Headquarters Northern Command News

Three stranded mariners adrift in the Torres Straight have been rescued thanks to the crew of a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. Following a request from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the Orion aircraft detected three occupants in a five meter fishing boat in the Torres Straight at approximately 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16. The boat was displaying an orange “V” distress signal. The Queensland Police were directed to the vessel's location, approximately 35 nautical miles North West of Moa Island. Squadron Leader Duncan Flemington, Air Surveillance Operations Officer at the Headquarters Northern Command in Darwin said the rescue demonstrates the AP-3C Orion's versatility in search and rescue missions.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, the Hon Darren Chester MP, made his first visit to the Headquarters Northern Command and HMAS Coonawarra, where he met with personnel and toured the Navy’s most northerly base. After a physical training session with personnel from AWARE One, Mr. Chester toured one of Navy’s 14 Armidale Class Patrol Boats and spent time speaking with personnel about the challenges of implementing the Government’s border protection policy. During…