HMAS Toowoomba – CONTACT magazine

Able Seaman Chloe Lampasona fires the M2HB-QCB at an aerial target on the upper decks of HMAS Toowoomba in the Philippine Sea during a regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photo by Leading Seaman Zac Dingle.

A weapon that’s old but gold

01/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 705 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba

For all the focus on next‑generation weapons like hypersonic missiles, lasers and drones, the reality is that security often comes

Lieutenant Matthew Jennings conducts anti-submarine warfare exercises with Leading Seaman Lachlan Wyatt aboard HMAS Toowoomba as part of Exercise Nichi Gou Trident. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photo by Leading Seaman Zac Dingle.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Submarine hunters unite

01/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 781 Views 0 Comments Exercise Nichi Gou Trident (NGT), HMAS Toowoomba, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Submarine

If you think ‘finding a needle in a haystack’ is the best idiom to describe the impossible, then you’ve never

Leading Seaman Amy Matthews takes observations of her casualty during a damage-control exercise on board HMAS Toowoomba. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photos by Leading Seaman Zac Dingle.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

Survival training gives sailors an edge

27/03/202627/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 309 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba

At sea, damage-control teams train daily to combat fires, floods, medical emergencies or toxic hazards. CAPTION: Leading Seaman Amy Matthews

Lieutenant Amie Harris takes the range from a pelorus on the bridge of HMAS Toowoomba. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photo by Leading Seaman Zac Dingle.

ADF People News Royal Australian Navy

Staying cool under pressure

25/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 370 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba

Commuting in through five-metre swells, 40-knot Arctic blasts and near-zero visibility fog might cause some concern for those on their

Philippines Naval Vessel BRP Diego Silang follows HMAS Toowoomba while they conduct officer of the watch manoeuvres during a maritime cooperative activity off the west coast of Luzon. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photo by Leading Seaman Zac Dingle.

Asia News Royal Australian Navy

Australians and US sail with Philippine forces

25/02/202625/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 408 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba, Philippine Navy, US Navy

It was a day of poise, professionalism, and precision as three partner nations sailed and flew in formation off the

HMAS Warramunga's weapons electrical team after a successful 5-inch live-fire exercise during a regional presence deployment. Photo by Leading Seaman Abdus Chowdhury.

News Royal Australian Navy

Regional presence deployments continue in 2026

04/02/202604/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1123 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba, HMAS Warramunga, Regional Presence Deployment

The Australian Defence Force will conduct its regional presence deployment program throughout 2026, with ships and crews participating in multinational activities throughout

Lieutenant Commander Kieran Davis was awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal for his work on board HMAS Toowoomba. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photo by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Toowoomba team delivers bonus for Anzac fleet

10/06/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1646 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba, King's Birthday Honours

By conducting thorough fault analysis, coordinating system-level testing and articulating complex problems for stakeholders, Lieutenant Commander Kieran Davis and his

Sailors from HMAS Toowoomba's ship's company march down York Street in Albany, Western Australia, on Anzac Day. Story by Petty Officer Keigan Gunther. Photos by Leading Seaman Rikki-Lea Phillips.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

Navy honours Anzacs’ last port of call

29/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1880 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, HMAS Toowoomba, ww1

HMAS Toowoomba visited Albany to mark the 110th anniversary of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli, honouring the port of departure

HMAS Toowoomba sailors Petty Officer Peter Sutton, left, and Able Seaman Finn Jackson display the national flag of the Philippines during the inaugural maritime cooperative activity during a regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Commander Kieran Davis.

News Royal Australian Navy

Reflecting and celebrating diversity

08/12/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2938 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba, Philippine Navy

For several members of HMAS Toowoomba with Filipino heritage, sailing in company with the Philippine Navy allowed them to proudly

Philippine Navy ships BRP Davao Del Sur, centre, and BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, back, conduct a maritime cooperative activity with HMAS Toowoomba during a regional presence deployment. Story by Squadron Leader Bel Culley.

