HMAS Toowoomba’s mileage is out of this world

23/05/202323/05/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2214 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba

HMAS Toowoomba has completed half a million sea miles since she was commissioned – equivalent to a trip to the moon and back plus 23 times around the Earth.

CAPTION: HMAS Toowoomba transits calm seas during Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2018. Story by Lieutenant Petrus van Aswegen. Photo by Able Seaman Ronnie Baltoft.

After being welcomed into the Navy on 8 October 2005, Toowoomba was immediately called into service, completing its first operational deployment in December that year.

Almost three years to the day after commission, Toowoomba achieved her first major sea-mileage milestone, completing 100,000 nautical miles.

Commanding Officer HMAS Toowoomba Commander Darin MacDonald, left, receives a painting gift from the Western Australian Naval Association President Ian Holthouse during a clear lower deck on board the ship at HMAS Stirling. Photo: Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez — CO HMAS Toowoomba Commander Darin MacDonald receives a painting gift from Western Australian Naval Association President Ian Holthouse during an event on board the ship at HMAS Stirling. Photo by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

Toowoomba has undergone significant upgrades throughout her service in the Royal Australian Navy.

In 2016, Toowoomba completed the anti-ship missile-defence upgrade, which provided cutting-edge radars and missile-defence systems.

More recently, Toowoomba completed the Anzac mid-life capability-assurance program, which provided further upgrades through the ship’s engineering plant, warfighting capability and modernised communications suite.

Chief Petty Officer Daniel Wright has served on Toowoomba throughout the past decade.

“It is amazing to think what this ship has achieved during her 17 years of service,” he said.

“It has been impressive to observe the capability enhancements over the years, which allow Toowoomba to remain a formable capability for the navy.”

The crew celebrated the milestone with Commanding Officer Commander Darin MacDonald addressing the crew.

“I am immensely proud of the achievements of this ship and her crew, past and present,” Commander MacDonald said.

“Toowoomba is only 17 years old, yet she has accomplished so much.

“I am privileged to contribute to Toowoomba’s distinguished legacy as her eleventh commanding officer and I am immensely proud to lead such a fine ship’s company, in such a capable ship.”

During Toowoomba’s half-a-million sea miles across 17 years of service, it has completed deployments to operations Relex, Catalyst, Slipper, Manitou and Resolute.

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