HMAS Arunta Home for Mother’s Day

The Royal Australian Navy Anzac Class Frigate, HMAS Arunta, returned home today following a six-month deployment to the Middle East Area of Operations as part of Operation Catalyst.

The Arunta ship’s company of 183 men and women was greeted by family and friends at a wharfside ceremony attended by the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP; and the Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM, RAN.

“It is of special significance to me, coming as I do from Arrente country in Central Australia, to be able to welcome home HMAS Arunta from a successful mission,” said Mr Snowdon.

And this particular Mother’s Day is particularly sweet for the four Arunta families who welcomed newborn children during this deployment. The Commanding Officer of HMAS Arunta, Commander Timothy Brown, praised the support that the ship had received from loved ones at home

“Arunta sailed from this point six months ago on a hot and muggy November day. It was wonderful to see all the families, friends and well-wishers wave us off as we turned to the north and sailed into the distance. By comparison, words cannot describe the experience of coming home today to all of these smiling faces,” said Commander Brown.

Whilst deployed, the ship steamed more than 21,000 nautical miles, conducted 500 queries, 110 surface searches and 35 security sweeps in the Gulf.

In welcoming Arunta home, Rear Admiral Coates paid tribute to the ship’s company and the important role that they fulfilled.

“Arunta has performed a difficult task with the utmost professionalism, and in doing so has not only enhanced the already fine reputation enjoyed by the Royal Australian Navy amongst our coalition partners, but made a real difference to the lives of everyday Iraqis as they strive to rebuild their country,” said Admiral Coates.

“The ship’s company of HMAS Arunta can be justifiably proud of everything they have achieved.”

HMAS Arunta was relieved on station by HMAS Stuart in the Middle East Area of Operations in late April, representing the eighteenth rotation of Royal Australian Navy ships in the Northern Gulf since September 11, 2001. Stuart will return to her homeport at Garden Island in Sydney in late 2008.

Source: DOD

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