The guided missile frigate HMAS CANBERRA, (CMDR Ray Leggatt, RAN), was decommissioned at Fleet Base West, (HMAS STIRLING). She was the first of the RAN’s six FFG’s to be paid off. During her 24 years of service she had steamed nearly 800,000 miles, and seen operational service in the Persian Gulf in both Operation Damask, (1992-1993), and Operation Slipper, (2002). CANBERRA also took part in the peacekeeping operation in the Solomon Islands, as well as Southern Ocean fishery patrols. In May 1998 she stood by off Java for the potential evacuation of Australian nationals from Indonesia, (Operation Brancard).