Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
14 December 2007
HMAS Arunta patrols Persian Gulf
CMDR Brown commands HMAS Arunta on its second tour of the Persian Gulf. CMDR Brown has taken command of the frigate after a career spent aboard submarines.
The ANZAC-class frigate HMAS Arunta is currently deployed to the Northern Persian Gulf as part of Operation CATALYST. Arunta is tasked to assist in the protection of Iraq's offshore assets such as oil platforms, which allows Iraq to generate much needed funds to support reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.
HMAS Arunta also assists with the detection, interception and deterrence of vessels suspected of undertaking illegal activity within Iraqi waters.
HMAS Arunta, commanded by Commander (CMDR) Timothy Brown, is the second of the Royal Australian Navy’s eight ANZAC class frigates, and the second ship of the name.
The original Arunta was commissioned in 1942 during World War II and served with distinction in New Guinea and the Pacific between 1942-1944, the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944 and Lingayen Gulf in 1945.
The name Arunta comes from the Arrente Aboriginal people, located in central Australia around Alice Springs.
The Arrente Council presented HMAS Arunta with a flag displaying a Perrente lizard. The lizard is an animal from the dreamtime for the Arrente people, and is featured on HMAS Aunta’s Sea Hawk helicopter.
Operation CATALYST is the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq. Working with the Iraqi Government, the ADF continues to contribute to Multi-National Force efforts to develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq, assist national recovery programs and facilitate the transition to Iraq self-government.
| 20071201adf8115142_017 Seaman Steward Ian Hamilton (23) of Canberra, ACT, enforces HMAS Arunta's strict force protection measures as she sails on her first patrol in the Middle East Area of Operations. (Date taken: 02 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071201adf8115142_036 Seaman Boatswains Mate Luke Fiddes, 19, of Rockingham WA, maintains watch from HMAS Arunta's gun direction platform. (Date taken: 02 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071201adf8115142_079 Lieutenant Karen Guselli makes a suitable training patient and is treated by a medic during a damage control exercise on HMAS Arunta. (Date taken: 02 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071201adf8115142_084 Able Seaman Communications and Information Systems Carly Southam updates HMAS Arunta's incident board during a Damage Control Exercise. The incident board keeps track of damaged areas on a ship and the progress made on repairs. (Date taken: 02 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071201adf8115142_096 Sub Lieutenant Andy Devene and Able Seaman Danielle Briggs receive updates on damage control during an exercise on HMAS Arunta. (Date taken: 02 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071201adf8115142_112 Lieutenant Helen Anderson conducts pre-flight checks on HMAS Arunta's Sea Hawk Helicopter in the Middle East Area of Operations. (Date taken: 02 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071201adf8115142_116 HMAS Arunta's Sea Hawk, Huntsman, is prepared for flight in the Middle East Area of Operations. (Date taken: 02 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071202adf8115142_015 HMAS Arunta launches both sea boats for personnel transfers and navigational exercises in the Middle East Area of Operations. (Date taken: 02 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071202adf8115142_046 Leading Seaman Marine Technician Bert Palmela (33) of Perth, WA, on watch in HMAS Arunta's Machinery Control Room. (Date taken: 02 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071202adf8115142_053 Commander Timothy Brown is seen during a quiet moment in HMAS Arunta's first patrol of its six-month Persian Gulf tour. (Date taken: 02 December 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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