{{Short description|Bay-class landing ship}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}} {{Use Australian English|date=November 2017}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = HMAS Choules FBE 2014.JPG | image_caption = HMAS ''Choules'' at [[Fleet Base East]] [[Sydney Harbour]], Australia in August 2014 }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | country = United Kingdom | flag = {{Shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval-RFA}} | name = ''Largs Bay'' | namesake = [[Largs]] Bay | ordered = 18 December 2000 | builder = [[Swan Hunter]], [[Wallsend]], [[Tyne and Wear]], [[England]] | laid_down = 28 January 2002 | launched = 18 July 2003 | completed = | in_service = 28 November 2006 | out_of_service = April 2011 | refit = | struck = | homeport = | identification = *{{IMO Number|9240756}} *{{MMSI Number|232653000}} *[[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: GCIA *[[Pennant number]]: L3006 | motto = | nickname = | honours = | fate = Decommissioned under [[Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010|SDSR]], sold to Australia | notes = | badge = }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = title | country = Australia | flag = {{Shipboxflag|Australia|naval}} | name = ''Choules'' | namesake = Chief Petty Officer [[Claude Choules]] | acquired = 6 April 2011 | commissioned = 13 December 2011 | decommissioned = | out_of_service = | refit = | struck = | homeport = [[Fleet Base East]] | identification = *{{IMO Number|9240756}} *{{MMSI Number|503688000}} *[[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: VKJC *[[Pennant number]]: L100 | motto = "Face Difficulty With Zeal" | nickname = | honours = | fate = | status = Active as of 2022 | notes = | badge = [[File:HMAS Choules Ships Badge.jpeg|Ship's badge]] }}
|section4={{Infobox ship/characteristics | header_caption = | class = {{sclass2|Bay|landing ship dock|1}} | displacement = *{{convert|16160|t|LT|0|lk=out|abbr=on}} full load (RFA) *{{convert|16190|t|LT|0|abbr=on}} (RAN) | length = {{convert|579.4|ft|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|86.6|ft|abbr=on}} | draught = {{convert|19|ft|abbr=on}} | propulsion = *2 × [[Wärtsilä]] 8L26 generators, {{convert|6000|hp|MW|abbr=on}} *2 × Wärtsilä 12V26 generators, {{convert|9000|hp|MW|abbr=on}} *2 × [[pod propulsion|propulsion pods]] *1 × bow thruster | speed = {{convert|18|kn|lk=in}} | range = {{convert|8000|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|15|kn|abbr=on}} | troops = 356 standard or 700 overload | capacity = *1,150 [[linear metre]]s of vehicles (up to 24 [[Challenger 2 tank|Challenger 2]] tanks, 32 [[M1A1 Abrams]] tanks, or 150 light trucks) *Cargo capacity of 200 tons ammunition or 24 [[Twenty-foot equivalent unit|TEU]] containers | boats = *1 [[LCU Mark 10]], 1 [[LCM-8#Australian service|LCM-8]], or 2 LCVPs ([[Landing craft of the Royal Marines#LCVPs used by the Royal Marines|Royal Marines version]] or [[LCVP (Australia)|RAN version]]) *2 [[Mexeflote]] powered rafts | complement = *RFA: 60-70 core, increased for operational deployments *RAN - 158 fully crewed | sensors = *''RAN service'': *[[EID, S.A.|EID ICCS]] integrated communications control system * CEAFAR-S multi-function radar | armament = *''RFA service'' *Fit to receive: *[[Phalanx CIWS]] *30 mm DS30B cannon *''RAN service'': *1 [[Phalanx CIWS]]<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.australiandefence.com.au/defence/sea/the-future-of-phalanx-in-the-ran | title=The future of Phalanx in the RAN - Australian Defence Magazine }}</ref> * [[AN/SLQ-25 Nixie]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614160610/https://rina.org.uk/branch-finder/australian-division/new-south-wales/ | title=New South Wales Section - Royal Institution of Naval Architects - RINA | date=16 August 2023 }}</ref> | armour = | aircraft = [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk|Blackhawk]] and [[Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk|Seahawk]] helicopters frequently embarked;<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-choules | title=HMAS Choules }}</ref> flight deck can operate helicopters up to [[Boeing CH-47 Chinook|Chinook]] size | aircraft_facilities = No permanent hangar; temporary hangar can be fitted. | notes = }} }} '''HMAS ''Choules'' (L100)''' is a {{sclass2|Bay|landing ship|1}} that served with the [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]] (RFA) from 2006 to 2011, before being purchased by the [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN). The vessel was built as '''RFA ''Largs Bay''''' by [[Swan Hunter]] in [[Wallsend]], [[Tyne and Wear]]. She was named after [[Largs]] Bay in [[Ayrshire]], [[Scotland]], and entered service in November 2006. During her career with the RFA, ''Largs Bay'' served as the British ship assigned to patrol the [[Falkland Islands]] in 2008, and delivered relief supplies following the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]].
