On This Day

March 23, 2022

The first evolved Cape class patrol boat, ADV Cape Otway, was handed over to the RAN

December 18, 2021

HMAS Sirius I was decommissioned at Fleet Base West

November 13, 2021

HMAS Stalwart III was commissioned at Fleet Base West

September 18, 2021

HMAS Paluma IV and HMAS Mermaid I decommission in a joint ceremony at Cairns

September 15, 2021

The Australian Government announces the cancellation of the programme for 12 French submarines and indicates that the RAN will instead build nuclear submarines.

April 10, 2021

HMAS Supply II was commissioned in Sydney

March 26, 2021

HMAS Pirie II was decommissioned at Darwin
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January 15, 2021

NUSHIP Supply II arrived in Sydney Harbour ahead of her commissioning in 2021.

Navy’s Fleet Air Arm was recognised for its contribution to Operation Bursa with the awarding of the Australian Service Medal with the Counter Terrorism/Special Recovery clasp. Operation Bursa ran from 1980 to 1990 and had elements of 723, 816 and 817 Squadrons provide air support to Special Forces protecting offshore oil rigs against potential terrorist attack.

August 12, 2020

Retrospective VC awarded to Seaman Teddy Sheean for his actions during the loss of HMAS Armidale on 1 December 1942. It is the first VC for the RAN.

May 26, 2020

The Almirante Lattore FFG14 (ex HMAS Melbourne) and the Capitan Prat FFG11 (ex HMAS Newcastle) depart from Sydney for Chile escorted out of the heads by HMAS Sydney

May 19, 2020

HMAS Sydney V was commissioned off the coast of NSW, in the first commissioning of an Australian warship at sea since the Second World War.

May 14, 2020

The Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell graduated the largest officer cohort in its 107-year history, with 168 members of New Entry Officers’ Course (NEOC) 62 completing their initial training

April 15, 2020

Australia officially transferred ex HMA ships Melbourne and Newcastle to the Chilean Navy during a commissioning ceremony at HMAS Watson Naval Base in Sydney. The two frigates were retired from service by the Royal Australian Navy in 2019, and bought second hand by the Armada de Chile, which has renamed them Almirante Latorre  (ex HMAS Melbourne) and Captain Pratt (ex HMAS Newcastle) for Chilean Navy service

March 30, 2020

WO Agnes ‘Lennie’ Maiden, the first woman to be promoted to the highest rank as a senior sailor passed away aged 82. WO Maiden served in the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) for nearly 29 years, from 1956 until 1984

January 19, 2020

VADM David Willoughby Leach who served as Chief of Naval Staff from 1982 to 1985 passed away aged 91. VADM Leach joined the Royal Australian Naval College in 1942 at the age of 13 and during his career he served on HMA Ships Australia II, Murchison, Arunta I and Melbourne II and commanded Vendetta II and Perth II.

January 4, 2020

Amphibious ship HMAS Choules arrived in Western Port, Victoria having evacuated 1117 residents and holidaymakers from Mallacoota, after the devastating New Year’s Eve bushfires