On This Day
2000-present-day
On This Day - 2000-2019
- April 19, 2006
The patrol boat HMAS ARMIDALE, (LCDR J. Hunter, RAN), whilst en-route to the Solomon Islands, was diverted to the Tongan Islands of Tofua and Kao, to rescue 17 Australian and United States civilians. They were part of a US Peace Corps, stranded due to severe weather conditions. They were taken to Tonga.
- April 6, 2006
The oil replenishment ship HMAS WESTRALIA, (CMDR T. Crawford, RAN), entered port for the last time when she berthed at HMAS STIRLING, Perth, WA. During her 17 years in service, WESTRALIA steamed 458,254 miles, and conducted 1269 replenishments at sea.
- April 3, 2006
HMAS BRUNEI, (LCDR Charles Bourne, RAN), visited Lord Howe Island, as part of the 75th anniversary of the 1931 landing, by floatplane, on Lord Howe by Sir Francis Chichester, who became the first person to fly solo from Australia to New Zealand. Officers and crew members of BRUNEI were joined by Chichester’s son, and other distinguished guests.
- April 2, 2006
HMAS TOBRUK, (landing ship heavy, CMDR M. J. Rothwell, RAN), took part in Operation Peringatan, the first anniversary memorial service, on Nias Island, Indonesia, to commemorate the loss from HMAS KANIMBLA, (landing platform amphibious), of the Sea King helicopter, (Shark 02). The Maritime Commander, (RADM D. R. Thomas, AM, CSC, RAN), and the Commanding Officer of HMAS KANIMBLA, (CMDR G. A. McGuire, RAN), also attended the service.
- March 27, 2006
A Kalkara (aboriginal for storm bird) unmanned aerial target successfully flew mission 100 on 27 March 2006 (from Gilbert Point at HMAS Stirling) and despite having been in use for a number of years, providing aerial targets to ships and aircraft missile systems, the Kalkara unmanned aerial target system did not achieve operational release until 10 August 2006 despite the first flight having taken place on 19 June 1998. 21 target aircraft were produced (Serial numbers N28-001 to N28-021) and it was phased out of service in 2008.
- March 24, 2006
The landing craft heavy, HMA Ships WEWAK, (LCDR Williams, RAN), LABUAN, (LCDR M. A. Verho, RAN), and TARAKAN, (LEUT C. J. Doolin, RAN), along with two Sea King helicopters from 816 Squadron, (under the command of LCDR R. Jose, RAN, and LCDR S. Palmer, RAN, respectively), were committed to providing support, to clean up, and restore services to, the area around Innisfail, QLD, following the devastation of northern Queensland by cyclone Larry. Named operation Larry Assist, the three LCH’S were under the overall command of LCDR Williams, and designated as CTG 627.3 .
- March 14, 2006
The ANZAC class guided missile frigate HMAS BALLARAT, (CMDR M. K. M. Wise, OAM, RAN), departed Australia to relieve HMAS PARRAMATTA, (ANZAC class guided missile frigate), in the Persian Gulf, on Operation Catalyst duties. BALLARAT relieved PARRAMATTA on 24 March 2006.
- March 10, 2006
HMA Ships MANOORA, (landing platform amphibious, CMDR A. J. Rourke, RAN), WARRAMUNGA, (ANZAC class guided missile frigate, CMDR D. W. Jordan, RAN), and NORMAN, (mine countermeasures ship, LCDR T. J. Watson, RAN), along with personnel from the Clearance Diving Teams, supported Operation Acolyte, the ADF operation to provide security and support to the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
- February 11, 2006
HMAS Wollongong II decommissioned
- February 11, 2006
HMA Ships Wollongong II and Bunbury II decommissioned at HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin