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LEUT Mark Plumb is greeted by his wife as Fremantle returns
to Darwin.
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Photo:
LSPH Kaye Adams
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By
Graham Davis
The Royal Australian Navy has committed its last ship to Operation
Anode, the multi-national program aimed at bringing peace and
stability to the Solomon Islands.
There will be no replacement for HMAS Fremantle (LCDR Ainsley
Morthorpe) who returned home to Darwin on Thursday, November 4
after a nine-week deployment.
Her return saw messages of congratulations and “well done” (BZ)
go to not only Fremantle but to the other 15 RAN ships who have
rotated to Anode in the past 15 months.
The Maritime Commander, RADM Rowan Moffitt sent his BZ as a Defence
signal while COMFLOT, CDRE Davyd Thomas delivered his message
personally by transferring from an evaluation test on HMAS Bendigo
by RHIB to Fremantle as she sailed into Darwin Harbour.
“I told Fremantle’s ship’s company it had done a great job and
that Fremantle was the final RAN commitment to Anode,” CDRE Thomas
said.
“I read them MC’s message and added my own comments.” He said
the bulk of the work done by Fremantle’s members had been to provide
training support to the Royal Solomon Island’s police who man
the island nation’s Pacific Class patrol boat Auki.
In his message to Fremantle, RADM Moffitt said, “Your performance
during your recent deployment to the Op Anode in support of the
RAMSI operation ‘Helpem Fren’ has been an excellent one and has
done us all proud.
“You have achieved all tasking, demonstrating flexibility and
innovation in the process.
“The highlight of the success was your joint training missions
with RSIPV Auki as she progressed towards mission readiness and
your very responsive engagement with the people of the Solomons.
“As the last MWV (minor war vessel) to deploy to the Solomon Islands
after 15 months of continuous presence, your contribution has
been very valuable in finishing our work on a high note.”
A crowd of family members, friends, workmates and school children
were on the dock to welcome Fremantle’s 26 officers and sailors
home.
LCDR Morthorpe said his ship’s company “felt proud to be part
of a very worthwhile operation”.
During a local village visit the ship’s company introduced the
children of the Lungga Primary School to its guest searider, Gary
the bear.
Gary was presented to the patrol boat by the students of Larrakeyah
Primary.
“The children at Lungga Primary enjoyed meeting Gary, so he now
has lots of stories to tell when he gets back to his friends at
Larrakeyah Primary,” LCDR Morthorpe said.
