Senator the Hon Marise Payne
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The Hon Christopher Pyne MP
24 Aug 18
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Related ministers and contacts
Senator the Hon Marise Payne
Minister for Defence
Media contact
- Henry Budd (Minister Payne’s office) 0429 531 143
- Defence Media (02) 6127 1999
Release content
3 December 2017
HMAS Newcastle returned to her home port of Fleet Base East, Garden Island, Sydney, today following a six month deployment to the Middle East region.
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, welcomed 230 members of the ship’s company home from the deployment, which included counter-terrorism and counter-piracy patrols as part of the Combined Maritime Forces and a two-week attachment with the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in the Arabian Gulf.
Minister Payne said Newcastle’s company had continued Australia’s reputation for professionalism and cooperation with international partners.
“Newcastle has maintained Australia’s high standing in the Combined Maritime Forces, proving our ongoing commitment to the security of the Middle East region,” Minister Payne said.
“The Royal Australian Navy has again proven a potent and capable asset in the fight against terrorist operations and the illegal activities that fund them.
“This deployment included the first simultaneous operation of manned and unmanned aircraft in Operation Manitou, with Newcastle’s MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and ScanEagle Unmanned Aerial System employed on a concurrent surface search tasking in the Gulf of Oman.”
“The cooperative employment of both aviation platforms provided a strong deterrence against illegal activity.”
The arrival home of the Newcastle signified the last deployment of an Adelaide class guided missile frigate to the region, with future rotations to be fulfilled by upgraded Anzac class helicopter frigates.
Media note:
Imagery will be available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20172836
Information about HMAS Newcastle is available at: www.navy.gov.au/hmas-newcastle