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DRESSED
FOR DAD: Hugo Jarvis and his mum Symone wait for dad and
husband, LS Matthew Jarvis, as he returned home onboard
HMAS Newcastle, while, right, the expectant crowd of friends
and family waits as Newcastle berths at Fleet Base East.
Photos: AB Justin Brown and LSPH Bill Louys.
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By
Michael Brooke
Tears of joy from family and friends provided a warm greeting
for HMAS Newcastle when she glided into her homeport at Fleet
Base East after a successful deployment to the Persian Gulf.
Chief of Navy, VADM Russ Shalders, joined the crowd in welcoming
home Newcastle, after her third deployment to the Persian Gulf
as part of Operation Catalyst, the Australian Defence Force’s
contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq.
VADM Shalders congratulated the Commanding Officer, CAPT Trevor
Jones, and the ship’s company of 230 “on a job well
done” and thanked the families and friends for their ongoing
support throughout the six-month deployment.
“The ship’s company have done a fantastic job throughout
this deployment … they remained
focused on the task and really made a difference to improving
security in the region,” he said.
CAPT Jones said the value of Newcastle’s deployment could
be measured in the force protection provided for the Iraqi oil
rigs and also the training provided for the Iraqi Navy.
“Newcastle’s
role was to work with the interim Iraqi Government, and to contribute
to multi-national force efforts to develop a secure and stable
environment in Iraq and assist national recovery programs,”
he said.
“This
included the important work of protecting Iraq’s offshore
oil export terminals and monitoring, intercepting and boarding
vessels suspected of illegally trafficking oil and other cargo
that diverts funds from the Iraqi economy.”
CAPT Jones said Newcastle also played a very important role in
helping to develop the capabilities of the Iraqi Navy which will
one-day be able to provide their own maritime security.
“We are all looking forward to some leave and time with our
loved ones and for those of us with children, it is particularly
special to be home in time for Christmas,” CAPT Jones said.
Newcastle, an Adelaide class FFG ear-marked for upgrade, was replaced
in the region by the Anzac class frigate HMAS Parramatta.
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