At the end of 2010, ''Largs Bay'' was marked as one of the vessels to be removed from service under the [[Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010|Strategic Defence and Security Review]]. She was offered for sale, with the RAN announced as the successful bidder in April 2011. After modifications to make her more suited for Australian operating conditions, the vessel was commissioned in December 2011 as HMAS ''Choules'', named after Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy Chief Petty Officer [[Claude Choules]]. A propulsion transformer failure kept the ship out of service between July 2012 and April 2013.
==Design and construction== {{main|Bay-class landing ship|l1=Bay-class landing ship dock}} The Bay class was designed as a replacement for the {{sclass2|Round Table|landing ship logistics|0}} logistics ships operated by the RFA.<ref name=Saunders876/> The new design was based on the [[Enforcer (ship)|Royal Schelde Enforcer]] design; a joint project between the Dutch and Spanish resulting in the {{sclass|Rotterdam|amphibious transport dock|0}} and {{sclass|Galicia|landing platform dock|0}} amphibious warfare ships.<ref name=Saunders876/> The main difference with the British ships is the lack of a helicopter hangar.<ref>Kemp, ''New UK landing ship takes to the water''</ref> The ships were originally designated "auxiliary landing ship logistics" or ALSL, but this was changed in 2002 to "landing ship dock (auxiliary)" or LSD(A), better reflecting their operational role.<ref name=Scott>Scott, ''The Royal Navy's Future Fleet''</ref> Four ships were ordered; two from [[Swan Hunter]], and two from [[BAE Systems Naval Ships]].<ref name=Saunders876/>
The Bay-class ships have a full load displacement of {{convert|16160|t|LT}} in RFA service; this increased slightly to {{convert|16190|t|LT}} after modifications for RAN service.<ref name=Saunders876/><ref name=RANchoules/> ''Largs Bay''/''Choules'' is {{convert|579.4|ft}} long, with a beam of {{convert|86.6|ft}}, and a draught of {{convert|19|ft}}.<ref name=Saunders876/> Propulsion power is provided by two [[Wärtsilä]] 8L26 generators, providing {{convert|6000|hp|MW}}, and two Wärtsilä 12V26 generators, providing {{convert|9000|hp|MW}}.<ref name=Saunders876/> These are used to drive two steerable [[pod propulsion|propulsion pods]], with a bow thruster supplementing.<ref name=Saunders876/> Maximum speed is {{convert|18|kn}}, and the Bay-class ships can achieve a range of {{convert|8000|nmi}} at {{convert|15|kn}}.<ref name=Saunders876/> ''Largs Bay'' was [[fitted for but not with]] a [[Phalanx CIWS]] and a [[30mm DS30M Mark 2 Automated Small Calibre Gun|30mm DS30B]] cannon when required for self defence.<ref name=RNweb>Royal Navy, ''RFA Largs Bay''</ref> The RAN's webpage for ''Choules'' does not specify any armament.<ref name=RANchoules/> In British service, the everyday ship's company consisted of 60 to 70 RFA personnel, with this number supplemented by members of the [[British Armed Forces]] when ''Largs Bay'' was deployed operationally.<ref name=Saunders876/><ref name=KerrAA/><ref name=LargsHaiti>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/royal-fleet-auxiliary/rfa-flotilla/bay-class-landing-ships/rfa-largs-bay/unit-diary/rfa-largs-bay-haiti-diary |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100406104724/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/royal-fleet-auxiliary/rfa-flotilla/bay-class-landing-ships/rfa-largs-bay/unit-diary/rfa-largs-bay-haiti-diary |archive-date=6 April 2010 |date=4 February 2010 |title=RFA Largs Bay Haiti Diary |first=Ian |last=Johnson |publisher=Royal Navy |access-date=12 July 2012}}</ref> The RAN opted to maintain the ship at full operational crewing at all times, with a ship's company of 158, including 22 Army and 6 RAAF personnel.<ref name=KerrAA/><ref name=Gillett22/>
[[File:"Largs Bay L3006" in Portland harbour - geograph.org.uk - 1458486.jpg|thumb|left|RFA ''Largs Bay'' in Portland Harbour, August 2009]] As a [[sealift]] ship, ''Largs Bay'' is capable of carrying up to 1,150 [[linear metre]]s of vehicles; equivalent to 24 [[Challenger 2]] tanks, 32 [[M1A1 Abrams]] tanks, or 150 light trucks.<ref name=Saunders876/><ref name="RANchoules">{{cite web |author1=Royal Australian Navy |title=HMAS Choules |url=https://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-choules |website=www.navy.gov.au |access-date=20 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The cargo capacity is equivalent of 200 tons of ammunition, or 24 [[twenty-foot equivalent unit]] containers.<ref name=Saunders876/> During normal conditions, a Bay-class ship can carry 356 soldiers, but this can be almost doubled to 700 in overload conditions.