HMAS Toowoomba returns from seven months of operations

TOOWOOMBA’S Lauren Birch is back on dry land, after spending seven months at sea onboard the HMAS Toowoomba.

HMAS Toowoomba departed Fleet Base East for a three month deployment to South East Asia.The helicopter frigate will participate in exercises with foreign navies and regional engagement including Malaysia, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea and Singapore. . Picture: ABIS Steven Thomson

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TOOWOOMBA'S Lauren Birch is back on dry land, after spending seven months at sea onboard the HMAS Toowoomba - the second Royal Australian Navy vessel to be named after the Garden City.

HMAS Toowoomba recently returned to its home port of Fleet Base West, Rockingham, Western Australia, after the ship's longest deployment to date, successfully contributing to seven Task Groups in as many months.

On board for the seven months deployment was Toowoomba-born Petty Officer Maritime Logistics-Personnel Operations Lauren Birch.

Excited to be back and seeing her family, she reflected on the past seven months at sea.

"I joined the navy to see the world, and I definitely got to see quite a bit on this trip", Petty Officer Birch said.

"Exercise (Rim of the Pacific) our visit to Hawaii were some of my favourite experiences in my 13-year Navy career so far".

In her current role, Petty Officer Birch has a variety of tasks to fulfil on a daily basis.

"As the Personnel Officer on board Toowoomba, I manage the ships office as well as the pay and accounts office," she said

"Additionally, I am the Commanding Officer secretary.

"While lots of my tasks are of administrative nature, I am also involved in damage control and the medical training of the ship's company."

With such a diverse role Petty Officer Birch values learning new skills and meeting interesting people.

"I love getting out and about, doing different jobs and getting presented with a variety of interesting opportunities in my career", she said.

But for the next few weeks her days will be getting a little quieter and her focus will be shifting.

"I am looking forward to spending some time with my husband and three year old daughter and having some time to race our sail boat," she said.

While on her seven months deployment, Toowoomba participated in a series of exercises, international engagements and training activities, including Exercise Ocean Explorer, the Principal Warfare Officer Assessment Week, South East Asian deployment, Exercise Bersama Shield, Indo-Pacific Endeavour and Exercise RIMPAC in Hawaii, where the ship successfully conducted multiple weapons and missile firings.

The ship's company will now enjoy well-earned leave before returning to Toowoomba, alongside Fleet Base West for routine maintenance.

Originally published as HMAS Toowoomba returns from seven months of operations