Tanking
The fat is where its at

By SBLT Paul Johanson and MIDN Emma Fairbanks
If versatility could be measured, HMAS Westralia (CMDR John Alexander) would surely represent excellent value for money, and service in the Fleet Oiler is as much about challenges and the satisfaction of work well done as it is about life-style.

Since the beginning of September last year Westralia has sailed more than 10,000 miles and transferred 1.8 million litres of fuel.

The re-supply of fuel might be Westralia’s primary role, but she is capable of a wide-ranging diversity of operational and support tasking as witnessed by:

• helicopter operations with Squirrel and Seahawk helicopters;
• a complete stores resupply with HMAS Melville, including a replacement RHIB;
• participation in Long Navigation Course training;
• international charity work;
• consort for HMA Ships Anzac and Darwin for their pre-deployment work-ups;
• boarding operations and exercises with patrol boats in support of Op Cranberry
  a seven-hour RAS with HMAS Success; and
• deployment to patrol duties north of Australia as part of Op Relex II.

Westralia’s activities began soon after returning from a short SE Asian deployment with her despatch to investigate an FFV within Australia’s EEZ.

Westralia’s boarding party conducted a short notice insertion and inspection, a role not previously considered the norm for tankers. The boarding provided a good opportunity for Westralia’s boarding party to exercise its skills, in preparation for further operations in the north of Australia.

Westralia’s warfare capabilities and performance were tested beyond that normally expected of a tanker during several evolutions including air warfare and damage control exercises.

The flexibility and dedication of her crew was evident during the workups, which even resulted in the allocation of an AAW callsign to the ship and an increase in ammunition allowance for the year!

Fittingly, she later met Anzac and Darwin in the vicinity of the Cocos Islands to fuel and farewell them on their way to The Gulf.

Later, Westralia rendezvoused with the patrol boats Warrnambool and Geraldton for a series of drills. All three units gained from the training exercise that showed Westralia is capable of operating with all types and sizes of fleet units.

Westralia rendezvoused with HMAS Melville conducting Op Relex II duties to conduct a complete stores resupply of Melville. The four-hour operation to transfer 24 pallets of fresh, frozen and canteen stores was conducted by Westralia’s boats and by VERTREP with Melville’s Squirrel helicopter - all part of the five star service.

Westralia’s capabilities extend beyond Fleet operations, as witnessed by her association with the Lions Club of Australia. This is already benefiting the wider community as well as the ship’s naval family.

Westralia’s charitable endeavours went international when the tanker assisted the Lions Club of Singapore, with activities including a karaoke fundraiser (not a pretty sound), food distribution to Singapore’s needy and maintenance work at a home for the elderly.

With the largest continuous running track afloat (over 300 metres), a weights gym and a cardio gym, it is hardly surprising that sport plays a major role in the every day life of the ship.

Willing and able to field competitive teams in just about every sport, Westralia has played rugby, Aussie Rules, soccer and netball against clubs in Thailand and Singapore and her rugby and Aussie Rules teams are undefeated including against HMAS Melbourne in Singapore; She also scored soccer victories against Melbourne, and in netball against the very competitive Singapore Cricket Club.

These past months have highlighted the ship’s willingness to accept any challenge and her crew look forward to active participation in all aspects of the Fleet program. The last few months show that when it comes to versatility, ‘fat is where its at’.

Recently, COMFLOT noted that: “the service provided by Westralia was first class and better than many a frigate. Westralia has re-established herself as the consort of choice when the going gets tough.”

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