NAVY PEOPLE: MANLY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE RETURNS HOME AFTER TOUR OF THE MIDDLE EAST

Manly High School seems like a distant memory to Tara Longley as she and her 190 shipmates aboard HMAS Melbourne return to Sydney today.

They are just back from six months pirate patrol off the Horn of Africa. It’s been Tara’s first overseas deployment.

Tara, 25, now works as part of a highly trained team inside the frigate’s operations room, filled with radar screens and electronic warfare equipment.

Using information from this room, the ship’s command team prevented an act of piracy on a British flagged vessel in the beginning of January.

Tara joined the Navy in 2009, and has specialised as a Combat Systems Operator. She’s been promoted to Able Seaman, and has also trained in operating the Mini-Typhoon automated 0.50 calibre machine guns that provide cover during boarding operations.

“It has given me an opportunity to put all the skills I’ve learnt in to place in an operational environment,” said Tara.

“It’s been great to see places like Jordan, UAE and Bahrain that I never would have had a chance to visit.”

But Tara isn’t resting on her laurels. “I am starting my Masters of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism at Macquarie University when I get home.”

She hopes to be promoted to officer in years to come, specialising in naval intelligence.

Already a member of the Warringah Women’s Rugby Team, Tara is also looking forward to the chance to play for the Australian Services Rugby Team and represent the ADF at the Women’s National Championships later on in the year.

“I hope the physical and mental endurance that I discovered on deployment will transpire onto the football field!”

NAVY PEOPLE: BACK FROM PIRATE PATROL

It has been a while since Ben McGregor, 34, padded up and took guard at the crease at Miranda Magpies cricket club.

On 18th February he and his 190 shipmates aboard HMAS Melbourne returned from six months pirate patrol off the Horn of Africa.

Ben is a supervisor in the frigate’s Operations Room with the rank of Petty Officer. His job is to ensure the tactical picture is always up to date, using sensor information from sonar, radar and satellite.

Melbourne’s Commanding Officer is then able to respond to any threats, utilising the variety of weapon systems such as guns, missiles or aircraft to defend the ship or take action against pirates.

This has been Ben’s third Middle East deployment.

“We are making a real difference on curbing narcotics smuggling that would ultimately go on to fund terrorist activity.”

There’s plenty of chances to go ashore too. “I’ve visited many countries I never would have thought possible. I have been to Bahrain, Jordan, Sri Lanka and Dubai to name a few, and met all types of interesting people along the way.”

“My longer term goal is to rise to the rank of Warrant Officer, and along the way, pass on all that I’ve learnt to the new generations joining the Navy.”

But for now, Ben is looking forward to some serious chill-out time.

“I can’t wait to be able to spend time with my wife Bec and daughter Rose, and of course watch my beloved Cronulla Sharks win the grand final!”

HMAS MELBOURNE WELCOMED HOME FROM MIDDLE EAST DEPLOYMENT

Today the Minister for Defence Materiel, the Hon. Jason Clare MP, joined the Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore AM CSC RAN and hundreds of family and friends in welcoming the 230 crew of HMAS Melbourne home to Sydney after a six month deployment in the Middle East.

“This has been a demanding deployment where the crew have carried out really important work,” Mr Clare said.

“In January the crew disrupted a pirate attack in progress onboard the British chemical tanker MV CPO China. This was just one of the 14 piracy distress calls the crew of HMAS Melbourne responded to during their deployment.

“This is difficult and dangerous work. Their efforts show Australian Defence Force personnel and equipment at their best.”

Mr Clare congratulated the Commanding Officer of HMASMelbourne, Commander Michael John Harris, RAN and his crew on a successful high-tempo operation.

Commander Harris said his Ship’s Company were incredibly proud of their achievements but were clearly excited and happy to be home.

“My crew have performed exceptionally well, during what was a highly complex and demanding six months.

“The men and women embarked on Melbourne have made a significant contribution to the safety of vessels in maritime corridors during her deployment, and I congratulate Melbourne’s crew for their dedication and professionalism and thank the family and friends of those who serve for their tireless support and love.”

“It is fantastic to be back in Sydney today with our family and friends; without their steadfast support the deployment would not have been so successful,” Commander Harris said.

HMAS Melbourne is an Adelaide Class Frigate capable of air defence, anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, interdiction and reconnaissance. It is the first Adelaide Class Frigate deployed to the Gulf following the FFG upgrade project which saw new missile and torpedo systems installed as part of extensive capability enhancements.

HMAS Melbourne was replaced on station by HMAS Stuart, which took over in mid January.

PIRATE BUSTER HMAS MELBOURNE COMING HOME

The Royal Australian Navy Adelaide Class frigate, HMAS Melbourne, will return to Garden Island, Sydney, on Friday 18 February following a six-month deployment to the Middle East.

HMAS Melbourne departed Fleet Base East for the Middle East on 16 August 2010, carrying 230 men and women, for a six-month deployment, as part of Operation Slipper: the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the international campaign against terrorism, maritime security in the Middle East and countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden.

During the deployment, HMAS Melbourne successfully responded to 14 distress calls in relation to suspected piracy attacks, contributing to security in the maritime environment, while promoting regional stability and global prosperity. These operations complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists’ use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

HMAS Melbourne’s return to Sydney marks the end of the twenty-fourth rotation of RAN ships to the Middle East since September 2001; this was HMAS Melbourne’s third deployment to the Gulf.

