image-1 = images/HMASNewcastle/Photo-1.jpg
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description-1 = HMAS Newcastle at sea during Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2019. Newcastle is the youngest of the RAN's Adelaide Class guided missile frigates and was constructed in Williamstown, Victoria with all previous class modifications incorporated. (Image courtesy of Defence)
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image-2 = images/HMASNewcastle/Photo-2.jpg
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description-2 = HMAS Newcastle sails past Bishops Point, Pearl Harbour to take part in the Sea Phase of Exercise RIMPAC 04. Exercise RIMPAC 04 was a multi-national exercise involving Australia, the US, Canada, Korea, Chile, France and the UK. (Image courtesy of Defence)
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image-3 = images/HMASNewcastle/Photo-3.jpg
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description-3 = HMAS Newcastle departs the Captain Cook dry dock during a cold move to the West Wall, Garden Island. HMAS Newcastle and her sister ships were the first RAN ships to be powered by gas turbines. This, combined with a modern repair by replacement policy, has allowed both a reduced complement and a high availability for sea duty. Additionally, two forward mounted retractable auxiliary propulsion units provide a secondary means of propulsion plus excellent manoeuvrability in confined waters. (Image courtesy of Defence)
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image-4 = images/HMASNewcastle/Photo-4.jpg
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description-4 = The day of the flooding of the Captain Cook Dry Dock and the refloating of HMAS Newcastle during her FFG Upgrade. Having completed the upgrade program, Newcastle has emerged with a new and highly sophisticated combat system and a greatly improved sensors suite and weapons package. The Australian Distributed Architecture Combat System (ADACS), along with an upgraded air search radar and the newly installed Vertical Launch System (VLS), vastly improved Newcastle's capability of fulfilling Navy's mission to fight and win at sea. (Image courtesy of Defence)
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image-5 = images/HMASNewcastle/Photo-5.jpg
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description-5 = HMAS Newcastle sails for the first time after the FFG Upgrade. Newcastle is named after the City of Newcastle and is the first RAN ship to carry this name. The ship maintains close links with her namesake city, particularly through active support of her adopted charity organisation, the Hunter Orthopaedic School. (Image courtesy of Defence)
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image-6 = images/HMASNewcastle/Photo-6.jpg
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description-6 = HMAS Newcastle's Boatswains Mates provide cover for the Newcastle’s boarding team with one of the 12.7mm machine gun's from the GDP. From 7-12 June 2013, The RAN Adelaide Class frigate HMAS Newcastle and FS Somme conducted maritime security operations in the Somali Basin under the command of CTF 150 (under French Command). During the five days, Newcastle and Somme intercepted two contacts of interest (COI) in as many days, which resulted in the seizing and destruction of a quantity of narcotics. (Image courtesy of Defence)
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image-7 = images/HMASNewcastle/Photo-7.jpg
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description-7 = HMAS Newcastle and FS Somme send their boarding teams to intercept a dhow while on a patrol for CTF 150. This mission demonstrated Newcastle’s ability to work in a multi-national task force in complex situations. The two nations were able to integrate and complete two successful boarding’s working together for the first time without any joint training necessary, showing the professionalism and commonality of both navies. (Image courtesy of Defence)
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image-8 = images/HMASNewcastle/Photo-8.jpg
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description-8 = HMS Kent's Merlin helicopter on the flight deck of HMAS Newcastle during a ship transfer activity in the Middle East area of operations (MEAO). While in the MEAO in 2013, HMAS Newcastle assisted with the compassionate transfer of a Royal Navy Officer to Djibouti for a flight home. (Image courtesy of Defence)
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image-9 = images/HMASNewcastle/Photo-9.jpg
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description-9 = Boatswain's Mates look on as the Mini Typhoon .50 calibre Browning Quick Change Barrel heavy machine gun engages an inflatable 'Killer Tomato' target. Under the command of Commander Dominic MacNamara, HMAS Newcastle and her crew spent a week conducting a 'shake down' as part of their Mission Readiness Work-Up in the East Australian Exercise Area, off the coast of NSW. (Image courtesy of Defence)
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image-10 = images/HMASNewcastle/Photo-10.jpg
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description-10 = HMAS Newcastle conducted a short port visit to the Seychelles while conducting maritime patrols in the Indian Ocean as part of Operation SLIPPER in 2013. While in the Seychelles, the Australian warship hosted the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the conditions of the transfer of suspected pirates and armed robbers and seized property to the Seychelles, by the Australian high commissioner to the Seychelles, Sandra Vegting, and the Seychelles Minister for Home Affairs and Transport, Joel Morgan. (Image courtesy of Defence)
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image-11 = images/HMASNewcastle/Photo-11.jpg
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description-11 = HMAS Newcastle patrols oil rigs in the Bass Strait during Exercise Ocean Explorer 2019. Newcastle is a long range escort vessel, capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction. The ship can counter simultaneous threats from aircraft, surface vessels and submarines. (Image courtesy of Defence)
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image-12 = images/HMASNewcastle/Photo-12.jpg
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description-12 = HMAS Newcastle departs Fleet Base East, Sydney, to commence a four-month deployment conducting international engagement exercises. (Image courtesy of Defence)
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Photo Essay: HMAS Newcastle completes final overseas deployment
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HMAS Newcastle has arrived back in Australia following the Adelaide Class guided missile frigate’s final international deployment, ahead of her planned decommissioning in a few weeks.
HMAS Newcastle has arrived back in Australia following the Adelaide Class guided missile frigate’s final international deployment, ahead of her planned decommissioning in a few weeks.
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Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, AM, said the Adelaide Class frigates have been an indispensable part of Navy’s role in protecting Australia’s maritime interests for almost 40 years.
“Adelaide Class ships have formed the backbone of many Navy operations since 1980, serving with distinction on complex missions and cementing our reputation as one of the most professional and dependable navies in the world,” RADM Mead said.
Four of the six Adelaide Class frigates have already been retired, with HMA Ships Newcastle and Melbourne to retire later this year.
Newcastle will be decommissioned on 30 June 2019, while Melbourne will be retired in October.
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“Like thousands of officers and sailors who had the privilege to serve on one of these great ships, the final voyage back to Australia by Newcastle will be bitter sweet for me, and the end of a defining era for Navy,” RADM Mead said.
Before returning to her home port at Garden Island in Sydney for the final time, Newcastle will visit her namesake city and participate in a number of events designed to reaffirm the special bond Navy shares with the people of Newcastle.
“As the only Royal Australian Navy ship to ever carry the Newcastle name, we are keen to thank Novocastrians for their support since she began serving Australia in 1993,” Commanding Officer of HMAS Newcastle, Commander Anita Sellick, CSM, said.
“With 10 Newcastle locals serving as crew members on my ship, our last visit to their home town will be especially memorable.”
HMAS Newcastle has sailed over 900,000 nautical miles in 25 years of service, and received battle honours for operations in East Timor, the Persian Gulf and the Middle East.
For photography of some of the ship's history, please scroll through the image gallery above.
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