HMAS Newcastle (CMDR P.J. O’Grady, CSM) has conducted her first port visit in the Middle East, to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
The 24-hour visit on 31 May marked multiple achievements including a visit by members of the JTF633 Command Team, storing ship, along with receipt of civilian “snail mail”.
Members of JTF633 Command Team that visited Newcastle provided briefs to their counterparts.
Deputy Commander JTF633, Air Commodore Tony Needham, addressed the ship’s company on the importance of a maritime presence in the MEAO and noted the continued commitment of the RAN, thanking Newcastle’s Ships Company for the part they are playing.
It was a short, 24-hour taste of the UAE heat (36C, 99.2 per cent humidity) for the ship’s company with the visit devoted to supplying the crew with the required stores and victuals to continue their first patrol.
The crew was motivated to beat the heat and to get down to their respective messes to see if they were lucky enough to receive a care package in the 356kg of mail which was delivered.
The mail was a hit throughout the ship, with some receiving numerous parcels from home. Chocolate, magazines, newspapers and photos were warmly welcomed all round, with any connection to home and family being particularly treasured.
Newcastle sailed again the following morning to continue her first patrol in support of Op SLIPPER and CTF150.
[mappress] Press release, June 13, 2013; Image: Australian Navy