The Royal Australian Navy Frigate HMAS Parramatta departed Sydney this week on a three week deployment to the South Pacific, as part of Australia’s Operation SOLANIA.
Commanding Officer, Commander Simon Cannell said Parramatta’s patrol will take the Anzac Class frigate to Noumea, Port Vila and Honiara to strengthen alliances and promote security cooperation in the South Pacific region.
“Operation SOLANIA is an ongoing maritime surveillance operation which supports Pacific Island states in their enforcement of fisheries law within their Exclusive Economic Zones,” Commander Cannell said.
For many members of the crew the deployment will be an opportunity to explore places that are close to home, but rarely visited by Australians.
During their visit the crew will be working hard with community development engagement activities, including rebuilding activities in Honiara following the recent devastating floods.
Another aspect of Parramatta’s deployment will be the continued development of defence and constabulary relationships, such as joint maritime patrols with French Navy Ship (FNS) Vendémaire in New Caledonia, and a joint training exercise with the Pacific Patrol Boat RVS Tukoro in Vanuatu.
Operation SOLANIA was endorsed by the Government of Australia in February 1987 and initially involved only the Royal Australian Air Force.
[mappress] Press Release, June 27, 2014; Image: Australian Navy