For me, the landlubber author who spent a fortnight on the ship in the Indian Ocean as it pursued and caught drug smugglers on the ‘smack track’, the welcome at the top of the ship’s ladder is like reuniting with old friends. There are warm greetings all around and the mood on board is much more buoyant than it was in Dar es Salaam – the crew can almost smell home. First stop is the captain’s cabin for a cuppa with Commander Phill Henry and a quick update before climbing down to the chiefs’ mess to prepare for my final night on board.
Great news. There has been a ‘promotion’ for me and a move up the night-time pecking order, which means shifting down from the top rack to a more accessible middle rack for the last sleep on board.
Excitement builds, but ship life goes on as the crew undertake their duties with growing smiles. I join Marine Engineering Officer Trevor Henderson and Chief Ty ‘Sparrow’ Davis on the forecastle supervising an engineering team who are trying to repair a faulty capstan on the anchor. The men and women work hard as the sun dips below the Great Dividing Range above the pure white sands of Jervis Bay and the temperature begins to drop. The skipper will be reluctant to leave the shelter of the bay without a fully functioning anchor system.
Soon after dark, the warship is ready to sail. She weighs anchor and slowly steams out of Jervis Bay and past Point Perpendicular for the steady cruise up to Sydney in choppy seas. The crew spends this final leg tidying up and packing their personal gear in advance of tomorrow’s homecoming. For those operating the vessel it is business as usual as preparations are made for the arrival in Sydney Harbour. For navigator Lieutenant Scott Benstead that means plotting the complex course along the busy harbour to the main wharf at Fleet Base East.
Sunday, 17 July 2016 dawns overcast and cool as Darwin makes her final turn for home off the New South Wales Central Coast, to arrive in Sydney right on time for the official welcome.
Even the chefos take the morning off so the routine hot breakfast is replaced by coffee and toast in the chiefs’ mess. No one is thinking about food as, dressed in their formal winter uniforms called the ‘W2s’, they are busy shifting luggage between decks in preparation for a speedy escape at Garden Island.
As we pass Broken Bay, the skipper conducts a TV interview on the starboard bridge wing before a final pipe to remind the crew of their great achievements and to ask them to spare a thought for their deceased shipmate, Leading Seaman Cameron Acreman.
The city skyline is shrouded in fog as the warship turns into Sydney Harbour and slows for the transit to Fleet Base East. After passing the HMAS Sydney 1 memorial mast on Bradleys Head where the traditional ‘still’ (call to attention by the bosun’s whistle) is piped and those on the upper decks stand to attention, the crew shifts as one across to the port side for the final run into the main wharf at Garden Island.
The smiles grow wider and the banter becomes more excited as all on board strain for that first glimpse of their loved ones. The ship edges into the wharf and the large crowd breaks into cheers, waving excitedly as they spot their husband, wife, brother, sister, son or daughter lining the ship’s rail.
‘Welcome Home Goonga’ reads one of the biggest banners as Chief Andrew ‘Goonga’ Sims waves to his wife and kids. Children with balloons, pet dogs and even a group of mates wearing panda bear masks add to the carnival atmosphere as Darwin finally ties up and everyone gets ready for that first wonderful hug.
Before the long-awaited lunge down the gangway into the loving arms of families and friends there are some formalities to be endured. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Deputy Opposition leader Tanya Plibersek and the Chief of Navy Vice-Admiral Tim Barrett wait patiently for the troublesome gangplank to fit into place.
Having marched off the ship and saluted the PM, Commander Henry can finally embrace his wife Adele, kids Samuel and Brodie and stepkids Lachlan and Kiele. The family will soon embark on a ‘busman’s holiday’ – a two-week pleasure cruise around New Zealand with several thousand other holidaymakers. You can bet that Phill Henry will spend very little of that time alone in his cabin.
There is a surge of bodies ashore and the emotion on the wharf is palpable as a seven-month separation ends in a whirl of hugs, kisses, laughter and tears.
Six weeks later the crew is back on board as Darwin prepares for another month at sea – including a trans-Tasman visit – before a stint on emergency callout duty during the festive season. She is on hand to assist with disaster relief when a destructive earthquake hits near Christchurch in November. There is little rest for the reliable workhorse as she prepares for her scheduled retirement in late 2017 following another busy twelve months around Australia and beyond.
