the navy reservist - Royal Australian Navy

THE
NAVY
RESERVIST
THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY RESERVIST MAGAZINE ISSUE NUMBER 2
The Navy Reservist is a journal of the Director-General Reserves – Navy.
It is published twice a year in May and November.
Views expressed within the Navy Reservist may not necessarily be those
of the Royal Australian Navy or the Royal Australian Navy Reserves.
Contributions
Contributions and feedback are welcomed
from serving PN and Reserve members and
former members via the contact details below.
Articles should be normally between 450-600
(for news) and 450-1000 (for features).
Images should be of the highest resolution
possible, and they should not be less than
180dpi and a width or height of 20cm to
meet commercial print standards. If lo-res
(less than 180dpi) only is possible, then they
must be at least 50cm wide/high.
For ease of filing, photos are preferred
electronically. Any photographs received in
hard copy form will be returned to the owner.
Items submitted from operational areas must
be cleared through the relevant command,
and this must be advised to the editor. A
clearance template is available on request.
All items submitted will be sub-edited by
editorial staff and the final draft will be
returned to the originator for concurrence.
Style remains the prerogative of the editor.
Contents
For any advice on contact information,
including style, please feel free to
contact the editor.
Director:
CMDR Dina Kinsman, DRES-N
Editor:
LCDR Andrew Stackpool, DDRES-N
Phone: (02) 6266 7611
Mobile: 0411 181 613
e-mail:
[email protected]
Editorial staff:
CAPT Richard Phillips
SQNLDR Deanna Nott
LEUT Anna Glover
SBLT Carolyn Docking
Foreword
1
Amphibious data up to speed
11
From the Editor’s Desk
2
Paradise safe
12
NGN - making the change
3
Full fathom five
13
Naval intelligence comes of age
4
Amphibious MASH
14
Streaming the log
5
Variety the spice of life in the MEAO
15
PRELS lead the way in NGN reform
6
GOA, another side to the story
16
Naval Reserve Capability under review
7
Copping it sweet
17
Security review
7
Reserves to the fore in Navy Week
18
Riding the trident
8
Navy Musos hit the right chord
19
The Search for the Sydney
20
BRAVO ZULU
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
Contact Information
10
1
NAVY RESERVIST
ON SEPTEMBER 14 last year, I attended CN’s
Navy Symposium.
In addition to VADM Russ Crane, presenters
included Chief Capability Development Group
(VADM Matt Tripovich), DCN (RADM Davyd
Thomas), COMAUSFLT (RADM Nigel Coates),
Head Maritime Systems Division (RADM
Boyd Robinson), Director General Maritime
Operations (CDRE Simon Cullen), Head Navy
People and Reputation (CDRE David Letts),
Head Navy Engineering Division (CDRE John
Bryson), and WO-N (WO Mark Tandy).
During the day, speakers outlined the
successes Navy has enjoyed and the many
challenges both in the short and long term.
Not surprisingly, the Defence White Paper
2009, the Strategic Reform Program (SRP)
and New Generation Navy (NGN) featured
prominently in every aspect.
CN, DCN, COMAUSFLT, HNPAR and WO-N
specifically mentioned the Navy Reserve and
the integral part it plays in today’s Navy. They
pointed out that Reservists are now being
regarded more as part-time members of the
RAN.
CDRE Letts showed a slide depicting the
Reserve contribution to capability in Navy’s
trained force over the past three fiscal years.
The percentage rose from 7.6 per cent in
FY06/07 through 9.65 per cent in FY07/08
to 10.47 per cent in FY08/09. The number of
CFTS postings in the last FY rose to 521 and
the figure at time of going to press is close to
540. All speakers acknowledged the valuable
contribution the Naval Reserve was making to
Navy and that without that commitment, Navy
would not be able to operate as efficiently as
it currently does in the continuing operational
tempo.
The Symposium provided a measured and
balanced view of Navy in 2009 and looked to
the future with confidence that Navy people
would rise to the challenges of Force 2030
and the new equipments and processes that
will define Navy in the coming years.
Foreword
By CDRE Ranford P Elsey, RFD, RANR
The SRP brings with it significant challenges
for the ADF as savings and efficiencies will
need to be realised if Force 2030 is to
become a reality.
Presenters were confident that these savings
and efficiencies would be met but stressed
that it is up to each and every member of the
RAN to play his/her part to transform Navy.
NGN will help us get to that point. The
‘Making the Change’ workshops will soon be
rolled out to selected members, and the Navy
community is urged to take on board the
messages presented thereby.
2009 was an exciting time to be part of the
Navy and I look forward to the Navy Reserves
continuing to play its part in the challenges
ahead in 2010; each and every member, in
‘making the change’, realising the NGN Vision
(An Australian navy renowned for excellence
in service to the nation) and Motto (Navy Serving Australia with pride) to deliver Navy’s
Mission (To fight and win in the maritime
environment).
In closing, may I thank each and every one
of you who contributed during 2009 for your
hard work and dedication. You can be proud
to have contributed to making the Navy what
it is today.
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
2
NAVY RESERVIST
From the
Editor’s Desk
LCDR Andrew Stackpool
WELCOME to the second edition of “The Navy
Reservist”.
I hope you enjoy the publication.
Again, I would like to acknowledge the input
from SQNLDR Deana Nott, LEUT Anna Glover,
and SBLT Carolyn Docking and thank them
for their enthusiasm and input.
Also, my thanks to CMDR Steve Dunning and
the other contributors.
Without their input this magazine would not
be possible.
In this edition, we have a wide range of
important matters to cover, as well as looking
at more of the dedicated individuals in the
part-time arm of the Royal Australian Navy.
We are updating on Navy’s most important
program for many decades, the New
Generation Navy (NGN). We are covering the
introduction of the new intelligence (INT) and
operational logistics (OPLOG) PQs, which will
have significant outcomes for many people.
Also, we are providing an update on the new
Public Relations (PREL) structure.
The divers have been busy and we are
reporting on two of their major activities,
a deployment in support of the Clearance
Diving Team world and Exercise Dugong in
Tasmania. Also, in Brisbane, we have the
Geospatial Intelligence Library.
most RAN ships during WWII, were Reservists
‘hostilities only’ personnel. It is also worth
contemplating that three of the ship’s
company of HMS Hood in her final battle
with the Bismarck were also Australian Naval
Reservists. The modern Navy Reserves is built
upon a solid record of Service and Sacrifice;
truly service to “Country Not Self”.
From ‘out there’, we have stories from the
Gulf of Aden, Northern Trident and other
places. Included, also, is a book review on
the finding of HMAS Sydney II. It is worth
recollecting that the majority of her ill-fated
ship’s company, like the ships’ companies of
As I said in the first edition, this magazine will
only be as good as the information and as
importantly, the photos we receive from you,
the Navy Reservists. I can seek input from
Headquarters, the Forces, State Directors
and other Command outlets, etc., but at the
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
end of the day we are about the stories of the
individual Reservists at home, on deployment,
on the sporting field, in the community; even
your hobbies and interests.
So, please, if you have or are doing something
you think is of interest, please let me know.
For the Command at all levels, if you have
Reservists doing things, especially at part-ofship or desk level, let us know.
We do not require flowing prose; we can
provide you guidelines, but we do want your
stories.
May you all have fair winds and following seas.
3
NAVY RESERVIST
NEW Generation Navy has entered a new
phase, with the focus now on culture change,
leadership and the way Navy does business.
