On This Day

2000-present-day

October 2, 2001

The Centenary Naval Review, to commemorate the Centenary of Federation, was due to commence, however, the bulk of activities were cancelled due to the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, and concerns regarding security in Australia.

September 14, 2001

Australia invokes the ANZUS Treaty following terrorist attacks in the United States

September 11, 2001

Terrorist attacks were launched against the United States. Hijacked aircraft were flown into the World Trade Centre, in New York, causing the twin towers to collapse. Another aircraft hit the Pentagon. Over 3,000 people were killed. This was the catalyst for the ‘international campaign against terrorism’, which later saw coalition military action in Afghanistan, the Philippines, and Iraq, involving RAN units.

August 29, 2001

The master of the MV TAMPA declared a ‘state of emergency’, due to the health of some refugees, and the potential for violence amongst others, and took the vessel into Australian waters off Christmas Island.

August 26, 2001

The master of the MV TAMPA, (CAPT Arne Rinnan), attempted to take his vessel to Indonesia, to offload the 460 people he had rescued from the fishing boat PALAPA. Several of the refugees threatened him with violence, and also that they would jump overboard, unless the ship sailed to Australia. CAPT Rinnan requested permission to enter Australian waters, however, this was refused as the rescue had taken place in International waters, and the vessel and crew were Indonesian. HMAS MANOORA, (landing platform amphibious), then en-route to the Philippines, was redirected south to Christmas Island, to be on standby to support Australian Government directives.

August 24, 2001

HMAS CANBERRA and HMAS WARRAMUNGA, (guided missile frigates), with HMAS MANOORA (landing platform amphibious), arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for a good will visit.

A team of RAN and RAAF personnel were deployed to Christmas Island, to conduct a search of the Old European Cemetery, to find the remains of a sailor buried there in February 1942. The remains floated ashore in a Carley float in early February 1942, and are believed to have come from HMAS SYDNEY, (cruiser), which was sunk in November 1941. Despite an extensive search of a portion of the cemetery, no remains were found, and the search party departed on 7 September.

A dilapidated 20 metre wooden fishing boat named the PALAPA, with 433 mainly Afghan refugees on board, and 27 Indonesian crew members, was located in a position some 75 nautical miles to the north of Christmas Island. The vessel was attempting to reach Christmas Island where the refugees would claim political asylum. The Norwegian cargo ship MV TAMPA, then en-route to Singapore, was directed to rescue the passengers and crew. This was the opening phase in an action that became known as the TAMPA Affair and had wide ranging implication for the RAN and Australian Government.

June 15, 2001

HMAS KANIMBLA, (landing ship personnel assault), arrives in the Solomon Islands to commence peacekeeping duties as part of Operation Trek. She was later relieved by HMAS MELBOURNE, (guided missile frigate), in July 2001.

June 2, 2001

The Huon class mine hunter coastal HMAS GASCOYNE, was commissioned. GASCOYNE was laid down in ADI Yard, Newcastle, NSW, and launched on 11 March 2000.

May 15, 2001

HMAS DARWIN, (frigate), arrives in the Solomon Islands to undertake peacekeeping duties as part of Operation Trek. She was later relieved by HMAS KANIMBLA, (landing ship personnel assault), in June.

May 11, 2001

HMAS JERVIS BAY was decommissioned in Hobart, TAS after her 2 years charter. Known as the ‘Dili Express’, she had carried 6,600 troops, and 3,200 pallets of stores, to East Timor during her two year career.

April 25, 2001

HMAS JERVIS BAY, (fast transport), conducts her last re-supply run from Darwin to Dili, in support of the UN peacekeeping mission in East Timor.

April 12, 2001

The MV SOUTH TOMI, was boarded by a combined RAN/Australian Army boarding party and escorted back to Australia as part of Operation Teebone. The vessel had been spotted illegally fishing in Australian waters, (near Heard Island), on 29 March by an Australian Fisheries vessel. The Australian vessel gave chase after SOUTH TOMI fled westwards towards South Africa. The ADF boarding team was flown from Australia to South Africa and then embarked in the South African Navy Ships PROTEA and GALEWHEWE, which intercepted SOUTH TOMI on 12April. The pursuit of the SOUTH TOMI had taken 15, days and covered over 4,000 km.

March 31, 2001

The ANZAC class guided missile frigate HMAS WARRAMUNGA, was commissioned. WARRAMUNGA was laid down in Tenix Williamstown Dockyard, VIC, and launched on 23 May 1998.

February 28, 2001

805 Squadron recommissioned at NAS Nowra with Kaman Super Seasprite helicopters

February 23, 2001

The Collins class submarines HMA Ships DECHAINEUX, (CMDR S. P. Davies, RAN), and SHEEAN, (CMDR W. H. Wiltshire, RAN), were commissioned in a joint ceremony in Adelaide. Both submarines were laid down in the Australian Submarine Corporation Yard in Adelaide. DECHAINEUX was launched on 12 March 1998. SHEEAN was launched on 1 May 1999, with Mrs Ivy Hayes, (Sister of OS Terry Sheean), performing the launching ceremony.

December 15, 2000

HMAS OTAMA, (Oberon class submarine), was decommissioned. OTAMA, was the last of the RAN’s Oberon class submarines to be decommissioned.

August 26, 2000

The Huon class mine hunter coastal HMAS NORMAN, was commissioned. NORMAN was laid down in ADI Yard, Newcastle, NSW, and launched on 3 May 1999.

July 12, 2000

RADM G. F. Smith, AM, RAN, was appointed as Maritime Commander Australia.

June 23, 2000

The last two HS 748 aircraft ceased operations with the RAN and were sold.

May 25, 2000

The survey ships HMAS LEEUWIN, and HMAS MELVILLE were commissioned in a joint ceremony.

May 18, 2000

HMAS ANZAC, (frigate), arrived at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for a good will visit.

May 12, 2000

HMAS Hobart II decommissioned

April 2, 2000

Following fifteen years out of service HMAS Wewak recommissioned or further service

March 24, 2000

TU 645.1.1, (LCH Task Group consisting of HMA Ships BALIKPAPAN, BRUNEI, LABUAN, and TARAKAN), awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for service in East Timor.

February 23, 2000

The International Force East Timor, (INTERFET), lead by Australia, ceased operation in East Timor and the ADF units that remained became part of the United Nations Transitional Force East Timor, (UNTAET).