Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
05 July 2006
HMAS Ballarat serving in the northern waters of the gulf
HMAS BALLARAT, deployed in the Persian Gulf, is the Royal Australian Navy’s current contribution to maritime security operations in the region. The ship, which is part of Task Force 158 (TF158) is serving in the northern waters of the gulf, where its duties include oil platform protection, maintaining Iraqi boarders, humanitarian assistance and denying illegal trade.
HMAS BALLARAT is the eighth ANZAC Class Frigate and the sixth for the Royal Australian Navy, two being bought by New Zealand. The ship which was commissioned on the 26th June 2004 is on its first deployment to the Middle East.
The Ship, named after the Victorian city which was the location of the Eureka Stockade, takes its ship motto, “Defend the Flag” from that famous fight for equality.
As part of TF158, HMAS BALLARAT will be under the command of Commodore Peter Lockwood and his team of 21 Australian Naval Officers and specialist sailors. This is the second time the coalition naval elements have been under the command of Australians.
"The Australian Navy is invaluable to the Coalition Naval efforts in the Middle East, because of their professionalism, their independence and their ability to stick to the task. In the North Arabian Gulf in command of 158, Australians will be playing a key leadership role in the Coalition." Captain John Peterson, Chief of Staff, U.S 5th Fleet.
| 20060622adf8107930_041 Belly of the Beast, Able Seaman Marine Technician (Electrical) James Ashley working on HMAS BALLARAT's Gas Turbine. (Date taken: 22 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060622adf8107930_049 Belly of the Beast, Able Seaman Marine Technician (Electrical) James Ashley working on HMAS BALLARAT's Gas Turbine. (Date taken: 22 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060622adf8107930_062 Belly of the Beast, Able Seaman Marine Technician (Electrical) James Ashley working on HMAS BALLARAT's Gas Turbine. (Date taken: 22 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060622adf8107930_067 Able Seaman Marine Techincian (Electrical) Bradley Thomas on the blower in Machinery Control Room on HMAS BALLARAT. (Date taken: 22 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060622adf8107930_091 Able Seaman Marine Techincian (Electrical)Bradley Thomas in Machinery Control Room on HMAS BALLARAT. (Date taken: 22 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060622adf8107930_100 Never ending paper work, Leading Seaman Writer Eric Foster keeping the adminstration of HMAS BALLARAT flowing smoothly. (Date taken: 22 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060622adf8107930_114 Able Seaman Storeman Denis Khan stocking the shelves in one of HMAS BALLARAT's forward store rooms. (Date taken: 22 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060622adf8107930_133 Currently deployed in the Gulf on HMAS BALLARAT, Leading Seaman McQualter is one of two females who are members of the ship’s boarding party. (Date taken: 22 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060622adf8107930_219 An upper deck sentry on HMAS BALLARAT keeps a close watch on one of Iraq's oil platforms. (Date taken: 22 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20060624adf8107930_006 The crew of HMAS BALLARAT gather on the ship's forcastle to celebrate her second birthday. (Date taken: 24 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
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