After deploying in July to conduct border protection operations in Australia’s northern waters, Mine Hunter Coastal HMAS Huon returned home to HMAS Waterhen on 2 October.
This was the vessel’s second deployment in support of Operation RESOLUTE in 2015.
During her deployment Huon patrolled well known fishing areas to prevent illegal incursions while working hard to conduct mine warfare exercises and training to maintain her core warfare skills. During the deployment Huon was tasked to utilise this unique skill set in support of Operation RESOLUTE, disposing of historical ordnance and conduct detailed seabed searches.
Halfway through the deployment, she was tasked to dispose of unexploded ordnance from the Quail Island Air Weapons Range which was used for live air dropped munition training from post the Second World War until 1979. This event was the highlight for Huon’s Diving Officer, Lieutenant Samuel Mairs.
Huon made her second visit to Dili, East Timor in twelve months to further foster friendship with Australia’s close neighbour. During the visit, Huon hosted several members of the Timor Leste Defence Force on a sea training day, conducted ship tours, attended commemoration ceremonies for Falintil Day and made repairs and donations to a local orphanage – a highlight for Able Seaman Communication and Information Systems Khy Hentschel.
After a high tempo 12 month period, Huon will enter an extended maintenance period for the remainder of 2015.
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Image: Australian Navy