HMAS Tobruk Completes Visit to Philippines
Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Tobruk will tomorrow (Saturday) depart Manila, Philippines after a three-day visit.
The short break from sea, gave the ship’s company an opportunity to continue their association with Filipino colleagues.
Commanding Officer Tobruk Leif Maxfield said the ship’s company enjoyed hearing about the region’s progress since they were deployed as part of Operation PHILIPPINES ASSIST.
“Nine months ago Tobruk was diverted to support the multi-national relief effort in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan,” Commander Maxfield said.
“We spent a month in the region, assisting with clean up tasks at Ormoc schools and we distributed aid supplies to remote island communities in the Visayas.”
“Our three day port visit has been a great chance for the crew to reacquaint themselves with Philippines Navy personnel,” Commander Maxfield said.
“We also had the honour of hosting a Formal Reception for the Philippine Defence Secretary, the Honourable Mr Voltaire Gazmin, the Philippines Defence Force Chief of Staff, General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr, the Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell and other senior Philippine Defence Officers,” Commander Maxfield said.
Tobruk, a Landing Heavy Ship, with a crew of 196 is part way through a South East Asia deployment, to strengthen relationships and promote security cooperation.
Tobruk forms part of the Royal Australian Navy’s current amphibious capability and is ideally suited to Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operations, given its amphibious heavy lift capability, on board accommodation and ability to support helicopter and landing craft operations. ENDS
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