HMAS Stirling
| HMAS Stirling | |||||||||||
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Crest of HMAS Stirling | |||||||||||
| IATA: none – ICAO: YGAD | |||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Military | ||||||||||
| Operator | Royal Australian Navy | ||||||||||
| Location | Garden Island, Western Australia | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 30 ft / 9 m | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 32°14′30″S 115°41′00″E / 32.24167°S 115.68333°ECoordinates: 32°14′30″S 115°41′00″E / 32.24167°S 115.68333°E | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  YGAD Location in Western Australia | |||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
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HMAS Stirling (ICAO: YGAD) is the Royal Australian Navy's primary base on the west coast (Fleet Base West) of Australia. It is located on Garden Island in the state of Western Australia, near the city of Perth. Garden Island also has its own airport on the island (ICAO: YGAD). HMAS Stirling is currently under the command of Captain Brian Delamont, RAN.
History
HMAS Stirling is named after Admiral Sir James Stirling (28 January 1791 – 23 April 1865).[2] Stirling, a Royal Navy officer and colonial administrator, landed on Garden Island, Western Australia in 1827 and returned as commander of the barque Parmelia in June 1829 to establish and administer the Swan River Colony in Western Australia. He was the first Governor of Western Australia (1828–38).[3]
The planning of Stirling began in 1969 when, after it was decided to create the Two-Ocean Policy, a feasibility study into the use of Garden Island as a naval base was begun. The 4.3 km (2.7 mi) causeway linking the island with the mainland was completed in June 1973. Construction of the wharves and workshops began in early 1973 and accommodation in 1975 with the facility, including the new Fleet Base West, being formally commissioned on 28 July 1978.[4]
The first major unit to call Fleet Base West home was HMAS Stuart, having first been assigned to Stirling in 1984 for several years and, after refitting in the east, again in 1988 until decommissioning in 1991. The first submarine to be based at Stirling was HMAS Oxley in 1987. Later, the headquarters of the Australian Submarine Squadron was relocated there in 1994.[2]
Stirling has expanded significantly within its existing boundaries and is the largest of the RAN's shore establishment, with a base population of approximately 2,300 service personnel, 600 defence civilians and 500 contractors. Amenities included berthing and wharves, vessel repair and refit services, a ship-lift, and a helicopter support facility, as well as medical facilities, fuel storage and accommodation. The base also hosts the Submarine Escape Training Facility – one of only six in the world and the only one in the Southern Hemisphere.[2]
Garden Island
Garden Island is 10 km (6.2 mi) in length, 1.5 km (0.93 mi) wide, and is 13 km2 (5.0 sq mi) in area, with Stirling occupying approximately 28% of that area. The remaining portion of the Island is nature reserve, the navy has been active in the removal of introduced flora and fauna species. The island has its own quarantine conditions, which prohibit bringing of plants and animals to the island.[5]
Ships stationed
Stirling is home port to 12 fleet units, including five Anzac class frigates, all six of the Collins class submarines operated by the Royal Australian Navy Submarine Service, and a replenishment vessel.[2]
Anzac class Frigate[2]
Collins class Submarine[2]
Replenishment[2]
See also
- List of airports in Western Australia
- CETO Perth Wave Energy Project
References
- ↑ YGAD – Garden Island (PDF). AIP En Route Supplement from Airservices Australia, effective 10 November 2016
- ↑ Crowley, F.K. (1967). "Stirling, Sir James (1791–1865)". Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 2. Carlton, Victoria: Melbourne University Press. OCLC 768976880.
- ↑ "HMAS Stirling". Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
- ↑ "Defence Environmental Management".
External links
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