On This Day
2000-present-day
On This Day - 2000-2019
- December 31, 2004
HMAS Kanimbla II sailed from Sydney for Indonesia via Darwin for Operation SUMATRA ASSIST in the wake of the Boxing Day Tsunami.
- December 1, 2004
CAPT P. G. Lockwood, DSC, CSC, RAN, was awarded the United States Bronze Star, in recognition of his meritorious service as the Commanding Officer of HMAS ANZAC, (guided missile frigate), during her service in Iraqi waters in 2003 as part of the RAN contribution to Operation Falconer. A few days later the Bronze Star was also awarded to CAPT A. Ingram, RAN, Commanding Officer of HMAS DARWIN, (guided missile frigate), and CAPT D. L. McCourt, OAM, DSM, RAN, Commanding Officer of HMAS KANIMBLA, (landing platform amphibious), in the same conflict.
- November 19, 2004
A Seahawk helicopter from 816 Squadron, en-route from Perth, WA, to Nowra, NSW, on completion of an exercise in Western Australian waters, was diverted to take personnel from the Royal Flying Doctor Service, (RFDS), to a remote site some 120 miles south of Kalgoorlie, WA, to treat a seriously injured patient. The patient was located in an area where RFDS fixed wing aircraft were unable to land. After being treated at the site, the patient, (who was found to have a broken pelvis, a broken leg, and internal bleeding), was airlifted to Perth. In a separate activity on the same day, HMAS LEEUWIN, (hydrographic survey ship), stopped to render assistance to the yacht WILD FORTUNE, which was experiencing engine problems north east of Bali.
- October 15, 2004
The ANZAC class guided missile frigate HMAS ARUNTA, (CMDR W. J. Bairstow, CSC, RAN), visited the Russian port of Vladivostok. ARUNTA became only the second RAN warship to visit this Russian port, the first visit being by HMAS SYDNEY, (guided missile frigate), in 1995).
- October 7, 2004
The guided missile frigate HMAS MELBOURNE, (CMDR. R. V. S. Dutschke, RAN), responded to a distress call from the iron ore carrier LOWLANDS GRACE, which was anchored off Port Hedland WA. The iron ore carrier had been practicing life boat drills, when one of the lifeboats capsized. MELBOURNE dispatched two RHIB’s with a medical team embarked, who rescued two of the merchant sailors, but two others had already drowned by the time the frigate’s boats had arrived.
- September 23, 2004
The mine-hunter HMAS DIAMANTINA, (LCDR Peter Bartlett, RAN), returned to Sydney after six weeks service in the Solomon Islands, as part of Operation Anode. During her deployment her ships company helped dispose of 230 pieces of WWII ordnance, ranging from hand grenades to 250 pound bombs. They also assisted in repairing medical equipment at the hospital at Taro.
- September 22, 2004
ADML A. L. Beaumont, AC, RAN, (Retired), died after a lengthy illness. He had joined the Navy as a 13 year old Cadet Midshipman in 1948, and had risen through the rank to become Vice Chief of the Defence Force, (1988-92), and then Chief of the Defence Force, (1993-95). He was also a three time recipient of the Order of Australia, being firstly made a Member, (AM), then elevated to an Officer, (AO), and then a Commander, (AC), of the order.
- September 13, 2004
Exercise Bersama Lima 2004 commenced in Singaporean and Malaysian waters. This majorFive-Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) Exercise involved over 30 ships, 80 aircraft, and some 3,000 personnel. The RAN was represented by HMA Ships ANZAC, ARUNTA, WESTRALIA, SHEEAN, HAWKESBURY, YARRA, DUBBO, and GERALDTON, as well as CDT 1.
- August 27, 2004
The frigate HMAS ANZAC, (CAPT Richard Menhinick, CSC, RAN), rescued 15 Indonesians from a sinking vessel south of Batam Island. The crew of the vessel lit a fire to attract attention when their over-laden vessel began to take on water. This was spotted from ANZAC, who sent her RHIB to investigate. Moments after the RHIB arrived alongside, the vessel rolled over and sank. ANZAC proceeded on her way to Singapore, where the 15 Indonesians were handed over to Singaporean Authorities for repatriation to Indonesia.
- August 16, 2004
15 sailors from HMNZS ENDEAVOUR, (tanker), were injured during a life boat drill that went awry, while the ship was berthed at Fleet Base East, Sydney. During a regular test of the lifeboats, one of the boats accidentally plunged 10 metres into the harbour. Personnel from HMA Ships MANOORA, (landing platform amphibious), and SYDNEY, (guided missile frigate), were involved in the rescue of the New Zealand sailors, and two were later transferred to Balmoral Naval Hospital for further treatment.