HMAS Sydney Arrives Home

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.

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Press Release, September 11, 2013; Image: Australian Navy