Ministerial approval
Gulf fact-finding mission

SHAKE: Defence Minister Dr Brendan Nelson meeting HMAS Warramunga crew members. Photo: LAC Rodney Welch

Volume 49, No. 16 , September 07, 2006

Navy personnel in the Middle East received a visit from the Minister for Defence Dr Brendan Nelson and the Secretary of Defence, Ric Smith earlier this month.
The Minister and Secretary visited several locations including HMAS Warramunga, members of CJTF 158, as well as numerous Navy personnel assigned to joint units such as the headquarters of the Task Force in Baghdad.

“No matter whether your job is logistics, administration or patrolling the waters of the Gulf, every single thing you do contributes to the success of your unit. No one is more important than another,” Dr Nelson said.

His address to the different detachments was relaxed yet passionate and was well received by all present with jokes and appreciative light-hearted comments exchanged from both sides.
The Minister took the opportunity on this visit to have some Australian media accompany him to speak with the Australians deployed.

He was joined by TV personality, Channel 7 Sunrise’s David Koch, who proved to be extremely popular.

He was greeted with numerous shouts of “G’day Kochie!” and had plenty of requests for autographs from members of the detachment who recognised the presenter far from home.
Koch said he wanted to see what was really happening in the Middle East.

“I wanted the opportunity to look beyond the TV coverage of all the explosions and appreciated what was being done by these Australians under very harsh circumstances,” he said.
“The Minister told me to ‘put my money where my mouth was’ so here I am.”

Both the Minister and Koch were swarmed by members from the different detachments for photos and both were obliging.

During the visit to HMAS Warramunga, the visitors experienced a hearty meal in the junior sailors’ mess as well as an opportunity to address the ship’s company.

The crew advised the Minister that while the environmental conditions tested both man and machine, they were happy to be serving in the Middle East.
A nearby noticeboard held a message that the surface temperature of the helicopter deck had reached 73.5C during the ship’s tour.

Koch agreed that the conditions were trying.

“It’s amazing what these folks put up with, the danger, the heat and being far away from families and yet they’re so excited to be doing what they do,” he said.
“It’s just great to see the Aussie spirit of knuckling in and getting the job done no matter what.”

The Minister also visited and had the opportunity to speak with the commander of JTF 158 Commodore Peter Lockwood and some of his staff.

Dr Nelson commented on the high degree of professionalism shown by the ship’s company and that families and fellow Australians would be proud of their work which was well done.

The Minister said the visit had been successful and allowed him the opportunity to gauge morale. He made note of the great sprit on board HMAS Warramunga and the dedication of the company.
He reinforced to the members that their role in the Middle East was vital and that their families could be proud of them.

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