IRAQ BOUND
Manoora to the Gulf for sealift

Just some of the 650 people who packed the flight deck of HMAS Manoora prior to her departure for The Gulf. Photo by ABPH Kelvin Hockey

By Graham Davis
With calls of “wave to Daddy and throw him a kiss”, some 400 family members and friends farewelled HMAS Manoora when she sailed for The Gulf.

The amphibious transport with 260 sailors and soldiers on board under the command of CMDR Martin Brooker, cast off from the Oil Wharf at Fleet Base East on May 12.

The departure saw family members arriving from an early hour and by 0900 more than 400 guests were mingling with the ship’s company.

It was one of the largest crowds seen at any recent ship’s departure and two brows were needed to get the large crowd on and off the warship.

CMDR Brooker met most arriving visitors at the head of the brows.

Before she sailed, Maritime Commander RADM Raydon Gates addressed the crowd and opened his remarks by wishing all the mothers present, a “Happy Mothers’ Day.”

He told the ship’s company they were participating in Operation Falconer, but in a new role – Sealift.

“You are not going to be in conflict. That’s over.”

Nevertheless, he reminded them that the ship was going into an operational area. “You are going into a ‘hot’ area and you need to be careful.”

Members of the Sea Training Group will travel part of the way with the ship to hone the skills needed for the deployment.

RADM Gates said the ship would call at two ports and then do a return trip; possibly a second “yet to be determined.”

He asked family members to be “flexible” in understanding that home return dates were not precise and encouraged them to make use of the Defence Community Organisation if they believed they needed help while a loved-one was absent.

He concluded, “”I have an awful lot of pride in you...and so do your loved ones.”

After he finished speaking final kisses and hugs were exchanged and family members moved to the wharf.

Then with lines cast off and two large tugs taking the strain, the warship inched clear to the strains of Waltzing Matilda from the RAN Band’s Sydney detachment.

“Wave to Daddy...throw him a kiss” and “love you, love you” could be heard amongst the crowd as the ship turned and headed east into the morning sunlight.

Manoora is set for a busy few months as she brings equipment and stores used by the ADF during Operation Falconer back to Australia.

Kanimbla, under the command of CMDR David McCourt, will play a similar sealift role.


When she returns to Australia after completing her deployment, she will also carry equipment used by ADF personnel.
“She will leave the area of operation in June and be back in Australia in July,” RADM Gates said.

Meanwhile, HMAS Sydney will complete her tour of duty.

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