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| Down Under |
| HMAS Paramatta sets sail for Iraq |
| 2005-10-10 |
| Hundreds of family members and friends bid an emotional farewell to the crew of the frigate HMAS Parramatta, which set sail for Iraq today. Departing Sydney's Garden Island naval base, the 187-strong crew of the Parramatta will spend six months in the Persian Gulf. They will help protect Iraq's offshore export oil terminals and will monitor, intercept and board vessels suspected of illegal trafficking. The ship's crew, about a third of whom have previously served in the Gulf, will take over duties from HMAS Newcastle, which has been helping with Iraq's reconstruction and rehabilitation since June. For naval officer Clint Thomson, leaving on active deployment for the first time will mean missing his son's first birthday. Sitting on his father's shoulders, an oblivious 11-month-old Zachariah Thomson today wriggled and hummed to the music of the military band as his parents kissed goodbye. "I'm sad to be leaving my loved ones and my little kids, but excited and nervous as well," the naval officer said. His wife Bec said she felt "sad and anxious" and would be counting down the days until her husband's return. Flanked by his two young sons just moments before departing, HMAS Parramatta Commander Jonathan Mead said he expected the crew would be feeling mixed emotions as they said their goodbyes. "We are extremely excited to do something in the support of the country, to help in the rehabilitation of Iraq, but obviously leaving for six months, it is a trying time for families." Australian Maritime Commander Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas thanked the Parramatta's crew for their sacrifices, saying the country's prayers and thoughts were with them. "Your mission is a noble one, it's a very important one," Rear Admiral Thomas told the crew. "I can assure you that this ship is well prepared for the work that lies ahead and it's very well led at all levels." The HMAS Parramatta is the 12th Royal Australian Navy ship to serve in support of operations in the Middle East since 2001. |
| Posted by:Oztralian [AKA] God Save The World |
| #3 Parramatta...... Loved that place. Hmmm. I used to have to go to the immigration office in Parramatta to sort out my work visa. I believe the last time I went was just after 9/11. That's the first time I saw a poster for an ANSWER event. I laughed out loud at "Act Now to Stop War and End Racism", as if the two were automatically linked. There used to be flyers posted near the train station offering safe houses to illegal immigrants. I wondered if any of them were stings. I also saw a guy selling the "Socialist Wanker", or something of that nature. He was explaining to a customer, "See, wif Castro you got [something or other], but wif Che, you didn't!" Or maybe it was the other way around. Good old Parramatta. |
| Posted by: Angie Schultz 2005-10-10 15:33 |
| #2 Parramatta...... Loved that place. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-10-10 09:48 |
| #1 For naval officer Clint Thomson, leaving on active deployment for the first time will mean missing his son's first birthday. Department of Somethings Never Change. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-10-10 09:07 |