HMAS Warramunga featuring a number of Shoalhaven personnel and a helicopter flight from HMAS Albatross has arrived home after a record breaking eight month Middle East deployment.
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More than a thousand people have lined the wharf at Garden Island, Sydney to welcome Warramunga back to her homeport.
Right in the middle of the action was the MH-60R Seahawk Romeo helicopter Nemesis from 816 Squadron at HMAS Albatross.
The new Chief of Navy Australia, Vice Admiral Mike Noonan joined Minister for Defence, Marise Payne to congratulate the ship’s company on a record breaking deployment.
While deployed, Warramunga made a significant impact on terrorist and criminal organisations by denying them approximately AUD$2.17 billion in funding from illegal narcotics.
The Anzac Class frigate seized around 31.8 tonnes of hashish and two tonnes of heroin while deployed on Operation Manitou.
Warramunga maintained a high tempo during the deployment, she travelled 43,995.9 nautical miles, operated with 27 international ships and conducted 12 port visits
Commanding Officer, Commander Luke Ryan said the ship also conducted a number of flag verification boardings and air sorties.
“Warramunga conducted 32 flag verification boardings, 19 escort taskings and 15 replenishments at sea,” he said.
Nemesis, the ship’s MH-60R helicopter from 816 Squadron flew 182 sorties and spent almost 520 hours in the sky.
- Defence
“The MH-60R flew 182 sorties and spent almost 520 hours in the sky.”
“This deployment has been busy for all the men and women in Warramunga. Their commitment and dedication has made the mission a success.”
Warramunga sailed with a ship’s company of 190 in October 2017 and spent Christmas at sea patrolling the waters of the Middle East.
This was Warramunga’s third deployment to the Middle East Region and the 66th rotation of a RAN Fleet Unit to the region since late 1990.
