HMNZS Te Mana Returns From Operation ENDURING Freedom

New Zealand Defence Force Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa Media release Tuesday, 7 September 2004

HMNZS Te Mana Returns From Operation ENDURING Freedom

The Royal New Zealand Navy frigate, HMNZS TE MANA will berth at the Devonport Naval Base at 1:00 pm on Friday September 10, 2004 following a seven and a half month deployment to the Middle East to support OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.

Media are invited to Devonport Naval Base for the ship's arrival. Programme of events for Friday September 10, 2004:

11:15 am Base open to families and media

11:45 pm Light luncheon for families and friends at Devonport Naval Base

1:00 pm Te Mana berths at Devonport Naval Base

Ends

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Navy Frigate Deployment to Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman

The Royal New Zealand Navy ANZAC frigate HMNZS TE MANA, with 174 Officers and Ratings onboard, deployed to the Middle East on Wednesday 7 April 2004 from Fremantle, Western Australia. TE MANA has been away from NZ for seven and a half months.

Background

TE MANA undertook Maritime Interdiction Operations in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman; in support of the multinational campaign against trans-national terrorism, know as Operation Enduring Freedom. Operations were directed at stopping the movement by sea of Al Qa'eda and Taliban elements and the illegal trade used to support terrorism.

TE MANA was supporting the Government of New Zealand's public declarations and diplomatic efforts concerning the RNZN participation in Operation Enduring Freedom. It demonstrated the Navy's interoperability with multinational coalition forces and highlighted the Navy's ability to play an appropriate role in New Zealand's commitment to security and international relations.

Key Points

Previous RNZN Deployments to Operation ENDURING FREEDOM

TE KAHA 27 November 2002 to 27 March 2003 Middle East

TE MANA 28 January 2003 to 4 August 2003 Middle East

TE MANA Current deployment stats.

a. Total days in area of operation: 126

b. Days on station at sea: 98

c. Ship queries conducted: 380

d. Boarding's conducted: 38

On returning to NZ, Te Mana's ships company will go on leave and the ship will go into a planned maintenance period.

ENDS

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