<ref name=Saunders876/> The ship does not have permanent hangar facilities. However, a temporary hangar may be fitted and in Australian service the twin-spot flight deck has been extensively utilized with the embarkation of Blackhawk, MRH-90 and Seahawk helicopters. In the period one year prior to April 2014 the ship had clocked up 1,000 deck landings.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/datasheets/HMAS_Choules_datasheet.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304063505/http://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/datasheets/HMAS_Choules_datasheet.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 March 2018 |title=Missing Title |publisher=Australian Navy}}</ref> The flight deck is capable of accommodating helicopters up to the size of a Chinook heavy-lift helicopter.<ref name=Saunders876/><ref name=Scott/><ref name=Scott030811>Scott, ''Sweating the asset: versatility is the key to LSD(A) multi-tasking''</ref> The [[well dock]] can carry one [[LCU Mark 10]], one [[LCM-8#Australian service|LCM-8]], or two LCVPs (either the [[Landing craft of the Royal Marines#LCVPs used by the Royal Marines|Royal Marines version]] or the [[LCVP (Australia)|Royal Australian Navy version]]), and two [[Mexeflote]]s can be suspended from the ship's flanks.<ref name=Saunders876/><ref name=Scott/><ref name=RANchoules/> The [[LCM-1E]] landing craft being acquired by the RAN will not fit into the dock.<ref name=Gillett22>Gillett, ''Australia's Navy'', Part 2, p. 22</ref> Two 30-ton cranes are fitted between the superstructure and the flight deck.<ref name=Saunders876/>
''Largs Bay'' and sister ship {{ship|RFA|Lyme Bay|L3007|2}} were ordered from [[Swan Hunter]] on 18 December 2000.<ref name=Saunders876/> ''Largs Bay'' was laid down at Swan Hunter's shipyard at [[Wallsend]], [[Tyne and Wear]] on 28 January 2002; the first ship of the class work started on.<ref name=Saunders876>Saunders (ed.), ''Jane's Fighting Ships 2008–2009'', p. 876</ref> The ship was launched on 18 July 2003.<ref name=Saunders876/> The ship was completed and accepted by the Ministry of Defence in April 2006, over a year late.<ref name=Brown/> ''Largs Bay'' was dedicated on 28 November 2006, the second of the class to enter service with the RFA.<ref name=Saunders876/> The Bay-class construction project saw major delays and cost overruns, particularly in the Swan Hunter half of the project.<ref name=Brown>Brown, ''UK strips Swan Hunter of LSD(A) role''</ref> Shortly after ''Largs Bay'' was handed over, Swan Hunter was stripped from the project, with BAE taking full responsibility for the class and ''Lyme Bay'' towed to BAE's shipyard in [[Govan]] for completion in June 2006.<ref name=Brown/>
==Operational history==
===United Kingdom=== [[File:Humanitarian Supplies are Delivered to Haiti from the UK MOD 45151172.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Humanitarian supplies being unloaded from ''Largs Bay'' in Haiti]] Four months after entering service, an engine room fire resulted in steering and propulsion issues, requiring ''Largs Bay'' to be towed to Plymouth for repairs.<ref name=grounded2012>McPhedran, ''Missing spare part grounds Navy ship''</ref> In late November 2007, ''Largs Bay'' embarked [[815 Naval Air Squadron|815 Naval Air Squadron 215 Flight]] and left home waters for the Caribbean to conduct counter-drug operations.<ref name="RN"/> She visited eleven islands including [[Barbados]], [[Curaçao]], [[Grand Turk Island|Grand Turk]], [[Martinique]], [[Trinidad]] and also the USA.<ref name="RN"/> Three days after leaving Barbados ''Largs Bay''{{'}}s patrolling helicopter spotted a small fishing vessel stopped in the water and detained her after a pursuit; {{convert|575|kg}} of [[cocaine]] were recovered, with an estimated £20 million European street value.<ref name="RN"/> She participated in [[Navy Day]]s while in port at Curaçao, where several hundred people toured her.<ref name="RN">Royal Navy, ''815 Naval Air Squadron in RFA Largs Bay''</ref>
In late 2008, it was reported that ''Largs Bay'' was to replace {{HMS|Northumberland|F238|6}} for duties in the [[Falkland Islands]]. ''Northumberland'' was to have left for the Islands in December 2008, but was instead sent for pirate patrol off [[Somalia]].<ref>UPI, ''Britain withdraws warship from Falklands''</ref>
