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Parramatta honoured


Edition 5009, 31 May, 2007
The ship’s company of HMAS Parramatta has been honoured for exceptional service in warlike operations during deployment to the Persian Gulf in 2005-06.

The Meritorious Unit Citation was presented by NSW Governor Professor Marie Bashir at an Investiture Ceremony at Government House, Sydney. It was accepted by CMDR Justin Jones, Parramatta’s then Executive Officer, on behalf of the ship’s company of Parramatta who are currently deployed on operations.

The Anzac Class Frigate was deployed for Operation Catalyst in the Persian Gulf from November 1, 2005 to March 25, 2006. It was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation in the 2007 Australia Day Honours. Its outstanding service included seizing 6.2kg of the bomb-making material ammonium nitrate, hidden in the pantry of an intercepted merchant vessel. 

During her deployment, Parramatta conducted 186 boardings and security patrols, 1,111 boat evolutions, 330 flying hours in its embarked Navy Seahawk helicopter and 653 investigative queries of merchant vessels.  Parramatta was the first non-US Navy ship to be appointed Persian Gulf Air Defence Commander.
AWARD: Former Executive Officer of HMAS Parramatta, Commander Justin Jones, with the Meritorious Unit Citation. He said HMAS Parramatta contributed significantly to the ADF mission of rehabilitating Iraq and in maintaining the security of the wider Gulf region.
OTHER HONOURS: PO Ben Robson, LCDR Max Muller and WO Andrew Freame were also honoured at Government House in Sydney. PO Robson received the Conspicuous Service Cross for outstanding achievement as the Guided Missile Launcher System Course Implementation Officer, LCDR Muller received the Conspicuous Service Medal for outstanding service in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in the US and WO Freame received the Medal of the Order of Australia for meritorious service.
LS Jamie Johnson of Australian Clearance Diving Team One was awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal for outstanding service.
Commodore Les Nikolas Pataky was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for exceptional service in a variety of Navy roles.