Royal Australian Navy's photostream  

HMAS Ballarat (left) and HMAS Huon (right) participate in Triton Storm during a storm.

AMBM Matt Bennett fires a 50-calibre machine-gun on HMAS Ballarat during an air warfare serial.

HMAS Ballarat fires her 127mm gun during an air warfare serial.

Boarding parties from HMAS Parramatta board a vessel suspected of trafficking illegal narcotics in the North Arabian Sea, as part of her counter-terrorism role for Operation SLIPPER.

On Friday 3 February 2012, the Ship’s Company of HMAS Parramatta successfully conducted an investigative boarding of a vessel of unknown nationality in the North Arabian Sea, as part of her counter- terrorism role for Operation SLIPPER.

The search revealed over 240 kilograms of amphetamine and heroin concealed in bags of flour and rice which were subsequently destroyed. The illegal narcotics had an estimated street value of $5 million US dollars.

The boarding operation was conducted in accordance with national and international protocols and procedures.

Chief Petty Officer John Alderton
HMAS Parramatta

Having defended Jervis Bay from the ongoing dangers of Avolonian laid mines, HMAS HUON (LCDR John Relyea) safely berthed alongside HMAS CHOULES (CMDR John Cowan) in a first of class trial and as a part of Exercise Mulgogger 2012. In the windy conditions of Jervis Bay, with both ships utilising their Auxiliary Propulsion Units (APUs) to maintain position and to manoeuvre, HUON was able to berth alongside CHOULES twice during morning.

The trial represents an important and ongoing capability for our amphibious force as demonstrated in the Iraq 2003 war where HMAS KANIMBLA (CAPT David McCourt) regularly hosted coalition's patrol craft and mine hunters alongside for the resupply of fuel and provisions to extend their respective operational enduranance