“Navy’s Leadership Framework reflects the
ethical foundation and unique requirements
of leadership,” CN said after the launch of
the Navy Leadership Framework at the Navy
Symposium in September.
“This Framework is centred on the Navy
Values, and includes the Signature
Behaviours, and other time-tested leadership
principles. It is the basis for training all
leaders, regardless of rank.”
The Framework is being implemented through
Navy’s existing Leadership, Management and
Personal Development Training Continuum
for junior officers and sailors, and via new
Leadership Development workshops for
middle and senior - rank officers, senior
civilian managers and WOs.
These workshops will address leadership in
terms of the impact that individual behaviour
has on team effectiveness and on Navy’s
culture. Participants will also be able to
access a voluntary ‘360 feedback’ program
to receive ‘real’ feedback on their personal
leadership impact. Participation in the
workshops is voluntary for Reserve personnel
but is strongly encouraged for people
undertaking regular periods of Reserve
service.
NGN - making the change
The program commenced with a series of
MTC ‘Train the Facilitator’ sessions aimed at
personnel who were identified as suitable
facilitators, and they have begun to present
the engagements with their staff or in their
Division. Attendance at the four workshops is
compulsory for all Navy personnel, and they
are to be completed by June 30, with the
results recorded on PMKeyS.
CMDR Gary Brown is conducting the “Train
the Facilitator” sessions for MTC around the
country, and has met with Navy members of
all ranks, both permanent and Reserves.
“Under the total force, the Reserves are an
important component,” CMDR Brown said.
“They must also comply with the Behaviours,
and are strongly encouraged to get involved in
the MTC engagements where possible.”
The program will reach all Reserves currently
on CFTS or completing diary days, as part of
their divisional meetings. With the amount of
ground covered by the “Train the Facilitator”
team, there will be officers and senior sailors
in every area in Navy that can provide the
MTC training.
“Getting the training to all Reservists is
challenging, especially when they are
geographically dispersed,” he said. ‘We will
reach them through the Divisional system
so that everyone in Navy is engaged in
the interactive and inclusive way the MTC
program provides.”
Attendees at the workshops also receive a
copy of the new booklet “Navy Values: Serving
Australia with Pride”, and an ID card-sized
plastic card that lists on one side Navy’s
vision, motto, mission and values and the
Signature Behaviours on the other.
“They have been enthusiastically accepted
and have been a great way to engage
constructive conversation on the Signature
Behaviours,” CMDR Brown said.
“It’s positive to see acceptance across all
ranks, and all who have participated in the
workshops so far are looking forward to rolling
out MTC in their divisions.”
Further information on the NGN program,
including the Leadership development
workshops and “Making the Change” is at
http://intranet.defence.gov.au/navyweb/
sites/NGN/
The Leadership and Ethics Project has
delivered a number of pilot “leadership
development” workshops and modules. The
full program will be rolled out in 2010.
The work on culture change also continues,
with the “Making the Change” (MTC) program
now embedded in Navy.
MTC will encourage, through a series of four
engagements, how to better live by the Navy
Values and Signature Behaviours through
scenarios and discussion in a group setting.
The four interactive engagements examine
the Signature Behaviours generally, and
then more closely in the context of People,
Performance and Professionalism.
Senior personnel aboard HMAS Stuart braved heavy weather to do their first MTC tasks.
Photo: LEUT Stuart Cayzer.
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
4
NAVY RESERVIST
Naval intelligence
comes of age
By CMDR Peter Saxton, RANR
SIGNIFICANT changes are in train for the
future of Naval Intelligence, including among
its ANR ranks.
In order to ensure the ongoing viability of
the maritime intelligence function as an
element of war fighting capability, CN directed
the establishment of a formal intelligence
community and career continuum for the
RAN.
The primary driver was the need to develop
well-trained intelligence specialists in support
of commanders at sea (embarked N2 – or
Intelligence Staff Officers), coupled with the
ever-increasing mandate of, and demands
within, the joint intelligence environment.
merit-based selection process focusing on
value analysis, competency benchmarking,
eligibility criteria and future employability of
the candidate within the RAN intelligence
domain.
The recently-formed Navy Intelligence Officer
Qualification Board (NIOQB) is responsible
for the management of this process including:
a. selection of Navy Intelligence Officer
(NIO) candidates;
b. tier allocation within the INT PQ
continuum;
c. providing direction on courses and
experience for progression to the next
tier; and
As part of this process, the Intelligence
Primary Qualification (INT PQ) was stood-up
on December 1 last year. It will be common
across selected officers from both the
Permanent Navy and Reserve. The new INT PQ
will replace the former Intelligence Functional
Qualification introduced into the PN in
2003 and the INT PQ that has been worn by
members of the Naval Intelligence Reserves
(NIR) over its various iterations.
d. recommendations to DNOP for dual
qualifications.
In parallel with the INT PQ is the creation
of the Maritime Intelligence Support Centre
(MISC) at FHQ in Sydney. It will be the
centre of excellence for Navy intelligence
support and will have all the necessary
command and control, intelligence and data
connectivity through state-of-the-art systems.
The MISC has collocated all of Navy’s
intelligence capability and has brought the
Naval Imagery Units, RANTEWSS, AJAAC and
other intelligence functions together in one
organization under the command and control
of the Director General Maritime Operations.
From the NIR perspective, there is a further
expectation of greater commitment from
its workforce. This requirement is based
not only upon workplace commitment
and deployability, but also on the member
transitioning along the training and
developmental continuum.
Appointment into the INT PQ will be
management-initiated, founded upon a
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
The first NIOQB selected the first PN and
Reserve NIOs for transitioning to the INT PQ
last September.
Sea-going deployability is an integral
component of the INT PQ. All NIOs must be
willing to present for mandatory training and
sea postings as required.
The continuum sets out the training courses,
career posting options and Intelligence tier
structure. Completion of designated courses
and posting opportunities is necessary for
progression to the next tier. The tier to which
NIOs are assigned determines their relevant
Pay Group.
The then LEUT Laurie Gray (right) visited Baghdad while deployed
in HMAS Ballart as the N2. Photo: LCDR Laurie Gray.
For those NIR members selected for the
new INT PQ, the rationalisation of the RAN’s
intelligence capability will provide them with
the opportunity to fully align and integrate
themselves with their PN counterparts. This
will result in their ability to develop their
skill-sets in a defined and structured career
progression and exploit significant long-term
career opportunities.
Further information is available at http://
intranet.defence.gov.au/navyweb/sites/
NCIW/.
This is an exciting time for Navy’s intelligence
capability and intelligence officers. There
are tremendous opportunities available for
Reservists who are prepared to accept the
challenges that lie ahead.
The standing up of the new INT PQ is also
significant because it reflects for the first
time the total integration of part time and full
time personnel within a single capability, and
is the final stroke in the dissolution of the
last vestiges of the Port Division system; an
important achievement in the evolution of the
Navy Reserve.
Further information from peter.saxton@
defence.gov.au
5
NAVY RESERVIST
ARE you looking for a change of PQ or just
a PQ?
Do you enjoy demanding and challenging
work but with potential for a wide range of
opportunities and the feeling of a job well
done?
Then you may wish to consider a second
career – in Operational Logistics (OPLOG).
OPLOG involves managing the processes
necessary to move PMC (Passengers, Mail
and Cargo) from a forward location to fleet
units operating away from home base.
