Operational History
On 25 December 1966, while operating as part of the Far East Strategic Reserve, Stuart was the first ship to fly the Australian White Ensign. The Australian White Ensign did not officially replace the British White Ensign as the ensign flown by RAN ships until 1 March 1967.
From late 1968 until 1969, Stuart was designated Flagship of the RAN, while the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne underwent a major refit.
In 1970, she carried out escort duties for the Royal Yacht Britannia during the visit to Australia by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Following the destruction of Darwin by Cyclone Tracy in December 1974, Stuart was one of thirteen RAN ships deployed as part of the humanitarian aid mission Operation Navy Help Darwin. Stuart sailed from Sydney on 26 December.
Stuart, along with HMA Ships Hobart, Vampire, and Supply, visited the United States in 1976 for the nation's bicentennial celebrations.
In 1979, Stuart entered dock to undergo a half-life modernisation refit valued at A$50 million. This included upgrades to weapons and systems, reinforcement of the hull, and improvements to seakeeping and habitability. The main improvement was the installation of the Australian-developed Mulloka sonar system. An SPS-55 surface-search/navigation radar and a pair of Mk 32 triple torpedo tubes were also installed. Delays and cost increases meant that Stuart did not re-enter service until 1983.
In January 1984, Stuart became the first major RAN warship to be homeported at Fleet Base West in Western Australia.
In 1987 she returned to Sydney for a six month refit, followed by six months in the training squadron with HMAS Stalwart and HMAS Jervis Bay. In November 1988, she returned to Western Australia.
Stuart was originally intended to leave service in early 1990, but the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait saw Australia commit several Adelaide class frigates to the United States-led Coalition. Stuart was kept in service to perform the local defence duties of the deployed frigates.
Read more about this topic: HMAS Stuart (DE 48)
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