In early 2010, ''Largs Bay'' was deployed to the Arctic Circle.<ref name=Craig>Craig, ''Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Largs Bay wins award''</ref> Following the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]], the ship was pulled from exercises and sailed on 3 February to deliver a load of relief supplies to Haiti.<ref name=Craig/><ref>BBC News, ''RFA Largs Bay leaves Southampton bound for Haiti''</ref> On 18 February 2010, she arrived at [[Port-au-Prince]] and unloaded {{convert|430|tonne}} of supplies plus {{convert|165|tonne}} of rations, while engineers from the ship began work on restoring electricity ashore.<ref name=Craig/><ref>Daily Express, ''Royal Navy aid ship reaches Haiti''</ref> On 30 March 2010, she returned home.<ref>The News, ''RFA Largs Bay returns home after earthquake aid mission''</ref> ''Largs Bay''{{'}}s actions were recognised in December 2011 with the awarding of the [[Firmin Sword of Peace]].<ref name=Craig/>
In August 2010, the ship participated in the [[Bournemouth Air Festival]].<ref>Bournemouth Echo, ''RFA Largs Bay sails in for Bournemouth Air Festival''</ref>
===Decommissioning and transfer=== [[File:HMAS Choules in Falmouth Docks.jpg|left|thumb|upright|''Largs Bay'' in Falmouth Docks during August 2011. Note that her new RAN pennant number has been painted on her hull.]] In December 2010, it was announced that the ship would be decommissioned in April 2011 as part of the [[Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010|Strategic Defence and Security Review]].<ref>Defence News, ''Changes to Royal Navy's surface fleet announced''</ref><ref name=NavyLeagueOz>'Themistocles', ''The UK SDSR and JP 2048 Phase 4C – A Golden Opportunity''</ref> Shortly after marking ''Largs Bay'' for disposal, the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|British Ministry of Defence]] contacted the Chilean government and suggested the vessel as a potential replacement for the landing ship tank vessel [[Chilean warship Valdivia|''Valdivia'']], which was due to leave service.<ref name=Higueras>Higueras, ''Chile eyes new amphibious transport ship''</ref> In January 2011, the [[Australian Department of Defence]] announced that it was interested in purchasing the vessel for the RAN as a replacement for the heavy landing ship {{HMAS|Tobruk|L 50|6}} or one of the {{sclass|Kanimbla|landing platform amphibious|0}} amphibious warfare ships.<ref name=NavyLeagueOz/><ref>Oakes, ''Navy eyes redundant UK vessel''</ref> Interest in the ship was also shown by Brazil and India.<ref>Kerr, ''Australia completes Largs Bay purchase''</ref>
On 17 March 2011, the [[Department of Defence (Australia)|Australian Department of Defence]] announced that the RAN would be bidding for ''Largs Bay''; this was followed on 6 April by news that a £65 million (A$100 million) bid had been successful.<ref>Taylor, ''Australia to buy amphibious military transport ship, aircraft''</ref><ref name=AAP060411>Australian Associated Press, ''Australia to buy used UK landing ship''</ref> Sea trials during April showed that the ship was in good condition, although she would have to be modified before entering Australian service, particularly to allow operation in tropical conditions.<ref name=nlaLargs>''Flash Traffic: Purchase of Largs Bay'', in ''The Navy''</ref> During a 16-week docking at the [[A&P Group]] shipyard in Falmouth, the modifications were made, along with refit work to maintain the ship's [[Lloyd's Register|Lloyds]] certification.<ref name=KerrAA>Kerr, ''Amphibious ambitions''</ref> The RAN also acquired two [[Mexeflote]] landing rafts for use with the ship.<ref name=RANcomm>Royal Australian Navy, ''HMAS Choules commissioned''</ref>
On 13 August, it was announced that ''Largs Bay'' would be renamed HMAS ''Choules'' when commissioned into the RAN.<ref name=Moulton/> The name comes from Chief Petty Officer [[Claude Choules]], who served in both the Royal Navy and the RAN during his career, and was the last known living participant in World War I.<ref name=Moulton>Moulton & Australian Associated Press, ''Naval ship named after WA war veteran Claude Choules''</ref><ref name=Griggs/> ''Choules'' is the second RAN vessel to be named after an enlisted sailor, following the submarine {{HMAS|Sheean|SSG 77|6}}.<ref>Royal Australian Navy, ''HMAS Sheean''</ref> The ship was assigned the [[pennant number]] L100, reflecting the 100th anniversary of the RAN's origin in 2011.<ref name=Griggs>Griggs, ''Naming of Ex RFA Largs Bay - HMAS Choules''</ref> Her motto is "Face Difficulty With Zeal".<ref name=OCallaghan>O'Callaghan, ''Choules on her way''</ref>
On 14 October, the vessel was handed over to the RAN.<ref name=DoddBorrow>Dodd, ''Navy's borrowed ship costs us $82,000 a day''</ref> She arrived in [[Fremantle, Western Australia]] on 10 December, and was commissioned into the RAN on 13 December.<ref>Sea Waves, ''Port Visits December 2011''</ref><ref name=ABCcommission>Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ''HMAS Choules commissioned in honour of veteran''</ref> ''Choules'' entered full operational service in early 2012, and is based at [[Fleet Base East]].<ref name=RANcomm/><ref name=OCallaghan/>