The Reserve is currently looking for
suitable people interested in a career in
forward logistics support. OPLOG offers
the opportunity for Reservists to provide a
valuable contribution to defence capability. It
is a rewarding career choice for those with a
suitable background, the right aptitude and a
desire to serve.
The requirement for the OPLOG organisation
was first identified in 2004 by the Supply
community under the Supply Officer ten year
plan, SO2013. The community determined
that, given the right training, Reservists with
the right background could provide a valuable
contribution in an operational logistics role.
The timing for creating the capability tied in
perfectly with the Defence White Paper which
endorsed the government’s policy for a bigger
navy, with larger ships and greater capability.
Streaming the log
By CMDR John Willy and LEUT Anthony Gilmour
domestic and international exercises,
be assigned to operations and assist in
humanitarian relief.
After completing initial training, OPLOG
officers will attend the two-week long
initial operations logistics course (IOLC).
This will be followed by on-the-job training
and assessment consisting of a series of
competency-based tasks contained within
a Work Experience Journal (WEJ). Tasks
include participation in logistics planning,
coordination of front end logistics support to
ships and making necessary arrangements
for port visits for Fleet Units away from home
base.
An OPLOG PQ will be awarded to those who
successfully complete the IOLC and WEJ.
The first IOLC was held at HMAS Cairns last
April and the six candidates passed. During
Exercise Talisman Saber, they were deployed
to Brisbane, Rockhampton and Townsville to
provide the necessary shore support.
The development of the new OPLOG branch
is already a success. As the capability
grows, the ability to provide a surge capacity
whenever required, at sea or ashore, will
increase dramatically.
While the pilot IOLC members were all
serving Reservists, future recruiting plans
to target civilians “off the street”, as well as
lateral transfers by Reservists. People with
a logistics or supply background or working
in the maritime industry are ideally suited
for OPLOG. However, equally important
are the soft skills: good people skills,
assertiveness, excellent time management
and organizational skills, ability to recognize
priorities and common sense and logic.
The next IOLC is planned to take place in the
first half of 2010.
While the capability is in its infancy, OPLOG
personnel will mainly deploy to commercial
ports around Australia to provide the “port
services” support needed during fleet unit
port visits. They will work for the Port Services
Managers. However, as the capability matures,
Reserve ‘loggies’ will be deployed overseas to
work in logistic support elements or forward
operational sites. The Navy’s acquisitions plan
places a demand for Reserve personnel to
be at the forefront of future logistics support.
‘Loggies’ will provide that front end support.
As the capability matures, OPLOG personnel
will be given chances to travel, work in
different environments, participate in
In future, OPLOGSs will play a vital role in tasks like this as HMAS Tobruk loads humanitarian stores.
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
6
NAVY RESERVIST
PRELS lead
the way in
NGN reform
By LCDR Fenn Kemp
THE RAN’s Public Relations (PREL) primary
qualification (PQ) is undergoing the most
significant reform since its inception, with its
members being brought under the control of
the Permanent Navy (PN).
The RAN’s PREL capability is unique within
the ADF, in that it is wholly staffed by Reserve
members. Their civilian employment in
media, marketing, public relations, event
management and the like allows them to
bring a raft of skills and experience that
Permanent members may not have. However,
until recently the PREL capability was
managed outside of the main stream of the
PN and, as a result, has arguably been ‘out of
sight and out of mind’.
The 2009 Defence White Paper (WP) and
Strategic Reform Program (SRP) highlighted
the challenges facing the Australian Defence
Organisation over the next two decades. The
WP identifies the significant increase in ADF
capabilities needed for Force 2030, while the
SRP encompasses the resource efficiencies
required to deliver these capabilities,
particularly over the next ten years.
PREL LEUT Gary McHugh (rear) with
personnel from HMAS Kanimbla meet
young locals in Padang, Indonesia during
Operation Padang Assist. PRELs are on
the crest of a wave of change ashore, at
sea, at home and on deployment.
Photo: ABIS Andrew Dakin.
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
Effective and efficient workforce management
is a key element of Navy’s SRP strategy,
noting that SRP reforms aim to achieve a
sustainable, integrated uniformed and civilian
workforce that has the right skills and is the
right size and shape for the future. One of the
key aims of the New Generation Navy (NGN)
program is to centralise and streamline the
way the RAN does business. This included
bringing the PREL PQ into the Navy fold to
optimise its effectiveness.
In 2009, nine PRELs signed CFTS contracts
with Navy and all have ‘hit the ground
running’. Some served overseas, while others
took part in exercises ashore and afloat
or were employed within Navy Strategic
Command or Joint Operations Command in
Canberra. A growing number of PRELs have
indicated their preference to accept Navy
work they can carry out from home.
These new PRELs have joined the Navy team
on the crest of a wave of change. The recent
decision to re-name and re-focus the PHOT
category and move it into the Intelligence
community could soon require Public Affairs
specialists to include basic imagery skills
in their repertoire. This is one of a number
of issues incorporated into the review of
PREL requirements and their job description
that is now underway. The review should be
completed by mid-2010.
The PREL PQ management changes already
implemented along with those anticipated
in the near future will facilitate opportunities
for PRELs who want to actively contribute. For
Navy, the WP and SRP changes will underpin
its ability to operate, maintain and support a
larger, more potent force of surface platforms,
submarines and aircraft. Marketing the new
Navy capabilities will be a challenging task.
On launching the NGN program, CN made
it clear that marketing Navy now and into
the future is a fundamental job for all Navy
people. The PREL PQ has a leadership role
in this regard and that means more work for
more active PRELs.
7
NAVY RESERVIST
Naval Reserve Capability under review
By CMDR Glenn Tinsley
THE work performed by the Naval Reserves
and the personnel required to carry it out is
under review.
the structure of the Reserve force and
its contribution to Navy capability for the
foreseeable future.
DCN announced the NR Capability Review by
signal on November 16.
The review will comprise two distinct phases.
The first phase was data collection. Position
owners and supervisors were asked to
provide a range of information on each
position including a position’s capability
output, appropriateness of the rank and PQ/
CAT to achieving its output and adequacy
of resources to support the position. This
information was provided by December 11.
It comes at a time when spending on the
Naval Reserve is expected to exceed budget
by almost 40 per cent this financial year. A
key requirement of the review will be to state
the level of capability that the NR will deliver
from within its budget. To that end, the review
will align the NR construct to prioritised
capability outputs in accordance with Navy
Strategic Plan 09/10 as well as ensuring
a sustainable workforce to meet future
capability requirements.
DGRES-N stated that the review is an
important ‘one-off’ opportunity to mould
The second phase, which will take place
between January and March 2010, will
centre on analysis of the data. DGRES-N
stated that this will be the key phase when
some important judgements will have to
be made regarding the relative priority of
positions. With only a finite amount of cash
in the Reserve budget, it is imperative that
we ensure that it is spent wisely and that the
optimum level of capability is delivered from
within the cash boundary.
When this phase is completed, initial
guidance will be issued regarding the
availability of Funded Reserve Commitment
positions for the following financial year.
The review will also serve to inform the Navy’s
commitment to the Strategic Reform Program
(Reserve Reform Stream), which stands at
$19m savings over the next decade. The
completion of the review is prerequisite to
understanding if there is scope for any roles
or functions currently undertaken by the
Permanent Force being addressed on a part
time basis to deliver capability at a lower
cost.
Security review
THE ADF is currently undergoing a range of
improvements to policy and actual physical
security procedures and measures.
These initiatives follow the recent review
of base security and subsequent risk
assessments that were conducted at all
bases.
