Image Gallery: January 2008
Decommissioning of HMAS Adelaide
21 January 2008
After 27 years of distinguished service, the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) oldest serving Frigate, HMAS Adelaide, was decommissioned at her homeport of HMAS Stirling, Western Australia.
The ship's Australian White Ensign was lowered for the last time and handed to the Adelaide's Commanding Officer, Commander Robert Slaven, RAN.
"Today is a historic occasion, one in which the crew of Adelaide is proud to be a part of," said Commander Slaven.
Adelaide is the second of the Adelaide Class Frigates to be decommissioned, the first being HMAS Canberra in November 2005. They are survived by their four sister ships Sydney, Darwin, Melbourne and Newcastle, having all received extensive upgrades, they remain a premier element of the Australian Fleet.
Adelaide has proudly represented the RAN in a number of theatres of conflict during her years of service. She was one of the first RAN warships to be deployed to the Gulf in 1990 as part of Operation Damask. Adelaide was again deployed to the Gulf on two more occasions for Operation SLIPPER in 2002 and Operation CATALYST in 2004. She also participated in both major Timor-Leste operations in 1999 and 2006. In peacetime, one of Adelaide's more notable achievements was her involvement in the high profile search and rescue of lone yachtsmen Thierry Dubois and Tony Bullimore from the Southern Ocean in 1997.
The name Adelaide will not be missing from the Australian Fleet for long, with one of the new Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Docks planned to bear the name in the near future.
Following the decommissioning Adelaide will be gifted to the NSW Government where it will be sunk off the NSW Central Coast at Terrigal as an artificial reef and dive attraction.
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| 20080119ran8109430_001049 Part of the Ship's Company of HMAS Adelaide stand to attention on the port of waist of the ship during the ceremony. HMAS Adelaide's Ship's Company, VIP's, media, friends and family attend the decommissioning of HMAS Adelaide on Parkes Wharf at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island, Western Australia. (Date taken: 19 January 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080119ran8109430_001059 The Guard march off HMAS Adelaide and onto Parkes Wharf. HMAS Adelaide's Ship's Company, VIP's, media, friends and family attend the decommissioning of HMAS Adelaide on Parkes Wharf at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island, Western Australia. (Date taken: 19 January 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080119ran8109430_001170 The Commanding Officer of HMAS Adelaide, Commander Rob Slaven, walks with the Decommissioning Guest of Honour, Amanda Synnot, as she inspects the Guard on parade. HMAS Adelaide's Ship's Company, VIP's, media, friends and family attend the Decommissioning of HMAS Adelaide on Parkes Wharf at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island, Western Australia. (Date taken: 19 January 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080119ran8109430_001259 The Guard and Ship's Company of HMAS Adelaide stand on parade. HMAS Adelaide's Ship's Company, VIP's, media, friends and family attend the Decommissioning of HMAS Adelaide on Parkes Wharf at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island, Western Australia. (Date taken: 19 January 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080119ran8109430_001368 The Ship's Company of HMAS Adelaide march off the ship and onto the wharf during the ceremony. HMAS Adelaide's Ship's Company, VIP's, media, friends and family attend the Decommissioning of HMAS Adelaide on Parkes Wharf at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island, Western Australia. (Date taken: 19 January 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080119ran8109430_001407 Commanding Officer of HMAS Adelaide, Commander Rob Slaven, crosses the ship's gangway for the last time holding the ship's Australian White Ensign. HMAS Adelaide's Ship's Company, VIP's, media, friends and family attend the Decommissioning of HMAS Adelaide on Parkes Wharf at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island, Western Australia. (Date taken: 19 January 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080119ran8109430_001434 The Ship's Company of HMAS Adelaide conduct the 'final march past' in front of the Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Nigel Coates, AM, RAN, on Parkes wharf. HMAS Adelaide's Ship's Company, VIP's, media, friends and family attend the Decommissioning of HMAS Adelaide on Parkes Wharf at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island, Western Australia. (Date taken: 19 January 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080119ran8109430_001531 HMAS Adelaide's Guard conduct a 'General Salute' by presenting arms on parade. HMAS Adelaide's Ship's Company, VIP's, media, friends and family attend the Decommissioning of HMAS Adelaide on Parkes Wharf at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island, Western Australia. (Date taken: 19 January 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080119ran8109430_001589 Sailors from HMAS Adelaide fold the Australian White Ensign for the last time after it has been lowered. HMAS Adelaide's Ship's Company, VIP's, media, friends and family attend the Decommissioning of HMAS Adelaide on Parkes Wharf at HMAS Stirling, Garden Island, Western Australia. (Date taken: 19 January 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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