HMAS Toowoomba Weapons Electrical department 5inch Gun Maintenance

HMAS Toowoomba's Mark 54 five-inch Gun Maintainers or "Gun Busters" are understandably proud of their role.

The maintenance involved in keeping this key weapon system fully functional and ready to defend the Ship from incoming threats is usually heavy, greasy, and very hot work particularly when deployed in the Middle East Region with Joint Task Force 633 on Operation MANITOU.

Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer, LCDR Edward Ellison, said he was proud of the efforts of his team who are always keen to apply themselves even when the average daily temperature exceeded 40 degrees Celsius.

"The "Gun Busters" don't shy away from this heavy and dirty work," he said.

"Instead they take an almost bizarre enjoyment from these difficult tasks relishing any opportunity to show-off the fire power of their beloved five-inch gun."

"Toowoomba's "Gun Busters" provide critical capability and technical assurance so that if the key five-inch Gun is required to defend Toowoomba it is ready and operational to meet the requirements of the Ship's mission."

HMAS Toowoomba is assigned to Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East Region as part of Operation MANITOU to provide maritime support to international efforts to counter and deter terrorism and the trade of narcotics on the seas as part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

The CMF works to defeat terrorism, prevent piracy, encourage regional engagement, reduce illegal trafficking of people and drugs and promote the maritime environment as a safe place for mariners with legitimate business.

HMAS Toowoomba is the 58th individual Royal Australian Navy ship deployment to the Middle East Region since 1990.