They follow the discovery of the alleged
terrorist plot to attack Holsworthy Army
Barracks.
The improvements include strengthening
Defence’s protective security alert system and
improving the policies underpinning security
arrangements, an additional patrolling
presence by the Australian Federal Police and
contracted security guards and a range of
physical security measures.
Defence is also implementing enhanced
security measures to strengthen and
make more consistent existing security
arrangements across all Defence bases and
facilities. They include a new alert system,
refined lockdown procedures and updated
emergency response plans.
Secretary of Defence Dr Ian Watt said
he was pleased with the progress that
Defence was making with implementing the
recommendations.
“Actions are either complete or in progress on
all recommendations,” Dr Watt said.
“These security enhancements reflect the
importance that Defence and the government
places on the safety, security and well-being
of ADF members, Defence employees and
contractors.”
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
8
NAVY RESERVIST
Trip of a lifetime
In April last year, I joined HMAS Sydney and
sailed on Northern Trident 09, a five-month
circumnavigation visiting ports in India, Spain,
France, the UK, Canada, the US, Bahamas
and Samoa.
By LEUT Anna Glover
I was away for 7 ½ months CFTS.
LEUT Anna Glover contemplates going
down to the sea in ships.
My 60,000 nautical mile journey started
when I answered an expression of interest for
a Public Affairs Officer (PAO) to join Sydney
on her world trip. Until then, my Public Affairs
contribution to Navy was directed more at
writing for publications; however I was keen to
apply. I strongly believe that the best way to
get the most out of your time as a Reservist
is to go to sea and experience life aboard a
ship. REOC training can only teach you so
much –five months away in a ship will show
you so much more and give you experiences
that will add significant value to your overall
Reservist experience.
My deployment would never have happened
if it had not been for an extremely supportive
workplace that believes in the contribution
that Reservists can make to the business. I
was a Business Development Adviser for Corrs
Chambers Westgarth Lawyers in Brisbane.
However, with a Bachelor of Arts in Public
Relations, I was keen to use my PR skills and
what better way than on a world trip.
In response to the global financial crisis,
Corrs was offering people leave without pay
for six to 12 months, so I thought it would be
a good time to put my hand up. Corrs has
an excellent Military Leave policy, which gave
me a bit of extra security and I was pleased
that they would be eligible for the Employer
Support Payment.
When I found out that I was accepted, I was
very excited but a little daunted as there was
so much that needed to be done before I
embarked.
I was one of only two Reservists on the
deployment; the other, WO Bob McCann, left
the Navy after 29 years. He was a fantastic
help to me and was always ready to give me
some useful advice on the best way to ‘get
things done in the Pus’.
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
9
NAVY RESERVIST
I was made to feel very welcome and many
of the officers helped me to settle in to
shipboard life, although there were times
when I missed my family and friends.
The great thing about life aboard was that
there was always someone around to make
me laugh and another port to look forward
to. Many of the ship’s company had family
and partners meet them in various ports, and
when my sister and her partner met the ship
in Pearl Harbour, it was fantastic.
My duties were extremely busy and at
times exhausting as ship routine and the
deliverables expected for such a high profile
trip often left me with very little time to see
the sights in each port.
Much of my time was taken up with writing
stories for the Northern Trident 09 website
and Navy News, and media releases for
port visits, as well as liaising with Defence
Attaches and High Commission and
Australian Embassy staff to ensure that
media coverage of our visit was maximised.
The hard work paid off, especially when I
saw footage from every television station in
Australia of Sydney sailing past the Statue of
Liberty on her way to berth in New York for a
four-day visit.
Life at sea is an interesting experience with
new terminology, the food and the culture;
however I was not expecting to be sent to
Action Stations. That happened when Sydney
came to the rescue of a merchant vessel
under attack from Somali pirates while we
were while transiting the Gulf of Aden. I was
in the Operations Room to prepare a brief
that could be sent to Canberra as soon as
the situation was resolved. At the time I was
running on pure adrenalin and it was not
until later, once the threat had subsided, that
the enormity of the situation sank in and I
realised how dangerous events could have
become. It was certainly one of the stand-out
experiences of the trip.
The deployment gave me the opportunity
to really increase my exposure to the RAN,
learn about its culture and get to know some
incredible men and women who work at a job
that is very different from my desk job.
It changed many things for me. It gave me an
experience that took me out of my comfort
zone and enabled me to grow both personally
and professionally.
Northern Trident 09 really was the “trip of a
lifetime”.
LEUT Anna Glover with LEUT Joshua
Watkin and LCDR Jon Goulder taking
the scene from Sydney’s gun direction
platform after departing Cochin, India.
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
10
NAVY RESERVIST
BRAVO ZULU
By LCDR Brett Lane
Two senior sailors based at HMAS Stirling
have been recognised for excellence in their
Reserve service to the RAN.
CPOCD Mark Graham and POMTSM Warren
Webb received Reserve Service Excellence
Awards from the Western Australian
Committee of the Defence Reserves Support
Council (DRSC).
The announcement was made at a DRSC
formal dinner at Irwin Barracks, Perth.
CPOCD Graham’s award acknowledged
his “dedication, unflagging enthusiasm,
commitment and selfless outstanding
contribution to Navy diving operations”.
CPOCD Graham serves as Chief of Operations
with ANR Diving Team Seven, AUSCDT Four.
He is a station officer at Fremantle Fire
Station with the Fire and Emergency Services
Authority of Western Australia.
POMTSM Webb was recognised for his
exceptional service to Training Authority –
Submarines (TA-SM), and the submarine
community at large as manager of the
Competency Management Cell and as
a member of the TA-SM Quality Control
department.
LEUT Joe Francis, a Navy Reservist
submariner and the State Member for the
Perth metropolitan seat of Jandakot in the
Western Australia Parliament, represented
Premier Colin Barnett at the dinner.
DRSC provides a link between the ADF,
employers and the community. It aims to
enhance the availablity of the Reserve
component of the ADF by promoting the
benefits of employing Reservists.
Left: POMTSM Warren Webb.
(alone, in rig – NIU PHOT picture)
Right: CPOCD Mark Graham (right)
receiving his award with his employer
representative Bruce Chamberlain,
Fire & Emergency Services Authority of
WA acting district manager (Cockburn
Sound). PHOTO: CPL Renee Leighton
RESERVE support was firmly under the
spotlight at a glittering formal dinner held for
nearly 600 small business representatives
recently.
The gala affair was held at the Sheraton on
the Park Hotel in Sydney on October 20.
The Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, and
NSW Minister for Small Business, Mr Steve
Whan hosted the event, which included a
brief audio-visual presentation on the current
roles of ADF Reserves.
Seven Network’s Sunrise talk show host David
Koch was the Master of Ceremonies.
The Defence Reserves Support Council
(DRSC) team was led by its Chairman, Mr
Rodney Cavalier.
Director of Naval Reserve Support-NSW
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
CMDR Peter Collins presented the Melbourne
Perfume Factory with their award in the
Manufacturing category.
“This sort of exposure to such a dynamic
audience of young achievers is a great way of
increasing both awareness of and support for
ADF reservists,” CMDR Collins said.
“For a lot of people there, it was probably the
only contact they’ve had with the ADF and it
drew a lot of favourable comment.”
DGRES-N CDRE Ranford Elsey attended the
function and was invited to speak at the
DRSC’s leadership forum after the event.
“It is excellent that the DRSC supports the
awards and, thereby, the reservists and their
employees who are willing to support their
Reservist employees’ service to the nation,”
CDRE Elsey said.
