The 'wardroom' on the flight deck of HMAS Newcastle, with personnel keeping the Aussie traditions alive with a barbecue fit for an Op Slipper deployment. Photo by LSPH Tracy Casteleijn.

The RAN's 4,100-tonne FFG HMAS Newcastle has done her job against terrorism and is preparing to come home.

A few days ago 12 she sailed from the Northern Arabian Gulf for the last time.

The ship and her ship's company of more than 220 men and women were busy to the last day as the Commiskey guard ship.

On that day she did four compliant boardings in 40-degree readings.

This took the ship's tally of boardings to 43 compliant and nine non compliant.

One of the last tasks for the ship's Seahawk helicopter was to go into Kuwait and fly the CDF designate, LTGEN Peter Cosgrove out to HMAS Manoora.

The return flight took place on June 12.

Meanwhile Australia's two other ships in the Gulf, Manoora and Canberra continue their role in support of the UN sanctions against Iraq.

The RAN ships form a coalition task group aimed at stopping contraband from Iraq including oil reaching outside ports where it could be sold to provide funds for the purchase by terrorists of weapons of mass destruction.

Throughout their stay in The Gulf the ship's company of all vessels have honed their skills and developed others, so they can do their job efficiently and professionally.

Training has seen sailors improve skills in the use of the RAN's issue sidearm, a vital piece of kit for members of all boarding parties.

Our picture shows sailors on the helideck of HMAS Manoora getting in some pistal practice.

The FFGs Newcastle and Canberra will be replaced in The Gulf by HMA Ships Melbourne and Arunta.

Manoora is not being replaced.

Meanwhile it has been announced that the SAS troops now serving in Afghanistan will be replaced with a fresh team of Australian soldiers in August.

By Graham Davis