Sydney sees Tobruk sailing home for the last time

HMAS Tobruk (II) sailed through Sydney Heads back to her home port at Garden Island for the last time today. The amphibious heavy lift is scheduled to decommission on Friday 31 July, after 34 years of service in the Royal Australian Navy.

Commanding Officer Tobruk Commander Leif Maxfield said the final passage was an emotional time for the ship’s company of 167.

“Today signifies that the end of the ship's seagoing life is near,” CMDR Maxfield said.

“The people who have served on Tobruk over the years have performed admirably, responding to the call of duty, whenever tasked by Government to do so. Both current and former ship’s crews have absolutely lived up to the motto of the ship, Faithful and Strong.

“There was a reflective mood onboard the ship as we crossed the threshold of Sydney Heads for the last time, realising the extent of what the ship has achieved in the 35 years of service to her country,” he said.

Tobruk (II) was commissioned on 23 April 1981 and is the second ship to bear the name. During her service life, the ship has supported a number of humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions including the most recent, Operation PACIFIC ASSIST 2015 following Tropical Cyclone Pam which devastated Vanuatu earlier this year.

“While we will farewell Tobruk, it is also an exciting time to be in the Navy. We now look to the future with a bold new capability, having had our first of the two Landing Helicopter Dock ships, HMAS Canberra, entering into service in December 2014,” CMDR Maxfield said.

NUSHIP Adelaide, the second LHD is scheduled for commissioning later this year.

Media note:
Vision of Tobruk was fed to the Parliament House Gallery on Wednesday afternoon.

Imagery of Tobruk will be available at http://images.defence.gov.au/S20151779

Media contacts:
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999
Ben Wickham Defence Communication and Media – NSW 0400 003 792
Natalie Staples Navy Communications 0410 347 749