HMAS CANBERRA COMMISSIONING VIDEO: Video compile by CONTACT, a free e-magazine from combatcamera.au HMAS Canberra was formally commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy on 28 November 2014 when the Australian White Ensign was raised for the first time on Australias largest ever ship during a ceremony in Sydney. More than 1000 Navy personnel and guests, including Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove, Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, welcomed Australia’s first Landing Helicopter Dock into the fleet. Navy, Army and Air Force members of the ship’s company lined the aircraft hangar before breathing life into the vessel with a resounding cheer ship. A proud and emotional Commanding Officer Captain Jonathan Sadleir said it was a significant moment for the tri-service ship’s company who had been training for months in preparation for the introduction of the LHD. “It was a proud and emotional experience for me to stand with 400 exceptional members of my crew today. “Through the efforts of many organizations, this outstanding ship is now a reality. The ship brings a significant increase in amphibious potential to the Australian Defence Force. “We know it’s an awesome ship with huge capability, but the next step is to go to sea and test procedures, refine and consolidate, so we can be ready when the nation needs us,” Captain Sadleir said. Vice Admiral Barrett said the commissioning was a step towards developing the future of the Navy. “HMAS Canberra is an exciting addition to the Royal Australian Navy. This very capable ship will serve the nation well for decades to come,” he said. Canberra is first of two LHDs to be introduced into the Navy. The ship is primarily an amphibious assault ship with capacity to deliver a 1000-strong armoured infantry brigade to conventionally inaccessible locations. Its war-fighting capability and capacity also allows for other missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. She is the third Australian ship to bear the name. Significantly, as was mentioned more than once at the ceremony, the US Navy also named a ship Canberra in honour of HMAS Canberra I which was lost in the Battle of Savo Island in 1942. USS Canberra, commissioned in 1943, is the only US warship ever named for a foreign capital. Video by Brian Hartigan, Managing Editor, CONTACT magazine Photos and story in CONTACT #44, out Monday 1 December - and available via FREE subscription from combatcamera.au
Posted on: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 03:16:00 +0000