02/14/2015: HMAS Melbourne deployed to the Middle East Region for Operation Manitou, Australia’s contribution to the US-led multi-national Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) on 9 August 2015.
In her seven-month deployment, Melbourne made a significant impact on drug trafficking and enhanced maritime security in the region, seizing nearly one tonne of illegal narcotics from five successful boardings while in the region.
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) is a multi-national military partnership, presently comprising 30 nations, which exists to promote security, stability and prosperity across approximately 2.5 million square miles of international waters, encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
This is Melbourne’s eighth deployment to the region and the 61st for the Royal Australian Navy since the Gulf War in 1991.
Melbourne will be replaced by sister-ship HMAS Darwin.
Darwin departed Sydney for her deployment to the Middle East region on 30 December 2015.
Credit: Australian Ministry of Defense:2/10/16