HMAS Gascoyne home for the final time

After 23 years of faithful service, HMAS Gascoyne II sailed through Sydney Heads on its return home for the final time before decommissioning in December.

CAPTION: HMAS Gascoyne II makes its final entry into Sydney Harbour prior to decommissioning. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Brandan Clothier. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

Commanding Officer Gascoyne Lieutenant Commander Lachlan Browne was joined on board by several former commanding officers of Gascoyne as the ship pulled alongside HMAS Waterhenflying its decommissioning pennant.

“It means a great deal to us to be able to farewell this great ship properly, and just as much to see so many of our friends in the mine warfare community line the wharf to celebrate this occasion with us,” Lieutenant Commander Browne said.

Gascoyne’s commanding officer praised his ship’s company for their efforts during his two years in command.

“This really is an exceptional crew, and I think they’ve done the legacy of Gascoyne very proud. To have served as their CO has been the honour of my career,” Lieutenant Commander Browne said.

HMAS Gascoyne’s service as a Huon-class mine hunter of the Royal Australian Navy began in June 2001, when special guest on board Rear Admiral (retd) Mark Hill served as the ship’s first commanding officer.

CAPTION: HMAS Gascoyne II makes its final entry into Sydney Harbour prior to decommissioning.

“To be on board for both her first ever day at sea, and now for her last, it’s been quite a heartfelt moment to reflect on,” Rear Admiral Hill said.

“Most importantly to me, it’s understanding that it’s always been the people that make the ship.

“I was certainly very proud of my people when we commissioned Gascoyne, and from listening to the CO sign off to his crew over the ship’s loudspeaker system today I know he feels the same sense of pride about his ship and crew.”

Gascoyne made the final journey home having travelled a total of 312,396 nautical miles – equivalent to more than 14 circumnavigations of the globe – that took the ship as far as Tonga and Tuvalu to work alongside Australia’s Pacific partners.

Commander of the Mine Warfare, Diving and Geospatial Force Captain Richard Brickacek remembers his time in command fondly, having sailed Gascoyne to Japan and South Korea for multinational exercises in 2016, the furthest any mine hunter had ever sailed from Australia at that time.

“There’s a heartfelt connection you feel when you’ve been part of [a] ship’s company,” Captain Brickacek said.

“It’s sad to see her go after so many years of service, but there’s reassurance there that our people are already leading the way to maintain the navy’s mine warfare skills at the waterfront.

“From seaman to warrant officer, sub-lieutenant to commander, the future opportunities and capabilities for mine warfare will be extremely exciting for everyone involved.”

HMAS Gascoyne’s decommissioning ceremony will take place on December 5 at HMAS Waterhen, Sydney.

CAPTION: HMAS Gascoyne II passes under the Sydney Harbour Bridge during its final entry into Sydney Harbour prior to decommissioning.

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