The year ahead for Success
2 March 2009
2008 proved to be an extremely busy year for HMAS Success (CMDR Simon Brown) with the ship coming out of a refit period in January and conducting unit readiness training prior to deploying on Operation Resolute in Northern Australia.
Success also sailed to Hawaii for Exercise RIMPAC 2008. The multinational exercise, based in waters near Hawaii, saw Success conduct her 3000th Replenishment At Sea (RAS) with HMAS Anzac whilst also providing solid cargo via a heavy jackstay with USS Chung Hoon.
The deployment ended with a port visit to Guam and then a return to Fleet Base East for a minor maintenance period. She then deployed to Exercise Mercury off Gladstone and a port visit to Cairns. Success returned to Fleet Base East in late October for a period of maintenance, training and then an extended leave period.
The year ahead once again reinforces Success’ importance as a premier Fleet Unit with a very busy year planned. Fleet Concentration Period 2009 (FCP-09) once again gave the ship the opportunity to display its professionalism and can do attitude to provide fuel and stores to one of the Navy’s largest annual exercises. Trials also included certifying HMAS Sirius as a replenishment vessel, followed by two weeks of intensive drills for the entire fleet.
There was only a two week break after FCP-09 before Success once again deployed to South East Asia, where she is currently, with visits planned for the Philippines, China, Singapore and Hong Kong. This period also includes the multinational Exercise Bersama Shield based in waters near Singapore. Once again Success will have the opportunity to display the best the Royal Australian Navy has to offer.
A final port visit to Adelaide prior to returning to Fleet Base East in June will give the Commanding Officer, CMDR Simon Brown. the opportunity to visit his home port prior to handing over the weight to CMDR Tony Rayner.
“I am extremely proud of what Success has achieved since I took Command in December 2007,” said CMDR Brown.
“There is an air of expectancy and excitement among the ship’s company, who are all looking forward to what is shaping up to be another very busy and rewarding year”.
