Minister for Defence visits HMAS Parramatta
15 Jun 2010
Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner completed a visit to HMAS Parramatta at the Karachi Naval base in Pakistan on June 8. Senator Faulkner was accompanied by the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and the Secretary of Defence, Dr Ian Watt.
During his visit, Senator Faulkner met Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, received an operational brief on the progress of the deployment, including on counter-piracy activities, and toured the ship.
Whilst consolidating the strong ties between Australia and Pakistan, the visit provided the Minister with an opportunity to personally thank the officers and sailors of Parramatta for their service.
In addressing the ship’s company, Senator Faulkner said:
“The work you do is critical to defending Australia’s interests and for making this area of the world a safer place and I wanted to personally and directly thank you for your service to our country.”
The Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston also acknowledged the sacrifices of the crew’s family and friends.
“Thank you for the sacrifice you make when you go away. You make Australia proud, the ADF proud and the RAN proud,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
During her brief visit in Karachi, Parramatta played host to a number of events including a charity event for the deaf and training activities with local Pakistan Navy units.
Parramatta has just completed her second patrol conducting counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia.
On completion of Parramatta’s port visit, she resumed maritime security operations as part of her deployment to the Middle East Area of Operations in support of OP SLIPPER. She is expected to be deployed for six months before returning to her home port, Sydney in September 2010.
Imagery is available at http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2010/Jun/index.htm