===Australia=== [[File:HMAS Choules starboard.jpg|thumb|right|HMAS ''Choules'' at Fleet Base East in January 2012. The ship's temporary hangar structure is visible behind the superstructure.]] On 24 February 2012, ''Choules'' arrived in Townsville.<ref name=Timms>Timms, ''Newest Navy warship heads north''</ref> This was in preparation for a month of amphibious warfare training exercises with the Australian Army's [[3rd Brigade (Australia)|3rd Brigade]].<ref name=Timms/>
In June 2012, one of the two main electrical transformers involved in the ship's propulsion system failed, after an earlier engineers report highlighted "overheating of the propulsion motors and transformers".<ref name=grounded2012/><ref name=AAP17oct12>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/navy-unclear-why-100m-ship-broke-down-20121017-27r4m.html |title=Navy unclear why $100m ship broke down |last=Australian Associated Press |date=17 October 2012 |work=smh.com.au (The Sydney Morning Herald) |access-date=17 October 2012}}</ref> Inspection found that insulation failure had short-circuited the transformer, while other transformers aboard showed premature wear.<ref name=AAP17oct12/> Unable to find an available spare, a new unit had to be ordered from the manufacturer.<ref name=grounded2012/> In June, it was predicted that ''Choules'' would be out of service for four to five months, but by October, claims were made that the ship would be inoperable until at least January 2013, and if all of the wear-showing transformers were replaced, she would not return to service until April 2013.<ref name=grounded2012/><ref name=AAP17oct12/> By December, the faulty transformer had been replaced, and the RAN had decided that although the other transformers (propulsion and others) had been shown to have acceptable levels of wear, all would be replaced before ''Choules'' was reactivated.<ref name="NN-06-12-12">{{cite news |title=In Brief: Work on Choules |date=6 December 2012 |work=Navy News |publisher=Directorate of Defence News |pages=6–7}}</ref> These repairs were completed in early 2013, and the ship was assessed as ready to re-enter service on 12 April.<ref>{{cite web|last=West|first=Sarah|title=HMAS Choules returns to sea|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/news/hmas-choules-returns-sea|publisher=Royal Australian Navy|access-date=12 April 2013}}</ref>
For a short time from July 2013, ''Choules'' was anchored offshore of the [[Manus Regional Processing Centre]] in Papua New Guinea to provide temporary accommodation for Department of Immigration and other personnel, due to a lack of accommodation at the centre.<ref name="Cornall Report">{{Cite web |url=https://www.immi.gov.au/about/dept-info/_files/review-robert-cornall.pdf |title=Robert Cornall AO, Review into the events of 16-17 February 2014 at the Manus Regional Processing Centre, 23 May 2014 |access-date=29 May 2014 |archive-date=29 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529085121/http://www.immi.gov.au/about/dept-info/_files/review-robert-cornall.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> In April 2015, the ship transported 46 Vietnamese asylum seekers back to [[Vũng Tàu]], after their vessel was intercepted at sea on 20 March by Australian border protection units and their claims were rejected after interviews at sea lasting less than 40 minutes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aston |first1=Heath |title=Australian Navy to hand 50 asylum seekers back to Vietnam |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/australian-navy-to-hand-50-asylum-seekers-back-to-vietnam-20150417-1mnew5.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418015555/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/australian-navy-to-hand-50-asylum-seekers-back-to-vietnam-20150417-1mnew5.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 April 2015 |work=The Canberra Times |date=17 April 2015 |access-date=28 May 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nguoi-viet.com/absolutenm2/templates/viewarticlesNVO.aspx?articleid=207892&zoneid=1#.VWaAcc9Vikp |title=Úc bị chỉ trích vì từ chối cho 46 thuyền nhân Việt Nam tị nạn |date=27 May 2015 |newspaper=Nguoi Viet Daily News |access-date=28 May 2015 |language=vi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528074731/http://www.nguoi-viet.com/absolutenm2/templates/viewarticlesNVO.aspx?articleid=207892&zoneid=1#.VWaAcc9Vikp |archive-date=28 May 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
