Serving Australia with pride

NEWSNAVYVolume 62, No. 9, May 30, 2019

EYES FRONT

LEUT Shafiqah Shariff-Ali checks HMAS Newcastle’s bearing while

transiting the Malacca Straight during Indo-Pacific Endeavour.

Photo: LSIS Steven Thomson

Indo-Pacific EndeavourPage 3, plus

four-page lift-out

news.navy.gov.au

twitter.com/Australian_Navy

EDITORIALDirectorDavid Edlington

Managing EditorMyles Morgan

EditorRichard Mihaich: (02) 6265 7219

Deputy EditorJessica Deotto

ReportersSGT Mark DoranSGT Max Bree LS Jake BadiorCPL Sebastian BeurichCPL Veronica O’HaraSGT Dave Morley

navynews@defencenews.gov.auThe Editor, Navy News, R1-G-C036, PO Box 7909, Department of Defence, ACT 2600

ADVERTISING AND SUBSCRIPTIONSMarketing ManagerTim Asher: (07) 3332 7651 or

0459 842 551

Assistant Marketing ManagerPam Clarke: (02) 6265 2427

advertising@defencenews.gov.au subscriptions1@defencenews.gov.au

DISCLAIMERNavy News is published fortnightly by the Directorate of Defence News. It is printed under contract by Spotpress Pty Ltd. The views expressed in published articles are not necessarily those of Defence or Navy News. Every advertisement is subject to Directorate of Defence News approval and the Directorate of Defence News may, at its discretion, refuse to accept an advertisement. The Directorate accepts no responsibility or liability in relation to any loss due to the failure of an advertise-ment to appear or if it appears in a form not in accordance with the instructions received by the Directorate of Defence News. Defence does not endorse the products or services published in advertisements.

youtube.com/RANMedia

facebook.com/RoyalAustralianNavy

twitter.com/DeptDefence

READ US ONLINE

OTHER NAVY AND DEFENCE CHANNELS

Web: www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews. While there, register to receive an email alert for each new digital edition.App: Search for Navy News Australia in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store

NAVY NEWS

ISSN 2209-2277 (print)ISSN 2209-2242 (online)

2 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS May 30, 2019

LCDR Ben Robinson

ANYONE who has had recent engagement with Navy People Career Management Agency (NPCMA) may have noticed it is undergoing a sig-nificant transformation to meet CN’s motto Mission First, People Always.

Director NPCMA CAPT Tish van Stralen said to enable this the agency was focusing on better career man-agement.

CAPT van Stralen said it was always a challenge to balance career and individual needs with service requirements but better career and professional development opportuni-ties were needed to ultimately crew and support our current and future fleet.

“A better career management sys-tem will support the Total Workforce Model through updated, principle-based and relevant processes and pol-icy,” she said.

“We are starting to make headway through improved communications with our people, finding pragmatic solutions to support individual needs wherever possible and identifying problem areas to develop better out-

Making our people the focus

comes. It is a long road ahead but we are committed to change to improve our focus on our people.”

Project Verto – Latin for transfor-mation – is being led by CMDR José Bascunan as project manager and supported by a small team to identify the numerous challenges in career management and create a better and more efficient way to do business.

CAPT van Stralen said the pro-ject plan approach contained four key streams: Career Management

Agency resourcing to enable better engagement with our people; review and update existing processes to pro-vide more timely outcomes; whole-of -community engagement to listen to the issues; and the development of career manager training and profes-sionalisation packages.

“Personnel will start to see some changes locally as we increase the number of personnel in local Career Management Centres to enable more face-to-face interview opportunities,”

she said. “Also, from mid-year the centres will introduce smartphones to provide access via facetime with career managers located in Canberra. This is a step forward in engaging with our people and listening to indi-vidual needs.

“The ability to have a ‘career within a career’ is something NPCMA and DNWR are continuing to work on together. This will include mod-els that allow for dynamic category targets, which will generate targets for in-service transfers. This model will improve the options and process for transfer of category and will be implemented in the first quarter of next year.

“As our workforce grows, our abil-ity to offer these transfers will also become more available.

“Education for our sailors and officers is vital for a thinking Navy and this is a part of our core busi-ness. The current education system provides more opportunities for our people and an increase in the educa-tion budget will support this.”

Updates on Project Verto will be available on the NPCMA intranet site.

LEUT Tony White

MORE than 60 Maritime Trade Operations (MTO) officers from 10 navies wrapped up one of their larg-est annual Bell Buoy exercises with a simulation of conflict between two countries in the Tasman Sea, piracy and the closure of Port Botany because of an underwater improvised explosive device.

MTO officers are the link between naval operations and the commercial shipping industry and in times of crisis, war, piracy or other armed conflict, they work with industry to ensure the safety of seafarers and the continuation of trade that is so important to maritime economies like Australia.

In Exercise Bell Buoy 19, teams of MTO officers drawn from the navies of Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, Ecuador, Mexico, Brazil, South Korea, Fiji and France were deployed to ports in Brisbane, Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Auckland and Tauranga (New Zealand).

The two-week exercise held in May included joint ship visits with Australian Border Force officers in Port Botany, opportunities to work with clearance divers to reopen a mined port and an industry engage-ment day.

Exercise Director CMDR David Neumann said the industry day threw up some reassuring views that were widely shared in the room.

“I think some people would be forgiven for thinking that the primary concern of industry is for their cargo to be delivered and that was obvi-ously a priority from the discussions we had,” CMDR Neumann said.

“What was very clear, however, was that the safety of civilian mari-ners was the top priority of industry, closely followed by the protection of the environment.

“The space along any country’s

Exercise ensures mariners’ safety

coast can get pretty crowded in terms of who manages or responds to issues and incidents.

