Publication:Navy Annual 2005/HMAS TOBRUK, Op CATALYST, Al Muthanna TSK GRP
BY ABLE SEAMAN DAVE FINNEY
HMAS TOBRUK, faithful and strong in support of Operation CATALYST and the Al Muthanna Task Group
In April 2005 HMAS Tobruk departed Sydney towards potentially her most important deployment, a mission of sea lift and diplomacy. HMAS Tobruk was to complete successfully a Mission Readiness evaluation (MRE) which is an assessment by Sea Training Group of the Ship's ability to perform its assigned tasks. HMAS Tobruk would then deliver 20 Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs) to Kuwait for eventual deployment into Iraq in support of the Al Muthanna Task Group. From the moment Sydney dropped out of sight the job was on and the crew went into action. The embarked staff of Sea Training Group were going to raise our skills to new levels and we were not going into harm's way without first passing our MRE.
Training, defence watches, exercises, cleaning and sleep deprivation seemed to be the crew's life for the next nine days but in order to pass our MRe it was training, training and more training. The scenarios that we used were based on HMAS Tobruk facing a fictitious hostile force of 'Avalonians' who attacked us day and night and always scored a hit. Eventually, considering how often we were attacked, the crew was more concerned about a run in with the 'Avalonians' than any actual hostile force.
After a rejuvenating weekend in Darwin, and the successful embarkation of the ASLAVs, it was time to sail again and face our MRE in the early morning of 18 April 2005. With lessons learnt through training and perspiration the crew, with enough enthusiasm to build a nation, handled the challenges with professionalism, pride and precision. The testing seemed relentless and was physically and mentally draining, but the result, Standard Achieved, met our expectation and proved HMAS Tobruk a worthy vessel for an important task. HMAS Tobruk was ready for her tasking, bound for Kuwait.
The assessment was over and the Sea Training Group had departed but it wasn't time for the crew to kick back and relax. Training was an ongoing part of daily life as we continued to work through the threat scenarios presented in our intensive predeployment training phase. The monotony of a long, three-week transit was broken by gunnery and damage control exercises and some eagerly embraced recreation.
There was a range of recreational events held onboard as we drew closer to the area of operations, notably a Derby Day and a much anticipated Crossing the Line ceremony, and Saturday 30 April 2005 represented a less-than-typical day onboard. With the sight of land, or even another ship at least ten days behind the ship, the water at an inviting 31°C, it was time for a well deserved swim. The crew flipped, jumped, and dived from any available point on the starboard shade deck to swim or just relax in the deep blue water. After a shower and a short break it was time for an interdepartmental deck hockey tournament played on the aft flight deck. After the early rounds settled departmental rivalry, the final was fought out between the embarked Forces (Australian Regular Army) and the Ship's own army detachment, a game of passion that saw the embarked Forces walking away with the cup.
On 08 May 2005, HMAS Tobruk conducted a Replenishment at Sea (RAS) and a vertical replenishment by helicopter with USNS Spica, a United States replenishment ship, to take on fresh stores and most importantly replace the soft drinks that we had finished during the long passage over. For nearly two hours the two ships sailed on parallel courses, no more than 100 feet apart. During this time 12 helicopter loads of fresh stores were delivered to the aft flight deck, and HMAS Tobruk's fuel tanks were filled to the brim. On completion of the RAS, HMAS Tobruk broke away to the sounds of our RAS song 'Fat Bottomed Girls' by Queen, and we continued on our journey to Kuwait.
As HMAS Tobruk neared the Straits of Hormuz, the routines altered in proportion to the possibility of hostile actions as the team applied their training. Heightened vigilance whilst on watch became a necessity, gun crews closed up and the entire Ship's company were on their toes in the still heat of the Gulf. This continued up through the Persian Gulf and alongside in Kuwait on 09 May 2005, where we were aided by the additional protection of Kuwaiti and United States forces. Amongst the dust of the inner harbour and the heavily armed US patrol craft, HMAS Tobruk completed the sealift component of her mission and successfully disembarked the ASLAVs and associated equipment.
Leaving Kuwait behind her on the morning of the 10th, Tobruk conducted an essential helicopter transfer of stores to HMAS Darwin. The watch routines onboard retained their intensity for the duration of the passage for arrival in Dubai in the United Arab emirates on 12 May 2005, as HMAS Tobruk slipped through the calm waters of the Gulf.
Whilst in Dubai for four days, the Ship maintained a high level of readiness. Armed sentries spent long hours patrolling the wharf and the upper decks, wearing heavy flack jackets and helmets. Access points were controlled and guarded with strict military authority. HMAS Tobruk presented itself (thanks to the long, arduous hours of the Force Protection teams) as a capable, well-protected platform at a superior level of readiness.
In their days off, the crew enjoyed some much appreciated and deserved recreation time. Many sailors enjoyed the scenic beauty of Dubai, the endless shopping, the exciting theme parks or the fascinating surroundings of the city. For some it was a cultural eye opener, for some it was a relaxing weekend consisting of swimming and lazing around extravagant hotels, but to everyone it was a reviving break in the monotony and intensity of an essential deployment.
Arrival in Cochin, India on 21 May allowed the crew to practise again their exotic shopping skills, swimming and taking part in entertaining tours. HMAS Tobruk also managed two 'firsts' during the visit, the first time a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) vessel has visited Cochin since HMAS Sydney in 1993, and the first time HMAS Tobruk visited India.
During HMAS Tobruk's stay in Cochin, we were hosted by the Indian Navy's training ship INS Krishna and there was also the opportunity for a visit to the Indian Warfare and Navigation schools. A group of officers and sailors from HMAS Tobruk spent the day touring the facilities and came away impressed with the quality of instruction that is provided to our Indian counterparts.
The entire deployment, although enjoyable, seemed like a lifetime to some of the loved ones at home and a five day 'Family Cruise' allowed some lucky relatives to experience our 'home' as we steamed toward Sydney and our arrival at Fleet Base east on 23 June 2005.
By the end of the deployment, just short of twelve weeks, the men and women of HMAS Tobruk had grown together and become more than just well-trained individuals. The anticipation, training and camaraderie created a working family, faithful, strong and ready for the next challenge.
