For the 240-strong crew of HMAS Sydney, Friday August 1 wasn't just the end of the week - it was the long-awaited return home after four-and-a-half months at sea.
Sailing into Fleet Base East in Sydney Harbour, the air warfare destroyer wrapped up a successful regional presence deployment across the Indo-Pacific region, strengthening Australia's security partnerships and reinforcing the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) role in the region.
Over the course of the deployment, Sydney participated in multiple exercises and operations with international partners including Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The destroyer visited Japan, Singapore, the Philippines and the Republic of Korea during the deployment, reinforcing Navy's long-standing commitment to maintaining strong ties and mutual cooperation, and solidifying Australia's role as a reliable security partner in the region.
The ship worked with the Australian Army during Exercise Bersama Shield 25 in Malaysia, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in Exercise Nichi Gou Trident, enforced United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea during Operation Argos, and sailed with British, Norwegian and Spanish ships as part of the United Kingdom's Operation Highmast.
During Exercise Talisman Sabre 25, Sydney was the only Australian warship that sailed as part of the double-carrier formation with the UK Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, and the US Navy's George Washington Carrier Strike Group.
During the exercise, Sydney became the first RAN destroyer to command more than 30 air assets at sea.
'It's been a chance to showcase what we can do and we've proved Sydney is the ship that can do it all.'
Commanding Officer Sydney, Commander Ben Weller, praised the crew's hard work.
"We covered an impressive 28,264 nautical miles since leaving in March, with a mission to bolster regional security and enhance our interoperability with international friends and partners," Commander Weller said.
"It's been a chance to showcase what we can do and we've proved Sydney is the ship that can do it all; we are 'Thorough and Ready'.
"Our work with international navies highlights the closeness of our alliance and strength of our enduring military relationships, and has been reassuring to know we're never alone at sea."
The deployment included some meaningful moments for the crew.
They commemorated Anzac Day at sea, celebrated Mother's Day from afar, and marked Sydney's fifth anniversary since its commissioning.
In the final week, the crew offloaded the weapons and ammunition and enjoyed some lighter moments such as trivia, a seafood buffet and a Sunday Sea complete with a SWIMEX in crystal blue waters and Triple j's Hottest 100 in the beautifully warm Whitsundays' sun.
Morale was high as the ship sailed into Fleet Base East, in the crisp sprinkle of Sydney's winter weather, where more than 400 friends and family waited patiently on the wharf for their loved ones' return.
The return to Sydney marks the end of the fast-paced deployment, which wouldn't be possible without the support of those at home.
"There's nothing better than seeing the signs and cheers of our loved ones on the wharf," Commander Weller said.
"While not everyone can be in Sydney to welcome us home, we've felt their constant support along the way. The sacrifices they've made so we could complete our mission don't go unnoticed - we thank them for their service too."
Sydney will now be transitioning into a maintenance period in the dry dock, while the crew enjoy some well-deserved respite.