“In Australia it includes Navy, Border Force, local police, state agencies, port authorities, volunteer responders and any number of com-mercial interests. Getting many of them in the same room helped all of

us to better understand our challenges and priorities, as well as shape future MTO exercises.

“The world’s oceans are only going to get more crowded as popu-lations grow and with that growth will come the need to make sure that maritime trade can continue in times of crisis, conflict or heightened risk.

This is why the MTO capability is so important to maritime nations like ours.

“I am confident that this Exercise Bell Buoy, one of the largest in many years, has resulted in a significant improvement in our MTO capability and capacity.”

Some of the participants at Exercise Bell Buoy, from left, LCDR Catherine Fearon (Royal Navy), CMDR Ted Delgado (United States Navy), LCDR Christopher White and LCDR Stephen Hurd (Royal Australian Navy), LCDR Joe Tunidau (Fuji Navy) and LCDR John Gressor (Royal New Zealand Navy) at HMAS Penguin, Sydney. Photo: ABIS Shane Cameron

G We take care of all your Pet’s Travel arrangementsG Domestic & InternationalG Locally owned & operatedG Door-to-door serviceG Short term payment options available

Pets love us as the most trusted Pet Transport provider in Australia

Tel: 1300 13 52 52www.dogtainers.com.au

Send Your Pets First ClassSend Your Pets First Class

3NEWSMay 30, 2019 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

LEUT John Thompson

A SURGICAL ‘cut suit’ that sim-ulates trauma and burns to allow people to practise operations was demonstrated by the Singapore Defence Force during Indo-Pacific Endeavour.

Navy recently purchased two of the suits for the HMAS Penguin Medical School, Sydney.

The command senior medi-cal officer for IPE19, CMDR Neil Smith, said it was the first time he had seen the technology used.

“This so-called ‘cut suit’ is sur-prisingly realistic, although it does remind me of the Incredible Hulk cartoon,” he said.

“It’s the most realistic way med-ics and surgeons can practise, short of working on an actual patient. This sort of high-fidelity training will save lives.”

The suit is worn by a mannequin or person as part of training to treat critical medical conditions or inju-ries. The surgeon cuts through the simulated skin to find organs, blood, blood vessels and muscles.

The suit can also replicate blood pressure, heart rate and breath sounds.

“We’ll be able to use it to enhance the skills and knowledge of our medics who are essential-ly our first responders and need to treat and stabilise patients before we

Training suit is at the cutting edge

CMDR Neil Smith speaks with Republic of Singapore Navy medical technicians during a ‘cut suit’ triage demonstration at the Changi Naval Base Medical Centre in Singapore and (inset) the technicians demonstrate how realistic the suit is as they make an incision. Photos: LSIS Christopher Szumlanski

Indo-Pacific Endeavour lift-out

can get the highly skilled doctors and surgeons to the scene,” CMDR Smith said.

The demonstration was part of an international engagement activ-ity involving medical professionals from the Singapore Armed Forces, Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, the US Navy and the ADF.

The IPE19 Joint Task Force vis-ited Singapore as part of efforts to build and strengthen defence rela-tionships.

The task force, comprised of HMA Ships Canberra, Newcastle and Success, visited seven countries during the three-month deployment.

From the 15th of April 2019 it became easier for Defence Reservists to access information and advice about reserve service protection, employer support payments and

employer engagement activities.

The following Defence Reserves Support numbers will be transitioned to 1800DEFENCE providing our Reservists with

greater access to information and advice,including after hours and on weekends.

Defence Reserves Support 1800 803 485

Office of Reserve Service Protection 1800 671 998

Employer Support Payment Scheme 1800 001 696

This merge will undergo a transitional period where the current three 1800 numbers will be

forwarded to 1800DEFENCE.

Further information can be sought through 1800DEFENCE.

DPS:APR017-19

4 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS May 30, 2019

LEUT Joshua Goener

When HMAS Melbourne’s fin became tangled in a large berthing hawser and other debris, LEUT Jason Battley dived in to help – lit-erally.

As the embarked diving officer in Melbourne during her East Asia deployment, he led the team that released the fin and recovered the debris to ensure another vessel would not become fouled.

Members of the ship’s company

lined the waist to haul the heavy line inboard and broke the debris into smaller parts for safe disposal.

Melbourne then continued her journey to the Chinese International Fleet Review.

Diving into the icy cold waters of the East China Sea was another day at work for LEUT Battley.

A former maritime warfare officer in the permanent Navy, he now works as a workshop manager in Western Australia and is part of the Navy Reserve.

“The current opportunities and service categories in place made it easy for me to get involved once more,” LEUT Battley said.

“Leaving my young family and readjusting to a life away is always a challenge but I’m more than happy to help out.

“It’s become apparent to me since leaving the permanent forces the sacrifices that Navy members with families make on a daily basis.”

Diving in to help

LEUT Jason Battley during the operation to remove debris from HMAS Melbourne’s fin.

CPL Carla Armenti

A MILITARY parade was the centre-piece of the celebrations as ADF per-sonnel marked the 40th anniversary of the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt on the Sinai Peninsula.

The parade, on April 1, celebrat-ed the formation of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

The MFO consists of the peace-keeping force that monitors the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. It comprises military and civilian personnel from 12 nations, including Australia.

MFO Force Commander MAJ-GEN Simon Stuart is the second Australian to take command after MAJGEN David Ferguson, who served in the role from 1994 to 1997.

MAJGEN Stuart spoke at the parade and thanked the nations involved, “whose steadfast support over the life of the treaty has been vital to adding transparency, credibil-ity and commitment”.

The original peace treaty was signed in Hebrew, Arabic and English by then Egyptian president Anwar Sadat and Israeli prime min-ister Menachem Begin and witnessed by the United States president at the

time, Jimmy Carter, on March 26, 1979, in Washington, DC.

