DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 419/09
Monday, 7 December 2009
HMAS TOOWOOMBA WELCOMED HOME
Senator Mark Bishop, representing the Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner,
has warmly praised the ship’s company of HMAS Toowoomba, following their return
from a six-month deployment to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO).
The Anzac Class Frigate’s 193 men and women were welcomed before a large
gathering of family and friends, in a traditional ceremony at Fleet Base West at
Garden Island, WA.
Senator Bishop congratulated the Commanding Officer of Toowoomba, Commander
Ivan Ingham, for the dedication and achievements of his ship’s company during a
busy and challenging deployment. He commended Toowoomba’s company on their
successful involvement in international Counter-Terrorism operations in the Arabian
Sea and Counter-Piracy operations off the Somali Coast.
“Toowoomba
was faced with a series of new challenges given the nature of this
deployment. Her people have shown themselves to be highly trained and well
prepared for the tasks they faced in a vastly expanded area of operations. The crew
and their families should be very proud of their achievements in the last six months,”
said Senator Bishop.
Commander Ingham said HMAS Toowoomba provided essential naval support to
coalition Maritime Security Operations and made a significant contribution to the
international effort to counter terrorism and piracy in the region.
“The work carried out by this ship’s company has been first class. They can be very
proud of their contribution to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf, the Arabian Sea,
the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea,” Commander Ingham said.
This was the second time that Toowoomba
has been deployed to the Gulf, with the
frigate’s return marking the completion of the Navy’s twenty-first rotation
since
September 2001. HMAS Toowoomba was replaced by HMAS Stuart, which is due to
return to Fleet Base East in mid 2010.
Further information on HMAS Toowoomba, including Commander Ivan Ingham’s
Media contact:
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
