Providing an excellent opportunity to see some of the Royal Australian Navy’s ships up close, Fleet Base East Open Day 2024 was held on 25 February 2024.
Although ticketed so as to control numbers, entry was free and commenced at 10:00am. After a quick ticket and bag check at security we were allowed onto the base. Three ships were open to visitors, HMAS Arunta, Hobart and Canberra, although others were present and viewable from the dock. The RAN also had displays along the dock, showing their capabilities, career options and roles available.
1. HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)2. HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)The 127mm Gun of HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk based on HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)Crest of HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)Motto of HMAS Arunta (FFH 151
HMAS Canberra (L02)
The Well Deck of HMAS Canberra L02 from OutsideHMAS Canberra L02 Looking Through the Well Deck to HMAS Sydney DDG 42Looking Through the Well Deck of HMAS Canberra L02 to HMAS Sydney DDG 42HMAS Canberra L02 With a Landing Craft in the Well DeckAustralian Army Truck on the Cargo Deck of HMAS Canberra L02 HMAS Canberra L02 BridgeThe Ski Jump of HMAS Canberra L02
HMAS Sydney (DDG 42)
1. HMAS Sydney (DDG 42)2. HMAS Sydney (DDG 42)3. HMAS Sydney (DDG 42) Stern4. HMAS Canberra L02 Looking Through the Well Deck to HMAS Sydney DDG 42
The Bogue-class escort carrier USS Copahee (CVE-12) was launched on 21 October 1941 and commissioned on 15 June 1942. Originally classified AVG-12, this was changed to ACV-12 on 20 August 1942 and to CVE-12 on 15 July 1943 Her final designation was CVHE-12 allotted on 12 June 1955.
Once commissioned Copahee transported aircraft from the US to bases in the Pacific. At the end of the Second World War, she took part in Operation Magic Carpet, transporting servicemen back to the US.
She was decommissioned on 5 July 1946 and placed in reserve. USS Copahee was scrapped in 1961.
USS Copahee (ACV-12) entering Dry Dock 5 February 8,1942USS Copahee (ACV-12) at anchor, circa 1942USS Copahee (AVG-12) off Puget Sound Navy Yard on 17 August 1942USS Copahee (ACV-12) Puget Sound Navy Yard, 17 August 1942. Port view.USS Copahee (ACV-12) Puget Sound Navy Yard, 17 August 1942. Bow view.USS Copahee (ACV-12) at sea, 31 August 1942.USS Copahee (ACV-12) underway off Port Angeles, Washington, on 30 August 1942.Mess Attendants manning a 20mm machine gun, in a gun tub beside the flight deck, USS Copahee (ACV-12) 9 September 1942Starboard broadside view of USS Copahee (ACV-12) in San Francisco Bay, 9 May 1943Stern view of USS Copahee (ACV-12) in San Francisco Bay, 9 May 1943Bow on view of USS Copahee (ACV-12) in San Francisco Bay, 9 May 1943Port broadside view of USS Copahee (ACV-12) in San Francisco Bay, 9 May 1943USS Copahee (ACV-12) underway off Mare Island, on 14 July 1943Stern view of USS Copahee (ACV-12) off Mare Island on 14 July 1943Forward plan view of USS Copahee (ACV-12) at Mare Island on 14 July 1943Aft plan view of USS Copahee (ACV-12) at Mare Island on 14 July 1943USS Copahee passing under the Golden Gate Bridge on her way out to sea on 15 July 1943, the day she was redesignated CVE-12USS Copahee (CVE-12) underway from San Diego Naval Repair Base to U.S. Naval Air Station, North Island, 9 April 1944USS Copahee (CVE-12) wearing camouflage Measure 33 12A off Saipan in June 1944USS Copahee (CVE-12) off Hunters Point, San Francisco, California, 1944USS Copahee (CVE-12), 25 July 1944, taken by a blimp from squadron ZP-12. This camouflage is Measure 33 Design 12AUSS Copahee CVE-12
Aircraft Operations
Vought F4U-1 Corsair of Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF) 213 Hell Hawks warming up for flight from the deck of USS Copahee Unloading a Douglas SBD Dauntless to barge from USS Copahee (ACV-12) at Midway Island, 21 May 1943.Aircraft being transported by USS Copahee (CVE-12)USS Copahee left the Garapan off Saipan on 8 July 1944 with a load of captured Japanese planes (13 Zekes and 1 Kate)Mitsubishi A6M5 aboard USS Copahee (CVE-12) Saipan July 1944Mitsubishi A6M5 aboard USS Copahee (CVE-12) Saipan July 1944Mitsubishi A6M5 aboard USS Copahee (CVE-12) Saipan July 1944
The lead-ship of her class, Unryu was launched on 25 September 1943 and commissioned on 6 August 1944. For her maiden sea voyage, she was loaded with thirty Yokosuka MXY7 Ōhka kamikaze rocket planes for transport to Manila in the Philippines. Four days after departing Kure, Hiroshima she was sunk by USS Redfish (SS-395) on 17 December 1944. Only 145 men survived to be rescued, with 1,238 officers, crewmen and passengers losing their lives.
Japanese Aircraft Carrier UnryūJapanese Aircraft Carrier Unryū sinking as seen from the Submarine USS Redfish (SS-395)
