TUG OF WAR
The tug and barge had been plying a steady route between the Persian Gulf and Iraq’s Khawr Abd Allah (KAA) waterway for weeks. Tugs in the region are normal, using their powerful engines to push the large oil tankers into position on the two Iraqi oil platforms off the coast.

Welcome to hangar Hilton
As operations against Iraq commence, a very real threat has emerged for the three Australian ships patrolling the Northern Arabian Gulf under Operation Falconer.


Two hands on deck
Even during a war, the housekeeping must still be done, as Able Seaman Ian scrubs the flight deck of HMAS Kanimbla following a large dust storm which blanketed the ship in a heavy layer of sand. Kanimbla is contributing to Coalition operations in the Persian Gulf along with HMA Ships Anzac and Darwin.


Two for one as Sydney gets set
The 4,100-tonne guided missile frigate HMAS Sydney will sail from her home port, Sydney, soon, to replace Anzac and Darwin in The Gulf.


AT A GLANCE
Operations in the Gulf.


FIVE INCH FRIDAY
At 0604 on March 21 HMAS Anzac (CAPT Peter Lockwood), often called the ‘Lighthorse’, began Naval gunfire in direct support of the British-led Royal Marine 40 Commando assault on Al Faw Peninsula in southern Iraq.

High praise in turbulent times
Defence members serving Australia at home and abroad can rest assured that their Commander, Chief of Defence Force (CDF) GEN Peter Cosgrove, is intensely proud and humbled by their resilience and determination in these turbulent times.


DMS upgrades fleet
Defence Maritime Services (DMS) has bought or ordered ten new craft for use in supporting the Royal Australian Navy.


Rescued from the deep
The RAN successfully carried out a rescue from a ‘disabled submarine’ at depths of 100m in Exercise Black Carillon last month.


Ten treated in toxic emergency
A total of 10 sailors were taken to hospital after a toxic hazard emergency in the 720-tonne coastal minehunter HMAS Huon at HMAS Waterhen on April 2.


Navy mussels in on food fest
HMAS Stirling’s ABCK Stuart Hammond became a star of television and print during this year’s Rockingham Musselfest.


Thousands raised for a cure
Fifty four personnel from HMAS Albatross have raised an astounding $7,500 for leukemia research by having their hair either shaved off or brightly coloured.

Observers graduate
The Navy welcomed three new Observers into it’s aviation fold in a combined graduation ceremony at RAAF East Sale late last month.

Eagle’s claws bared in far Nth assaults

Manoora’s medics exercised
Meeting the needs of an embarked force means planning for all contingencies. This includes making sure that there is instant availability to the highest standard of medical care possible.


Onward Christian sailors


Paluma celebrates birthday
HMAS Paluma (LCDR Mick Gulyas) has celebrated her 14th birthday in traditional navy style, at sea.


Devil in Paradise
HMAS Launceston (LCDR Mike Gough) will return home later this month after participating in Exercise CAGGOU in Noumea.


Black Knight commissions
Australia’s sixth and final Collins class submarine, HMAS Rankin (LCDR Doug Theobald), joined the Royal Australian Navy on Saturday, March 29.


Simply the best
Emergency stations, 0030 hours. Tensions are deep but we are deeper. An alarm sounds and everyone reacts, here teamwork is the key.


Racks check out OK
Although I have never served in an O Boat I have seen their sleeping arrangements and spoken to ex O Boat submariners.


Helping hand to move house
The wife and children of a member of 816 Squadron needed to relocate a large wooden cubby house standing in their backyard, and with dad away serving with the Seahawk flight in HMAS Darwin, (now part of Op Falconer in The Gulf), dad’s workmates offered help.


All in the presentation
The project director for the recent $1.6 million refurbishment of the galley at HMAS Kuttabul has been formally acknowledged.


Sydney to host shallow water survey conference
The third International Conference on High Resolution Surveys in Shallow Water, dubbed “Shallow Survey 2003”, will be held in Sydney from November 17 to 20.


Westralia takes 'Bool in tow
While on border protection duties to the north of Ashmore Island recently, HMAS Warrnambool (LCDR Mark Sorby) was taken in tow by HMAS Westralia (CMDR John Alexander).

Photo proves a winner
An image of a US Seaknight helicopter transferring stores from a United States warship to the RAN’s HMAS Manoora in The Gulf last year has earned a Sydney Navy photographer the 2002 “Rosemary Rodwell Memorial Prize”.

Luke gets BMs up to speed
Bringing boatswain’s mates “up to speed” has been the job of LSBM Luke Scott at Stirling’s Boatswain’s Mate Competency Management Cell.