Fed: HMAS Sydney leaves for Iraq today
Defence Minister ROBERT HILL says the guided missile frigate HMAS Sydney will leaveAustralia today to join the war on Iraq.
The frigate -- with 230 crew and a Seahawk helicopter on board -- will replace HMASAnzac and HMAS Darwin which are due to return home next month.
Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD, Governor-General PETER HOLLINGWORTH, Defence Force ChiefPETER COSGROVE and Navy Chief CHRIS RITCHIE are set to farewell the ship at Garden Islandin Sydney.
Senator HILL says HMAS Sydney will join HMAS Kanimbla in the Persian Gulf.
Senator HILL last week announced the scaling down of Australia's naval involvementin the war, with the return of the Anzac and the Darwin.
The Sydney is designed for long-range escort duty and is capable of defence againstair and sea attack.
AAP RTV sb/jtb/rp/kn/wz
KEYWORD: IRAQ FRIGATE (CANBERRA)
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