the COMAUSFLT, Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore, AM, CSC, RAN, as well as more than 500 family and friends.
CN acknowledged that Melbourne is the first of the upgraded Adelaide Class FFGUP to sail for the Middle East.
“The enhancements make her a formidable force, with new missile and torpedo systems among the improved capability," he said.
VADM Crane said "the men and women embarked in Melbourne will make a vital contribution to the Australian Government's commitment to ensuring maritime security, supporting anti-terrorism and countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden."
"The thoughts and best wishes of the nation are with Melbourne as she sails to undertake this important task," he said.
Melbourne has deployed for six months to the MEAO as part of OP SLIPPER, which is the ADF’s contribution to the international campaign against terrorism, countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and maritime security. During her deployment, Melbourne will help provide security in the maritime environment, promoting regional stability and global prosperity.
These operations complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists’ use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.
This is the 24th rotation of a RAN Fleet unit to the region since operations commenced in September 2001. Melbourne has not deployed on OP SLIPPER since her first tour to the Middle East in 2002.
Related Stories
- Navy assumes Command of International Task Force in the Middle East
- HMAS Toowoomba welcomed home from Middle East
- Force Support Unit in the MEAO
- HMAS Toowoomba hands over to HMAS Parramatta in Middle East
- Cross Decking With Coalition Partners
- HMAS Toowoomba leads multi-national exercise
- HMAS Toowoomba commences operations in Middle East
- Clearance Diver on Op Slipper
- HMAS Stuart rescues hostages off Somalia
- Navy makes their Mark in KAF, Afghanistan
- Fish out of water
- Crew Inspires ‘Hot Stuff’
- Melbourne’s Major Milestone
- Navy milestone as Melbourne sails for Slipper
- Red Demon heads to the Middle East for a fifth time
