HMAS Melbourne Leaves for M.East

There were emotional scenes as the HMAS Melbourne set sail from Sydney’s Garden Island for the Middle East to aid international counterterrorism and security operations

Frigate HMAS Melbourne leaves for Mid-East

There were emotional scenes as the HMAS Melbourne set sail from Sydney’s Garden Island for the Middle East to aid international counterterrorism and security operations.

The departure of the frigate, which will relieve HMAS Newcastle, marks the 56th rotation of a Royal Australian Navy ship to the region since the beginning of the Gulf War in 1990.

During her six-month deployment the HMAS Melbourne will contribute to the international campaign against terrorism, drugs and weapons smuggling, and piracy in the Gulf of Aden.

“These operations complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists’ use of the maritime environment,” Defence said in a statement.

The ship, carrying 230 personnel, was seen off by about 900 family and friends on Sunday, as well as a Haka from crew aboard a ship from New Zealand stationed at Garden Island.

Source: Agencies