HMAS Wollongong (ACPB 92)

HMAS Wollongong on patrol in the Arafura sea for Operation Resolute. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Wollongong (ACPB 92)

HMAS Wollongong on patrol in the Arafura sea for Operation Resolute. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Gawler (FCPB 212)

HMAS GAWLER sails past one of the Armidale Class patrol boats that will replace her during her final trip in to Darwin 6 JUne 2006. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Gawler (FCPB 212)

The Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) patrol boat HMAS GAWLER sailed in to her home port of Darwin today for the last time. She has been in service for 23 years, having been launched in July 1983. HMAS GAWLER has covered over 600,000 miles during her career, visiting 19 different countries. The decommissioning is due to the introduction of the Navy's new Armidale Class patrol boats. Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Gavin Baker said, "Although it's sad to see her go, the new Armidales represent a massive step forward in technology which can only be a good thing." The patrol boat has been involved in over 800 boardings in support of Australian sovereignty, as well as being on hand for humanitarian missions. In May 2004, GAWLER rescued a sailor who had gotten into trouble on his private yacht off northern Australia and then towed the vessel back to port. She is the second RAN ship to bear the name GAWLER. The first was a Bathurst Class corvette, which saw active service in WWII. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Armidale (ACPB 83)

Armidale Class patrol boat in Cockburn Sound Western Austalia. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Armidale (ACPB 83)

Armidale Class patrol boat in Cockburn Sound Western Austalia. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Armidale (ACPB 83)

NUSHIP ARMIDALE, Armidale class patrol boat conducting trial in Cockburn Sound. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Armidale (ACPB 83)

The first Armidale Class patrol boat NUSHIP ARMIDALE arrives at the Darwin naval base. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Armidale (ACPB 83)

The first Armidale Class patrol boat NUSHIP ARMIDALE arriving at the Darwin naval base wharf. Darwin city in the background. (Photo: Australia DoD)

HMAS Armidale (ACPB 83)

The first Armidale Class patrol boat NUSHIP ARMIDALE, sails into Darwin Harbour. (Photo: Australia DoD)

RMNS Mohammed V (FFGHM 611)

The Moroccan Navy Floreal-class frigate RMNS Mohammed V (FFGHM 611) conducts maneuvers with the ships assigned to the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Expeditionary Strike Group. Two Moroccan frigates will escort the strike group through the Strait of Gibraltar, the gateway of the Mediterranean Sea. Kearsarge and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Photographer's Mate Airman Christopher J. Newsome)

RMNS Mohammed V (FFGHM 611)

The Moroccan frigate RMNS Mohammed V (FFGHM 611) transits the Mediterranean Sea during Phoenix Express (PE 08) in formation. PE-08 is the third annual exercise in a long-term effort to improve regional cooperation and maritime security. The principal aim is to increase interoperability by developing individual and collective maritime proficiencies of participating nations as well as promoting friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class James C. Davis)

HNLMS Van Amstel (F831)

The Dutch frigate HNLMS Van Amstel (F831) sits anchored off the Mississippi coast, while assisting with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts along the Gulf Coast. The Dutch and Mexican Navies, have sent ships to assist joint U.S. military forces in the area. The Navy's involvement in the humanitarian assistance operation is being lead by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in conjunction with the Department of Defense. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Photographer’s Mate Airman Jeremy L. Grisham)

HNLMS Van Amstel (F831)

The Dutch Navy frigate Van Amstel (F 831) conducts operations near the coast of Biloxi, Mississippi as part of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. The Dutch Navy flew medical personnel ashore from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) to help the victims of the hurricane. The Navy's involvement in the Hurricane Katrina humanitarian assistance operations is led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in conjunction with the Department of Defense. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Photographer's Mate Airman Pedro A. Rodriguez)

HNLMS Tromp (F803)

The Royal Netherlands Navy ship, HNLMS Tromp (F803), arrives at Naval Station Pearl Harbor. The Air Defense and Command Frigate has a crew of approximately 170. The crew is scheduled to participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial and visit various sites throughout Oahu. It is scheduled to sail back to the Netherlands following a circumnavigation around the world. This is the first Dutch navy ship to visit Hawaii in more than 50 years. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Chief Mass Communication Specialist David Rush)