Members of HMAS Tobruk SAD unload heavy stores upon the ship's return to Sydney at the end of a busy year.Photo by Cpl Damian Shovell, Army newspaper

SAD happily home

By Cpl Damian Shovell
HMAS Tobruk's recent return to Sydney from south-east Asia ended a busy year not only for its sailors, but also for the 15 members of the Ships Army Detachment (SAD) onboard.

After participating in exercises around the top-end, withdrawing troops from Bougainville and deploying troops to Exercise Croc 03, the ship undertook the "up-top" trip to Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam to take part in the celebration of 30 years of diplomatic relations with the socialist republic.

Cpl Jason Hall, on his second posting to SAD Tobruk, said the up-top trip was one of the highlights of his time onboard.

"We weren't directly involved with the celebrations, but the trip up-top was a great reward for all work the ship has done over the past two years," he said.

The soldiers took every opportunity to enjoy as much of the local cultures, customs and attractions as time would permit before returning to Australia via the west coast, stopping at Fremantle, Adelaide and Hobart on their way back to Sydney.

The Hobart-to-Sydney leg provided one of the most uncomfortable nights during the voyage, but neither this nor the drizzling rain affected the high spirits of the ship's company on their return into Sydney harbour.

A detachment from the RAN Band Sydney (onboard for the trip) performed on the flight deck as she sailed back to her homeport at Garden Island, giving Tobruk a well-earned rest after more than 260 days at sea for the year.

The SAD comprises of RAAOC, RASigs and RACT corps personnel who provide specialised Army terminal support to the ship during its amphibious operations and during the sea transport of its cargo and embarked forces.

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