A senior US commander in the Gulf has described as "flawless" the performance in the Gulf of our trio of ships, HMAS Sydney, HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Kanimbla.

RADM Mark Fitzgerald, the commander of Carrier Group Eight said last month, "The Australian task group performed flawlessly.

"Your task group's full support and rapid undertaking of the critical United Nations Multinational Interception Operations mission upon arrival in the North Arabian Gulf, provided us with an incredible battle force multiplier."

RADM Fitzgerald's remarks came as Sydney headed home, replaced by HMAS Newcastle, and Adelaide and Kanimbla prepared to leave.

He continued, "Australian ships have significantly disrupted the smuggling operations out of Iraq, while ensuring weapons of mass destruction and military enhancements did not make it into Iraq".

He wished the Australian ships a good trip home, adding, "I look forward to future opportunities to operate with the professionals of the Royal Australian Navy".

By LEUT Fenn Kemp