DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
MSPA 410/08
Saturday, 20 December 2008
CHIEF OF NAVY VISITS OPERATION RESOLUTE
Australian Navy personnel serving on OP RESOLUTE are being paid a Christmas
visit by Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane, AM, CSM, RAN.
There are eight Navy patrol boats assigned to OP RESOLUTE, plus one ready to
move at reduced notice. OP RESOLUTE is a tri-service operation, protecting
Australian waters from unathorised boat arrivals and illegal fishing activities.
“As most Australians enjoy time with their families this holiday period, for many
Navy members it is business as usual,” Vice Admiral Crane said.
“I am keen to make them aware of how much both I and other Australians appreciate
their commitment.”
Also travelling with Chief of Navy is the Navy’s most senior sailor, Warrant Officer
of the Navy Mark Tandy.
“This is my first visit to Darwin since taking on the role of Warrant Officer of the
Navy, and I am very pleased to be able to visit our personnel in the Top End,”
Warrant Officer Tandy said.
“Our people serving in Darwin are sometimes overlooked by the Australian public,
but the work they do is vital to the protection of the country they so proudly serve.”
The ADF has recently increased the forces assigned to OP RESOLUTE to provide an
enhanced surveillance and response capability. This is in response to several recent
incidents of unauthorised boat arrivals and illegal fishing activities in Australia’s
territorial waters.
One additional Armidale Class Patrol Boat has been assigned to the operation over
Christmas. A further patrol boat is on standby to move at reduced notice.
The Royal Australian Navy’s vessels work hand-in-hand with other Government
agencies. Each year they provide up to 3000 patrol days as part of Border Protection
Command’s national surveillance effort.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
