Tartan Terror arrives home
2 October 2008
A lone piper playing 'Scotland the Brave' heralded the triumphant homecoming of HMAS Stuart (CMDR Andrew Masters) after a six month deployment for Operation Catalyst.
The piper on Stuart's forecastle gave the 'Tartan Terror' a voice to tell the 500 family and friends gathered at Fleet Base East that her ship's company were safely home.
Stuart returned to her homeport on 30 September, after six months in the Northern Arabian Gulf conducting maritime operations as part of Catalyst, Australia's ongoing commitment to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq.
The ship's company of 185 men and women were greeted by family and friends at a traditional ceremony attended by the Minister for Defence, the Honourable Joel Fitzgibbon, MP, and CMDR Australian Fleet, RADM Nigel Coates.
The RAN Band added to the carnival atmosphere of the homecoming with rousing renditions of Waltzing Matilda, Advance Australia Fair, and I Still Call Australia Home. Within minutes of Stuart berthing, her ship's company were excitedly hugging and kissing their family and friends.
The homecoming was particularly special for LSNPC Travis Ramsay and his wife SBLT Michaela Ramsay who jointly cradled their son Taylor who was born three months ago. "It's great to be back to help my Navy wife with our Navy son," said LSNPC Ramsay.
Likewise ABMT Mathew Leatham was overwhelmed when his wife Jessica presented him with the daughter, Jade Lily, he had never met as she was born half way through the deployment.
Stuart's homecoming marked a day of triple celebrations for LSBM Brendan Thomas, who celebrated the end of his second deployment to the Middle East Area of Operation (MEAO), his 30th birthday and also his father's 61st birthday. Much to his embarrassment his parents Chris and Patricia greeted Stuart with a four-by-three metre sign proudly telling LSBM Thomas' thirsty ship mates of his birthday. "Turning 30 is not something I want to celebrate but getting back safe from the MEAO is," he said with a chuckle.
Mr Fitzgibbon paid tribute to Stuart's crew and the important role that they fulfilled. "Australians can be very proud of what Stuart has achieved," Mr Fitzgibbon said.
RADM Coates praised Stuart's ship's company for living up to her motto of being 'Always Prepared' and performing a difficult task with the utmost professionalism.
Stuart's deployment saw a change of command towards the end of her tour with CMDR Andrew Masters taking over from CMDR Nick Woodley in August.
CMDR Andrew Masters praised the support that the ship had received from families and loved ones at home.
"Stuart sailed from this point six months ago ready to face the challenges ahead of her," said CMDR Masters. "However, words cannot describe the experience of coming home today and seeing the smiling faces ready to greet us after a successful mission."
Stuart made a significant contribution to the Australian Government's support to the people of Iraq in their efforts to build a stable, secure and democratic Iraq.
Defence Minister Fitzgibbon said Stuart's aircrew played a critical part in locating a missing boat and four survivors clinging to its upturned hull following a request for support by the Kuwait Coast Guard.
On 19 July 2008, Stuart supported a search and rescue operation for a missing 22 foot cruiser, following a request from the Kuwait Coast Guard to Task Force 158. Stuart launched her Seahawk helicopter and using the FLIR camera, located the boat with four people clinging to the hull. The Seahawk aircrew advised the US Coast Guard Cutter Wrangell which rescued all of the survivors. The survivors were handed to a Kuwait Coast Guard vessel, which returned them home to Kuwait.
Stuart recorded several impressive milestones during her six-month deployment, including steaming more than 35,000 nautical miles, conducting 657 queries, 88 surface searches and 38 security sweeps in the Gulf. Eight vertical replenishments were conducted during her deployment to deliver more than 82 pallets to the ship.
The ship's company ate well, with more than 76,167 meals served, with 2688 dozen eggs, 9408 kilograms of potatoes, 9195 litres of milk and 21063 soft drink cans consumed. Almost 4000 kg of mail was received while 1023 kilograms of mail was sent.
Stuart was relieved on station by HMAS Parramatta in the MEAO in early September, representing the nineteenth rotation of RAN ships in the Northern Gulf since September 11, 2001.