MAJGEN Stuart said it was a momentous event.

“We recognise those who have gone before us and recognise the leadership, the courage, the sacrifice, the service and the vision that has brought us to today,” he said.

M F O D i r e c t o r G e n e r a l Ambassador Stephen Beecroft also spoke at the parade.

“The peace endures and prospers because the leaders and peoples of Egypt and Israel have steadfastly chosen to pursue peace, and because governments and peoples around the world ably and unstintingly support them,” he said.

Following the parade, mem-bers of the Egyptian and Israeli delegation planted an olive tree at the commemoration site at MFO Headquarters.

Austral ia’s contr ibution to the MFO began in 1982 when an Australian-New Zealand helicop-ter squadron deployed to the Sinai Peninsula.

Currently, 29 ADF members are deployed to Sinai on Operation Mazurka in security, logistics, administration and key staff roles.

Nations ensure peace endures

Multinational Force and Observers Force Commander MAJGEN Simon Stuart, centre, looks on as members of the Egyptian and Israeli delegations plant an olive tree as a symbol of peace at the MFO Headquarters in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Photos: CPL Carla Armenti

LSML-SC Carly Bakes, centre, stands at ease during the parade to mark the 40th anniversary of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.

For more information visit navyshop.com.au/coins

A part of BrandNetNavy Shop at Military Shop

65 Kembla Street Fyshwick Canberra 02 6123 2933

CALL US FOR YOUR QUOTE

We really love helping create unique medallions and after so many years of working with Navy organisations our

designers know just how to apply the official badges to achieve outstanding results.

5NEWSMay 30, 2019 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

LEUT Gary McHugh

MAY 8 would have had a big circle around it on the calendars of many families of HMAS Sirius’s ship’s com-pany, as that was the day she returned to her home port at Fleet Base West after a nine-month deployment.

After leaving Western Australia in August 2018, Sirius took part in Exercise Kakadu before sailing for South and North-East Asia, where the ship made a number of port visits between various international naval exercises.

After visiting ports in Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, Sirius headed to Sydney where she undertook a four-month maintenance period at the Captain Cook Graving Dock at Garden Island.

Once her dry-docking was completed in April, she again sailed for South-East Asia, via Darwin, before heading back to home waters.

CO Sirius CMDR Melanie Verho said it had been a long and busy deployment, with the ship clocking up a remark-able 24,775 nautical miles.

“The past nine months have been a challenging and enjoyable time for us as we conducted a number of ‘firsts’ for the ship,” CMDR Verho said.

“We conducted the first-ever ‘dry hook-ups’ with ships of regional partner navies, thus proving replenishment-at-sea capability with those navies – an important capabil-ity for supporting regional security and stability.

“On the domestic front, we

are proud to say we conducted HMAS Brisbane’s first ever replenishment at sea.”

Sirius also took the oppor-tunity, while in company with HMAS Success, to pass 2000 cubic metres of marine diesel – the last time such an evolution will be performed with Success, which is due to decommission.

CMDR Verho said her crew was excited to be home after such a long and success-ful deployment.

“It only occurred to us how long we had been away as we were preparing our winter uniforms to come alongside at Fleet Base West,” she said.

“We departed in our win-ter uniform last year, which means we missed the whole summer uniform season in Western Australia.

“Over the past nine months, Sirius has played a key role in keeping our fleet and ships of allied nations at sea through the provision of underway replenishment capability.

“But we are now all look-ing forward to a few weeks at home with our loved ones.”

CMDR Verho thanked the families of her crew for their support while the ship was away from home.

“Whether they are here in WA or elsewhere, it is the unwavering support of our families and friends that ena-bles us to fulfil our mission at sea: ‘To Serve and Provide’,” she said.

Additional imagery is available on the Navy Image Gallery at: images.navy.gov.au/S20191132

Sirius welcomed home

ABCIS Hayley Burke is greeted by friends and family. Photos: POIS James Whittle and LSIS Richard Cordell

LEFT: Engineer Officer LCDR John Jerrett gives a big group hug to his three children, Sienna, Cai and Jaxon.

LSMT Adrian Verwerk is reunited with his son Gavin and wife Clair. ABBM Amy Jodrell and her mother Debbie.

CPO Chris Hardy is welcomed home by wife Amber and children Logan, Patrick and Jake.

defencebank.com.au

* Terms and conditions and interest rates are available at defencebank.com.au. Fees and charges may apply. Interest rate is current as at 22 May 2019 and is subject to change without notice. No minimum deposit. Bonus interest for balances up to $100,000. To receive the Salute account, the member must deposit $1500 (minimum) into a Defence Bank Everyday Access account each month of the 12 month period. After the 12 month period the interest rate will revert to the Salute account base interest rate. Before acquiring any product please consider whether it is right for you.Defence Bank Limited ABN 57 087 651 385 AFSL / Australian Credit Licence 234582.

Introducing the Defence Bank Salute account.Our Salute account rewards those who have reached 15 or 25years of service, are on deployment or leaving the ADF, with bonus interest for 12 months*

It’s simply our way of saying ‘thank you’.Talk to us today to find out more.

%p.a.3.oo

Variable rate.

Up to

1300 784 246 or visit www.spect.com.au

Spectrum is a Licensed Real Estate Agent, Registered Tax Agent & hold an Australian Credit Licence.Australian Credit Licence No 476980

REID SWIFT - PrincipalReid is a Chartered Accountant, Tax Agent, Mortgage Broker and Real Estate Agent with over 16 years experience dealing with ADF members.

OUR TEAM OF MORTGAGE SPECIALISTS CAN HELP YOU FIND THE ANSWERS TODAY!

