Melbourne calls into Kuwait
By
LEUT Andrew Riches
HMAS
Melbourne, commanded by CMDR Vern Dutschke, recently turned heads
as the first Royal Australian Navy ship to visit the Kuwait Naval
Base, as well as the largest warship to berth alongside in the
port.
Taking a break between patrols in the Northern Persian Gulf, HMAS
Melbourne spent three days alongside the naval base providing
the ship’s company with a rare opportunity to take in some of
the local sights and go shopping.
Melbourne also hosted a high profile official reception onboard
for Kuwaiti and American guests, with CDRE Campbell Darby, the
Australian Commander JTF 633 flying in from Bagdad to support
the visit.
On sailing from the port an exercise was conducted with two Kuwait
Navy Patrol Boats.
