Heavy Landing Craft (LCH) : HMAS Betano L-130, HMAS Balikpapan L-126, HMAS Wewak L-133 (photo : Aus DoD)
Goodbye to
LCH as amphibious capability grows
HMA
Ships Balikpapan, Betano and Wewak will
be decommissioned in December after almost four decades of service.
While the
ships continue to provide excellent service, Navy will transition from the
existing Fleet as its new amphibious capabilities grow.
CN VADM
Ray Griggs said
in a signal to all Navy personnel
that the decommissioning of Balik papan, Betano and
Wewak would be followed by the paying off of HMA Ships Brunei, Labuan and
Tarakan by the end of 2014.
“Many of us
have had the privilege of serving in a shoebox,” he said.
“I
congratulate all personnel both, uniformed and civilian, who have operated and
maintained these wonderful amphibious work horses for almost four decades.
“Their
operational service record is virtually unparalleled and, unfortunately, mostly
unheralded.”
Commander
Australian Amphibious Task Group CAPT Ray Leggatt said their operational
record, particularly during the past 20 years covering operations in
Bougainville, East Timor and Solomon Islands, had been outstanding.
“Their
performance has been exemplary as indicated by the granting of a meritorious
unit citation for the LCH group for operations in East Timor during the
INTERFET intervention during 1999-2000,” he said.
“They have
laid a great foundation as we transition from the existing Fleet and grow our
new amphibious capabilities.”
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