Posted on 01/12/2009 5:10:06 AM PST by naturalman1975
AN AUSTRALIAN warship could soon be sent to patrol pirate-infested waters in the seas off Somalia as part of a new multinational counter-piracy task force.
As the Australian Government farewelled HMAS Warramunga today to conduct maritime security operations in the Central and Southern Persian Gulf as part of Task Force 152, a new role in an anti-piracy task force is under active consideration.
HMAS Warramunga’s 185-strong team departed today on a six-month deployment to the Middle East where it will seek to "disrupt violent extremists’ use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material."
"Warramunga is well prepared and mission ready for the important job before them. The crew are a true reflection of the commitment and dedication of the Australian Defence Force," Parliamentary secretary Gary Gray said.
"I would like to thank the families and friends of the personnel deploying to the Gulf for their ongoing support and wish those deployed on Operation SLIPPER continued success and ongoing safety."
If the government agrees to proceed with the anti-piracy mission, the navy would join Task Force 151 which has been established to tackle the growing threat of Somali pirates to trade in the region.
The new anti-piracy operation, which was formed on January 1, has already indicated it would welcome the support of Australia to the mission.
Earlier this month, Defence chief Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston also confirmed a potetnial role for an Australian warships in Task Force 151.
"Task Force 152 is one. There is also the possibility of perhaps going further and getting involved in some of the important counter-piracy work that is coming on in the north Indian Ocean," he told sailors aboard the Anzac class frigate HMAS Parramatta last week.
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.news.com.au ...
...where it will seek to “disrupt violent extremists’ use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons...
Australia: take no prisoners and leave no trace.......
(Aussie) Troops avenge comrade
The Australian | January 12, 2009 | Stephen Lunn and Nicola Berkovic
Posted on 01/11/2009 2:51:07 PM PST by Dundee
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2162833/posts
Dang right! Sink 'em all.
I’m confused. Over the past year the world has sent just about every nation’s naval vessels etc., and the pirates keep pirating. It’s like that “Monk” episode where he can’t get the gun out of the safe so he “threatens” the suspect that there’s a gun in the safe. WTH?
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