Spotlight
on reserves
CMDR Peter Collins
presents Melbourne
Perfume Company’s
Melinda Hewat with
her award.
Photo: Jaimie
Williams Photography.
11
NAVY RESERVIST
IN THE midst of a predominantly “Army”
town is a dedicated team of Navy Reservists
preparing details for another high profile
amphibious exercise. Known as the GSIL
(Geospatial Intelligence Library), this small,
but highly skilled team of Brisbane-based
reservists has been the custodian of the
Navy’s Beach Intelligence Library for more
than 15 years.
Known previously as the Amphibious Targeting
Materials Library (ATML), the group had
a name change when it moved out of the
Intelligence community and into the then
Hydrographic and Meteorological Force
Element Group (HMFEG) in mid-2008. The
HMFEG has since undergone a transformation
under New Generation Navy to become the
Hydrography, Meteorology and Oceanography
Branch (HM Branch), which now includes
a Maritime Military Geospatial Information
(MGI) and Services Directorate of which GSIL
is a Section.
“The transition was a logical one,” said
CMDR Andy Clowes, OIC of the team.
Amphibious data up
to speed
With the organizational move to the HM
Branch, the GSIL team relocated to the 1st
Topographical Survey Squadron at Gallipoli
Barracks at Enoggera. The move enabled a
transfer of knowledge between the two groups
and a merging of the near-shore, beach and
back-of-beach data sets.
While only a small team of four personnel,
their jobs could not be completed without the
substantial support of their civilian employers.
Between them, the four officers contribute
almost 300 days annually to the activities of
the GSIL – a commitment which would not
be possible without reserve-friendly leave
policies.
“My employers at the Queensland Racing
Science Centre have been extremely generous
over the years in enabling me to fulfill my
obligations to the Navy,” LCDR Mark Jarrett
said. The point was underscored by CMDR
Clowes who has hosted the civilian employers
of all members of the GSIL at various Navy
functions on visiting warships in his dual
capacity as Director Naval Reserve Support
Queensland.
“The Queensland Government is the biggest
employer of reservists in Queensland and
we are lucky to have an extremely supportive
Premier and government here in Queensland,”
he said.
“While a small part of what we do relates
to intelligence activity, in the main, we see
ourselves as both custodians and producers
of amphibious-related product associated
with amphibious operations and exercises.”
The team had its genesis in the early 1990’s
and over the years has gradually built an
impressive on-line library of data covering the
littoral zone in Australia’s area of operations.
“The material that we supply is often the only
data available to support an operation or
exercise and can be used to either rule in or
rule out potential sites,” CMDR Clowes said.
Since moving to the HM Branch, the Branch’s
considerable resources have been brought
to bear on the product, and planning is
underway to further enhance it by linking
it to the substantial data bases of the
Australian Hydrographic Office and publishing
the products using Web Mapping Services
technologies.
CMDR Andrew Clowes, CMDR James Huggett and LCDR Mark Jarrett work on a current Beach
Intelligence File
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
12
NAVY RESERVIST
Paradise safe
by LCDR Iain Weir
and SBLT Carolyn Docking
NAVY Reserve divers recently assisted the PN
with a vital aid program when five members
of the Hobart-based Diving Team 10 (DT10)
deployed to the Solomon Islands for 33 days
with just 13 days’ notice.
The five-man team comprised DT10 OIC,
LCDR Paul Gregg, POCD Bill Denholm, LSCD
Steve Taylor, LSATV Nick Dingle, and ABCD
Chris Van den Broek.
LCDR Gregg runs his own financial company,
LS Taylor is a commercial diver, and LS Dingle
and AB Van den Broek are constables in the
Tasmanian Police.
The team were part of the ADF’s Operation
Render Safe, an ongoing initiative designed
to remove unexploded ordnance (UXO) from
WWII from the islands.
They were embarked in HMAS Melville and
the task ’surfaced’ because Melville was
unable to field a complete PN dive team.
During an earlier inspection by the Mine
Warfare Clearance Diving Group (MCDGRP),
the team had asked if they could be
considered for a deployment.
“When the need arose, the task was offered
to them,” LCDR Herman Westerhof from the
MCDGRP said. “They are a highly motivated
team and they jumped at the opportunity.”
During the deployment, the team conducted
a wide range of tasks, including surveys of
potential anchorage sites, laying and recovery
of hydrographic equipment, environmental
data gathering, visual survey of Former Mined
Areas, identification of an area containing
potential UXO, the visual survey of WWII
wrecks, hull inspections and daily training
and shipboard tasks.
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
A DT10 diver signals the all clear during deployment. Photo: LCDR Greg Weir.
LCDR Gregg said one of the highlights of the
trip was the survey of a Japanese submarine
wreck, following concerns that torpedoes and
other explosives might remain on the boat.
“The wreck was in eight to 26 metres of
water and was in surprisingly good condition
notwithstanding that the forward part had
been damaged by a civilian salvage team in
the 1970’s,” he said.
LS Taylor said the trip had been a fantastic
experience.
His partner, Alex Marshal, was very supportive
of his naval career.
“It’s good for him to be a Reservist as he’s
part of a team and gets to represent his
country,” she said.
“I am very supportive of his career in the
Navy and I wouldn’t have any issue with him
going full-time. I was happy for him to get a
deployment.”
LS Dingle said the deployment was a huge
eye-opener into what Reservists are capable
of.
Both LS Dingle and AB Van den Broek said
the Tasmanian Police were very supportive
of their deployment and they nominated the
force for a Defence Employer Award, which it
ultimately won.
The Naval Reserve provides a good
opportunity to do something totally different
from policing.
The team and its employers were later
welcomed back at a reception at Anglesea
Barracks.
“I’m a shift worker so it’s a bit of a juggling
act but the police and the dive team respect
each other’s work commitments and allow
flexibility,” he said.
Melville’s CO later praised the team for its
onboard efforts.
LS Dingle served in the RAN from 1993 until
2002 and joined the Reserves in 2005, the
same year AB Van den Broek also joined.
“It is something different, keeps me active
and fit and gives me life skills,” said AB Van
den Broek.
“The DT was an extremely professional and
experienced group who integrated quickly into
routine soon after joining. They contributed
to communal duties and watch on deck
requirements and took an active interest and
role in training in Melville,” he said.
13
NAVY RESERVIST
Full fathom
five
By LEUT Kara Wansbury
THE Derwent River and waters in the vicinity
of Hobart provided the setting for the Mine
Warfare and Clearance Diving Task Group
(MCDTG) when more than 200 personnel
participated in Exercise Dugong there recently.
The annual exercise is intended to test and
enhance Navy’s Mine Warfare and Clearance
Diving (MCD) capabilities. It focused on
combined mine countermeasures, underwater
battle damage, repair and salvage operations.
More than 200 personnel and three ships,
HMAS Huon, HMAS Diamantina and MSA (L)
Bandicoot, participated.
The personnel came from Australian
Clearance Diving Team (AUSCDT) One and
Four, and Diving Teams (DT) Six and Ten.
Also making an appearance in colder waters
than those in which they normally operate
were members of the USN’s Mobile Diving
Salvage Unit One, based in Pearl Harbour.
HMAS Tobruk transported the 106 tonnes of
equipment required for the exercise.
During the exercise, members of AUSCDT
One and DT 10 conducted a survey of the
wreck of MV Illawarra, the ship that sank
after colliding with Hobart’s Tasman Bridge on
January 5, 1975. Twelve people died in the
disaster.
