Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Newcastle is heading home to Sydney after a highly successful deployment to the Middle East Region, where she seized the second-biggest illegal drug haul in Combined Maritime Forces history.

HMAS Newcastle carries out a break-away from the French Replenishment Ship, FS Var, after conducting RASAPS (Replenishment at Sea Approach's) in which to hone their joint mariner skills as both ships carry out maritime security patrols in the Indian Ocean. *** Local Caption *** HMAS Newcastle is deployed in the Middle East Region on Operation MANITOU, Australia’s contribution to the US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). The CMF undertakes patrols in the broader northwest Indian Ocean to both combat piracy and to intercept the trafficking of drugs that help fund international terrorism. The CMF also encourages regional cooperation to create a safer maritime environment. HMAS Newcastle is on her fifth deployment to the Middle East Region and is the 60th rotation of a RAN vessel since the first Gulf War in 1990.
HMAS Newcastle is deployed in the Middle East Region as part of Australia’s contribution to the US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

The Royal Australian Navy guided missile frigate was deployed to the Middle East Region as part of Australia’s contribution to the US-led multi-national Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), where the ship made a significant impact in the fight against drug trafficking and enhanced maritime security in the region.

Units assigned to CMF undertake patrols to combat piracy, drug trafficking and other illicit activities to deliver a maritime security presence in the region. The Australian ship’s four-and-a-half months deployment resulted in the seizure and disposal of over 1.5 tonnes of narcotics, with a street-value of approximately $970 million (US).

Narcotics from the second seizure are laid out on HMAS Newcastle's flight deck in preparation for destruction at sea as the ship and crew carry out maritime security patrols in the Indian Ocean in support of Operation MANITOU. *** Local Caption *** On 1 April 2015, HMAS Newcastle deployed to the Middle East region for 6 months in support of Operation MANITOU. Royal Australian Navy ships have been continuously deployed to the Middle East since the start of the first Gulf War in 1990. HMAS Newcastle and her crew have commenced the 60th rotation and marks the fifth time HMAS Newcastle has deployed to the Middle East. Operation MANITOU is the Maritime Security Operation in the Middle East region and is Australia’s contribution to counter terrorism, counter piracy and narcotics interdiction improving overall stability to that region, including the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.
Narcotics from the second seizure are laid out on HMAS Newcastle’s flight deck in preparation for destruction at sea as the ship and crew carry out maritime security patrols in the Indian Ocean.

Commander Dominic MacNamara Royal Australian Navy, HMAS Newcastle’s Commanding Officer, said the results were made possible through the coordination of a well-trained ship’s company operating within a seamless multi-national command environment.

“The ship’s company has remained focused from beginning to end, their lives totally immersed in ensuring Newcastle remained a highly capable warship able to respond immediately to a wide range of tasks,” he said. “Results such as this don’t happen in isolation. We must receive direction from our multi-national headquarters and work closely with our ships and aircraft from many nations. The results clearly show that CMF is an effective force that provides a tangible security effect in the region.”

Commander MacNamara said a large part of the credit for Newcastle’s record goes to families and friends at home. “Their support has allowed us to focus on our job and deliver these outstanding results,” he said. “Their contribution is every bit as meaningful as that of the ship’s company themselves.”

HMAS Newcastle (left) has the distance line passed to the French Replenishment Ship, FS Var, as they conduct RASAPS (Replenishment at Sea Approach's) in which to hone their joint mariner skills as both ships carry out maritime security patrols in the Indian Ocean. *** Local Caption *** HMAS Newcastle is deployed in the Middle East Region on Operation MANITOU, Australia’s contribution to the US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). The CMF undertakes patrols in the broader northwest Indian Ocean to both combat piracy and to intercept the trafficking of drugs that help fund international terrorism. The CMF also encourages regional cooperation to create a safer maritime environment. HMAS Newcastle is on her fifth deployment to the Middle East Region and is the 60th rotation of a RAN vessel since the first Gulf War in 1990.
HMAS Newcastle (left) has the distance line passed to the French Replenishment Ship, FS Var, as they conduct RASAPS (Replenishment at Sea Approach’s) in which to hone their joint mariner skills as both ships carry out maritime security patrols in the Indian Ocean.

During her deployment Newcastle’s steamed more than 33,500 nautical miles while on patrol, her embarked S-70B Seahawk helicopter flew 250 hours and the galley served up more than 79,200 meals to keep the ship operating 24 hours per day.

Two members of HMAS Newcastle’s ships company became fathers during the deployment – both of whom are waiting for their first opportunity to meet their new children on return to Garden Island.

Major General Shane Caughey, Acting Chief of Joint Operations, said Newcastle’s assignment to Operation Manitou continued Australia’s contribution to security within the Middle East Region maritime environment, a contribution spanning more than 25 years.

“The Australian Defence Force provides a valuable contribution to the collective of like-minded international military forces operating in the region, whose commitment aligns with Australia’s International Law of the Sea obligations,” he said. “The personnel on board Newcastle can be proud in their achievements for this 60th deployment of a Navy ship to the region since 1990. Australian ships have intercepted more than four tonnes of illegal narcotics since February 2014, which is impacting the ability of terrorist organisations to fund their activities.”

HMAS Newcastle departed her home port at Fleet Base East (Sydney) on 1 April 2015 and replaced the Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessel HMAS Success as the Australian major fleet unit contributing to CMF from 28 April 2015.