''Choules''{{'}} operational role was reevaluated after the ''Canberra''-class landing helicopter dock ships entered service in 2016, but will likely be kept on to fill the role of the strategic sealift ship envisioned by the [[Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030|2009 Defence white paper]].<ref name=Gillett22/><ref>Department of Defence, ''Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century'', p. 73</ref>
In March 2017 ''Choules'' was sent to [[Queensland]] to support recovery after [[Cyclone Debbie]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Andrew Greene|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=28 March 2017|access-date=28 March 2017|title=Navy's largest ships unable to join Cyclone Debbie emergency response amid engine troubles|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-28/largest-ships-unable-to-join-cyclone-debbie-emergency-response/8391574}}</ref>
''Choules'' was deployed to Vanuatu on 30 September 2017 to aid in the rescue of 11,000 people from a volcanic eruption of Monaro Voui.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
In January 2020, ''Choules'' was deployed to the coastal town of [[Mallacoota, Victoria|Mallacoota]] in [[East Gippsland]], Victoria, to evacuate thousands of people trapped by [[2019–20 Australian bushfire season|bushfires]] and to ferry them south to [[Hastings, Victoria|Hastings]] in [[Western Port Bay]].<ref>{{cite tweet |user=LindaReynoldsWA |number= 1211893717990133761 |date=31 December 2019 |title=I've spoken with @ScottMorrisonMP & authorised #ADF to deploy extra assets to the Victorian fires: 3 helicopters & 1 aircraft will fly to East Sale; HMAS Choules & MV Sycamore will sail to East Gippsland. A Joint Task Force has been stood up with Army personnel & {{as written|Li|ason [sic]}} Officers}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/worldtoday/thousands-ferried-out-to-hmas-choules/11839310 |title=Thousands ferried out to HMAS Choules |first=Samantha |last=Donovan |date=3 January 2020 |publisher=ABC Radio |access-date=3 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/navy-ships-to-arrive-at-mallacoota-fires-contie-to-burn-in-east-gippsland/news-story/39bca13895e9e8de3dccc45b573b1e39|title='Leave high risk areas now': Warning ahead of hot weekend|date=2020-01-02|newspaper=The Advertiser|language=en|access-date=2020-01-02|last1=Royall|first1=Ian|last2=Simonis|first2=Aneeka|last3=Travers|first3=Brianna|last4=McArthur|first4=Grant}}</ref>
On 14 February 2021, HMAS ''Choules'' left Australia for Papua New Guinea with 5 Isuzu fire trucks donated by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CLRJsR6pYBW/?igshid=ifjhomjmgo7k |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLRJsR6pYBW |archive-date=24 December 2021 |url-access=registration|title=Untitled}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
On 11 March 2021, Gippsland officially announced Mallacoota as the new ceremonial homeport for HMAS Choules.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211206/TKUe-YwrZ4I Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210315193943/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKUe-YwrZ4I&bpctr=9999999999 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKUe-YwrZ4I| title = HMAS Choules honoured as Mallacoota named ceremonial homeport | website=[[YouTube]]| date = 10 March 2021 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>
''Choules'' underwent a major refit between 2020 - 2021 as part of SEA3030-2 Capability Assurance Project, Mid-Life Upgrade (CAP) by A&P Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ap-australia.com.au/our-projects|title=10 Years of Supporting HMAS Choules.}}</ref>
In May 2022 it was announced that ''Choules'' would be eventually replaced by one of two sought 'Joint Support Ships' under Project Sea 2200.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indo Pacific 2022: BMT positions ELLIDA design for Australia's SEA 2200 programme |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/indo-pacific-2022-bmt-positions-ellida-design-for-australias-sea-2200-programme |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=Janes.com |date=11 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
In early 2024 it was revealed that ''Choules'' had been fitted with a new [[CEA Technologies]] radar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HMAS Choules fitted with CEAFAR radar - Australian Defence Magazine |url=https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/hmas-choules-fitted-with-ceafar-radar |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=www.australiandefence.com.au |language=en}}</ref>
==Citations== {{reflist|2}}