The clearance divers confirmed the structural
integrity of the wreck and that its position did
not pose a hazard to the bridge.
Commander Australian Mine Warfare and
Clearance Diving Task Group, CMDR Dean
Schopen, said the personnel from DT 10 were
integral to the success of the exercise.
“Their planning and stakeholder liaison in
the lead up to, and during, the exercise has
been first rate and is a reflection of the strong
teamwork and leadership underpinning the
team,” he said.
CMDR Schopen said the focus for the task
group would now turn to re-deployment and
planning for the next MCD exercise in the
Navy calendar – Mulgogger 2010.
“Dugong’s success is a result of the personnel
involved and their continued application of
effort over the two-week period.
“I am proud of the exercise outcomes and the
competencies achieved,” he said.
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
14
NAVY RESERVIST
Amphibious MASH
By LEUT Alistair Tomlison
THE 1970’s hit television program MASH was
about the escapades of a group of US Army
medical personnel during the Korean War.
Even though it was a comedy, the show also
presented the unwavering dedication of its
doctors and nurses in difficult circumstances.
In many respects Navy’s Primary Casualty
Reception Facility (PCRF) operates like
MASH. It is mobile, it receives patients via
helicopter, it has surgical capabilities and
hospital facilities and many of its members
have civilian careers but work for Navy as
Reservists.
The major difference is the PCRF operates
on water from HMAS Kanimbla. The ship
has Level 3 PCRF capabilities (the highest),
and can provide surgery and intensive care
support.
Providing this specialist care requires a
large number of medical personnel with 14
different types of medical skills, from basic
medical assistant through to specialist
doctors, ensuring genuine interoperability.
Exercise Talisman Saber 09 presented an
opportunity for the PCRF to be thoroughly
tested. Over a three-week period, 26
members of the team undertook daily
practice on land, in the air and at sea, to
make sure they were ready and able to meet
any future demands.
The PCRF is divided into three areas and
members of the team are allocated to each
section according to their particular skills.
During a medical emergency, the PCRF will
be activated after being directed to receive
wounded or injured personnel. It swings
into action, beginning with the Aero-Medical
Evacuation (AME) team.
Consisting of a doctor, critical care nurse and
clinical manager, the team will fly to the area,
assess the injured and evacuate the most
serious cases first.
After arriving onboard Kanimbla, the
helicopter is met by a triage manager who is
responsible for allocating each case to one
of the Resuscitation Stations. Each station
consists of a doctor, nurse, clinical manager
and advanced medical assistant, and their
role is to prepare the most serious cases for
surgery, placement in the High Dependency
Unit and provide general medical care to less
serious cases.
PCRF senior medical officer, CMDR Ian
Young, said: “For cases requiring surgery, we
have one dedicated operating theatre with
a potential to upgrade to two. Our ability to
assist those seriously ill or injured is very
advanced.”
After the patient’s condition has been
stabilised, they are transferred to onshore
medical facilities, thereby allowing the PCRF
to receive new cases.
“The PCRF is a great example of the
sophisticated way Navy is able to deal with
a mass casualty situation, and this is why
our expertise was so important to the recent
peacekeeping and humanitarian aid missions
in East Timor, the Solomon Islands and
Indonesia,” CMDR Young said.
The PCRF relies heavily on Reservists, making
up to half of the medical complement.
Kanimbla’s PCRF team take a well-deserved break during Exercise Talisman Saber 09. Photo: ABIS Evan Murphy.
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
OIC of the PCRF LCDR Don Jamieson
said: “Naval Reservists bring with them
irreplaceable experience, having worked for
many of Australia’s largest hospitals. Our
aim is to provide first class care, so having
personnel from first class civilian hospitals is
vital to our continuing success.”
15
NAVY RESERVIST
Variety the spice of life in the MEAO
THE REQUIREMENTS of the ADF are providing
more and more opportunities for naval
reservists to spread their wings.
The experience will stand him in good stead
for both his civilian work as a lawyer and his
career in the Navy.”
Typical of these is PREL officer LEUT Andrew
Silver who deployed to the Middle East Area
of Operations and found himself engaged in
everything from providing PA support to the
Deputy Prime Minister to chasing pirates in
the Gulf of Aden.
On his first operational overseas deployment,
for six months LEUT Silver found himself in
Iraq and Afghanistan and embarked in HMAS
Toowoomba during her counter-terrorism and
anti-piracy patrols.
LEUT Silver, who is a solicitor with the
Melbourne law firm Stynes Dixon, was
destined for a naval career.
He was commissioned in 2007; the same
year, his father, CMDR John Silver retired after
38 years as a Reserve medical officer.
“I was delighted and very proud when Andrew
was commissioned as an officer in the RANR
and also with his subsequent enthusiasm for
the Service,” CMDR Silver said.
“He has been fortunate to have been offered
an operational deployment as important as
Operation Slipper so early in his naval career.
needs and priorities of those at the tactical
and operational levels and the subtleties of
working in a ‘purple’ environment.”
He was employed as the 2IC of the media
operations unit (including six weeks as the
OIC) and found himself providing PA support
to a range of politicians, including the Deputy
Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Federal Leader of
the Opposition Malcolm Turnbull, a number
of former and serving Defence Ministers and
Shadow Ministers, CDF ACM Angus Houston
and CJOPS LTGEN Mark Evans.
“Not surprisingly, this was a great experience,”
LEUT Silver said.
“By being immersed in the job over the last
six months, I have learned a lot about how
an operational Headquarters operates; the
LEUT Deidre Smith is a theatre
nurse with more than thirty years’
experience.
Following in his father’s foot steps, LEUT Andrew Silver
has found his Navy career to be a great experience.
LCDR Neil Smith is a general and
respiratory physician.
“It is very gratifying teaching local
health workers. They are really
keen and eager to learn, and their
enthusiasm is infectious,” she said.
“I volunteered because I was
impressed by Navy’s commitment to
delivering humanitarian assistance
in neighbouring countries,” LCDR
Smith said.
LCDR Rod McLean is one of the
longest-serving members in the RAN.
LEUT Jen Evans is a Registered Nurse
at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital.
Enlisting in 1968, he rose through
the ranks to become a medical
administration officer.
Asked why she had volunteered to
serve in Navy she replied: “I heard that
there was a shortage of theatre nurses
with Navy.”
“The Navy has provided me with
many fantastic opportunities to
help others,” he said.
She had not completed her REOC
before she deployed on Sumatra Assist.
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
16
NAVY RESERVIST
GOA,
another side
to the story
By LEUT Gregory Hill, RANR
LEUT Hill is a merchant marine officer who
is the captain of the Liquefied Natural Gas
(LNG) ship, the 72,000-tonne Sohar LNG,
operating between the Persian Gulf and
Spain.
During her passages, the ship transits the
pirate waters of the Gulf of Aden (GOA). Much
has been written about incidents there and
Navy News has run stories about the RAN’s
involvement. Here is the story told from the
point of view of a merchant ship at risk in
those waters.
“I FLEW from Sydney to Kuwait on September
6 and rejoined the Sohar LNG at anchor two
days later.
It was an eerie sight as we skirted down the
seaward side of the 20nm long anchorages
off Fujairah and Khwar Fakkan, with the sun
setting and the lights of over 300 ships at
anchor slowly becoming visible through the
haze.
