HMAS Coonawarra Archives - CONTACT magazine

Professor Hugh Heggie and Rear Admiral Christopher Smith, with the commanding officers and the youngest sailors of HMA Ships Cape Pillar, Cape Naturaliste, Cape Woolamai and Cape Capricorn at HMAS Coonawarra. Story by Lieutenant Commander Gary McHugh. Photo by Able Seaman Connor Morrison.

Four new patrol boats commissioned

20/12/202421/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 3524 Views 1 Comment Evolved Cape-class patrol boat (ECCPB), HMAS Cape Capricorn, HMAS Cape Naturaliste, HMAS Cape Pillar, HMAS Cape Woolamai, HMAS Coonawarra, Operation Resolute

Four Evolved Cape-class patrol boats were recently commissioned in a ceremony at their home port of HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin,

Navy officer Captain Dave Tietzel, the Exercise Director for Exercise Kakadu 2024, addresses the media during a media doorstop at HMAS Coonawarra, NT. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Aiesha White-Kratz.

News Royal Australian Navy

Exercise Kakadu sets sail with global participation

13/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1643 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kakadu, HMAS Coonawarra

The Royal Australian Navy’s flagship maritime exercise has commenced in Darwin drawing nearly 3000 personnel from 30 nations. CAPTION: Navy officer

Members of ship's company of HMAS Broome prepare to march past during the vessel's decommissioning ceremony at HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin. Story by Lieutenant Commander Jonathan White. Photos by Able Seaman Jackson Dowling.

History News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Broome decommissioned

10/09/202419/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1189 Views 0 Comments decommissioning, HMAS Broome, HMAS Coonawarra

After 17 years of proud service, HMAS Broome has decommissioned in Darwin, in front of former commanding officers, crew, families

Navy sailors from HMAS Perth, Chief Petty Officer Glen Nipperess, left, and Lieutenant Commander Gemma Casserly, return a recovered craft to its owner, Army soldier Warrant Officer Class Two Carl Stanley, centre right, at HMAS Coonawarra. Story and photo by Corporal Michael Rogers.

ADF People

Navy recovers soldier’s sunken boat

16/08/202417/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1611 Views 0 Comments HMAS Coonawarra, HMAS Perth

Three months after he lost his boat, which had drifted about 1600km, an Australian soldier has been reunited with it,

Petty Officer Darren Trewern speaks with a member of USS Emory S. Land during a tour of Fleet Support Unit – North during a port visit to Darwin. Story by Lieutenant Commander Rebecca Williamson. Photo by Petty Officer Leo Baumgartner.

News Royal Australian Navy

Coonawarra welcomes US submarine tender

14/06/202419/06/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1591 Views 0 Comments Fleet Support Unit – North (FSU-N), HMAS Coonawarra, HMAS Gascoyne, Nuclear Powered Submarines, US Navy

A United States submarine tender received a warm welcome to Darwin, as the first stop in a busy schedule of

Port Services Darwin members stand by as HMAS Adelaide approaches the newly built Kuru wharf at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, NT. Photos by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

News Royal Australian Navy

Big ships berth at new Darwin wharf

08/05/202409/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2057 Views 0 Comments HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Coonawarra, LHD

One of the Royal Australian Navy’s largest ships has docked at HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin, for the first time, following the

The newly renovated dining area of the Larrakeyah junior sailors' and other ranks' mess at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, NT. Story by Leading Seaman Angus Koch. Photos by Corporal Madhur Chitnis.

News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Coonawarra galley gets a facelift

12/04/202420/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1427 Views 0 Comments HMAS Coonawarra

HMAS Coonawarra recently embarked on a voyage of transformation – an initiative aimed at optimising key areas, notably the galley

Captain Richard Brickacek, front left, Midshipman Rhys Williams and Commanding Officer ADV Cape Pillar Lieutenant Commander Liam McMahon cut a homeporting cake at Larrakeyah Officers' Mess, Darwin. Photos by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

News Royal Australian Navy

New beginnings for new patrol boat

08/02/202409/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2033 Views 0 Comments ADV Cape Pillar, HMAS Coonawarra

ADV Cape Pillar and its crew were officially welcomed to their home port of HMAS Coonawarra with a ceremony conducted

ADV Cape Capricorn's seaboat is recovered with the help of Private Crosher under the guidance of the davit operator, Leading Seaman Matthew Anderson, during a sea-experience day.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

Army sea riders get valuable exposure

17/11/202319/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1577 Views 0 Comments 1st Brigade, ADV Cape Capricorn, HMAS Coonawarra, Maritime Border Command

Personnel from Army’s 1st Brigade, Maritime Border Command and HMAS Coonawarra embarked one of Navy’s newest assets – ADV Cape

Captain Simon Cannell presents a challenge coin to Leading Seaman Grady Munks during a homeporting ceremony at Larrakeyah Defence Precinct, Darwin, NT. Photos by Petty Officer Leo Baumgartner.

