HMAS Coonawarra – CONTACT magazine

Personnel from the Royal Australian Navy, Vietnam People's Navy, Royal Thai Navy, Philippine Navy, Royal Malaysian Navy and the Indian Navy attend an Exercise Kakadu harbour brief at HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin, NT. Story by Lieutenant Commander Rebecca Williamson. Photo by Seaman Genae Kelly.

Six navies align for Exercise Kakadu

18/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 374 Views 0 Comments Exercise Kakadu, HMAS Choules, HMAS Coonawarra

The command teams of warships from six nations came together at HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin, for the first harbour briefings in support

Colonel Judd Finger, left, Captain Bernadette Alexander and Wing Commander Rowan Paice, lay wreaths and tributes during the USS Peary commemorative service in Darwin, NT. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi. Photos: byPetty Officer Leo Baumgartner.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

Anniversary of the bombing of Darwin remembered

13/03/202613/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 644 Views 0 Comments HMAS Cape Solander, HMAS Coonawarra, US Marines

Personnel from HMAS Coonawarra attended the commemorations marking the 84th anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin, a day where more bombs were

Barbara Smith, right, and her daughter Michelle with Chief Petty Officer Ronald Schauer at HMAS Coonawarra during their visit to Darwin. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Touching base with the past

26/02/202626/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 370 Views 0 Comments HMAS Coonawarra

For 45 years, Barbara Smith has not been back to the Northern Territory. CAPTION: Barbara Smith, right, and her daughter

Ship's company of HMA Ships Bathurst, Albany and Childers line the decks during the decommissioning ceremony held at HMAS Coonawarra, in the Northern Territory. Story by Lieutenant Commander Anthony Martin. Photos by Leading Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

News Royal Australian Navy

Armidale-class sails into history

10/12/202510/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1621 Views 0 Comments Armidale-class patrol boat, decommissioning, HMAS Albany, HMAS Bathurst, HMAS Childers, HMAS Coonawarra

Navy has formally farewelled the three remaining Armidale-class patrol boats, HMA Ships Albany, Bathurst and Childers, in a solemn decommissioning ceremony at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin.

HMA Ships Bathurst, Albany and Childers sail into Darwin Harbour for the final time. Story by Lieutenant Commander Anthony Martin. Photo by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez Jr.

News Royal Australian Navy

The last run of the Armidales

02/12/202502/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1449 Views 1 Comment Armidale-class patrol boat, HMAS Albany, HMAS Bathurst, HMAS Childers, HMAS Coonawarra

Sailing into Darwin Harbour on a sunny day with smooth seas, the last of the Armidale-class patrol boats – HMA

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.

News Royal Australian Navy Videos

Four new patrol boats commissioned

20/12/202421/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 5005 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 2685 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 2086 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 2584 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 2747 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 3785 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 2549 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 3023 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 2367 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 2244 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 3064 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 3361 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 2870 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 3414 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 2123 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

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