HMAS Tobruk Sails to Homeport for the Last Time

Australian Navy’s HMAS Tobruk (II) sailed through Sydney Heads back to her home port at Garden Island for the last time today.

The amphibious heavy lift is scheduled to decommission on Friday 31 July, after 34 years of service in the Navy.

Commanding Officer Tobruk Commander Leif Maxfield said:

Today signifies that the end of the ship’s seagoing life is near.

Tobruk (II) was commissioned on 23 April 1981 and is the second ship to bear the name. During her service life, the ship has supported a number of humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions including the most recent, Operation PACIFIC ASSIST 2015 following Tropical Cyclone Pam which devastated Vanuatu earlier this year.

CMDR Maxfield added:

While we will farewell Tobruk, it is also an exciting time to be in the Navy. We now look to the future with a bold new capability, having had our first of the two Landing Helicopter Dock ships, HMAS Canberra, entering into service in December 2014.

NUSHIP Adelaide, the second LHD is scheduled for commissioning later this year.

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Image: Australian Navy