Warm welcome home for HMAS Anzac

12 December 2007

Sailors from HMAS Anzac wave at family and friends as the ship returns home.

Deputy Fleet Commander, CDRE Simon Cullen has paid tribute to the 183 men and women of Royal Australian Navy Anzac Class Frigate HMAS Anzac, which arrived home today, following a six-month deployment to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO).

Family and friends of Executive Officer HMAS Anzac, LCDR Dave Tietzec wait eagerly on the wharf for his return home.

Anzac was stationed in the MEAO as part of Operation Catalyst, Australia's commitment to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq, from July to December of this year.

Friends of AB Medic Wishart hold up a sign welcoming him home after he has completed a six month deployment in the Persian Gulf onboard HMAS Anzac. L to R: Kristen Wishart, Amanda Appleton, Ami Stolzenburg, Candace Allum and Nicole Stevens.

"I would like to pay tribute to the crew of Anzac for their professional approach to this deployment. The crew has worked exceptionally hard over the last six months and are deserving of rest and time with their family and friends. The Ship's Company represented their nation with distinction and carried on the fine work of the Royal Australian Navy in the region," CDRE Cullen said.

During her time in the Gulf, Anzac conducted 65 boarding and security patrols, 490 boat evolutions, 17 replenishments at sea and vertical replenishments, 323 flying hours by its embarked Navy Seahawk helicopter and 650 investigative queries of merchant vessels.

Anzac was away for 182 days, with 150 spent at sea. During this period, two members became fathers for the first time, nearly 90,000 meals were prepared; and the ship received 4366 kilograms of mail from family and friends.