No rest on eve of Arunta return

 

Published on 25 November 2020 LEUT Gary McHugh (author), LSIS Jarrod Mulvihill (photographer), ABCSO-A Julia Rickards (photographer)

Topic(s): Exercises, HMAS Arunta (F151), Replenishment at Sea (RAS)

Ship's company wave goodbye as HMAS Arunta breaks away from United States Naval Ship Amelia Earhart after completing a replenishment at sea.

The ship’s company of HMAS Arunta is not resting on their laurels when it comes to maintaining the high tempo that has been a feature of the ship’s five-month deployment.

Just days before her return to Fleet Base West, Western Australia, Arunta has undertaken a replenishment at sea with United States Naval Ship Amelia Earhart, followed a day later by a passage exercise with Republic of Republic of Singapore Ship Valour.

Arunta’s Marine Engineering Officer Lieutenant Commander Joshua Fearnley said after a six-day passage from Sasebo Naval Base, Japan, the opportunity to refuel was a timely one for Arunta.

“Our Anzac Class frigates have a long endurance capability, but we always welcome the opportunity to enhance our interoperability with partner navies, particularly with our US allies,” he said.

“Arunta successfully took on 300 cubic metres of marine diesel fuel during the replenishment, a demonstration of our navies’ ability to seamlessly integrate during longer-term regional deployments.”

The following day Arunta conducted a passage exercise with RSS Valour, adding to the already extensive list of partner nations she has exercised with over the past five months.

Arunta’s Commanding Officer Commander Troy Duggan said these interactions between navies built confidence and contributed to the security of the Indo-Pacific.

“Regional deployments form part of Australia’s long-standing contribution to the preservation of security and stability in this region,” Commander Duggan said.

“Singapore and Australia have a long history of partnership and cooperation in matters affecting our region and it’s great to exercise with the Singapore Navy again.”

Arunta departed Fleet Base West in June and will return home after an absence of 164 days.