Proud of Parra’s role in the Gulf

AUTOGRAPH HOUND: The Maritime Commander, RADM Davyd Thomas, watched by LCDR Eric Young, signs the ship’s autograph cricket bat during a visit to HMAS Parramatta.

Photo: LAC/W Kim Eager

By FLTLT Fiona Harris
Volume 49, No. 4, March 23, 2006

Maritime Commander Rear Admiral (RADM) Davyd Thomas, recently visited HMAS Parramatta in the Gulf and was impressed with what he saw.

In an address to the ship’s company RADM Thomas commended Parramatta and her crew for the important job they were doing.

“I would like to tell you how proud I am with what you are actually achieving here and the effort you are putting in,” RADM Thomas said.

“You have been aggressive in your approach to maritime operations up here and you’ve set the benchmark. This ship has made a significant difference to the whole operation here in the North Persian Gulf.”

Parramatta has been patrolling the Gulf for more than four months. Her twofold mission is to check merchant ships for contraband, and to safeguard Iraq’s offshore oil platforms. It is a strategically vital job as the two platforms produce around 85 per cent of Iraq’s national income.

Standing in the ship’s hangar, the sailors listened attentively as the Maritime Commander highlighted leadership, operational risk management, and sense of community as three important guidelines to follow while undertaking their duties.

RADM Thomas said that having a sense of community is what makes a successful ship and indeed a successful Navy. It’s this message he is trying to get across to the whole Fleet.

“Sense of community is understanding how important relationships are, it’s how important respect for each other is, it’s hospitality, it’s getting on with other people, it’s teamwork, it’s those things that encapsulate what a successful warship is all about,” he said.

RADM Thomas had the pleasure of presenting four annual fleet awards to Parramatta and her crew.

The ship was awarded with the Collins Trophy for embarked flight efficiency, the Silver Platter award for excellence in food and services, the NBCD Proficiency Award, and the Combat Systems Proficiency Shield.

A special presentation was made to ABMT Grant Rodney Darling, who was awarded an Australia Day Medallion for outstanding professionalism and dedication to duty whilst serving on Parramatta.

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