THE FLAGSHIP

HMAS Manoora Flagship for Australia Day 2007

Flagship for the 171^st Australia Day Regatta on Friday, 26 January 2007 will now be HMAS Manoora,  replacing HMAS Newcastle which has been deployed by the Royal Australian Navy for seagoing duties.

Captain of the ship is Commander Charles McHardie who took command in April last year after various roles with the RAN, including Executive Officer of HMAS Sydney when the ship was twice deployed to the Middle East.

HMAS Manoora was built for the United States Navy as the USS Fairfax County and commissioned into the RAN in November 1994. She has undergone extensive modifications for her new role as a helicopter capable amphibious transport ship.

Manoora's primary role is to transport, lodge ashore and support an Army contingent of up to 450 troops, their vehicles and equipment. Manoora is fitted with a helicopter hangar capable of supporting up to four Army Black Hawk or three Navy Sea King helicopters. Army landing craft can also be carried on the forward flight deck to provide ship-to-shore transport.

The ship has operations and planning rooms and a comprehensive array of communications equipment to support joint amphibious operations. Manoora is fitted with the largest and most comprehensive medical facilities in the fleet, with a 40-bed hospital incorporating full surgical and recovery facilities.

Manoora is the second RAN ship to carry the name. The first was a former coastal passenger ship requisitioned during World War I I . Manoora I was active throughout the Pacific Theatre seeing extensive action, including the landings at Morotai, Leyte Gulf, Lingayen Gulf, Tarakan , Brunei Bay and Balikpapan.