Image Gallery: May 2008
HMAS Arunta returns home from Middle East for Mother's Day
12 May 2008
The Royal Australian Navy Anzac Class Frigate, HMAS Arunta, returned home today following a six-month deployment to the Middle East. Her ship's company of 183 men and women were greeted by Defence Science and personnel Minister, the Honourable Warren Snowdon, the Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM, RAN, and family and friends.
HMAS Arunta was stationed in the Northern Arabian Gulf as part of Operations CATALYST and SLIPPER, Australia's commitment to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq and the Global War on Terror. Arunta contributed to the protection of Iraqi oil platforms, conducted security boardings of all vessels proceeding to the platforms and performed ongoing training of the Iraqi Navy.
In welcoming Arunta home, Rear Admiral Nigel Coates paid tribute to the ship's company and the important role that they fulfilled in the Middle East.
This particular Mother's Day was particularly sweet for the seven Arunta families who welcomed newborn children during this deployment. Similarly, Chief Petty Officer Patrisha Chaplin and Petty Officer Sally-Anne Plewis had their children waiting on the wharf for a Mother's Day reunion.
Whilst deployed, the ship steamed more than 21,000 nautical miles, conducted 500 queries, 110 surface searches and 35 security sweeps in the Gulf.
| 20080511ran8109430_090013 Friends and family of the ship's company of HMAS Arunta wait on the Pier as the ship prepares to berth alongside at HMAS Stirling after being deployed to the Persian Gulf for last six months as part of Operation CATALYST and SLIPPER. (Date taken: 11 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080511ran8109430_090032 Friends family and Navy personnel all gather on Diamantina Pier to welcome HMAS Arunta back home from the Persian Gulf. (Date taken: 11 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080511ran8109430_090051 Friends and family gather on Diamantina Pier to welcome back home HMAS Arunta to HMAS Stirling after a six-month deployment in the Persian Gulf. (Date taken: 11 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080511ran8109430_090058 HMAS Arunta returns home to HMAS Stirling on Mother's Day after being deployed to the Persian Gulf for last six month's as part of Operations CATALYST and SLIPPER. (Date taken: 11 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080511ran8109430_090070 Family and friends wait patiently on Diamantina Pier for the ship's company of HMAS Arunta. (Date taken: 11 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080511ran8109430_090139 Petty Officer Steward Sally Plewis is greeted by her son Tiernan O'Donnell on Diamantina Pier at HMAS Stirling after returning home on HMAS Arunta from a deployment to the Persian Gulf. (Date taken: 11 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080511ran8109430_090148 Chief Petty Officer Naval Police Coxswain Patrisha Chaplin is greeted on Diamantina Pier by her husband Chief Petty Officer Marine Technician Submariner Neil Chaplin and sons Riley (left) and Ethan (right) after returning home onboard HMAS Arunta for Mother's Day. (Date taken: 11 May 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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