Bringing his ship back into Sydney was a bittersweet moment for Phill Henry. Before disembarking he sat alone in his cabin taking an emotional moment to reflect on the fact that he was not returning with all of his sailors. The loss of chefo Cameron Acreman in the port of Muscat hit the whole ship hard, but for the man in charge it was a life-altering experience.
The memory of the sailor’s untimely death came flooding back to him as he prepared to go ashore to meet the VIPs and then his family.
‘Grief can hit at unexpected times and at that moment I felt I had failed because I did not bring everyone home,’ he says simply.
Through all of the ups and downs of the long deployment Henry had constantly reminded himself and those around him of his first ‘pipe’ as they departed from Sydney Harbour on 31 December 2015.
‘Sydney put on a beautiful day,’ he recalls. ‘We had a fantastic send off, the Prime Minister, Chief of Navy, Fleet Commander, local Member of Parliament and a thousand friends and family were there.’
After they sailed, he had said to the ship’s company, ‘Remember this day, remember standing up there and looking back at all those people who are supporting you, because on your worst day away, they are there helping us do our job. If you could just capture that image and remember it, that’s going to help us while we’re away.’
Acknowledgements
This book would not have been written without the efforts of my wife, literary partner and editor extraordinaire Verona Burgess. My daughter Lucy and stepkids Dan and Jenna have been as supportive as ever.
Pup Elliott from the office of the Chief of Navy was a tireless advocate and went above and beyond on numerous occasions. Commander Geoff Fiedler, formerly of CN’s office, was also helpful and responsive.
A special thanks to the Chief of Navy, Vice-Admiral Tim Barrett, who has been right behind the project from the start as was his predecessor, Vice-Admiral Ray Griggs, who got the ball rolling.
Once again, the Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, was generous with his time and support.
I am greatly indebted to the commanding officer of HMAS Darwin, Commander Phill Henry, and the entire crew of the wonderful old warship for their hospitality and friendship during my stint on board on the ‘smack track’. Special thanks go to the Ship’s Warrant Officer Tim Brading, Chief Petty Officer ‘Swaino’ Denis McKenna and the other chiefs who welcomed me into their mess and transformed me into something of a shipmate.
The Maritime Logistics Officer, Lieutenant Commander Neil Krauklis, got me to the ship in Dar es Salaam on time and in one piece.
I am very grateful to everyone who was interviewed for the book for their time and generosity and I hope you enjoy the telling of your stories. A special thank you to Captain Terry Morrison, Captain Brian Schlegel and Commander Catherine Hayes.
Former navy officer James Lawless provided numerous contacts and crucial guidance, and ex-Admirals Chris Ritchie and Rob Walls were also very helpful.
Captain Mike McArthur and John Perryman at the RAN Sea Power Centre opened their doors and their files with great generosity.
Former AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty was helpful, as was the AFP national media team and Dr Mark Tahtouh from the Forensic Drug Intelligence Unit.
A sincere thank you to our wonderful
transcriber Sharon Horwell for her outstanding work.
Finally, to our publisher at Harper Collins, Catherine Milne, editor Nicola Robinson and the team, thank you for getting book number six off the ground and for your ongoing support of Australian authors.
