Two AK-47s seized by HMAS Darwin presented to Memorial

The Commanding Officer of HMAS Darwin, Commander Phillip Henry, today officially presented two AK-47s seized during Operation MANITOU to the Australian War Memorial.

The weapons were captured during a Royal Australian Navy interception off the coast of Oman in March 2016 when HMAS Darwin, an Adelaide class guided missile frigate, was conducting counter-terrorism and maritime security operations as part of the British-led Combined Task Force 150. This was Darwin’s seventh deployment and the 62nd rotation of a Royal Australian Navy ship to the Middle East since 1990.

Nick Fletcher, Head of the Memorial’s Military Heraldry and Technology Section, said that the weapons will augment the Memorial’s evolving collection of artefacts relating to contemporary conflicts.

“These donations will increase our ability to interpret the Royal Australian Navy’s continuing commitment in the Middle East and Australia’s longstanding contribution to maintaining navigable sea lanes in the area.”

As HMAS Darwin prepares for another operational deployment, Commander Henry provided the Memorial with an oral history about the seizures that occurred under his command.

Operation MANITOU is the current name for the Australian Government's contribution to supporting international efforts to promote maritime security, stability and prosperity in the Middle East.

Imagery of the seizure is available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20160389