• Are you paying too much for your home loan?• How competitive is your interest rate?• Have you got the best loan structure?

SPEAK TO PEOPLE WHO KNOW!

CONTACT US TO BOOK YOUR FREE LOAN HEALTH CHECK TODAY!

Are you prepared for your future?Attend an ADF Member and Family Transition Seminar to learn about the support services available for all members and their families.

You can attend anytime throughout your military career, not just when you are transitioning, and your family is welcome too.

Seminars are being held throughout the year across Australia. Register through Campus.

Want more information? Visit www.defence.gov.au/dco/transition, call 1800 624 608

or email adf.transition@defence.gov.au

DCO 024-2019

Brisbane 4 June | Adelaide 19 June | Townsville 26 June | Sydney 24 July | Cairns 31 July | Regional Victoria 28 August | Newcastle 4 September | Townsville 11 September

7NEWSMay 30, 2019 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

HMAS Ballarat intercepted another 2.6 tonnes of illicit drugs while conducting a patrol in international waters in the Arabian Sea.

The seizures, including about 2.5 tonnes of hashish and 135kg of heroin, were discovered in two vessels suspect-ed of illegal activity on May 5 and 7.

The dhows were exhibiting signs of suspicious activity and were sub-sequently boarded and inspected by Ballarat’s boarding parties.

CO Ballarat CMDR Paul Johnson said the seizure was indicative of a highly professional team with well-rehearsed and well-executed plans.

“From the operations room, to our helicopter aircrew and the bridge and boarding teams, it’s a whole-ship effort in identifying and closing in on the ves-sel,” CMDR Johnson said.

“Following the boardings and after lengthy inspections of both dhows, narcotics were found to be hidden on board.

“The drugs were seized and trans-ferred back to Ballarat for the appropri-ate testing and destruction.”

The ninth interdiction of narcotics

by Ballarat during her current deploy-ment brings the total she has seized to more than nine tonnes of hashish and about 1.4 tonnes of heroin.

The total value of drugs seized by Ballarat is about *$900 million.

“These boardings follow a period of routine maintenance in Bahrain, prov-ing that the men and women who serve in Ballarat continue to retain their focus and operate as a highly effective team,” CMDR Johnson said.

“We are continuing our mission in support of the Combined Maritime Forces, and our contribution restricts the freedom of movement for drug smug-glers through the conduct of boardings and seizure of any illicit substances.”

Just before their latest success-ful mission, the crew was visited by CN VADM Mike Noonan, who pre-sented members with the Australian Operational Service Medal - Greater Middle East Operation.

*This calculation is based on the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Illicit Drug Data Report 2015–16 figures for Cannabis Resin (Hashish) @ $50,000 a kilogram, and heroin @ $300,000 a kilogram.

Drug runners run downHMAS Ballarat’s boarding parties close on a suspicious dhow, which resulted in a large drugs seizure. Photos: LSIS Bradley Darvill

CN VADM Mike Noonan chats with junior sailors over lunch during his visit.

POCD Steven Shatte, right, removes the outer packaging of some of the narcotics.

Video of the interdiction can be seen at video.defence.gov.au/play/6184

8 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS May 30, 2019

Did you know that as a Defence Force member, you can save thousands by packaging your next car?

Let the experts at Fleet Network take the hassle out of car buying - we’ll source your car, pass on national fleet discounts and package all your running costs, while you save on tax. We’ll even manage your trade-in to make sure the changeover is seamless.

It’s worth a call – it’s your salary, after all.

Package a car and save on taxEnquire to Win!

Enquire with Fleet Network and go in the monthly

draw to win a $100 Coles Myer

Voucher!*

Your own dedicated Novated Leasing

specialist

Save with exclusive National Fleet

Discounts

Your Package Includes Finance, Fuel,

Insurance, Servicing,Tyres & Registration

Pay NO GST on your new car purchase

or its running costs^

Flexible Trade-in options

1300 738 601 www.fleetnetwork.com.au/defence#To qualify for this offer, mention this ad to Fleet Network prior to the completion of your initial contract. Vehicle must be supplied by Fleet Network. Not valid with any other offers. Employees should consult their employer’s salary packaging policy before

entering into a contract. DOD Dash Cam Model LS475W. ^Subject to Employer policy. *Draw made at 12pm WST on the last business day of each month. Entries are limited to one genuine enquiry per person per month.

Mention thisadvert when you enquire and geta FREE DOD Dash Cam or a Samsung 8” Tablet

when your new vehicle is

delivered!

CPL Veronica O’Hara

SEEING 50 motorbikes rolling into town is enough to get a conversation started with the locals, which is the aim of the Long Ride 2019.

The rain held off as riders departed Russell Offices, Canberra, on May 10, as part of the ADF’s contribution to the fundraiser.

Navy’s CHAP Giles Atherton said the Long Ride was an opportunity to clear his head and see people in a dif-ferent light – out of uniform, but with a common interest.

“A good cause is always a good idea, but it’s also a good mental health exercise,” CHAP Atherton said.

“It’s that weird mix of being secluded in a group – like a hermit, but in a community.

“It’s also really great fun. Our first day on the road was 500km and at least 250km was in wet weather, but we were still smiling, somewhat, at the end.”

Riders arrived in Darwin on May 18 after travelling through regional NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory, raising aware-ness about prostate cancer and men’s health.

Seventy-five ADF personnel and 23 APS members rode in support.

Despite travelling 4200km in nine

days, National Coordinator LTCOL Scott Barras said there was no point staying in the saddle from sun-up to sundown.

“We have to stop every few hun-dred kilometres to fuel up, which is handy to achieving the aim of the ride – to stop and talk to people, at least about why there’s 50 motorbikes in their town all of a sudden,” LTCOL Barras said.

