On This Day
2000-present-day
On This Day - 2000-2019
- March 18, 2003
The Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, commits Australian forces to support any action taken by the US led Coalition against Iraq. This commitment was detailed as Operation Falconer.
Later in 2003 the following operational awards were announced for Operation Falconer, (the Coalition invasion of Iraq, and associated Arabian Gulf duties):
DSC CAPT. P. D. Jones, AM, RAN
DSC CAPT P. G. Lockwood, CSC, RAN
AM CMDR A. J. Ingram, RAN
AM CMDR C. P. Percival, RAN
DSM CMDR D. G. McCourt, OAM, RAN
DSM LCDR S. Craig, RAN
DSM LCDR M. L. Maley, RAN
OAM CMDR L. Charles-Jones, RAN
OAM CMDR P. Spedding, RAN
OAM CMDR M. K. M. Wise, RAN
OAM LCDR M. D. Edwards, RAN
OAM WO A. M. Kirkpatrick
OAM CPO V. W. Heath
Commendation for Distinguished Service LCDR I. M. Ingham, RAN
Commendation for Distinguished Service LEUT B. J. Horn, RAN
Commendation for Distinguished Service LEUT D. R. Horrobin, RAN
Commendation for Distinguished Service CPO M. V. Winter
Commendation for Distinguished Service PO G. R. Stevens
Commendation for Distinguished Service LS J. P. Dunn
Commendation for Distinguished Service LS S. W. Gillespie
Commendation for Distinguished Service LS T. A. Miles
Unit Citations for Gallantry were also awarded to HMAS ANZAC, (guided missile frigate), HMAS KANIMBLA, (landing platform amphibious), and Clearance Diving Team 3.
- March 1, 2003
The Huon class mine hunter coastal HMAS YARRA, was commissioned. YARRA was laid down in ADI Yard, Newcastle, NSW, and launched on 19 January 2002.
- February 22, 2003
The main body of Clearance Diving Team 3 arrived in Bahrain for service in the Persian Gulf/Iraq, as part of the Australian commitment to Operation Falconer, (the war in Iraq).
- February 4, 2003
HMAS Kanimbla II departed Darwin for her second deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of Operations BASTILLE and, later, FALCONER
- January 23, 2003
HMAS KANIMBLA, (CMDR D. G. McCourt), departs Sydney for service in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Bastille. The LPA had previously served in the Persian Gulf during the period December 2001 to March 2002 as part of the RAN force allotted to Operation Slipper.
- November 5, 2002
The former destroyer HMAS HOBART was scuttled off Lady Bay, (South Australia), as a dive wreck. Sunk in 29 metres of water, the destroyer had been specially prepared to be a dive wreck with all door, hatches and ladders removed to allow easy access to civilian recreational divers.
- September 17, 2002
HMAS ADELAIDE, (frigate), arrives in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for a good will visit.
- August 17, 2002
The Anzac class guided missile frigate HMAS STUART, was commissioned. STUART was laid down in Tenix Williamstown Dockyard, VIC, and launched on 17 April 1999.
- August 2, 2002
HMAS Canberra (II) returned to Australia after a deployment to the Middle East region for Operation SLIPPER
- July 20, 2002
RADM Raydon Gates, CSM, RAN, was appointed Maritime Commander Australia.