Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
05 July 2006
HMAS BALLARAT patrolling in the Middle East
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.
| 20060621adf8107930_362 Members of HMAS BALLARAT's Ships company sharpen up their shooting skill on the ships flight deck. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20060621adf8107930_401 Members of HMAS BALLARAT's Boarding Team sharpen up their shooting skill on the ships flight deck. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20060621adf8107930_410 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. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20060621adf8109730_005 Able Seaman Bosun's Mates Luke Ettridge and Owen Geoghegan man the Mini Typhoon (remotely controlled machine gun) operator console. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20060621adf8109730_011 Able Seaman Bosun's Mates Luke Ettridge and Owen Geoghegan man the Mini Typhoon (remotely controlled machine gun) operator console. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20060621adf8109730_020 Able Seaman Bosun's Mates Luke Ettridge and Owen Geoghegan man the Mini Typhoon (remotely controlled machine gun) operator console. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20060621adf8109730_110 Able Seaman Bosun's Mates Stuart Quinn and Leading Seaman Boatswins Mate Ben Knox reload the Mini Typhoon with more ammunition after a test fire. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20060621adf8109730_167 HMAS BALLARAT's Bosun's Mates practice their 50 Cal Machine gun drills. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20060621adf8109730_182 HMAS BALLARAT's Bosun's Mates practice their 50 Cal Machine gun drills. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20060621adf8109730_204 Observer Sub Lieutenant Dan Hampton and Aircrewman Petty Officer Andrew Watson make up part of the crew of the "Bushranger", HMAS BALLARAT's Sea Hawk Helicopter. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20060621adf8109730_209 Observer Sub Lieutenant Dan Hampton directs the forward looking infrared camera of the "Bushranger", HMAS BALLARAT's Sea Hawk Helicopter. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20060621adf8109730_238 AirCrewman Petty Officer Andrew Watson mans the Mag 58 door gun of the "Bushranger", HMAS BALLARAT's Sea Hawk Helicopter. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20060621adf8109730_267 Observer Sub Lieutenant Dan Hampton mans the Mag 58 door gun of the "Bushranger", HMAS BALLARAT's Sea Hawk Helicopter. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20060621adf8109730_281 HMAS BALLARAT patrolling in the Middle East. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20060621adf8109730_290 HMAS BALLARAT patrolling in the Middle East. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20060621adf8109730_301 HMAS BALLARAT patrolling in the Middle East. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20060621adf8109730_321 HMAS BALLARAT patrolling in the Middle East. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20060621adf8109730_324 HMAS BALLARAT patrolling in the Middle East. (Date taken: 21 June 2006) Low-res | High-res |
 |
