HMAS Stuart commanded by Cdr Brett Sonter, recently conducted a four day port visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain as part of her deployment to the Arabian Gulf, Somali Basin and Indian Ocean. The main aim of the port visit was to conduct briefings with senior members of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

HMAS Stuart at sea

The busy port visit featured a visit by the Australian Minister for Defence Science, Personnel and Technology the Hon Warren Snowden MP and the Commander Joint Task Force 633, Major General Angus Campbell. Minister Snowden enjoyed morning tea with members of Ship’s Company followed by a briefing on Stuart’s mission in the Middle East. It was the second time Mr Snowden has shown his support for Stuart after seeing her off in Sydney just four weeks earlier.

CMF patrols more than 2.5 million square miles of international waters to conduct both integrated and coordinated operations with a common purpose: to increase the security and prosperity of the region by working together for a better future. CMF is working to defeat terrorism, prevent piracy, reduce illegal trafficking of people and drugs, and promote the maritime environment as a safe place for mariners with legitimate business. Stuart relieved HMAS Melbourne on 19 Jan 2011 and will spend the next four months on patrol as an integral member of CMF.