HMAS Warramunga (II)

HMAS Stirling recently hosted the harbour phase of Malaysia–Australia Exercise (MASTEX) 2026, bringing together Royal Australian Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy personnel for bilateral training in Western Australia.

Conducted from 14 to 20 April, MASTEX 2026 saw HMAS Warramunga and KD Lekir operate together during a week of activities aimed at strengthening cooperation, interoperability and shared understanding between the two navies.

Following the harbour phase at HMAS Stirling, the exercise progressed to sea‑based serials in the Western Australia Exercise Area, including ship handling, air warfare training, boarding activities and joint safety drills.

MASTEX continues a long‑standing Australia–Malaysia defence relationship and reinforces a shared commitment to regional stability and professional maritime operations.

HMAS Warramunga (II)

Trail Blazer Ends Career at Sea

After 37 years of service, HMAS Warramunga’s Command Warrant Officer Kathryn Holmes is preparing to retire, closing a career that helped shape generations of sailors.

WO Holmes was among the first female junior sailors to go to sea. She deployed on HMAS Canberra II and later sailed to the Middle East after 9/11, an experience she says forged friendships for life.

Across ships, shore establishments and multiple deployments, she built a reputation for honesty, accountability and unwavering support for her people.

Read more in the comments:

This morning HMAS Warramunga (II) returned home to after an over three month long regional presence deployment.

It was amazing to be welcomed back by friends, loved ones and fellow navy personnel!

Thank you to not only the ship's company for all your hard work but also thank you to their loved ones, who have shown their support from back home!

Bravo Zulu ship's company HMAS Warramunga!🫡

After two years working as a corrections officer in Western Australia, Leading Seaman Ryan Armstrong has returned to sea on with HMAS Warramunga.

He first joined Navy at 18 as an electronics technician, seeking a trade and a meaningful career. After deploying to the Middle East and welcoming his first child, he discharged in 2023 to focus on family life.

His time at Casuarina Prison was challenging and eye‑opening, but he soon found himself missing the camaraderie, purpose and teamwork of Navy life. After stepping away to be a stay‑at‑home dad and welcoming a second child, he re‑joined Navy in 2025.

Now serving as Warramunga’s 5‑inch gun maintainer, he’s back doing the work he loves alongside a crew that feels like home.

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Navy Chef Served Good Karma

A promise made more than 20 years ago has come full circle for maritime logistics chef Petty Officer Nandana Abeykoon.

In the early 2000s, Petty Officer Abeykoon migrated from Sri Lanka to Australia in search of opportunity and a way to support his family.

Guided by the Buddhist values he was raised with, he worked as a chef in Sydney and saved every dollar he earned for three months so he could send his mother to Bodhgaya, a pilgrimage site Petty Officer Abeykoon said his mother had dreamed of since childhood.

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On 12 April 2026, HMAS Warramunga arrived in Albany to take part in PortFest, marking the Port of Albany’s 200 year contribution to Western Australia.

Established in 1826 as Western Australia’s first port, Albany later became the departure point for the first ANZAC convoys in November 1914, underscoring the Royal Australian Navy’s long connection to the historic deep-water port and its place in the ANZAC story.

The open day offered the community a rare chance to see an ANZAC class frigate up close and meet the sailors who serve Australia, reinforcing the importance of community engagement in strengthening understanding of the Navy’s role and why it matters.

Thanks for having us! Southern Ports

HMAS Warramunga recently returned to Australia after completing a regional presence deployment across the Indian Ocean.

Departing in late January, the ship participated in Exercise Milan and the International Fleet Review in India, conducted port visits to Singapore and Visakhapatnam, and sailed more than 12,000 nautical miles.

Have a look at some of our highlights here:

https://youtu.be/cz5bQM86vdw?si=Owqj45TQPLgalYbZ

📷 LSIS Abdus Chowdhury

ADF | HMAS Warramunga completes Regional Presence Deployment The Royal Australian Navy is undertaking an Indo-Pacific Regional Presence Deployment throughout South and Southeast Asia. During the deployment, HMAS Warram...