Operational History
In January 1973, the Balikpapans in RAN service were formed together as the First Australian Landing Craft Squadron, based at HMAS Moreton in Brisbane.
In November 1974, Salamaua and Buna were transferred to the fledgling Papua New Guinea Defence Force, along with five Attack class patrol boats.
HMAS Labuan was assigned to the Royal Australian Navy Reserve in June 1979, and attached to the Brisbane Port Division. Three LCHs, Tarakan, Balikpapan, and Wewak were placed in reserve at NQEA in Cairns during August and September 1985. They were reactivated in 1988, 1990, and 2000, respectively.
On entering service, Brunei and Betano initially supplemented the inshore hydrographic survey capabilities of the RAN until late 1988, when they were reassigned to the naval base HMAS Waterhen for use in diver training.
The six Australian vessels are active as amphibious warfare ships in the RAN as of 2011. Four vessels are based at HMAS Cairns in Cairns, Queensland, with the other two at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, Northern Territory.
Read more about this topic: Balikpapan Class Landing Craft Heavy
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