With his Kawasaki Vulcan 1600, it was CHAP Grant Ludlow’s first Long Ride and it had become “more real” since he reached the prostate cancer age bracket.

“We got together with the commu-nity each night to raise people’s aware-ness to get checked and encourage men, especially, because we don’t tend to take our own health seriously the way we should,” CHAP Ludlow said.

“The earlier things are caught, the better.”

LTCOL Barras said most blokes didn’t talk about their health, which was one of the reasons motorbikes helped.

“People come over and say ‘what are you guys doing?’ and when you tell them, they’ll say ‘I don’t want that being done’ so I say ‘actually mate, it’s not that hard, it’s only a blood test now’,” he said.

“The misconception is still there of

having to drop the pants and bend over to get checked.”

LTCOL Barras would like to see different motorbikes and a younger generation of riders involved.

“One year, a guy did the ride on a small 125cc scooter – motorbike gear on, oversize business suit on top – then rode to Perth across the Nullarbor in that,” he said.

For the first time, the Long Ride is also occurring during the same period overseas.

A group of four RAAF personnel posted in the US are also taking part.

WGCDR Paul Connor was a national coordinator before his post-ing.

Starting at Colorado Springs, he and the other three riders headed north-east through Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park, then east to Sundance before returning to Colorado Springs.

All funds raised go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s research programs. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed can-cer in Australian men, with more than 20,000 diagnosed and about 3500 dying each year.

Donations can be made at: //pcfafundraising.org.au/event/thelongride2019

Chaps wheel out the chat

Navy Chaplains from HMAS Cerberus Grant Ludlow and Giles Atherton with CHAP Ludlow’s Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 at Russell before departing Canberra on The Long Ride. Photo: CPL Veronica O’Hara

INDO-PACIFIC ENDEAVOUR

AMPHIBIOUS AMBITION

FOUR-PAGE LIFT-OUT

HMAS Canberra has provided the launching pad for an Army capability leap from a maritime platform.

Four Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters (ARH), from 1st Aviation Regiment at Darwin, joined two MRH90 maritime support helicopters to train aircrew and ground staff for day and night deck-landing qualifications on HMAS Canberra in early May.

ARH pilot CAPT Daniel Tidd said exercising with the Navy enabled the integration of aviation

and maritime assets. “It also allowed our ground crew aviation support, maintainers and aircrew the opportunity to live, work and train on board in order to understand how we conduct sorties from the ship.”

Once certified for the Navy’s landing helicopter dock, the ARH would allow the Canberra-class ships to become completely operational as an amphibious platform.

“Our aim was to replicate the mission profiles we conduct on land. From there we were able

to layer different operational components but adapt our point of origin to the maritime domain,” CAPT Tidd said.

“This was the first significant deployment for the ARH and 1 AVN REGT onto a maritime platform. It was a big step that offers a lot more choices, broadens our capability and offers commanders options.

“The ADF’s amphibious capability with air-mobile and air-assault operations from a maritime platform is now a possibility.”

The Tigers are expected to carry out reconnaissance, escort and

air mobile missions from both land and sea.

CO 1 AVN REGT LTCOL Daniel Bartle said the light-attack helicopters were on Canberra to transfer knowledge from test pilots and qualified flying instructors to operational crew.

“The key attribute the ARH brings to the joint environment is security,” LTCOL Bartle said.

“We are capable of performing a full range of reconnaissance, security and attack missions to provide a security bubble that the Joint Task Force can operate under.

“This was the last step in reaching final operational capability for the ADF in achieving its amphibious deployment and sustainment system objectives in the maritime environment.”

For CAPT Tidd, the journey has come almost full circle. He entered the Navy flying program straight out of high school before he transferred to the Australian Army Aviation Corps.

The ARHs remained with the Joint Task Force until IPE19 finished in Darwin in late May.

Canberra had a lot to gain from helping Army Tigers find their sea legs, CAPT Roger Brennan writes.

LSAS Gabriella Hayllar marshals an Army Tiger from HMAS Canberra as HMAS Newcastle maintains station nearby.Photo: ABIS Kieren Whiteley

www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS May 30, 2019 1110 CENTREINDO-PACIFIC ENDEAVOUR

HMAS Canberra’s MTs are forging a new path in training their people at sea with the help of a Navy engineering challenge container.

Marking the first deployment of its kind, Canber-ra’s MTs are using the portable Mercedes Benz diesel engine to prepare for the annual challenge, train junior sailors and allow people from other trades to get involved in engineering.

ABMT Liam O’Brien recently completed the TAFE com-ponent of his marine diesel fitter trade and is using every spare moment to get hands-on experience with the engine.

“Having this capability is not only helping me progress through my task journal quicker, but also allowing me to consolidate my training sooner,” AB O’Brien said.

“After completing a full overhaul at TAFE a few months ago, it’s great to have the chance to do it again so soon while the information is still fresh in my mind.”

In a few weeks at sea, he has logged more than 100 hours breaking down the engine.

“Each time we do an engine breakdown, we’re getting quicker and I’m able to diagnose and fix problems faster as my system knowledge is improving,” he said.

“All I had prior to this was a few hours here and there from maintaining the engines on board, which isn’t really the direct exposure you need.”

A group of junior MTs from the Royal New Zealand Navy have also trained on the engine under the watchful eye of AB O’Brien.

“Having the ability to teach other people how the system operates, diagnose and fit new components and pass on some of my knowledge all goes towards consolidating my training,” AB O’Brien said.

“One of the key parts of my trade is good engineering practices and that’s what I’m trying to implement here.

“It feels good to know the information I’m passing on is helping other people progress, too.”

Ordinary Marine Technician (OMT) Hunta Marsh said he was enjoying working with the Australians.

