DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
MSPA 349/08
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
HMAS TOOWOOMBA RETURNS TO ROCKINGHAM
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Anzac Class frigate HMAS Toowoomba returned
today to her home port of HMAS Stirling, Rockingham today.
Toowoomba has been deployed from her homeport since June, taking part in two
multinational exercises – Singaroo and Kakadu – followed by border protection patrols in
the Arafura Sea. To finish off her busy time abroad, Toowoomba conducted a port visit to
Busan, South Korea.
The Commanding Officer of Toowoomba, Commander Charles Huxtable said, “The last
four months have been very rewarding for the ship. It has allowed us the opportunity to
participate in multi-lateral exercises which were an ideal training opportunity.
“In addition we have had the opportunity to visit two wonderful countries and participate
in a once-in-a-lifetime experience as part of the 2008 International Fleet Review.”
Exercises Singaroo and Kakadu were conducted in the waters north of Darwin during
July and August, and aimed to improve the interoperability of regional navies in a variety
of maritime activities.
These activities provided the RAN the chance to interact with regional partners, with
Toowoomba taking the lead of the multi-nation task group comprising Australian,
Pakistani, Japanese and Singaporean units. Toowoomba played a vital role in the
exercises, participating in a variety of diverse training activities and evolutions, sporting
events and social occasions.
On completion of Kakadu, Toowoomba then spent six weeks patrolling waters to the
northwest of Australia in support of Operation Resolute – the whole of Government effort
to protect Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The patrol included the opportunity to
conduct port visits to Christmas Island and Broome.
The visit to Busan allowed Toowoomba to participate in the Republic of Korea Navy’s
60th anniversary celebrations. The highlight of the celebration was the 2008 International
Fleet Review, attended by ships from China, Canada, Indonesia, Thailand, the United
States, Russia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Japan.
The International Fleet Review allowed the Royal Australian Navy to engage with
regional navies and for the ship’s company to experience the sights and sounds of Korea.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
