HMAS Toowoomba has been welcomed home from a six month deployment to the Middle East Area of Operations today.

Minister for Defence, the Honourable Stephen Smith MP, Shadow Minister for Defence and Senator for Western Australia, Senator the Honourable David Johnston, Senior Officer Commodore Peter Lockwood DSC, CSC, RAN, RTD and Commander Surface Force, Commodore Jonathan Mead AM RAN greeted the crew at her homeport of Fleet Base West, Rockingham, Western Australia.

The Anzac Class Frigate, carrying 191 men and women was cheered alongside, as she returned from a successful deployment as part of Operation SLIPPER.

Commodore Lockwood congratulated the Ship’s Company on a challenging but successful operation.

“Toowoomba served courageously during this deployment, which marked the fifty-fourth rotation of an RAN ship to the MEAO since the commencement of the first Gulf War in 1990,” said Commodore Lockwood.

“The crew made a significant contribution to maritime security and rose to the challenge of maintaining Australia’s high standing as a coalition partner in the Middle East.”

Commanding Officer of Toowoomba, Commander Brendon Zilko RAN said his Ship’s Company had worked tirelessly and were looking forward to getting home.

“Each member of the crew showed dedication and commitment to the deployment. I am deeply proud of their efforts. It is always hard to be separated from loved ones, but the high level of support from home directly contributed to the success of our mission,” he said.

Toowoomba was replaced on station by HMAS Newcastle, which took over in late May. This marked the end of Toowoomba’s fourth rotation.

Toowoomba provided essential naval support to Coalition Maritime Security Operations in the Arabian Gulf, participating in counter-terrorism operations in the Gulf of Oman and North Arabian Sea, and counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and in the waters off the Horn of Africa and the Somali Basin.

Imagery of HMAS Toowoomba's return home is available on the Royal Australian Navy Media Library at http://images.navy.gov.au/S20130261 and http://images.navy.gov.au/S20130361.