HMAS Brisbane returns home from milestone deployment

Around 200 officers and sailors from HMAS Brisbane returned to Sydney after a five-month deployment, which included the successful launch of Australia’s first-ever Tomahawk cruise missile off the US coast.

CAPTION: Families welcome HMAS Brisbane to its home port at Fleet Base East in Sydney, New South Wales following a successful deployment to the United States. Photo by Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall.

The deployment also included joint exercises with the US Navy and scheduled maintenance at the US Naval Base in San Diego, overall marking a significant milestone in strengthening the Australian Defence Force’s capabilities.

Commander Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Chris Smith said the activity was a demonstration of Australia’s commitment to allies in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

“Australia is now one of only three nations, alongside the United States and United Kingdom, to acquire and fire Tomahawk cruise missiles,” Rear Admiral Smith said.

“The achievements by HMAS Brisbane’s personnel has helped deliver a significantly advanced long-range missile capability for the Australian Defence Force.”

Brisbane sailed more than 17,000 nautical miles (32,000km) since departing Sydney in August 2024.

Her deployment included familiarisation with US Naval maintenance processes, warfare training and valuable knowledge exchange in advanced technologies shared by the two nations.

Commanding Officer HMAS Brisbane Commander Bernard Dobson said the ship’s achievements would not have been possible without the support of family and friends.

“It is a significant challenge to be away from home for months at a time and to miss the Christmas holidays with family,” Commander Dobson said.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the resilience and professionalism of the men and women in Brisbane in delivering a game-changing military capability for Australia.”

Brisbane is one of three Australian-built Hobart-class destroyers and is designed to provide air defence against missiles and aircraft to protect ships, land forces and coastal infrastructure, as well as undertake anti-submarine, anti-surface and long-range strike warfare missions.

Now home, Brisbane’s crew will enjoy well-earned respite before resuming their operational schedule.

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