HMAS Newcastle – Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)

September 8, 2015 by Combined Maritime Forces 0

HMAS Newcastle heads home after Middle East success

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, Australias 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 Australias contribution to the US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

CMF CTF150 HMAS Newcastle RAN

July 20, 2015 by Combined Maritime Forces 0

CMF, Counter-Terrorism, CTF 150

French and Australian units from CTF-150 meet at sea in the Arabian Sea

In mid-July, while patrolling off the coast of Oman, Her Majesty Australian Ship (HMAS) Newcastle and French Ship (FS) Var met at sea to lead several interactions. Both units were operating in the frame of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) missions, to fight against terrorism and related illicit activities inside the Indian Ocean. The ships Commanding Officer’s organised a cross deck and a tour between the two platforms to foster coalition relations. Newcastle’s Commanding Officer, CMDR Dominic MacNamara, along with eight members of ship’s company visited Surcouf while Newcastle hosted Surcouf’s Executive Officer and eight French officers and sailors.

Commanding Officer HMAS Newcastle, Commander Dominic MacNamara, RAN, presents the ship's plaque to Commanding Officer of the FS Sarcouf, Commander Guillaume Garnoix (left), as part of a visit to the French Frigate in the Gulf of Oman. HMAS Newcastle is tasked to carry out maritime security patrols in the Indian Ocean in support of Operation MANITOU. *** 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 as is the 60th rotation of a RAN vessel since the first Gulf War in 1990. — Commanding Officer HMAS Newcastle, Commander Dominic MacNamara, RAN, presents the ship’s plaque to Commanding Officer of the FS Sarcouf, Commander Guillaume Garnoix (left), as part of a visit to the French Frigate in the Gulf of Oman.

July 14, 2015 by Combined Maritime Forces 0

CMF, Counter-Narcotics, Counter-Terrorism, CTF150

CTF150’s HMAS Newcastle seizes 138 kg heroin off east African cost

Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Newcastle has seized 138kg of high purity heroin on 3 July 2015 likley bound for Tanzania, with an estimated street value of approximately $US 85 million.

HMAS Newcastle tracks a dhow on 03 July 2014 off the East Coast of Africa and from which it siezed 138 kg of heroin worth an estimated street value of around $108 million. *** Local Caption *** HMAS Newcastle is deployed in the Middle East Region on Operation MANITOU, Australias 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 as is the 60th rotation of a RAN vessel since the first Gulf War in 1990. — HMAS Newcastle tracks a dhow on 03 July 2014 off the East Coast of Africa and from which it siezed 138 kg of heroin worth an estimated street value of around $108 million. HMAS Newcastle is deployed in the Middle East Region on Operation MANITOU, Australias contribution to the US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). This is Newcastle’s sixth successful heroin haul since being assigned to Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, at the end of April, for Maritime Security Operations in the Indian Ocean.

June 25, 2015 by Combined Maritime Forces 0

CMF, CTF 150

More success against drug smuggling for CTF-150 units

Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Newcastle, which is deployed in direct support to Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 operations has seized and destroyed an additional 581kgs of high purity Heroin, with an estimated U.S street value of approximately $US 404million. This major catch is the largest and seventh successful haul led by CTF-150 units since France took command of the Task Force last April. Five of these drug seizures have been made by HMAS Newcastle’s crew, on the base of information provided by Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

HMAS Newcastle's 19 June 2015 net haul of narcotics seized from a dhow as part of operations involving narcotics interdiction off the east coast of Africa — HMAS Newcastle’s 19 June 2015 net haul of narcotics seized from a dhow as part of operations involving narcotics interdiction off the east coast of Africa

CMF CTF150 HMAS Newcastle

June 16, 2015 by Combined Maritime Forces 0

CMF, CTF 150

Australian and New Zealand ships seize half billion in narcotics

Maritime security operations by Australian and New Zealand frigates operating in the Middle East region over the past six weeks have seized almost 1,000 kilograms of narcotics worth an estimated $USD 625 million.

Seized narcotics 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. — Seized narcotics 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

CMF CTF150 HMAS Newcastle

June 15, 2015 by Combined Maritime Forces 0

CMF, CTF 150, USCG

HMAS Newcastle undertakes Boarding Training with NCIS and USCG Based in Bahrain.

Members of Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Newcastle recently undertook extensive forensic boarding training from the US Coast Guard (USCG) and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Middle East Field Office at the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Headquarters based in Bahrain.

Group Photo of HMAS Newcastle Crew and Instructors

CMF HMAS Newcastle USCG

May 13, 2015 by Combined Maritime Forces 0

CTF 150

Combined Task Force 150 ships proves effectiveness in Seychelles

Between the 27th of April and the 4th of May 2015, Combined Task Force 150 (CTF150) ships French Ship Var, Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Newcastle and Seychelles Patrol Ship (PS) Constant took part in Task Force counter-terrorism exercises in the Indian Ocean.

CTF-150 FS VAR HMAS Newcastle