HMAS Stirling

HMAS Stirling is the Royal Australian Navy's primary base on the west coast (Fleet Base West) of Australia. It is located on Garden Island in the state of Western Australia, near the city of Perth. Garden Island also has its own airport on the island. HMAS Stirling is currently under the command of Captain Angela Bond, RAN.

History
The name HMAS Stirling honours Admiral Sir James Stirling, Royal Navy (28 January 1791 – 23 April 1865), a British marine officer and colonial administrator who landed on Garden Island, Western Australia in 1827 and returned as commander of the barque Parmelia in June 1829 to establish and administer the Swan River Colony in Western Australia. He was the first Governor of Western Australia (1828–38) and on his own initiative signed Britain's first limited treaty with Japan in 1854.

The planning of Stirling began in 1969 when, after it was decided to create the Two-Ocean Policy, a feasibility study into the use of Garden Island as a naval base was begun. The 4.3 km causeway linking the island with the mainland was completed in June 1973. Construction of the wharves and workshops began in early 1973 and accommodation in 1975 with the facility, including the new Fleet Base West, being formally commissioned on 28 July 1978.

The first major unit to call Fleet Base West home was HMAS Stuart, having first been assigned to Stirling in 1984 for several years and, after refitting in the east, again in 1988 until decommissioning in 1991.

Stirling has expanded enormously within its existing boundaries and has seen building such as the Submarine Escape Training Facility – one of only six in the world and the only one in the Southern Hemisphere. Stirling is home to all six of the Collins class submarines operated by the Royal Australian Navy Submarine Service.

Garden Island
Garden Island is 10 km in length, 1.5 km wide, and is 13 km2 in area, with Stirling occupying approximately 28% of that area. The remaining portion of the Island is nature reserve, the navy has been active in the removal of introduced flora and fauna species. The island has its own quarantine conditions, which prohibit bringing of plants and animals to the island.

Ships Stationed


Anzac Class Frigate Collins Class Submarine Replenishment
 * HMAS Arunta
 * HMAS Warramunga
 * HMAS Stuart
 * HMAS Toowoomba
 * HMAS Perth
 * HMAS Collins
 * HMAS Farncomb
 * HMAS Waller
 * HMAS Dechaineux
 * HMAS Sheean
 * HMAS Rankin
 * HMAS Sirius