Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Troy Hayden throws a heave in line ashore as HMAS Darwin prepares to berth in Muscat, Oman for logistics and a visit from Commander Task Force 150. *** Local Caption *** HMAS Darwin is currently deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO).
This is the 57th rotation of a Royal Australian Navy warship to the MEAO since the first Gulf War in 1990 and the 1st deployment under Operation Manitou.
Operation Manitou is the Australian Defence Force Contribution to the international campaign against terrorism, counter smuggling and counter piracy in the Middle East maritime security environment, an area of over 2 million square miles, encompassing the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman.