Following a successful deployment to North East Asia, HMAS Sydney has returned home to a warm welcome from family and friends on the wharf at Fleet Base East.
Over the past four and a half months Sydney has participated in a wide range of exercises and operations ranging from regional engagement in both the Republic of Korea and Japan, to a security patrol of Australia’s North West Shelf oil platforms.
One of the most significant activities of Sydney’s deployment was spending three months embedded as a member of the United States Seventh Fleet Carrier Strike Group whose primary function was to protect the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington. Embracing the opportunity to prepare for Navy’s future capability, Sydney’s Commanding Officer, Commander Karl Brinckmann said the deployment had provided a new experience for everyone onboard.
A key to the success of the deployment was a Personnel Exchange Program which saw over 50 per cent of Sydney’s crew experience life onboard a US or Japanese warship.
Able Seaman Maritime Logistics Steward Georgia Chaffey was one of those lucky enough to get a taste of life onboard George Washington.
“The whole deployment has been a unique experience, but it is good to be home again. It would be nice, though, if Sydney could find space onboard for a Starbucks – like the George Washington has,” she said.
[mappress] Press Release, September 11, 2013; Image: Australian Navy