HMAS Arunta is farewelled from Fleet Base West on deploying to the Persian Gulf. Photo by ABPH Phillip Cullinan.

Family and friends have farewelled more men and women of the Royal Australian Navy as they left their home port to join the international coalition against terrorism.

HMAS Arunta's ship's company was farewelled by the Mayor of Arunta's adopted city, Alice Springs and her comissioning lady, Fran Kilgariff who visited Fleet Base West to see the ship off.

HMAS Arunta will replace another Western Australian based ship, HMAS Canberra, in the Persian Gulf.

A crowd of more than 200 family and friends was on hand at the Fleet Base West for the traditional farewell.

Australian sailors have earned themselves a reputation as extremely proficient at Maritime Interception Force inspections of merchant traffic transiting in and out of Iraq.

Maritime Commander RADM Geoff Smith said: "HMAS Arunta has worked very hard to achieve the high level of preparedness required for this mission. I have no doubt that Arunta and Melbourne will continue to perform at the high standard that has been set by our ships currently serving in the Gulf.

"Arunta's ship's company is a highly trained and professional team of people, and I am very proud of the continued effort and sacrifice our men, women and their families demonstrate to serve their country."
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