==References== ;Books *{{cite book|author=Department of Defence |title=[[Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030]] |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |date=2 May 2009 |isbn=978-0-642-29702-0 |oclc=426475923}} *{{cite book |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2008–2009 |editor-last=Saunders |editor-first=Stephen |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Surrey |year=2008 |edition=111th |isbn=978-0-7106-2845-9 |oclc=225431774}} *{{cite book|last=Gillett |first=Ross |title=Australia's Navy: Today and Tomorrow |publisher=Topmill |date=2012 |volume=Part 2 }}
;Journal articles *{{cite journal|last=Brown |first=Nick |date=13 July 2006 |title=UK strips Swan Hunter of LSD(A) role |journal=Jane's Defence Industry |publisher=Jane's Information Group}} *{{cite journal |date=July 2011 |title=Flash Traffic: Purchase of Largs Bay |journal=The Navy |publisher=Navy League of Australia |volume=73 |issue=3 |pages=13}} *{{cite news |last=Higueras |first=José |title=Chile eyes new amphibious transport ship |date=26 January 2011 |work=Jane's Defence Weekly}} *{{cite journal |last=Kemp |first=Ian |date=25 July 2003 |title=New UK landing ship takes to the water |journal=Jane's Defence Weekly |publisher=Jane's Information Group}} *{{cite journal |last=Kerr |first=Julian |date=6 April 2011 |title=Australia completes Largs Bay purchase |journal=Jane's Defence Weekly |publisher=Jane's Information Group}} *{{cite journal|last=Kerr |first=Julian |date=22 December 2011 |title=Amphibious ambitions: expanding Australia's naval expectations |journal=Jane's Navy International |publisher=Jane's Information Group}} *{{cite journal |last=Scott |first=Richard |date=4 September 2003 |title=The Royal Navy's Future Fleet – Taking Shape |journal=Jane's Defence Weekly |publisher=Jane's Information Group}} *{{cite journal|last=Scott |first=Richard |date=3 August 2011 |title=Sweating the asset: versatility is the key to LSD(A) multi-tasking |journal=International Defence Review |publisher=Jane's Information Group}} *{{cite journal |last=Themistocles |date=January 2011 |title=The UK SDSR and JP 2048 Phase 4C – A Golden Opportunity |journal=The Navy |publisher=Navy League of Australia |volume=73 |issue=1 |pages=2–3}}
;News articles *{{cite news |title=Australia to buy used UK landing ship |work=The Sydney Morning Herald (smh.com.au) |date=6 April 2011 |url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/australia-to-buy-used-uk-landing-ship-20110406-1d3ly.html |author=Australian Associated Press |access-date=7 April 2011}} *{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-13/hmas-choules-to-be-commissioned/3727686 |title=HMAS Choules commissioned in honour of veteran |work=ABC News |date=13 December 2011 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=13 December 2011}} *{{cite news |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/8495239.stm |title=RFA Largs Bay leaves Southampton bound for Haiti |date=3 February 2010 |access-date=18 March 2011}} *{{cite web |url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2011/12/27/royal-fleet-auxiliary-ship-largs-bay-wins-award-61634-30014198/ |title=Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Largs Bay wins award |last=Craig |first=Alastair |date=27 December 2011 |work=JournalLive.co.uk |publisher=[[The Journal (Newcastle upon Tyne newspaper)|The Journal]] |access-date=6 January 2012 |archive-date=20 April 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130420150540/http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2011/12/27/royal-fleet-auxiliary-ship-largs-bay-wins-award-61634-30014198/ |url-status=dead }} *{{cite news |work=Daily Express (express.co.uk) |url=http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/159103/Royal-Navy-aid-ship-reaches-Haiti |title=Royal Navy aid ship reaches Haiti |date=18 February 2010 |access-date=18 March 2011}} *{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/navys-borrowed-ship-costs-us-82000-a-day/story-e6frg8yo-1226171146453 |title=Navy's borrowed ship costs us $82,000 a day |last=Dodd |first=Mark |date=20 October 2011 |newspaper=The Australian |access-date=21 October 2011}} *{{cite news |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/navys-ran-landing-ship-grounded/story-e6frea6u-1226408273094 |title=Missing spare part grounds Navy ship |first=Ian |last=McPhedran|author-link=Ian McPhedran |work=AdelaideNOW |publisher=Adelaide Advertiser |date=25 June 2012 |access-date=26 June 2012}} *{{cite news |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/ChangesToRoyalNavysSurfaceFleetAnnounced.htm |title=Changes to Royal Navy's surface fleet announced |work=Defence News |publisher=Ministry of Defence |date=15 December 2010 |access-date=18 March 2011}} *{{cite news |url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/naval-ship-named-after-wa-war-veteran-claude-choules/story-e6frg4nl-1226114326048 |title=Naval ship named after WA war veteran Claude Choules |last=Moulton |first=Emily |author2=Australian Associated Press |date=13 August 2011 |work=PerthNow |publisher=[[The Sunday Times (Western Australia)|The Sunday Times]] |access-date=14 August 2011}} *{{cite journal |last=O'Callaghan |first=James |date=24 November 2011 |title=Choules on her way |journal=Navy News |publisher=Department of Defence |volume=54 |issue=22 |page=3 |url=http://digital.realviewtechnologies.com/default.aspx?xml=defencenews_navy.xml&iid=56574 |access-date=23 November 2011}} *{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/navy-eyes-redundant-uk-vessel-20110120-19y3x.html |title=Navy eyes redundant UK vessel |last=Oakes |first=Dan |date=21 January 2011 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |publisher=smh.com.au |access-date=23 January 2011}} *{{cite news |publisher=Royal Navy |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/fleet-air-arm/naval-air-squadrons/815/news/815-naval-air-squadron-in-rfa/ |title=815 Naval Air Squadron in RFA Largs Bay |work=815 Naval Air Squadron |access-date=16 April 2011}} *{{cite news |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Choules_commissioned |title=HMAS Choules commissioned |work=News |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |access-date=21 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830080259/http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Choules_commissioned |archive-date=30 August 2012}} *{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Steven |work=Bournemouth Echo |url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/8336925.RFA_Largs_Bay_sails_in_for_Bournemouth_Air_Festival/ |title=RFA Largs Bay sails in for Bournemouth Air Festival |date=18 August 2010 |access-date=15 April 2011}} *{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Rob |date=17 March 2011 |access-date=18 March 2011 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/australia-defence-idUSL3E7EH06L20110317 |title=Australia to buy amphibious military transport ship, aircraft |work=Reuters}} *{{cite news |work=The News (Portsmouth) |url=http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/RFA-Largs-Bay-returns-home.6189517.jp |title=RFA Largs Bay returns home after earthquake aid mission |first=Ruth |last=Scammell |date=30 March 2010 |access-date=18 March 2011}} *{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-24/newest-navy-warship-heads-north/3850266?section=qld |title=Newest Navy warship heads north |last=Timms |first=Penny |date=24 February 2012 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=24 February 2012}} *{{cite news |publisher=[[United Press International]] |url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/12/07/Britain_withdraws_warship_from_Falklands/UPI-66631228707248/ |title=Britain withdraws warship from Falklands |date=7 December 2008 |access-date=18 March 2011}}
;Websites *{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/Naming_of_Ex_RFA_Largs_Bay_-_HMAS_Choules |title=Naming of Ex RFA Largs Bay - HMAS Choules |last=Griggs |first=Ray |date=13 August 2011 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |access-date=14 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206021228/http://www.navy.gov.au/Naming_of_Ex_RFA_Largs_Bay_-_HMAS_Choules |archive-date=6 December 2011 }} *{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-choules |title=HMAS Choules |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |access-date=1 January 2013}} *{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-sheean |title=HMAS Sheean |publisher= Royal Australian Navy |access-date=1 January 2013}} *{{cite web |url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.5066 |title=RFA Largs Bay |publisher=Royal Navy |access-date=6 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060509124556/http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.5066 |archive-date=9 May 2006}} * {{cite web |url=http://www.seawaves.com/navcall_old/2011/december2011.asp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202000032/http://www.seawaves.com/navcall_old/2011/december2011.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 February 2013 |publisher=Sea Waves |title=Port Visits December 2011 |access-date=15 May 2012 }}
==External links== *{{Commons category-inline|IMO 9240756}}
{{Portal bar|Australia|Royal Australian Navy|Engineering}} {{Royal Australian Navy ships}} {{Bay class landing ship dock}} {{RAN amphibious warfare ships}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Choules, HMAS}} [[Category:Bay-class landing ships of the Royal Australian Navy]] [[Category:2003 ships]] [[Category:Naval ships of Australia]] [[Category:Ships built by Swan Hunter]]