HMAS Tobruk returns to Sydney to retire

HMAS Tobruk (II) sailed through Sydney Heads to her home port at Garden Island for the last time today before she is formally and ceremonially retired.

The amphibious heavy lift ship is scheduled to decommission on Friday 31 July, after 34 years service in the Royal Australian Navy.

Commanding Officer Commander Leif Maxfield said the final passage was an emotional time for the ship’s company of 167 men and women.

“Today signifies that the end of the ship’s seagoing life is near,” Commander Maxfield said.

“The people who have served on Tobruk over the years have performed admirably, responding to the call of duty whenever tasked by Government.

“Current and former ship’s crews have absolutely lived up to the motto of the ship, ‘Faithful and Strong’.

“There was a reflective mood onboard the ship as we crossed the threshold of Sydney Heads for the last time, realising the extent of what the ship has achieved in the 35 years of service to her country,” he said.

Tobruk (II) was commissioned on 23 April 1981 and is the second ship to bear the name.

During her service life, she has supported a number of humanitarian-aid and disaster-relief missions including the most recent, Operation PACIFIC ASSIST 2015 following Tropical Cyclone Pam, which devastated Vanuatu earlier this year.

“While we will farewell Tobruk, it is also an exciting time to be in the Navy. We now look to the future with a bold new capability, having had the first of two Landing Helicopter Dock ships, HMAS Canberra, entering into service in December last year,” Commander Maxfield said.

 

 

 

 

 

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