HMAS MELBOURNE'S FINAL ANTI-PIRACY ACT

On her final day assigned to operations in the Middle East, Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Melbourne continued her important work of securing vital sea lanes of communication.

HMAS Melbourne

Hours before handing over the maritime security task in the Middle East Area of Operations to HMAS Stuart, HMAS Melbourne was called upon to assist a merchant vessel in distress.

On Tuesday 18 January 2011, MV Tide reported that she was being harassed by a pirate mothership and two skiffs. The merchant vessel requested immediate assistance.

HMAS Melbourne responded and altered her course to steam to the aid of MV Tide, simultaneously sending her Sea Hawk helicopter ahead to investigate the situation.

Fortunately, MV Tide was able to conduct evasive manoeuvres and escape the pirates within about an hour of her initial distress call. The merchant vessel’s actions successfully negated the pirate attack, allowing HMAS Melbourne and her helicopter to return to patrolling duties without further incident for her last few hours serving in support of Operation SLIPPER.

HMAS Melbourne has successfully completed a six-month operational deployment to the Middle East marked by involvement in maritime security and counter-piracy operations, and international engagement with countries such as Yemen, Jordan and Pakistan.

HMAS Melbourne was the first of the recently upgraded Adelaide Class frigates to undertake an operational deployment and was relieved by HMAS Stuart in a hand-over ceremony on 19 January 2011.

HMAS Melbourne had 238 men and women embarked for the deployment.

Commanding Officer HMAS Melbourne Commander Michael John Harris said the ship’s company had performed exceptionally well during the deployment and were employed in a range of tasks that included maritime security and counter-piracy as part of combined maritime force operations.

HMAS Melbourne’s support in disrupting an earlier pirate attack on the MV CPO China received widespread recognition and praise.

Commander Australian forces in the Middle East Major General Angus Campbell said the crew and Commander of HMASMelbourne should take pride in directly contributing to security in the Middle East and the safe passage of maritime trade in the Indian Ocean.

“You have very positively enhanced Australia’s reputation in the region. As HMAS Melbourne heads home for a well-earned rest, know that you have directly contributed to the mission in the Middle East and have made a positive impression on its people. Thank you for your efforts,” Major General Campbell said.

HMAS Melbourne was the 24th rotation of RAN fleet units to the region since operations commenced in the Middle East in 2001.

HMAS Stuart will be conducting her fourth rotation to the Gulf since operations began. The ship has a complement of approximately 190 men and women.

HMAS MELBOURNE DISRUPTS PIRATE ATTACK IN ARABIAN SEA

Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Melbourne has disrupted a pirate attack on a tanker in the Arabian Sea.

HMAS Melbourne steamed to the aid of the UK-flagged chemical tanker MV CPO China, which had been boarded by pirates in the Arabian Sea at approximately 1.45pm Bahrain time on Monday, 3 January.

When initially alerted to the incident HMASMelbourne was approximately 267kms north of the MV CPO China but was able to cover that distance in just over six hours.

While steaming to the aid of the MV CPO China, HMAS Melbourne’s helicopter launched and on arrival in the vicinity of MV CPO China was able to deter the pirates from attempting to take control of the ship. As a result the pirates aborted the attack and left the vessel when HMAS Melbourne arrived on the scene.

The crew of MV CPO China had successfully secured themselves in the ship’s citadel (an anti-pirate stronghold) from where they could maintain satellite communications and control the ship. The engine controls and steering equipment for the tanker are located in the citadel.

“This is a terrific example of how Australia’s maritime contribution to the Middle East Area of Operations provides another layer of security for the region and to the conduct of trade and suppression of criminal activities,” said the Commander of Joint Task Force 633, MAJGEN John Cantwell.“One of our objectives for operations in the Middle East is to assist the efforts of the international community in reducing acts of piracy. Our men and women aboard HMAS Melbourne deserve recognition for their role in providing maritime security and countering piracy in the Arabian Sea. This is one of those occasions where their efforts have become highly visible,” he said.

Imagery of HMAS Melbourne conducting counter-piracy ops is available on the Defence Image Library.Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Melbourne has disrupted a pirate attack on a tanker in the Arabian Sea.

HMAS Melbourne steamed to the aid of the UK-flagged chemical tanker MV CPO China, which had been boarded by pirates in the Arabian Sea at approximately 1.45pm Bahrain time on Monday, 3 January.

When initially alerted to the incident HMASMelbourne was approximately 267kms north of the MV CPO China but was able to cover that distance in just over six hours.

While steaming to the aid of the MV CPO China, HMAS Melbourne’s helicopter launched and on arrival in the vicinity of MV CPO China was able to deter the pirates from attempting to take control of the ship. As a result the pirates aborted the attack and left the vessel when HMAS Melbourne arrived on the scene.

The crew of MV CPO China had successfully secured themselves in the ship’s citadel (an anti-pirate stronghold) from where they could maintain satellite communications and control the ship. The engine controls and steering equipment for the tanker are located in the citadel.

“This is a terrific example of how Australia’s maritime contribution to the Middle East Area of Operations provides another layer of security for the region and to the conduct of trade and suppression of criminal activities,” said the Commander of Joint Task Force 633, MAJGEN John Cantwell.

“One of our objectives for operations in the Middle East is to assist the efforts of the international community in reducing acts of piracy. Our men and women aboard HMAS Melbourne deserve recognition for their role in providing maritime security and countering piracy in the Arabian Sea. This is one of those occasions where their efforts have become highly visible,” he said.

Imagery of HMAS Melbourne conducting counter-piracy ops is available on the Defence Image Library.