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The
Anzac Class frigate HMAS Arunta is scheduled to make a rare
visit to the Russian port of Vladivostok this month.
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By
Graham Davis
In
just the second time since World War II, an Australian warship
is going to Russia.
The 3,400 tonne Anzac Class frigate HMAS Arunta under the command
of CMDR Brad Wheeler, was scheduled to arrive in Vladivostok on
October 15 as this edition was being finalised.
Not since 1995, when HMAS Sydney visited Russia has a RAN ship
been invited to make a visit.
The Maritime Commander, RADM Rowan Moffitt told of the visit during
the Naval Symposium held at HMAS Waterhen.
He said Arunta’s visit was part of her Asian tour and her participation
in a Proliferation Security Initiative exercise in Japan.
During September and October many RAN ships were deployed to the
western Pacific and South- East Asia taking part in exercises
and making goodwill visits.
Arunta and Westralia visited Yokosuka in Japan while Anzac called
at Pusan.
Dechaineux made a port visit to Singapore while Success went to
Phuket.
HMAS Kanimbla called at Noumea.
Others such as the submarines Rankin and Sheean were on their
way home to HMAS Stirling. Elsewhere RAN ships were on operations
with several major fleet units patrolling north-west of Australia
as part of Operation Relex II.
In early October one patrol boat handed over two fishing boats
to the Australian Fish Management Authority.
In the Solomons, Fremantle and her ship’s company continued with
the training of members of the Royal Solomon Islands police in
the operation of that nation’s Pacific Class patrol boat Auki.
HMAS Adelaide continued patrols in The Gulf as part of Australia’s
commitment to the war against terrorism.
It was a busy time for the RAN.
