HMAS Warramunga’s turn to bridge Gulf

FOND FAREWELLS: Three members of HMAS Warramunga wave goodbye to family and friends before departing for a six- month deployment to the Persian Gulf.Photo: ABPH Nadia Monteith

Volume 49, No. 14, August 10 , 2006

By Michael Brooke

HMAS Warramunga (CMDR John Hielscher) is steaming to the Persian Gulf brimming with confidence that she can meet the challenge posed by her first Op Catalyst deployment after being farewelled by family and friends at FBW on July 31.

CMDR Hielscher told Navy News that he is extremely confident that Warramunga and her ship’s company of 184 are up to the challenge of taking over duties from HMAS Ballarat (CMDR M.K. Wise).

He said Warramunga has worked hard during the past six-months to prepare herself for the challenge of her first operational deployment.

“The Op Catalyst deployment will provide all of us with the opportunity to test our training, cohesiveness and individual performance in an operational zone,” he said.
CMDR Hielscher said the past six months have been extremely busy for the entire ship’s company with Warramunga progressing through a series of demanding scenarios designed to simulate the warlike, combat conditions she may experience during the deployment.

Warramunga’s deployment also marks the fourteenth rotation of RAN ships as part of Coalition operations since 2001.

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