Arunta home after long Mideast mission
HMAS Arunta has been welcomed home after completing the longest Middle East deployment by a Royal Australian Navy vessel since 1990.
The frigate and its 191 personnel docked at Garden Island in Perth's south on Sunday as family members waved and wept tears of joy.
During a nine-month deployment conducting counter-terrorism and maritime security operations, the crew intercepted 800kg of hashish and more than 500kg of heroin, denting terrorist funding lines, Commander Cameron Steil said.
The illegal narcotics had street value of more than $186 million, according to Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission figures.
"We covered a lot of ocean and we are pleased to be home," Cdr Steil said.
"Since departing in November last year, we have travelled more than 49,000 nautical miles, equivalent to 2.5 times around the world."
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