Regional Presence Deployment – CONTACT magazine

Leading Seaman Aircrewman Jess Muir observes HMAS Ballarat during a South China Sea transit as part of Regional Presence Deployment 25-4. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jake Badior. Photo by Petty Officer Jacob Kambanaros.

Frigate and flight find their rhythm

19/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4566 Views 0 Comments HMAS Ballarat, Regional Presence Deployment

HMAS Ballarat recently sailed from her home port in Western Australia on a three-month regional presence deployment throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Family and friends of HMAS Sydney’s crew welcome them on the wharf of Fleet Base East after four-and-a-half months at sea. Story and photos by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi.

News Royal Australian Navy

TGIF never felt so good for HMAS Sydney

05/08/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1748 Views 0 Comments Fleet Base East, Regional Presence Deployment, Sydney

For the 240-strong crew of HMAS Sydney, Friday August 1 wasn’t just the end of the week – it was

Commander United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group, Royal Navy Commodore James Blackmore is welcomed on board HMAS Sydney. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi. Photo by Leading Seaman David Cox.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Sydney hosts Carrier Strike Group Commodore

15/07/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3190 Views 0 Comments Exercise Talisman Sabre, HMAS Sydney, Operation Highmast, Regional Presence Deployment, Royal Navy

HMAS Sydney has welcomed the Commander of the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG), Royal Navy Commodore James Blackmore, on

Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force Captain Ishidera Takahiko receives a personalised cricket bat from Commanding Officer HMAS Sydney, Commander Ben Weller, on arrival in Yokosuka during a regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi. Photos by Leading Seaman David Cox.

Japan News Royal Australian Navy

Port visit firms ties with Japan

20/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1815 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Regional Presence Deployment

HMAS Sydney arrived in Japan for a short break and maintenance period in Yokosuka at the midpoint of its Indo-Pacific

Leading Seaman Christine Merrilees with her son, Leading Seaman Shannon Leak, and her father, Chief Petty Officer Stewart Merrilees. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi.

ADF People History

Three generations share Navy heritage

23/04/202523/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1150 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, HMAS Sydney, Regional Presence Deployment

As HMAS Sydney sails through the Indo-Pacific region this Anzac Day, one sailor on board has a deeply personal connection

HMAS Sydney departs Fleet Base East, Sydney to embark on the fleet's second regional presence deployment for 2025. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Helen Frank.

News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Sydney’s three-month journey through the region

16/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2342 Views 0 Comments Bersama Shield, Fleet Base East, FPDA, HMAS Sydney, Regional Presence Deployment

From late March until early July 2025, HMAS Sydney will sail throughout the Indo-Pacific as part of Regional Presence Deployment 25-2

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Sydney leaves on three-month regional deployment

25/03/202529/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3096 Views 1 Comment HMAS Sydney, Regional Presence Deployment

From late March until early July 2025, HMAS Sydney will sail throughout the Indo-Pacific as part of Regional Presence Deployment 25-2

Royal Australian Navy pilot Lieutenant Jure Plestina observes a vessel from a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft during a coordinated maritime domain awareness activity in the South China Sea. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photos: byCorporal Emma Schwenke.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Freedom of navigation mission protects Indo-Pacific

18/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2542 Views 0 Comments HMAS Hobart, No. 11 Squadron, P-8A Poseidon, Regional Presence Deployment

Exercising Australia’s freedom of navigation, the Royal Australian Air Force successfully completed maritime surveillance missions in the Indo-Pacific region under

A RAAF P-8A Poseidon participates in a maritime cooperative activity with Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Hobart, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship Akizuki, Philippine Navy ship BRP Jose Rizal and US Navy ship USS Benfold. Story by Lieutenant Harrison Thomas. Photo by Leading Seaman Iggy Roberts.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Places to go, counterparts to see

05/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2581 Views 0 Comments Exercise La Perouse, HMAS Hobart, P-8A Poseidon, Regional Presence Deployment, Royal Navy, US Air Force

The first regional presence deployment (RPD) for 2025 has opened HMAS Hobart to a number of training opportunities with counterparts from

HMAS Sydney conducts officer of the watch manoeuvres during Exercise Pacific Dragon 2024. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Sydney charts course for Australia

24/10/202426/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2958 Views 0 Comments Fleet Base East, HMAS Sydney, Regional Presence Deployment

HMAS Sydney will return home on October 24 after a busy four months at sea during a regional presence deployment.

HMAS Sydney’s bridge team waves towards Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship JS Sazanami during a formation foxtrot as part of a regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Sydney participates in ship-to-ship culture swap

09/10/202412/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2874 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Regional Presence Deployment, Royal New Zealand Navy, US Navy

Experiencing another country’s ship for a day while in the middle of the ocean isn’t something everyone will get to

HMAS Perth's Leading Seaman Joshua Paynter, left, and Able Seaman Aidan Judd visit Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in Thailand during a regional presence deployment. Story by Chief Petty Officer Joshua Scanlon. Photos by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

Health and Wellbeing Lest We Forget News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Connected stories a powerful reminder

02/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1856 Views 0 Comments HMAS Perth, HMAS Perth I, Regional Presence Deployment, Thailand, WWII

HMAS Perth recently reinforced its long-standing connection with Thailand during a meaningful port visit to Sattahip as part of a

Leading Seaman James Neville looks out towards HMAS Sydney as the ship is deployed on Operation Argos. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Keeping an eye on the deep Yellow Sea

01/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2264 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney, MH-60R Seahawk, Operation Argos, Regional Presence Deployment

One of Australia’s newest warships HMAS Sydney recently completed Operation Argos in the Yellow Sea. CAPTION: Leading Seaman James Neville looks

Navies from Australia, France, Germany, Italy and Japan conduct a formation foxtrot during multinational task group activities. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Navies foxtrot in the Pacific Ocean

11/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2670 Views 0 Comments French Navy, German Navy, HMAS Sydney, Italian Navy, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Regional Presence Deployment

HMAS Sydney recently joined a multinational task group to conduct cooperative activities in the Pacific Ocean. CAPTION: Navies from Australia,

Able Seaman Boatswain’s Mate Luke Handley looks out from the bridge wing as HMAS Sydney takes part in a man-overboard exercise. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Challenging man-overboard drill proves ship readiness

03/09/202407/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2570 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney, Regional Presence Deployment, rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB)

While on deployment, HMAS Sydney’s crew completed challenging night-time man-overboard drills using their on board dummy, ‘Oscar’. CAPTION: Able Seaman Boatswain’s