Waller returns triumphant
During Kakadu VI, Waller sank 187,590 tonnes of shipping, spending much of her time submerged

By LEUT Susan O’Grady

Caught in the crosshairs – FNS Floreal followed astern by HMAS Success. Both ships are about to get a terrible fright at the hands of HMAS Waller.

It was a happy day all around on Wednesday August 6 when HMAS Waller (LCDR Jason Cupples) returned home to HMAS Stirling.

Waller has been busy conducting a variety of exercises since June 9. She conducted the Sea Phase of the Submarine Warfare Officer’s course, weapons certification and then assisted in the workup of HMA Ships Canberra and Warramunga prior to transiting to Darwin for the multinational Exercise Kakadu VI.

Waller’s participation in Kakadu provided invaluable training for surface ships in Anti-Submarine Warfare, escorting high value units through submarine danger areas, and for aircrews of both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft when employed in ASW roles.

The time spent tracking and engaging surface units was also extremely valuable for the boat’s crew. In total, she theoretically sank 187,590 tonnes of shipping during her participation in Kakadu.

When finished, the boat departed the exercise and returned to Fleet Base West, the crew waiting anxiously to see family and friends.

However, for Waller, the work is not yet over as she in now participates in Exercise Lungfish and PCO Ops (Potential Commanding Officers Operations) in conjunction with a nuclear attack boat from the USN.

Afterwards the crew will look forward to some well earned rest and relaxation after spending 40 out of the past 53 days submerged.

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