HMAS ‘Toowoomba’ is heading back to Australia after a tour of duty in the Middle East conducting operations under Operation Slipper.

During the six-month operational deployment, ‘Toowoomba’ disrupted Somali pirates off the Horn of Africa, as part of international counter-piracy operations in the region.

‘Toowoomba’ also contributed to the Maritime Security and Counter-Terrorist Operations in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Australian boarding parties searched suspect vessels for illegal cargo, including drugs and weapons.

HMAS ‘Toowoomba’ is expected back in her home port in Western Australia in early December.

Operation Slipper is Australia’s military contribution to international campaigns against terrorism, countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and maritime security.