“I was a little nervous at the start, but I’m really enjoying it now and just want to stay at sea working on my competency log,” OMT Marsh said.

“Aussies are more upfront than us when it comes to work; they just want to get in and get it done.

OMT Marsh said AB O’Brien was like a “walking book”.“He knows everything about everything and explains

things really well,” OMT Marsh said.“Before we’d stripped an engine, I didn’t really know

much about components.“I’m learning a lot about how the diesel engine runs and

the role certain components play.”He and his colleagues aim to complete their competency

logs while deployed in Canberra, something that normally takes about six months.

“I’m really motivated to get it done and take some of my new knowledge and skills back home,” OMT Marsh said.

Canberra has also provided the opportunity for technicians from other ships within the IPE19 Joint Task Force to train on the engine.

Engineering WO Colin Milligan said having the engine on board Canberra was a great opportunity to get others involved.

“It’s fantastic to do something different at sea and show people what engineering is all about,” WO Milligan said.

“The portable diesel affords the task group a unique oppor-tunity to upskill technicians from multiple platforms at sea.

“It’s been great to see some of the electronics and aircraft technicians getting involved, as well as some of the Army engineers on board.

“Ultimately it’s about tech mastery, good engineering practices and trying to show people how and why we do what we do.”

REVVED UP FOR RARE CHALLENGE AT SEA

FLTLT Bel Scott

HMAS Newcastle, in company with the IPE19 flagship HMAS Canberra, made her final transit through the busiest and most complex waters in the world at the start of May: the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

The navigation officer in Newcastle, LEUT Mitchell Smith, was responsible for getting the ship – which will be decommissioned later this year – safely through the region.

“As the main shipping channel between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore are some of the most strategic straits in the world,” LEUT Smith said.

“About one third of the world’s oil produc-tion passes through these straits; that’s about 50,000 ships passing through an area only 2.7km wide and represents about $25-30 tril-lion in global trade.

“Add on top of that the international law of territorial waters and archipelagic sea lanes, this becomes a very complex transit.”

LEUT Smith’s job was to ensure Newcastle did not break any international laws or agree-ments in the area.

“These straits are backed on to by a number of nations that patrol the area and prevent acts of illegal activity known to occur throughout the straits and the South China Sea,” he said.

“It’s very important as a team that the whole

ship is working together to ensure we safely transit these waters, protect our ships in com-pany and the merchant traffic in the area.”

During the passage, the bridge thrummed with activity with all hands on deck to monitor other ship movements and potential naviga-tional hazards.

Boatswain’s mates on each bridge wing, one on the gunnery direction platform and one at the helm formed the quick response force team.

CO Newcastle CMDR Anita Sellick said passing through the highly congested sea lane was a complex task with other ships involved.

“There are many maritime boundaries that are adjacent to one another and above these maritime boundaries are also air space boundaries,” CMDR Sellick said.

“That’s where Newcastle’s strength lies: we provide force projection and air protection to the task force as we navigate these waters together.”

CMDR Sellick said the transit required the application of mariner skills, training and years of experience in more open waters.

“This being the last passage for Newcastle through these straits and region, it has been quite something to reflect upon for the ship’s company,” she said.

Newcastle will decommission in Sydney after IPE19.

All eyes on deck for tricky transit

SMNBM Joseph Kura on the bridge wing of HMAS Newcastle while transiting the Malacca Strait. Photos: LSIS Steven Thomson

Having unprecedented access to a portable Mercedes Benz diesel engine on board HMAS Canberra has given the technician fraternity more chances to hone their skills, writes LSIS Jake Badior.

– ABMT Liam O‘Brien

Having this capability is not only helping me progress through my task journal quicker, but also allowing me to consolidate my training sooner.

‘‘

LSET Coen Powel, left, and ABMT Liam O’Brien work

with CPL Craig Gordon on the portable diesel engine.

ABMT Liam O’Brien at work in HMAS

Canberra’s engineering challenge container. Photos: LSIS Jake Badior

HMAS Newcastle transits the Malacca Strait.

Video of the transit can be seen at video.defence.gov.au/play/6192

LCDR Dallas Gray

WHILE HMAS Success may be approach-ing the end of her working life, eight members of her crew have taken advantage of her final voyage to become qualified marine technician operators.

LSMTs Jake Blowers, David Cutler, Drew Craven, Jeremy Rupnik and Nathan Urbaniak were awarded their Marine Systems Manager (MSM) qualification while LSMT Jaimon McGeehan, and ABMTs Bryan Kok and Gregory Watkins received their Marine Systems Controller (MSC) qualification.

Both qualifications represent a signifi-cant milestone in an MT sailor’s career progression.

LS Blowers said the journey had been a long and tough one, but the results were rewarding.

“To have attained my MSM endorse-ment on Success is very special to me. She’s one of a kind, and to have got there prior to the ship decommissioning makes it that bit more special,” LS Blowers said.

“Basically we are responsible for the safe and efficient management and work-ings of the entire engineering plant and the personnel who form the team, so we don’t take it lightly.”

Marine Engineering Officer LCDR Darrel Wolter said the sailors’ achieve-ments were just rewards for their efforts.

“The guys have worked so hard to get to this point and to see that resolve in all of them along the way was just fantastic,” LCDR Wolter said.

“Their achievements, as a collective, not only represent a very important person-al milestone but a whole-ship capability.”

Award of the qualifications required assessment of competencies as well as practical demonstration of competent per-formance during normal plant operation and “break down” drills.

Final assessment was conducted before a formal board convened by the Marine Engineering Officer and Senior Marine Technician Management Team.

Success will decommission in June after 33 years of service.

CAPT Roger Brennan

AUSTRALIAN and US forces delivered potentially life-saving training during a visit to Patong Beach, Thailand.