Appendix
RAN Middle East deployments 1990–2017
Operation Damask 1 (warlike)
August to December 1990: Her Majesty’s Australian Ships Adelaide, Darwin and Success
Operation Damask 2
November 1990 to April 1991: HMA Ships Brisbane and Sydney
Operation Damask 3
April 1991 to October 1991: HMAS Darwin
Operation Damask 4
September 1991 to February 1992: HMAS Sydney
Operation Damask 5
February 1992 to August 1992: HMAS Darwin
Operation Damask 6
September 1992 to April 1993: HMAS Canberra
Operation Damask 7
June 1993 to December 1993: HMAS Sydney
Operation Damask 8
April 1996 to September 1996: HMAS Melbourne
Operation Damask 9
April 1999 to September 1999: HMAS Melbourne
Operation Damask 10
June 2001 to November 2001: HMAS Anzac
Operation Slipper 1 (warlike)
October 2001 to March 2002: HMA Ships Sydney, Kanimbla and Adelaide
Operation Slipper 2
March 2002 to June 2002: HMA Ships Newcastle, Manoora and Canberra
Operation Slipper 3
May 2002 to November 2002: HMA Ships Melbourne and Arunta
Operation Slipper 4
October 2003 to May 2003: HMA Ships Anzac and Darwin
Operation Bastille
December 2002 to April 2003: HMAS Kanimbla
Australian Clearance Diving Team 3
January 2003 to May 2003
Operation Slipper 5
April 2003 to August 2003: HMAS Sydney (fifth MEAO deployment)
May 2003 to November 2003: HMAS Manoora
Operation Slipper 6
July 2003 to December 2003: HMAS Newcastle
Operation Slipper 7
October 2003 to April 2004: HMAS Melbourne
Operation Slipper 8
March 2004 to September 2004: HMAS Stuart
Operation Slipper 9
July 2004 to January 2005: HMAS Adelaide
Operation Slipper 10
December 2004 to June 2005: HMAS Darwin
Al Muthanna Task Group
April 2005 to June 2005 and December 2006 to January 2007: HMAS Tobruk
Operation Slipper 11
May 2005 to November 2005: HMAS Newcastle
Operation Slipper 12
October 2005 to April 2006: HMAS Parramatta
Operation Slipper 13
March 2006 to August 2006: HMAS Ballarat
Operation Slipper 14
July 2006 to January 2007: HMAS Warramunga
Operation Slipper 15
January 2007 to July 2007: HMAS Toowoomba
Operation Slipper 16
June 2007 to December 2007: HMAS Anzac
Operation Slipper 17
November 2007 to May 2008: HMAS Arunta
Operation Slipper 18
March 2008 to September 2008: HMAS Stuart
Operation Slipper 19
August 2008 to February 2009: HMAS Parramatta
Operation Slipper 20
January 2009 to July 2009: HMAS Warramunga
Operation Slipper 21
June 2009 to December 2009: HMAS Toowoomba
Operation Slipper 22
October 2009 to April 2010: HMAS Stuart
Operation Slipper 23
March 2010 to September 2010: HMAS Parramatta (fourth MEAO deployment)
Operation Slipper 24
August 2010 to February 2011: HMAS Melbourne
Operation Slipper 25
December 2010 to June 2011: HMAS Stuart (fourth MEAO deployment)
Operation Slipper 26
May 2011 to November 2011: HMAS Toowoomba
Operation Slipper 27
September 2011 to March 2012: HMAS Parramatta (fourth MEAO deployment)
Operation Slipper 28
February 2012 to August 2012: HMAS Melbourne
Operation Slipper 29
July 2012 to January 2013: HMAS Anzac (fourth MEAO deployment)
Operation Slipper 30
December 2012 to June 2013: HMAS Toowoomba
Operation Slipper 31
April 2013 to October 2013: HMAS Newcastle
Operation Slipper 32
August 2013 to March 2014: HMAS Melbourne
Operation Slipper 33
January 2014 to August 2014: HMAS Darwin
Operation Manitou 1 (non-warlike)
August 2014 to December 2014: HMAS Toowoomba (fifth MEAO deployment)
Operation Manitou 2
November 2014 to June 2015: HMAS Success
Operation Manitou 3
April 2015 to September 2015: HMAS Newcastle
Operation Manitou 4
August 2015 to February 2016: HMAS Melbourne (seventh MEAO deployment).
