On This Day
1976-1999 > Post Vietnam
On This Day - 1976-1999
- January 15, 1979
The RAN Staff College was officially opened at HMAS PENGUIN, Sydney, under the command of CAPT N. Ralph, AM, DSC, RAN. Prior to this all RAN officers undergoing staff training had undertaken the RN course in the United Kingdom, or other overseas courses. When the college was closed in 2000, (following creation of the Tri-Service Australian Command and Staff College in Canberra), it had trained over 1000 officers for staff duties, (including Army and RAAF officers, as well as 162 foreign students).
- January 5, 1979
HMAS HOBART, (guided missile destroyer), was dispatched on a 3000 nautical mile mercy dash to Heard Island to evacuate a seriously ill biologist.
- December 1, 1978
HMAS CANBERRA, (guided missile frigate), was launched at Seattle, USA.
- October 1, 1978
Female Officers of the WRANS were granted equal pay with their male counterparts.
- July 28, 1978
HMAS STIRLING, (shore establishment in Western Australia), commissioned. Located at Garden Island WA,. near the town of Rockingham, the base is often referred to as Fleet Base West.
- July 1, 1978
HMAS VENDETTA, (destroyer), represented Australia at the Solomon Island Independence Day celebrations, at Honiara.
- June 21, 1978
HMAS ADELAIDE, (guided missile frigate), was launched at Seattle, USA.
- May 8, 1978
RADM G. J. Willis, AO, was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Her Majesty’s Australian Fleet.
- April 27, 1978
The Oberon class submarine HMAS OTAMA, was commissioned. OTAMA was laid down at Scott’s Yard, Greenock, Scotland, on 28 May 1973, and launched on 3 December 1975. HRH Princess Anne performed the launching ceremony. OTAMA was the last of six Oberon class submarines built for the RAN.
- April 21, 1978
CDRE Sir James Ramsay, became the first officer of the RAN to be knighted twice. CDRE Ramsay, a Knight Bachelor and Governor of WA, was created a KCMG.