Ship’s first birthday on deployment

The ship’s company of HMAS Stalwart celebrated her first birthday while on a regional presence deployment in the Indo Pacific.

CAPTION: Ship’s company and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel celebrate HMAS Stalwart’s first birthday. Story by Lieutenant Allan Ferguson. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Aaron Robinson.

Commanding Officer Commander Steve McCracken cut a chocolate mud cake with the youngest member of the crew, Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Leeroy O’Connor.

CAPTION: HMAS Stalwart’s first birthday cake.

Commander McCracken said the auxiliary oiler replenishment ship completed 47 replenishments at sea (RAS) in its first year.

“Stalwart provided 7.5 million litres of marine diesel and aviation fuel and hundreds of pallets of food, stores and ammunition to ships at sea,” CommanderMcCracken said.

“The entire ship’s company can be proud of this at-sea support to our Navy and Australia’s regional partners.”

Stalwart’s first RAS was with HMAS Parramatta during trials in May.

Recent evolutions included a dual RAS with US Navy guided missile destroyer USS Milius and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Kirisame, and the Philippine Navy’s first RAS with guided missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal.

The largest ship, Stalwart,has conducted a RAS with the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan.

Stalwart was commissioned into service on November 13, 2021 at Fleet Base West, Rockingham, Western Australia.

The first deployment involved half of the ship’s company supporting Operation Flood Assist while the latest deployment has taken the ship to Timor Leste, the Philippines and Japan.

Marine technician Able Seaman Tyler Goodard said Japan was his favourite port visit so far.

“This is my first time at sea. I’ve been really lucky to see so many cool ports on this trip,” Able Seaman Goodard said.

Maritime personnel operator Able Seaman Marnie MacDonald has also enjoyed his first sea posting.

“I’ve been given the opportunity to perform in the ceremonial guard in multiple ports as well as attending events with the commanding officer and other members of ship’s company surrounded by other nations’ navies,” Able Seaman MacDonald said.

“It has certainly been an experience I will never forget and I look forward to our next deployment.”

CAPTION: HMAS Stalwart sails during Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022. File photo by Corporal Brandon Grey.

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