HMAS Canberra


This site is dedicated to all Royal Australian Navy and Australian Defence Force personnel who have served in HMAS CANBERRA.

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HMAS CANBERRA (1) D 33 from the 9th of July 1928 until she was sunk in action off Savo Island on the 9th of August 1942.

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HMAS CANBERRA (2) FFG-02 from the 21st of March 1981 until Decomissioning on the 12th of November 2005.

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HMAS Canberra (3) LHD-02 from Commissioning on the 23rd of November 2014.

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HMAS CANBERRA (2) Operational Crews


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HMAS Canberra 2002 Ship's Company

The Operational Crew of HMAS Canberra manned the ship from 1981 through to 2005, thousands of personnel served in HMAS Canberra over her Operational Life, many personnel proudly served in the ship on more than one occasion. The ship visited 32 different Countries during her lifetime and spent extended periods of time out of Australian waters

Operations

The ship conducted numerous international exercises with many Defence Forces around the world and was involved in many operational missions since 1992, she participated in Operation DAMASK following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait (November 1992 to March 1993), Operation BRANCARD to evacuate Australian Nationals from Jakarta (May 1998) and Operation SLIPPER (March to July 2002) as part of the International Coalition Against Terrorism. During her lengthy career HMAS Canberra sailed nearly 800,000 miles and saw active service in the Persian Gulf and conducted operations in areas such as the Southern Ocean and Solomon Islands.

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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 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...More

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North West Indian Ocean Deployment - 1986

The HMAS Canberra deployed to the Indian Ocean in 1986, the ship departed Sydney on the 14 of April 1986 on completion of workups in the East Australian Exercise Area off the New South Wales coast.

The Captain of the ship was Commander R.R.P Spencer the Executive Officer was LCDR Warren Smith RAN. The Ships Company had a handfull of members of the Commissioning Crew and the first of the Operational Crew....More

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TOP JACK 3 Mess HMAS Canberra -1987-1990

The TOP JACK theme was a very successful way of promoting comradeship and fun into 3 Mess in HMAS Canberra. The Mess members were know in the Fleet as "TOP JACKS"

The mess was made up of 60 personnel of the Executive Branches in the ship, this included the Communicators, Gunnery rates, Radar Plots, Underwater Control, Coxswains, Safety Equipment, Physical Trainers, METS, General Duties and Aviation Sailors...More

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Operation Damask VI - Northern Red Sea 1992-93

HMAS Canberra was deployed to the Northern Red Sea to take part in Operation Damask VI, The Commanding Officer was Commander Raydon Gates RAN...More

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HMAS Canberra Operational Crew - 2002

HMAS CANBERRA's 2002 Operation SLIPPER, it is important to note that tumultuous events of 2001, from escorting wayward fishermen during Operation TEEBONE, to Exercises Kakadu V and Tandem Thrust, a South East Asia Deployment, peacekeeping in the Solomon Islands, the devastating low of the Extended Readiness planning and the triumph of the outstanding ORE result at the end of the year combined to set the scene for our efforts this year. From the freezing and stormy waters of the Southern Ocean to the hot and flat waters of the Arabian Gulf, CANBERRA has excelled at everything she has done...more

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Image Gallery's

 

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Operational Images 1981 -2005

Operational Images taken over the Operational lifetime of HMAS Canberra, she was involved in many exercises and operations over 24 years HMAS Canberra participated in a number of operations, including Operation DAMASK following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait,, Operation BRANCARD to evacuate Australian Nationals from Jakarta and Operation SLIPPER as part of the International Coalition Against Terrorism

 

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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.

 

 

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North West Indian Ocean Deployment Cruise Book- 1986

The HMAS Canberra deployed to the Indian Ocean in 1986, the ship departed Sydney on the 14 of April 1986 on completion of workups in the East Australian Exercise Area off the New South Wales coast....More

 

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Top Jack 1987-1990

Top Jack was created in 3 Mess HMAS Canberra in 1987, it was a very successful and enduring association of the Sailors that served in HMAS Canberra, it was a great way of having fun and included all members of the Mess

 

 

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Australia - Bicentennial Images 1988

HMAS Canberra played a major role in Australia's Bicentennial Celebrations in 1988, she escorted the Tall ships from Hobart, Tasmania to Sydney Harbour, fired a 88 Gun salute prior to the fireworks display to celebrate Australia Day 1988 and escorted Her Majesties Royal Yacht Britannia with the HRH Queen Elizabeth II embarked from Sydney to Brisbane to celebrate Expo 88


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Operation Damask VI- Northern Red Sea Deployment Cruise Book 1992-93

The HMAS Canberra deployed to the Red Sea in late 1992 to participate in Operation Damask VI....More


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North East Asia Deployment Cruisebook - 2000

HMAS Canberra deployed to North East Asia in 2000...More


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2002 Operation SLIPPER Deployment

HMAS Canberra deployed to the Persian Gulf Image Gallery that includes 7 Galleries including Operational Images, Boarding Party's, Replenisment at Sea, the Crew at Sea, Anzac Day Ceremony and ...More

 

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