News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Partnerships strengthened in the Philippines

01/12/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2883 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba, No. 11 Squadron, P-8A Poseidon, Philippine Navy, Regional Presence Deployment

The Philippines and Australia share a longstanding and deep defence relationship – working side by side for more than 70

Leading Seaman Ruben Villis marshals personnel from JS Sazanami’s embarked Super Auk helicopter as it prepares to take-off from HMAS Brisbane during a cross-deck in the Philippine Sea as part of Exercise Nichi Gou Trident. Story by Lieutenant Max Logan. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

ADF assets join Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force exercise

30/11/202305/12/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2841 Views 0 Comments Exercise Nichi Gou Trident (NGT), HMAS Brisbane, HMAS Stalwart, HMAS Toowoomba, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, P-8A Poseidon, Regional Presence Deployment

Naval and air assets from the ADF recently joined forces with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for Exercise Nichi

Leading Seaman Kalani Brinkmeier (left) and Able Seaman Samuel Speakman from HMAS Toowoomba on the flight deck during flying operation as part of Operation Argos. Photo by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

News Royal Australian Navy Videos

Toowoomba supports North Korea sanctions – sailors hurt

21/11/202321/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3671 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba, MH-60R Seahawk, Operation Argos, Regional Presence Deployment, united Nations Security Council

The crew of HMAS Toowoomba have supported United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea during a regional presence deployment.

Navy Chaplain Bradley Galvin addresses HMAS Toowoomba ship’s company as they commemorate Remembrance Day in the East China Sea during a regional presence deployment. Story by Lieutenant Commander Kieran Davis. Photo by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Toowoomba united in remembrance

16/11/202317/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2816 Views 0 Comments Chaplains, HMAS Toowoomba, Last Post, Remembrance Day

The Last Post sounded aboard HMAS Toowoomba at 11am on November 11 for the 2023 Remembrance Day ceremony, led by

HMAS Toowoomba personnel stand at ease at the forecastle as the ship arrives at Busan Naval Base, South Korea, for Exercise Haedoli Wallaby. Photos by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy Videos

Dolphins and wallabies unite in South Korea

10/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 4670 Views 0 Comments Exercise Haedoli Wallaby, HMAS Toowoomba, MH-60R Seahawk, P-8A Poseidon, Republic of Korea Navy

In waters near Ulsan, naval and air assets from Australia and South Korea combined to test maritime warfare skills and build

USS Rafael Peralta leads a formation sail with HMCS Ottowa, HMAS Brisbane and JS Akebono during Exercise Noble Caribou in the South China Sea. Story by Lieutenant Commander Andrew Herring. Photo from Royal Canadian Navy.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Friendships flourish on Indo-Pacific deployment

07/11/202308/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2439 Views 0 Comments Exercise Bersama Lima, Exercise Haedoli Wallaby, Exercise Noble Caribou, HMAS Brisbane, HMAS Stalwart, HMAS Toowoomba, MH-60R Seahawk, Regional Presence Deployment

A Royal Australian Navy task group is deepening ties with friends, partners and allies across the Indo-Pacific as it continues

Lieutenant Commander Emily Ross accepts flowers from Vietnam People's Navy Captain Ngyuen Viet Ahn during HMAS Toowoomba's departure ceremony at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photos by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

News Royal Australian Navy

Visit to Vietnam builds on 50 years of partnership

27/10/202327/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2281 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba, Indo-Pacific Endeavour, Vietnam

After a busy three months, Indo-Pacific Endeavour’s Vietnamese leg has wrapped up, coinciding with 50 years of diplomatic relations between

Navy aviation technician Able Seaman Casey Anderson, of HMAS Toowoomba, takes oil samples from the embarked MH-60R helicopter Valkyrie during a regional presence deployment. Story and photo by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

News Royal Australian Navy

Maintaining the Valkyrie

25/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2450 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba, MH-60R Seahawk, No. 816 Squadron (RAN), Regional Presence Deployment

Aircraft maintainers are proving vital for mission success as HMAS Toowoomba continues its Indo-Pacific regional presence deployment. CAPTION: Navy aviation technician

HQ-382 Tarantal-V-class ship from the Vietnam People's Navy and Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Toowoomba conduct officer-of-the-watch manoeuvres during regional presence deployment 2023 off the coast of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

Asia News Royal Australian Navy

Angel drives Toowoomba around the bends in Vietnam

19/10/202322/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3130 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba, Indo-Pacific Endeavour, Vietnam

Bringing a ship into Ho Chi Minh City port is no easy feat, but HMAS Toowoomba’s navigating officer Lieutenant Loren

Commanding Officer HMAS Toowoomba Commander Darin MacDonald, left, and youngest crewmember, Seaman Jack Lefevre, cut Toowoomba’s 18th birthday cake during a regional presence deployment. Story by Story by Lieutenant Commander Andrew Herring. Photo by Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Toowoomba sails into adulthood

13/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2772 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba

HMAS Toowoomba has come of age, celebrating 18 years since commissioning. CAPTION: Commanding Officer HMAS Toowoomba Commander Darin MacDonald, left, and