By
Graham Davis
It
will be a case of all hands on deck as the Fleet of the Royal
Australian Navy faces another hectic year, according to Maritime
Commander, RADM Raydon Gates.
“We have ongoing commitments overseas and an intense program
of exercises both in Australian waters and overseas,” RADM
Gates said.
“For the ship’s company of HMAS Sydney it will be a
time of making her operational as the first of the FFGs to undergo
the multi-million dollar upgrade.”
RADM Gates’ warning came as the Navy was able to get many
of its ships home for Christmas and for their ship’s companies
to have quality time with their families and friends.
In Sydney, HMA ships Success, Kanimbla, Manoora, Tobruk, Newcastle,
Stuart and a number of mine hunters were alongside.
It was a similar scene at Fleet Base West, Darwin and Cairns.
Nevertheless there were still more than 800 RAN personnel far
from home over the Christmas/New Year break.
HMAS Melbourne was in the Gulf on Operation Catalyst duties while
CDRE Cam Darby led the Australian task group team in Baghdad.
An RAN logistics support team was also in the Middle East.
HMAS Parramatta and a number of patrol boats were on duty northwest
of Australia as part of Operation Relex, the Australian operation
to deter people smugglers.
Landing and patrol craft were in the Solomons as part of Operation
Anode while an RAN doctor did his bit in the hospital in Dili.
Others who had their Christmas disrupted were the officers and
sailors of HMAS Creswell and the aviators of No 817 Squadron.
They were heavily involved in saving life and property from a
bushfire, which swept through the Jervis Bay region on December
22.
This year, the Navy has a full program of exercises commencing
with Ocean Protector.
This will be followed by TASMANEX and in June/July some ships
will sail to Hawaii for RIMPAC.
The Navy’s hydrographic ships have an intense workload, while
805 Squadron has to bring its Seasprites on line.
“I thank all RAN personnel both those at the ‘sharp
end’ and those who back them up, both uniformed and civilian,
for their commitment during 2003.
“2004 will be another busy year for the Fleet,” RADM
Gates said.
