HMAS Stirling

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HMAS Stirling is a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) base that is part of Fleet Base West situated on the west coast of Australia, on the Indian Ocean. The base is located on Garden Island in the state of Western Australia, near the city of Perth. Garden Island also has its own military airport on the island (Template:Comma separated entries). HMAS Stirling is currently under the command of Captain Ken Burleigh, RAN

History

HMAS Stirling is named after Admiral Sir James Stirling (28 January 1791 – 23 April 1865).[1] Stirling, a Royal Navy officer and colonial administrator, landed on Garden Island, Western Australia in 1827 and returned as commander of the barque Parmelia in June 1829 to establish and administer the Swan River Colony in Western Australia. He was the first Governor of Western Australia, serving between 1828 and 1838.[2]

The planning of Stirling began in 1969 when, after it was decided to create the Two-Ocean Policy, a feasibility study into the use of Garden Island as a naval base was begun. The Template:Convert causeway linking the island with the mainland was completed in June 1973. Construction of the wharves and workshops began in early 1973 and accommodation in 1975 with the facility, including the new Fleet Base West, being formally commissioned on 28 July 1978.[3]

The first major unit to call Fleet Base West home was HMAS Stuart, having first been assigned to Stirling in 1984 for several years and, after refitting in the east, again in 1988 until decommissioning in 1991. The first submarine to be based at Stirling was HMAS Oxley in 1987. Later, the headquarters of the Australian Submarine Squadron was relocated there in 1994.[1]

Stirling has expanded significantly within its existing boundaries and is the largest of the RAN's shore establishment, with a base population of approximately 2,300 service personnel, 600 defence civilians and 500 contractors. Amenities included berthing and wharves, vessel repair and refit services, a ship-lift, and a helicopter support facility, as well as medical facilities, fuel storage and accommodation. The base also hosts the Submarine Escape Training Facility – one of only six in the world and the only one in the Southern Hemisphere.[1]

Garden Island

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Submarine Rotational Forces

File:USS Emory S. Land (AS-39) and USS Hawaii (SSN-776) at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia, August 2024 09.jpg
The USS Emory S. Land (AS-39) and USS Hawaii (SSN-776) at HMAS Stirling in August 2024

In March 2023, the US, UK and Australia announced, as part the AUKUS security partnership, the Submarine Rotational Forces-West (SRF-W) initiative whereby the US and UK would maintain a permanent rotational presence of nuclear-powered submarines at the base. Under the AUKUS partnership, US and UK submarines will visit Stirling' more frequently and remain for longer. Australia's nuclear-propelled submarines will be based at Stirling from the early 2030s.[5][6]

Vessel Class Date Country
HMS Astute Astute-class submarine October 2021 United Kingdom[7]
USS North Carolina Virginia-class submarine August 2023 United States[8]
USS Annapolis Virginia-class submarine March 2024 United States[8]
USS Emory S. Land Emory S. Land-class submarine tender August 2024 United States[8][9]
USS Hawaii Virginia-class submarine August – September 2024 United States[10][8]
USS Minnesota Virginia-class submarine February – March 2025 United States[8]

Ships stationed

File:HMAS Sheean 01 gnangarra.jpg
HMAS Sheean (front left), HMAS Collins (front right), HMAS Sirius (back left) and ex-HMAS Westralia at HMAS Stirling in 2006

Stirling is home port to 10 fleet units, including four Anzac class frigates, all six of the Collins class submarines operated by the Royal Australian Navy Submarine Service, and a replenishment vessel.[1][3] Template:Columns-list

See also

References

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External links

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