HMAS TOOWOOMBA SAILS FOR

OPERATIONAL DUTIES IN GULF

HMAS Toowoomba, a Royal Australian Navy ANZAC Class Frigate, with her crew of 183 personnel has today departed her homeport of Fleet Base West at Garden Island, Western Australia (WA), to commence passage to the Persian Gulf.

Member for Canning Mr Don Randall MP representing the Minister for Defence, Maritime Commander Australia, Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas, RAN, and the Mayor of Toowoomba, Councillor Di Thorley joined family and friends in farewelling Toowoomba as she sailed to take over duties from HMAS Warramunga, to provide an ongoing contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq in support of Operation Catalyst. 

“Our intensive training and preparation have ensured that we are truly ready for our mission and are now looking forward to the challenges ahead,” said the ship’s Commanding Officer, Commander Jaimie Hatcher, RAN.

The Maritime Commander, Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas, also thanked the families and friends of the Navy personnel deploying to the Gulf for their ongoing support.

“We ask a lot from our sailors, and the support to the men and women who deploy today makes a huge difference to the ability of our personnel to get on and do the job that they are tasked with,” Rear Admiral Thomas said.

This is Toowoomba’s first deployment to the North Persian Gulf and is the fifteenth rotation of Navy ships as part of coalition operations since 2001.

HMAS Warramunga, which is currently on station in the Persian Gulf, is planned to return to WA in early February 2007.

Media Contact: Defence Media Liaison (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664

Images of HMAS Toowoomba’s departure will be available at www.defence.gov.au/media/download  after 4:00pm on 4 January 2007.

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