On This Day
1976-1999 > Post Vietnam
On This Day - 1976-1999
- July 27, 1976
HMAS HOBART, (guided missile destroyer), arrived at Naples. HOBART was the first RAN vessel to visit Italy in 20 years, and the first Australian warship to pass through the Suez Canal in 14 years.
- July 24, 1976
The Japanese cargo ship BLUE ANDROMEDA, struck HMAS MELBOURNE, (aircraft carrier), in Sydney Harbour. Damage was minor.
- July 17, 1976
HMAS PARRAMATTA, (destroyer escort), arrived at Bali to assist the earthquake-devastated island. 500 people were killed and 2500 injured in the catastrophe.
- July 15, 1976
HMAS YARRA, (destroyer escort), located the disabled yacht MARQUEEN in heavy seas off the Queensland coast. The yacht was towed to Trial Bay, NSW.
- July 1, 1976
Royal Australian Naval House, ‘Johnnie’s’, was handed back to the NSW Government.
- June 8, 1976
The RAN Support Element, Singapore, was formed. Known as RANLO, Singapore, the unit is responsible for logistics support to RAN ships and units visiting Singapore, and operating in the wider South East Asian area. RANLO Singapore is the oldest continuously operating overseas RAN support unit.
- February 18, 1976
The Minister for Defence, Mr. D. J. Killen, announced the Australian Government’s decision to purchase two guided missile frigates from the USA.
- February 9, 1976
The Australian Naval Board flag was lowered for the last time. The flag’s design dated back to the 17th century.
The Defence Reorganisation Act gave the Chiefs of Staff direct control over their respective services.
- February 2, 1976
817 squadron re-equipped with the larger Sea King helicopter, which greatly improved the RAN’s anti-submarine warfare capability.
- September 19, 1968
HMAS PERTH, (guided missile destroyer), was dispatched to Vietnam to relieve her sister ship HMAS HOBART, which had been damaged by US aircraft missiles.
