The Commanding Officer of HMAS Rankin, Commander Doug Theobald, RAN gives helm orders as HMAS Rankin approaches Diamantina Pier, as the submarine returns to Fleet Base West after a nine month deployment. *** Local Caption *** As the Royal Australian Navy Band Western Australia played, Collins Class Submarine, HMAS Rankin, was greeted by family and members of the Submarine Community as she returned to her home port at Fleet Base West (FBW), Rockingham W.A, after an extended nine month deployment away.
Rankin departed FBW in September 2015, and has participated in numerous deployments including visits in North East Asia, as well as operating out of Fleet Base East for an extended duration.
This is a milestone homecoming for the submarine and there was a significant interest in the event with the majority of the Submarine Force attending to greet the Submarine and its crew, including Commander Submarine Force, Captain Matthew Buckley, RAN, and the Chief of Staff – Fleet Command, Commodore Luke Charles-Jones.