Big brother helps out
Tobruk gains tender role

An armoured personnel carrier is driven from an LCM8 into HMAS Tobruk off Darwin.

By LEUT Terry Bird

One of the RAN’s “can do” ships, the 5,800 tonne HMAS Tobruk (CMDR Peter Laver) has been acting as “big brother” during her current deployment.

While undertaking Op Relex II duties north-west of Australia, Tobruk found herself in a new role as a tender for RAN patrol boats operating in the region.

HMA Ships Whyalla (LCDR Mark Leach), Gawler (LCDR Richard Donnelly) and Geelong (CMDR David Moncrief) came alongside the heavy landing ship to get provisions, fuel and water.

Ship’s companies of the patrol boats used Tobruk’s facilities to do their laundry.

Tobruk also organised some amphibious operations training for 1 Brigade in Darwin.

The landing ship embarked a Leopard tank, ASLAV and an armoured personnel carrier using one of her LCM8s.

Late in February Tobruk moved to Queensland joining a number of Navy and Army units to participate in amphibious operations near Townsville.

The operations were part of Exercises Squadex and Sea Eagle.

Visits to Townsville and Cairns were programmed during the exercises.

Tobruk sailed from her home base, Fleet Base East, in early January.

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