Using amphibious vessels launched from HMAS Canberra, personnel from the IPE19 Joint Task Force and Surf Lifesaving Australia combined in Phuket to deliver equipment and training to the community.

About 1500 life jackets and 20 rescue boards were delivered for surf lifesaving development throughout southern prov-inces in Thailand.

At the sound of a whistle, the chil-dren jumped into the water on their rescue boards and then into some CPR training.

Patron and co-founder of the Phuket

Lifeguard Club, David Field, said Australians and Thais shared a love for the ocean and it was important to share expertise.

“Our beach culture and surf lifesaving practices are world class and they’re some-thing we want to export,” Mr Field said.

“Today is a great day for Phuket lifesav-ing – many of the practices we see here today are the result of Australian cross-training and the adoption of the red-and-yellow-flag system, and similar beach man-agement techniques.”

The club has trained about 4000 local children in beach safety, with support from Australian and international surf rescue volunteers.

12 INDO-PACIFIC ENDEAVOUR www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS May 30, 2019

Helping to save lives on Thai beaches

Making most of their ship’s last journey

Back row, from left, LSMTs Drew Craven, Jake Blowers, Nathan Urbaniak, Jeremy Rupnik and David Cutler. Front row, from left, MTs AB Gregory Watkins, LS Jaimon McGeehan and AB Bryan Kok. Photo: LSIS Christopher Szumlanski

Mission: protect Canberra

HMAS Newcastle sails in formation with HMAS Canberra.

Photo: LSIS Steven Thomson

A junior member of the Phuket Lifeguard Club is paddled in to shore by a member of the Indo-Pacific Joint Task Force at the Patong Beach surf lifesaving day and other members are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, far right. Photos: CPL Kylie GIbson

HMAS Newcastle continues to provide the critical role of primary defence for HMAS Canberra and the wider protection for the IPE19 fleet.

As it transits from west to east on its final mission, the Adelaide-class guided missile frigate has been at Canberra’s side.

The operations room supervisor and combat systems supervisor, PO Bianca Sherrington, said Newcastle used sensors and liaised with the other Navy ships to provide an up-to-date force picture for the joint task force.

“In the current task force, Newcastle is the air warfare and electronic warfare coordinator in charge of the air, space and electronics spectrum. We’re the superior air defence unit with our long-range mis-siles,” PO Sherrington said.

“As a warship, we are more tactically focused – it’s our job to protect the high-value ship Canberra.”

The ship’s company has also partici-pated in military-to-military training, com-

munity engagement activities and diverse maritime evolutions throughout the deploy-ment.

“Some of our interactions with partner nations have been unique to IPE19, such as live contact time with the kilo-class sub-marine in India,” PO Sherrington said.

“We were able to demonstrate interop-erability during our participation with the Indian Navy through several successful serials during AusIndEx19.”

Principal warfare officer LEUT Hayden Clark said it had been an honour to be part of IPE19 on board Newcastle.

“Newcastle is a fundamental force to the IPE19 mission and she has integrated well into the joint task force,” LEUT Clark said.

“Even though she is an older ship with older combat systems and sensors, she’s very capable, with a highly efficient team that delivers complex warfare capability.”

Newcastle has about 200 personnel embarked, varying in trades, roles and rates. About 60 form the Action Information

Organisation, which ranges from boat-swains mates to communication informa-tion system sailors and combat systems operators.

“Being a much smaller ship than Canberra, each person has first and sec-

ondary roles – it’s all hands on deck. We are a really tight team,” LEUT Clark said.

“It’s been a very busy deployment but also a very productive one. I’ve really enjoyed the experience and it has been a privilege to be part of the ship’s legacy.”

Quoted prices include: Finance Rego CTP Fuel Maintenance Insurance

*Based on the following assumptions: living in NSW 2560, salary: $70,000 gross p.a., travelling 15,000 kms p.a., lease term: 60 months, using the Employee Contribution Method for FBT purposes. Images shown may not be the exact car that the calculations have been based on. All figures quoted include budgets for finance, fuel, servicing, tyres, maintenance, Vero by Suncorp comprehensive motor insurance, Hydro Platinum Pack and re-registration over the period of the lease. Also includes, for Nissan and Audi models only, 2 year Platinum Warranty insurance. Vehicle residual, as set by Australian Taxation Office, payable at the end of lease term. The exact residual amount will be specified in your vehicle quote. Vehicle pricing is correct at the time of distribution but may be subject to change based on availability.

Salary package your next car and you could save thousands

$ 404* PER FORTNIGHTINC. $150 OF RUNNING COSTS

Subaru Forester2.5i S5 Aauto

END OF FINANCIAL YEAR

S A L E

Toyota Yaris AscentAuto

$ 248* PER FORTNIGHTINC. $122 OF RUNNING COSTS

Hyundai i30 Active Hatch Auto PD2 2.0i

$ 333* PER FORTNIGHTINC. $142 OF RUNNING COSTS

Mazda CX-5 MaxxKF Series Auto FWD

$ 363* PER FORTNIGHTINC. $142 OF RUNNING COSTS

Honda CR-VVi FWD

$ 386* PER FORTNIGHTINC. $154 OF RUNNING COSTS

1300 115 947 | navyleasing.com.au

Find out how much you could save with a novated car lease.

Looking for a different car?

Request a quote on a car you love to see how much you could save!

Smartsalary ad_NAVY_EOFY_Apr 2019.indd 2 1/05/2019 10:50:34 PM

Do you want a PHAT Tax Return?

