HMAS CANBERRA (2) Operational Crew - 1983
HMAS Canberra - USS Carl Vinsons 1983
North West Indian Ocean Deployment - 1983
The HMAS Canberra first Major deployment was to the Indian Ocean in 1983, the ship departed Sydney on the 28 of February 1983 on completion of workups in the East Australian Exercise Area off the New South Wales coast.
The Captain of the ship was Commander R.T. Derbrige MBE, RAN the Executive Officer was LCDR Les Libberson RAN.
The Ships Company was made up of members of the Commissioning Crew and the first of the Operational Crew, some member of the HMAS Adelaide Commissioning crew also joined the ship for the Indian Ocean deployment.
The ship participated in exercise Sea Eagle in the East Australian Exercise Area with HMA Ships's Yarra, Perth, Stalwart and Supply. On completion the ship sailed to Melbourne and conducted a open day and a Shop Window with HMAS Swan off Port Phillip Bay.
The ship sailed for Western Australia and berthed at HMAS Stirling where the ship celebrated its second Birthday. The ship departed Australian waters and had a crossing of the line ceremony en route to Colombo.
The ship joined the USS America Battle Group for 3 weeks operational work and departed for Mombassa in Kenya, on the east coast of Africa for a Port visit, a Anzac Day Ceremony was conducted by the Commanding Officer and members of the Ship's Company in Nairobi.
The ship then visited Port Louis, Mauritius and departed to join the USS Carl Vinson Battle Group, the ship conducted Operations with the with the Battle Group for 6 weeks.
The ship departed the battle group and sailed for Colombo, the ship struck a unmarked submerged ship in main channel to Colombo Harbour and damaged the propeller.
The ship departed Colombo for Singapore where she underwent repairs. The ship then departed Singapore on the 3 June and steamed directly to Perth, she then visited Adelaide and arrived in Sydney on the 20th of June 1983.
It is interesting to note that HMAS Canberra was the only Australian Warship to deploy to the North West Indian Ocean Deployment where the crew was not awarded a Australian Service Medal - Middle East as the Deployment was deemed not a declared operation in November 2002.
Ports of Call
Sydney - Jervis Bay - Melbourne - Perth - Colombo - Mombasa - Port Louis - Colombo - Singapore - Perth - Adelaide - Sydney
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1983 Crew Nominal List of the 1983 Ships Company onboard for the North West Indian Ocean Deployment...More
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North West Indian Ocean Deployment Cruise Book- 1983
The HMAS Canberra first Major deployment was to the Indian Ocean in 1983, the ship departed Sydney on the 28 of February 1983 on completion of workups in the East Australian Exercise Area off the New South Wales coast....More