Middle East Region Rotation 67

Contributing to stable, rules-based global security is one of Australia's national objectives. Since 1990, the Royal Australian Navy has conducted maritime security operations in the Middle East Region, which remains strategically important to Australia's economic and trade interests.

HMAS Ballarat (II) departed her home port of Fleet Base West on 28 October 2018 to commence the ship’s deployment on Operation MANITOU. Ballarat is supporting international efforts to promote maritime security, stability and prosperity in the Middle East region. The ship is operating as part of the multi-national Combined Maritime Forces, predominately tasked to support Combined Task Force 150 for counter-terrorism and maritime security operations.

HMAS Ballarat sails through Cockburn Sound on her return to her home port of Fleet Base West, Western Australia, at the completion of a four month South East Asia deployment, in August 2017.