| HMASStirling | |
|---|---|
| Part of Fleet Base West | |
| Garden Island,Western Australia in Australia | |
 Coat of arms of HMASStirling | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Naval base andmilitary airport |
| Owner | Department of Defence |
| Operator | Royal Australian Navy |
| Location | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 32°14′30″S115°41′00″E / 32.24167°S 115.68333°E /-32.24167; 115.68333 |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1978 (1978) |
| Garrison information | |
| Current commander | Captain Ken Burleigh, RAN |
| Garrison | |
HMASStirling | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Military | ||||||||||
| Operator | Royal Australian Navy | ||||||||||
| Location | Garden Island,Western Australia | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 30 ft / 9 m | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  YGAD Location inWestern Australia | |||||||||||
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| Runways | |||||||||||
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HMASStirling is aRoyal Australian Navy (RAN)base that is part of Fleet Base West situated on the west coast ofAustralia, on theIndian Ocean. The base is located onGarden Island in the state ofWestern Australia, near the city ofPerth. Garden Island also has its ownmilitary airport on the island (ICAO:YGAD). HMASStirling is currently under the command ofCaptain Ken Burleigh, RAN
HMASStirling is named after AdmiralSir James Stirling (28 January 1791 – 23 April 1865).[2] Stirling, aRoyal Navy officer and colonial administrator, landed on Garden Island, Western Australia in 1827 and returned as commander of the barqueParmelia in June 1829 to establish and administer theSwan River Colony in Western Australia. He was the firstGovernor of Western Australia, serving between 1828 and 1838.[3]
The planning ofStirling began in 1969 when, after it was decided to create theTwo-Ocean Policy, a feasibility study into the use of Garden Island as a naval base was begun. The 4.3 km (2.7 mi) 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.[4]
The first major unit to callFleet Base West home wasHMASStuart, having first been assigned toStirling in 1984 for several years and, after refitting in the east, again in 1988 until decommissioning in 1991. The first submarine to be based atStirling wasHMASOxley in 1987. Later, the headquarters of the Australian Submarine Squadron was relocated there in 1994.[2]
Stirling has expanded significantly within its existing boundaries and is the largest of the RAN's shore establishment, with a base population of approximately 2,300 service personnel, 600 defence civilians and 500 contractors. Amenities included berthing and wharves, vessel repair and refit services, a ship-lift, and a helicopter support facility, as well as medical facilities, fuel storage and accommodation. The base also hosts theSubmarine Escape Training Facility – one of only six in the world and the only one in theSouthern Hemisphere.[2]
Garden Island is 10 km (6.2 mi) in length, 1.5 km (0.93 mi) wide, and is 13 km2 (5.0 sq mi) in area, withStirling 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.[5]
_and_USS_Hawaii_(SSN-776)_at_HMAS_Stirling%2c_Western_Australia%2c_August_2024_09.jpg)
In March 2023, the US, UK and Australia announced, as part theAUKUS security partnership, the Submarine Rotational Forces-West (SRF-W) initiative whereby the US and UK would maintain a permanent rotational presence of nuclear-powered submarines at the base. Under the AUKUS partnership, US and UK submarines will visitStirling' more frequently and remain for longer. Australia's nuclear-propelled submarines will be based atStirling from the early 2030s.[6][7]
| Vessel | Class | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| HMS Astute | Astute-class submarine | October 2021 | United Kingdom[8] |
| USS North Carolina | Virginia-class submarine | August 2023 | United States[9] |
| USS Annapolis | Virginia-class submarine | March 2024 | United States[9] |
| USS Emory S. Land | Emory S. Land-class submarine tender | August 2024 | United States[9][10] |
| USS Hawaii | Virginia-class submarine | August – September 2024 | United States[11][9] |
| USS Minnesota | Virginia-class submarine | February – March 2025 | United States[9] |
Stirling is home port to 11 fleet units, including fiveAnzac classfrigates, all six of theCollins classsubmarines operated by theRoyal Australian Navy Submarine Service, and a replenishment vessel.[2][4]
Submarine Rotational Forces. From 2027, the United Kingdom and the United States plan to establish a rotational presence of one UK Astute class submarine and up to four U.S. Virginia class submarines at HMAS Stirling near Perth, Western Australia – this initiative will be known as 'Submarine Rotational Force-West' (SRF-West).
