Australian frigate leaves for six months' duty in the Gulf

SYDNEY (AFP) Jul 14, 2003
Guided missile frigate HMAS Newcastle left Sydney on Monday for a six-month tour of duty policing the Persian Gulf and supporting the reconstruction of Iraq, navy officials said.

The Newcastle will be Australia's only naval presence in the Gulf with transport vessel HMAS Kanimbla returning to Sydney on Thursday after serving Australian troops during the war with Iraq.

"The war is over but the job has got a long, long way to go," said Rear Admiral Raydon Gates, Australia's maritime commander who farewelled the troops at Sydney Garden Island docks.

"The danger's certainly eased, but the danger has not disappeared."

Australia contributed around 2,000 troops to the US-led war against Iraq.

WAR.WIRE