News Royal Australian Navy

Welcome home recognises family

11/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1459 Views 0 Comments ADV Cape Woolamai, Evolved Cape-class patrol boat (ECCPB), HMAS Coonawarra

ADV Cape Woolamai has officially been welcomed to her homeport of HMAS Coonawarra, with a ceremony at Larrakeyah Defence Precinct on

Ship's company line the upper decks of HMAS Maryborough II during its decommissioning ceremony. Story by Lieutenant Harrison Thomas. Photos by Petty Officer Leo Baumgartner.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Two Armidale-class patrol boats decommissioned

06/10/202307/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2093 Views 0 Comments Armidale-class patrol boat, Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police, HMAS Coonawarra, HMAS Larrakia, HMAS Maryborough

Ship’s company, family members and an extended Navy community said goodbye to two Armidale-class patrol boats in September. CAPTION: Ship’s company

Captain Simon Cannell salutes as the ships company of ADV Cape Naturaliste march past during a Homeporting ceremony at Larrakeyah Defence Precinct, Darwin. Story by Acting Sub-Lieutenant Elyce Hayes. All photos by Leading Seaman Leo Baumgartner.

News Royal Australian Navy

New patrol boats welcomed to homeport

29/06/202330/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2354 Views 0 Comments ADV Cape Capricorn, ADV Cape Naturaliste, Evolved Cape-class patrol boat (ECCPB), HMAS Coonawarra, Larraykeyah Defence Precinct

Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Naturaliste and ADV Cape Capricorn have officially been welcomed to their homeport of HMAS Coonawarra

Commanding Officer HMAS Launceston Lieutenant Commander Adrian Hicks leads ship’s company on parade during a decommissioning ceremony at HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin. Story by Lieutenant Harrison Thomas. Photo by Leading Seaman Leo Baumgartner.

News Royal Australian Navy

Launny’s crew bids emotional farewell

08/06/202308/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2043 Views 0 Comments Armidale-class patrol boat, HMAS Coonawarra, HMAS Launceston

Ship’s company, VIPs and onlookers said farewell to 15-year-old HMAS Launceston, as the vessel was decommissioned at HMAS Coonwarra in

Ship's company of HMAS Armidale line the upper decks during the decommissioning ceremony. Story by Lieutenant Harrison Thomas. Photo by Petty Officer Peter Thompson.

News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Armidale decommissioned

05/04/202307/04/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2409 Views 1 Comment Arafura-class, Armidale-class patrol boat, HMAS Armidale, HMAS Coonawarra

Ship’s company, VIPs and onlookers said farewell to the lead Armidale-class patrol boat, HMAS Armidale, as the 17-year-old vessel was

Leanne Caban (centre) with the captain, Stephen Smith, and crew of HMAS Courage after participating in the Battle of the Boats at the Henley on Todd Regatta in Alice Springs. Story by Leading Seaman Jonathan Rendell. Photo by Leading Seaman Shane Cameron.

News Royal Australian Navy

Navy drops anchor for outback regatta

31/08/202211/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1469 Views 0 Comments HMAS Arunta, HMAS Coonawarra, Navy Band

Royal Australian Navy sailors from both South Australia and the Northern Territory reinvigorated a long-standing tradition when they converged on

Sailors from HMAS Glenelg and Royal Australian Navy Band South Australia march along Jetty Road during the Freedom of Entry parade in Glenelg. Story by Lieutenant Gary McHugh. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Glenelg granted Freedom of Entry

19/08/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1440 Views 0 Comments Armidale-class patrol boat, Freedom of Entry, HMAS Coonawarra, HMAS Glenelg

HMAS Glenelg’s ship’s company recently conducted a Freedom of Entry through Glenelg, in the Holdfast Bay area of Adelaide. CAPTION:

Japanese Ambassador to Australia, Yamagami Shingo, lays a wreath during the Battle of Coral Sea 80th anniversary commemorative service at Russell Offices in Canberra. Story by Lieutenant Gordon Carr-Gregg. Photo by Nicole Mankowski.

History Japan Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy USA

Battle of the Coral Sea 80th anniversary

17/05/202217/05/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2086 Views 0 Comments Battle of the Coral Sea, HMAS Coonawarra, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, US Army, US Navy, WWII

The 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea was commemorated across Australia early this month. CAPTION: Japanese Ambassador

Commanding Officer of HMAS Maitland, Lieutenant Commander Jeremy Evain, leads the ship's company through the streets of Maitland, NSW, during the ship's final freedom of entry parade on April 2. Story by Lieutenant Gary McHugh. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

History News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Maitland crew parades through city for last time

11/04/202217/04/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1754 Views 0 Comments Armidale-class patrol boat, Freedom of Entry, HMAS Coonawarra, HMAS Maitland

The crew of Armidale-class patrol boat HMAS Maitland conducted its final freedom of entry parade in Maitland, NSW, on April 2, with the ship

Prime Minister Scott Morrison conducts a press conference during his visit to HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin. Story by Lieutenant Gordon Carr-Gregg. Photo by Petty Officer Peter Thompson.

News Royal Australian Navy

Darwin maintenance centre plan progresses

23/02/202223/02/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1941 Views 0 Comments Cape-class Patrol Boat, HMAS Ararat, HMAS Coonawarra

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on February 18 announced the release of a tender for an industry partner to head a new

Commanding Officer HMAS Maitland Lieutenant Commander Julia Griffin and Able Seaman Samuel Allen prepare to cut a cake celebrating the Armidale-class patrol boat's 15th birthday. Story by Lieutenant Liam Feenan.

News Royal Australian Navy

Ship’s final birthday in service celebrated

05/11/202116/11/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1990 Views 0 Comments HMAS Coonawarra, HMAS Maitland

On September 29 [reported by Defence on 2 November], the personnel of Armidale-class patrol boat HMAS Maitland celebrated the ship’s