We reached our rendezvous position and then
sailed east. We had to clear the Gulf of Oman
and dispose of 90 days accumulated galley
waste before returning to Qalhat in Oman to
load some cargo.
The ship berthed 14 days later, loaded and
sailed the following evening. We cleared
the Strait of Hormuz on the afternoon of
September 25 and proceeded to Fujairah.
There, we loaded a full cargo of LNG and next
day sailed for Bilbao, Spain. Shortly after
departure, we conducted anti-piracy drills
and implemented the anti-piracy contingency
plan. Four charged fire hoses were discharged
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
over the stern, dummies were tied in place
on deck, the accommodation went into lockdown, we darkened ship and watches were
doubled. The only lights visible at night were
our navigation lights.
We entered the Arabian Sea on September
30 and set course for the GOA.
As we steamed down the coast of Oman, all
was quiet. The 27 knot head winds reduced
our speed to less than 17 knots at times; the
moon shone brightly, making our five newlypainted domes glow in the dark.
It was an uncomfortable feeling. We stood
out like a sore thumb, and with our speed
down, our main defence against attack was
degraded. The only thing going for us was our
size; our 16m freeboard makes boarding an
LNG tanker at sea a very daunting task.
We entered the westbound corridor in the
GOA at on the night of October 1. There were
several warship broadcasts on VHF channel
16 and lots of ships coming and going. We
passed several “Group Sailings” and saw
several warships and traditional small craft.
Next day the winds abated and we increased
speed. For the first time in 48 hours it looked
like I might make my Suez Canal Convoy on
the 6th.”
At this point, CAPT Hill sighted a suspicious
vessel. It was a fishing vessel that was
steering erratically at 7 knots and did not
seem to be following any specific course. The
vessel passed closed down Sohar’s port side.
“I submitted a suspicious small craft report
and a warship investigated.
It was good to hear warship 156 (HMAS
Toowomba, which had only a few days before
disarmed a suspect pirate vessel closing on
another merchant ship, Ed.] on the VHF, an
Aussie voice so far from home.
That night we experienced a lot of radar
interference; it was almost impossible to
identify any small targets on the radar. We
saw a flare low on the horizon on the port
beam and reported it to another warship.
Our passage ended when we exited the
westbound corridor the 3rd and entered the
Bab el Mandeb Straits. We transited the Red
Sea and Suez Canal, arriving in Alexandria on
the 7th.
A week later, we arrived safely in Bilboa.”
17
NAVY RESERVIST
Copping it
sweet
By SBLT Carolyn Docking
PONPC Norman Absolom has advice for all
PN personnel paying off.
“Seriously consider looking at the Reserves
as it has such a lot to offer,” he says.
“Everyone has different lifestyle requirements
so Reserves can work really well for people
who only want to do a few days.”
His time in the PN meant he was often far
away from family with gaps as long as seven
months.
PO Absolom lives in Maroochydore,
Queensland, with his wife and 16-year-old
son and reckons he has found the perfect
balance between family life and his passion
for the Navy.
He joined HMAS Norman late last year and
is currently working with the same crew in
HMAS Huon.
“It’s working well for me and so far, I’ve been
really lucky with this crew,” he says.
“It’s a great crew and I’m hoping to come
back.”
His military career started in 1980 with a
stint in the Army as a cook followed by time
in the Army reserves. He joined the Navy in
1990.
Initially, he aimed to do 10 years in each
service but Navy was where he found his
passion and ultimate career as a naval police
coxswain.
“I always wanted to have a policing role and
I’m glad I did it as there have been different
areas to go into such as investigations, small
boats and major fleet units,” he says.
“There is so much variety in this branch.”
On board Huon, PO Absolom acts as the
Divisional Senior Sailor for the Supply
Department, enforces discipline, handles
leave and posting movements and provides
general advice to the command on the
Defence Force Discipline Act and other
matters.
He started his NPC career at Maritime
Headquarters (MHQ) and then worked at
HMAS Watson before posting to HMAS
Newcastle as a Leading Seaman.
He was promoted to Petty Officer at
HMAS Kuttabul where he worked as the
disciplinarian coxswain before completing
a navigation course and posting to HMAS
Warrnambool.
PONPC Norman Absolom pipes the Still.
Photo: SBLT Carolyn Docking.
He discharged for a short time and joined
the Reserves but the lure of the Navy soon
beckoned him back into permanent service.
He posted to HMAS Norman, then to MHQ
and finally to the Armidale Class patrol boats
before paying off in Darwin.
PO Absolom describes his career as enjoyable
and still going ahead on a part-time basis.
“Throughout my military career, it has been
exciting and challenging, and I’ve made many
new friends,” he says.
“It’s good how the permanent Navy and
Reserves work so well together and with
proper planning, you can still have the
military life and family life.
“I now try and work one month on and one
month off, which means I’m virtually working
six months of the year.
“I can look at a ship’s movements and maybe
go for two months but then I’ll have two
months at home.
PONPC Norman Absolom lays down the law aboard HMAS Huon during Exercise Dugong off Hobart.
Photo: SBLT Carolyn Docking.
“That means the ship’s happy, the family’s
happy and I’m happy.”
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
18
NAVY RESERVIST
Reserves to
the fore in
Navy Week
By CMDR Steve Dunning
A HIGHLIGHT of the recent South Australian
Navy Week celebrations was the visit of the
Anzac Class Frigate HMAS Parramatta when
she attracted approximately 4,000 people
during the ship’s open day and achieved a
couple of personal ‘firsts’.
It was her first visit to the capital of the
southern state and she was the first naval
vessel to berth at the South Australian
government’s new 213 metre-long wharf at
Techport, which is part of the new Air Warfare
Destroyer project.
Her visit also provided the local Naval
Reserve Dive Team Nine (DT 9) an opportunity
to exercise their wharf clearance and hull
search skills.
DT 9 played a key role behind the scenes
when it searched the dock prior to
Parramatta’s berthing to ensure the area was
free of hazards.
“We found two objects that needed to be
moved, right under where Parramatta was to
berth,” POCD Nic Dirubbo said.
“One object was a solid structure protruding
more than one metre high from the bottom.
“It was lifted using air bags and moved to a
shallow location. The second object was not
so solid and ended up breaking apart with
the pressure of the lift bag.
Top Image: From left, Navy Reserve band SA’s LS Luke
Thompson, LS James Atkinson and AB Sergei Grynchuk
are joined by an enthusiastic admirer.
Centre Image: HMAS Parramatta comes alongside for
the first time.
Bottom Image: Visit coordinator WO Jeff Schultz calls
on the ship.
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
“Once Parramatta was alongside, we assisted
with a routine check on her sonar dome.
“We also carried out two hull searches for our
own training.”
The CO NHQ-SA, CMDR Craig Pritchard
acknowledged the key role his small team of
PN and NR personnel played in ensuring the
success of Navy Week celebrations.
“We conducted a range of activities under
the banner of Navy Week which enabled us to
engage the South Australian community at a
number of levels,” he said.
“The SA detachment of the RAN Band played
a key role, performing at a number of country
and city locations including the Jamestown
air show and daily performances for shoppers
and workers along one of Adelaide’s busy city
precincts.”
Bandmaster CPO Doug Antonoff said it was
“one of the best Navy Weeks ever” and, apart
from the usual ceremonial aspects, the band
“also got out among the community and
engage a diverse cross section of people
from school children to visitors for HMAS
Parramatta’s open day.”
