Image Gallery: April 2008
Final weeks for HMAS Arunta
23 April 2008
HMAS Arunta is in the final weeks of a six-month patrol in the Middle East Area of Operations.
HMAS Arunta, under the command of Commander Timothy Brown RAN, is currently deployed to the Northern Persian Gulf as part of Operation CATALYST. Arunta is tasked to assist in the protection of Iraq's offshore assets such as oil platforms, which allows Iraq to generate much-needed funds to support reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.
Arunta also assists with the detection, interception and deterrence of vessels suspected of undertaking illegal activity within Iraqi waters. This is Arunta’s second deployment to the Northern Persian Gulf and is the 17th rotation of Navy ships as part of Coalition operations since 2001.
HMAS Arunta is the second of the Royal Australian Navy’s eight Anzac-class frigates, and the second ship to bear the name. The original Arunta was commissioned in 1942 during World War II, and served with distinction in New Guinea and the Pacific between 1942 and 1944, the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944 and Lingayen Gulf in 1945.
The name Arunta comes from the Arrente Aboriginal people, located in central Australia around Alice Springs. The Arrente Council presented HMAS Arunta with a flag displaying a Perrente lizard. The lizard is an animal from the dreamtime for the Arrente people, and is featured on HMAS Arunta’s Seahawk helicopter.
| 20080403adf8115142_037 Leading Seaman Darren Price, 30, of Brisbane, Qld, releases HMAS Arunta's man ropes during a sea boat recovery. (Date taken: 03 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080403adf8115142_124 Seaman Boatswain's Mate Ashley Wade, 26, of Bundaberg Qld, keeps a .50cal machine gun clean and oiled on HMAS Arunta. In the background is one of Iraq's large oil platforms that Ashley and HMAS Arunta are tasked to protect in the Middle East Area of Operations. (Date taken: 03 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080403adf8115142_184 HMAS Arunta's aviation department. (Date taken: 03 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080404adf8115142_015 Able Seaman Luke Fiddes (20) of Rockingham WA, looks out over Iraq's oil platforms through HMAS Arunta's 'big eyes' binoculars in the Middle East Area of Operations. (Date taken: 04 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080404adf8286840_0003 A United States Desert Hawk with Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Nigel Coates, aboard, takes off from HMAS Arunta's deck. (Date taken: 04 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080404adf8286840_0007 A United States Desert Hawk aboard HMAS Arunta with Khawr al Amaya Oil Terminal in the background. Desert Hawks are often used to ferry personnel, stores and mail between coalition elements. (Date taken: 04 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080405adf8286840_0009 Leading Seaman Hamish Halloway makes his way down the steep ladder on the starboard side of an oil tanker following a security sweep. United States Coast Guard Cutter 'Wrangell' keeps guard for the Australian boarding party. (Date taken: 05 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080405adf8286840_0025 HMAS Arunta's boarding party prepares to leave an oil tanker after their security sweep. (Facing camera from top: Able Seaman Brad Richardson and Leading Seaman Hamish Halloway). (Date taken: 05 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080405adf8286840_0043 Able Seaman Michael Graham conducts his security sweep of an oil tanker on its way to an Iraqi oil platform. (Date taken: 05 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080405adf8286840_0054 Able Seaman Cassie Fleay, Petty Officer Terry Humphreys, and Leading Seamen Jon Ward and Douglas Jackson, part of HMAS Arunta's boarding party, make their way along the deck of an oil tanker heading for Iraq's oil platforms. (Date taken: 05 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080405adf8286840_0065 Leading Seaman Cook Scott Hall sails one of two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats carrying HMAS Arunta's boarding party. (Date taken: 05 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080405adf8286840_0072 Able Seaman (AB) Cassie Fleay, Leading Seaman Jon Ward, AB Andrew Thorogood and AB Brad Richardson, members of HMAS Arunta's boarding party, await boarding orders. (Date taken: 05 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080405adf8286840_0075 HMAS Arunta's boarding party, called Team Sabre, heads towards the Khawr al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT) in the Persian Gulf to conduct a security sweep of a tug boat. (Date taken: 05 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080407adf8115142_200 Major General Mike Hindmarsh takes the opportunity to thank HMAS Arunta's crew for their efforts during their six-month deployment. (Date taken: 07 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080407adf8115142_209 Major General Mike Hindmarsh takes the opportunity to thank HMAS Arunta's crew for their efforts during their six-month deployment. (Date taken: 07 April 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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