Staff from Momentum Media’s defence brand Defence Connect have celebrated the official commissioning of USS Canberra warship (LCS-30) into the US Navy in Sydney.
Ben Foster and Robert Dougherty with US Navy staff at the Austal Cocktail Reception. Photo: Austal
Defence Connect media strategist Benjamin Foster and senior journalist Robert Dougherty attended an Austal Cocktail Reception in honour of USS Canberra Commissioning on 20 July.
The Ovolo Hotel Woolloomooloo reception was also attended by personnel from defence shipbuilder Austal, the Royal Australian Navy, US government, Australian government, defence industry representatives and US Navy officials.
The occasion was celebrated as the first time a US Navy warship has been commissioned in Australia.
Mr Foster said the Defence Connect team were grateful for the opportunity to talk to defence partners and current military personnel.
“Rob and I were grateful to attend a great cocktail event honouring the commissioning of the USS Canberra from Austal at the Ovolo Hotel in Sydney,” he said after the event.
“To meet not only the Austal team and congratulate them on this milestone achievement, but also to meet Commodore Bobby Barber and the crew of the USS Canberra who sailed from San Diego via Hawaii, Fiji and then to Sydney Harbour - was a great honour.
“As the night's formalities progressed attendees were given a welcome speech from Austal's chief executive officer Patrick Gregg. Patrick highlighted the significance of the Independence littoral-ship coming to Sydney, with a great video to accompany the grand entrance that the ship made after its Pacific Island journey.
“After Patrick's speech, Austal's founding managing director John Rothwell, gave a fantastic insight into the beginnings of the Austal business. John and his team of architects focused on high-speed ferries within the Asia region, which then led to opportunities and contracts with the US Defence. From there, this progressed to founding a shipyard in Mobile, Alabama in 1999. To hear where the Austal journey began from, to where it has come to today, was very special.
“Thank you again to the Austal team and USS Canberra crew who hosted Rob and I for this special event.”
Austal Cocktail Reception. Photo: Austal
Austal chief executive officer Paddy Gregg said seeing the USS Canberra arrive in Sydney and become the first US Navy ship to ever be commissioned outside of the United States, was an incredibly proud moment for the company.
“It’s been just over a month since the event, but everyone in Mobile, Alabama and especially here in Henderson, Western Australia is still on a high, following the commissioning of the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship, originally designed by Austal Australia and built by Austal USA,” he said.
“In our 35th year of operations, there has been no better way to highlight Austal’s capability as a global shipbuilder and capability partner to the AUKUS alliance than the celebrations surrounding the commissioning of the USS Canberra.
“We are so very grateful for the support provided by the US Navy, Royal Australian Navy, the USS Canberra Commissioning Committee and the US Embassy and Consulate teams in Canberra, Sydney and Perth.”