Following a productive year of accomplishments in 2022, the troops of HMAS Hobart are prepared to meet the challenges that 2023 will bring under new management.
After being abroad for more than three months as part of a regional presence deployment, the ship made its way back to Fleet Base East in the month of December.
The members of Hobart’s extended community of “ghost riders,” a large gathering of family and friends anxious to spend the holiday season with their loved ones, heartily welcomed the staff of Hobart when they arrived on the dock.
In conjunction with the ship’s arrival back in port, the outgoing commanding officer, Commander Andrew Pepper, was awarded a promotion, and a change of command ceremony followed shortly thereafter.
Commander Tina Brown became the Hobart’s fourth Commanding Officer after being given the “weight of command” by the previous Commanding Officer, Captain Pepper.
In the history of Royal Australian Navy, Commander Brown is the first woman to ever take command of a destroyer.
She stated that she had previously had feelings of pride and protectiveness over Hobart and her crew, and that she was very humbled to be able to participate in the handover ceremony among so many members of the Hobart family.
“I am looking forward to carrying on the fantastic heritage of the ‘green ghost’ with you,” the narrator said.