With the focus of promoting Navy to the
South Australian community, Navy Week
also provided an opportunity to showcase
some of the career opportunities in the RAN
while allowing the public to see some of the
equipment and technology in the Navy work
environment.
19
NAVY RESERVIST
Navy Musos hit the right chord
By CMDR Steve Dunning
THE South Australia (SA) detachment of the
RAN Band continues to hit the right notes
and reach out to new audiences under the
direction of Bandmaster CPOMUSN Doug
Antonoff.
With the addition of a number of new recruits,
the SA detachment has completed several
community and ceremonial performances
during the year, which culminated in a highly
successful 10 days of performances under
NHQ-SA’s community engagement strategy
during Navy Week celebrations.
While the band comprises a number of long
serving stalwarts, including CPO Antonoff, the
recent addition of talented musicians such
as brass instrumentalist SMNMUSN Ivan
Cooper have added another dimension to the
detachment’s repertoire.
CPO Antonoff said that SMN Cooper, a
Bachelor of Education student at Adelaide
University, was a great role model and
earlier this year had performed in uniform
at the Tabor Christian College where he was
completing a teacher practicum placement.
“One staff member said many students had
asked: ‘Can we leave school at 15 and join
the Navy?’”
The performance was the highlight of the
week for the band members, too.
Tabor College’s Junior Primary Coordinator, Ms
Esme Leibbrandt described the detachment’s
performance as a “wonderful musical
experience”.
“The children and staff enjoyed every minute
and we would love you to come back next
year,” she said.
Ms Leibbrandt was keen to also include some
feedback from the students, which included:
“One word ‘Awesome’!”
“I want to play with them in the future.”
“They are very professional and everyone
really listens to the conductor.”
“They are energetic and know what they are
doing and are really tight with each other.”
“It was a great experience to have.”
SMN Cooper described the workshop as “an
exciting challenge” for him to help organise
and coordinate as a new member of the
detachment.
“The event was a tremendous success
and the band members received many
compliments from staff and students, which
made it all the more worthwhile,” he said.
SMN Cooper said comments from the middle
school students inspired him to look at future
opportunities to showcase the RAN Band.
“They were heaps fun, exciting and
entertaining.”
“Since enlisting in the RAN reserves as
a musician earlier this year, SMN Cooper
has been proactive in using his civilian
connections in the SA education system to
promote performances by the RAN Band at
schools and Tabor College,” CPO Antonoff
said.
“During Navy Week, the detachment
conducted a workshop with eight middle
school music students who later performed
in one of two concerts performed by the
detachment at the college.
“It was a huge success and for most of the
students it was the first time they had had
the opportunity to work and perform with
professional musicians.
Caption: L-R - LSMUSN Joel Walker, ABMUSN Darcy Fitzpatrick and SMNMUSN Ivan Cooper
performing with Year 10 Tabor College students. Pic: CPO Doug Antonoff
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
20
NAVY RESERVIST
Second time around
WARRANT Officer Bob McCann loved to tinker
with engines as a child, so it was no surprise
to his parents when he joined the Navy in
1980 as a Stoker (Marine Technician), at the
age of 17.
Twenty-nine years on following his retirement
from the PN earlier this year, Navy Reservist
WO McCann enjoyed his second world trip,
this time as the Senior Marine Technician
onboard HMAS Sydney during the ship’s
recent five-month Northern Trident
deployment.
During his Navy career, WO McCann deployed
to the Persian Gulf four times, as well as
several trips to South East Asia. Coincidentally,
his first circumnavigation also was aboard
Sydney.
“I have served in five ships, but it was a
particular highlight to be posted to Sydney
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
By LEUT Anna Glover
after being part of the original commissioning
crew back in 1983,” WO McCann said.
“Some of the highlights of this deployment
have been getting to visit some great ports
and see some famous sights. I loved the
chance to visit New York. We arrived early on
a Sunday morning, with perfect clear skies
and the view as we sailed past the Statue
of Liberty was incredible. It was fantastic to
be able to experience the city from a Navy
perspective rather than just as a tourist.
“I was also lucky enough to participate in a
photo shoot in Times Square. About 20 of us
got dressed in our ceremonial uniforms and
the shoot was filmed and streamed live on
the NewsCorp Astrovision Screen. Everyone
walking past stopped and watched us and
I felt really proud to be an Australian and to
have the opportunity to promote the RAN to
people in New York.
“It was great to go on such a high profile
and extensive deployment such as Northern
Trident. I went on Sydney’s world trip in
1990, but never thought that I would get
another opportunity to go around the world
again, let alone in an Adelaide Class Frigate.
“The great thing about being a Reservist is
the flexibility it affords me. I had the choice
of a CFTS contract from three months to 24
months if I wanted to. I get the same benefits
as the PN and I get to maintain my pension.”
“There have been plenty of changes to the
Navy since I joined, some good and some
bad, but the main message is still the same –
Navy is a fantastic career.
“Whether you are in the PN or a Reservist, the
opportunities are endless and going to sea
is something everyone should experience,”
he said.
20
NAVY RESERVIST
The Search for the Sydney
By David L Mearns
Harper Collins Publishers 2009 – RRP $55.
BY SGT Dave Morley
MANY of the myths surrounding the 1941
disappearance of HMAS Sydney (II) with
its entire 645-man crew were finally laid to
rest in March 2008 with the ship and HSK
Kormoran’s discovery off Western Australia.
US-born shipwreck hunter David Mearns
commenced searching for the wrecks of the
Sydney and Kormoran after conducting six
years of research and interviews.
Although Mr Mearns had located 21 major
shipwrecks, including HMS Hood [sunk
in May, 1941 by the German battleship
Bismarck], and been awarded three Guinness
World Records, he said his biggest challenge
was finding Sydney.
“The search appealed to me because two
ships would be found in one expedition,” he
said.
“Once we found the Kormoran we would find
the Sydney.”
Using information gleaned from wartime
archives and given by former crew members
of the Kormoran, Mearns located the ship 64
hours after commencing the search.
While Kormoran’s discovery was being
announced by the Prime Minister, HMAS
Sydney was found.
Mr Mearns said that within days of the ships
being found there were 12 million hits on his
website.
Its subtitle is “How Australia’s greatest
maritime mystery was solved”.
The book looks like a coffee table book
but is a serious historical account of HMAS
Sydney’s service to Australia, the subsequent
inquiries into her loss, the interviews and,
finally, her discovery.
“It was never my mission to get into the
conspiracy theories or to debunk rumour –
I’m just a shipwreck hunter,” Mr Mearns said.
This is his second book (the first was called
Hood and Bismarck), and the publishers have
done an excellent job with it.
The inside of the dust jacket features a copy
of the shipbuilder’s plans of Sydney while the
hard cover is embossed with her crest and
the map reference of her final resting place.
The book includes dozens of never-beforeseen photos of the wreckage of Sydney
strewn over the sea floor.
It is well worth a read, regardless of what
branch of the ADF you happen to be from.
The Search for the Sydney is available from
Harper Collins Publishers and all major book
retailers for a recommended retail price of
$55; it is money well spent.
“We just found Sydney.
We’ve got it. It’s absolutely
crystal clear.
She’s sitting upright in a
small debris field. There’s no
doubt about it.
The Prime Minister or
anybody else can announce
it.
We have found HMAS
Sydney.”
“I have never seen a similar case where there
has been so much excitement in a ship being
found,” he said.
Now, he has written of the search. His book is
called The Search for the Sydney.
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2
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DPS - DEC017/09 Navy Reservist Magazine ISSUE #2