Operation Manitou 5
December 2015 to July 2016: HMAS Darwin (seventh MEAO deployment)
Operation Manitou 6
June 2016 to November 2016: HMAS Perth
Operation Manitou 7
December 2016 to August 2017: HMAS Arunta
Operation Manitou 8
September 2017 to May 2018: HMAS Newcastle (sixth deployment)
Photos Section
A bird’s-eye view of the guided missile frigate HMAS Darwin on patrol in the Indian Ocean in June 2016, taken from the ship’s Seahawk helicopter ‘Orko’. PHOTO IAN MCPHEDRAN
The navy’s Middle East Area of Operations covers a vast slice of the Indian Ocean. IMAGE ADF
Then Petty Officer Andrew Keitley leading a boarding operation in the Gulf in 2004. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM). PHOTO ADF
Navy clearance diver and enhanced boarding team leader Lieutenant Jace Hutchison (left) during a training mission on board HMAS Toowoomba in the Gulf in 2009. PHOTO ADF
Never before published photo of Somali pirates swarming onto a beach in heavily armed ‘technical’ vehicles after their comrades were landed ashore from the RAN guided missile frigate HMAS Melbourne in October 2014. PHOTO ADF
These Iranian fishermen were rescued by HMAS Darwin five days after their boat sank in a collision in March 2014. They were adrift on makeshift rafts and cut-down plastic containers. PHOTO ADF
Previously unpublished photo of high-speed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy skiff, with a heavy machine gun mounted on the bow, harassing Australian navy sailors. PHOTO ADF
High-speed skiffs from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, armed with machine guns and rocket launchers. PHOTO ADF
Boarding teams from HMAS Darwin prepare to board a suspect fishing dhow in the Indian Ocean. PHOTO ADF
Sailors from HMAS Darwin interviewing the crew of a large cargo dhow in the Arabian Sea. PHOTO ADF
A major haul of illicit drugs by HMAS Darwin during her 2014 deployment. PHOTO ADF
Australian sailors from HMAS Melbourne detain a group of Somali pirates off the African coast. PHOTO ADF
Commander Catherine Hayes ‘drives’ the Anzac frigate HMAS Toowoomba into a wharf from the bridge wing. PHOTO ADF
Before the invention of the ‘River Phoenix’ or ‘Garbinator’ drug disposal system the illicit powder was simply scattered over the side, placing sailors at risk of contamination. PHOTO ADF
The ‘River Phoenix’ heroin disposal system, developed by engineers on board HMAS Darwin after an officer was contaminated by heroin powder. PHOTO ADF
Illicit drugs found on board a fishing dhow test positive for heroin using the TruNarc tester. PHOTO ADF
Some of the thousands of weapons, including more than 2000 AK-47 assault rifles, uncovered
deep in the net hold of a fishing dhow by HMAS Darwin off the coast of Oman in February 2016. The haul weighed in at seven tonnes. PHOTO ADF
An Australian sailor from HMAS Darwin is dwarfed by dozens of bags of weapons in the net hold of a fishing dhow in February 2016. PHOTO ADF
Security personnel at the ready as HMAS Darwin departs from Dar es Salaam harbour in Tanzania on 16 May, 2016. PHOTO IAN MCPHEDRAN
A suspect fishing or jelbut dhow in heavy seas, seen from HMAS Darwin off the west coast of Africa in May 2016. PHOTO IAN MCPHEDRAN
US Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) agent Paul Lerza boards a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) from HMAS Darwin in rough seas off the African coast in May 2016. PHOTO IAN MCPHEDRAN
Commanding officer of HMAS Darwin, Commander Phill Henry, with the ship’s heroin haul in the Indian Ocean in May 2016. PHOTO IAN MCPHEDRAN
HMAS Darwin’s Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Tina Brown, oversees the disposal of illicit heroin in May 2016. PHOTO IAN MCPHEDRAN
Flight commander on board HMAS Darwin, Lieutenant Commander Kye Hayman, discusses the engine emergency with maintenance boss Chief Petty Officer Nathan Blanch. PHOTO IAN MCPHEDRAN
The chiefs in their mess on board HMAS Darwin on patrol in the Indian Ocean in May 2016. Left to right: Chief Petty Officers Darren ‘Swampy’ Marshall, Colin ‘Stores’ Benbow, Andrew ‘Goonga’ Sims, Nathan ‘Birdie’ Blanch, David ‘Bowie’ Bowden, Michael ‘Muz’ Murray, William ‘Eddy’ Edmondson, Robert ‘Turbo’ Pearson, Denis ‘Swaino’ McKenna, Joy Newman, Saul McLean, Ty ‘Sparrow’ Davis, Tim ‘SWO’ Brading and the veteran Nick Scarlett. PHOTO IAN MCPHEDRAN
A very happy group of officers with chaplain Richard Quadrio (second from left) as HMAS Darwin enters Sydney Heads. From left: Lieutenant Commanders Kye Hayman, Trevor Henderson and Chris Duke. PHOTO IAN MCPHEDRAN
The Smack Track Page 26