• Investment properties• Members who have served overseas• Late lodgement of tax returns• Members who have been medically discharged

1300 763 575or visit us online at

www.phatreturns.com.au

Maximum returns - We know all the specific deductions, so you get a great tax return every year

Phone consultations - All tax returns are completed over the phone, so you don’t have to leave your base, ship or assignment

We have extensive experience across all ranks and specialities, including:

DEFENCE FORCE TAX SPECIALISTS

dha.gov.au/online 139 342

You spoke, we listened.Online Services has been updated based on Defence member feedback:

• New look and feel

• Easier access to information

• Tracking for steps in a process

• Highly positive feedback from Defence members

Try the new Online Services today and let us know your thoughts!

14 FEATURES www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS May 30, 2019

ONE of the highlights of a RAN parade is the Navy Band marching down a main street with its front row performing

stick drill on side-slung drums embel-lished with drag ropes, which nod to Navy’s past.

On Anzac Day, the RAN Band debut-ed its new side-slung snare drums in marches through Melbourne and Sydney and at services in Villers-Bretonneux, France.

When the band was looking to replace its old, worn drums, it made sense to move away from the heavy, imported, factory-produced instruments previously used and look locally for quality materials and expertise.

The old drums weighed about 6.5kg and had OH&S implications for drum-mers who wore them slung over one shoulder for long periods of time while standing on parade.

POMUSN Lucas Kennedy said the process of finding the right supplier was a long and arduous one, which took hours of research over many years.

The challenge was to find drums that would suit the band’s unique requirements.

“In the end, we decided that the only way to get what we wanted was to have someone build them for us,” PO Kennedy said.

“I approached a few companies to produce a prototype drum and the drum produced by Steele Turkington, of Kentville Drums in Kurrajong, NSW, was by far the best.

“What was even better was that they were going to be all-Australian.

“The end result is an amazing-sound-ing drum, weighing less than 3kg, that is designed for the harsh Australian condi-tions and will save our drummer’s backs for years to come.”

The shells of the new rope-tensioned drums are made of Queensland maple, chosen because of its light weight and rich sonic properties.

West Australian jarrah was chosen for the hoops because of the strength and density needed.

Because of its natural strength, kan-garoo hide was used for the lacing on the leather buffs used to tension the drum skin.

The band also decided to move back to traditional rope-tensioned drums, a design which had been in use for centu-ries but overlooked in recent decades in favour of off-the-shelf, all metal-ware drums.

The new drums also feature the RAN’s coat of arms and are updated with Indigenous references and tradi-tional red, white and blue stripes on the hoops, which were painted by Sydney artist Amelia Golding.

The drag ropes are taupe instead of white, a reference to native colours. The snare wires were custom-built by Australian company Black Swamp Percussion.

After months of planning and con-struction, the band proudly took delivery of the new drums just in time for Anzac Day.

The drummers felt honoured to revive an old Navy custom, returning to the forefront of the band at the Anzac Day marches.

Marching to beat of new drums

The wait to replace the RAN Band’s old side-slung snare drums was worth it,

LSIS James McDougall and LSMUSN Belinda Rendell report.

Kentville Drums maker Steel Turkington presents POMUSN Lucas Kennedy with one of the new drums at the RAN Sydney Band studio in Waterloo. Photo: ABIS Leo Baumgartner

RAN Band Sydney Drum Corp members, from left, ABMUSNs Vitaliy Rayitsyn, Thomas Brooke, Chris Thompson, Sam Sheppard and POMUSN Brett Douglas stand ready (below) before marching off in the Sydney Anzac Day parade. Photos: POIS Justin Brown

Career support for members and their familiesNew career support services are available for members and their families—at any time throughout their career.

Job Search Preparation workshop—provides members with training to develop their CV, interview skills, goal setting and time management skills.

Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP)—provides funding towards initiatives to assist eligible partners with the immediate difficulties of finding employment when they relocate due to posting or their ADF member is transitioning for medical reasons (prior to transition and up to 12 months after).

Want more information? Visit www.defence.gov.au/dco/transition, call 1800 624 608

or email adf.transition@defence.gov.au

DCO 025-2019

15PERSONNELMay 30, 2019 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

SAILORS will see improvements to their health care as the new ADF Health Services Contract, bringing innovations to the Defence Health System, comes into effect from July 1.

Commander Joint Health AVM Tracy Smart said the new partnership with Bupa “is an exciting development in the evolution of Defence health care and offers a great opportunity to shape the ADF’s next generation of health services”.

“Alongside the health services cur-rently available, members will benefit from improved services that are more responsive to their personal needs,” AVM Smart said.

“We are improving the way we deliver health services and encouraging our members to actively participate in their own health care.”

Over the coming year, sailors will have access to new resources such as online symptom checkers and self-man-agement tools that will help them play a greater role in managing their health.

Broader improvements will be gradually rolled out. These will include appointment calendars for selected off-base service providers, enhancements to 1800 IMSICK to incorporate a portal to access health information online, and improved data analytics to help health centres plan for busy periods.

The improvements will complement the comprehensive suite of health ser-vices that will continue to be available to sailors.

Some members may experience minor disruptions during the transi-tion. Joint Health Command is limiting these disruptions with measures such as extending the timeframe for medi-cal examinations for some members to ensure they maintain readiness.

Existing appointments that fall after July 1 will not be affected by the transi-tion to the new partnership with Bupa.

For more information on the new ADF Health Services Contract and the transition process, contact NGHS18.project@defence.gov.au

LEUT Ryan Zerbe

AN OFFICER has been awarded the United States Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his work in helping to develop defences against anti-ship missiles.

CMDR Cadeyrn Okely was presented with his medal by COMAUSFLT RADM Jonathan Mead and US Senator Richard Shelby.

CMDR Okely was posted to Washington, DC, as a liaison officer for three years. There, he worked with the US Navy to develop the next gen-eration of NULKA – a decoy rocket system designed to seduce enemy mis-siles away from their targets.

He admitted he found the exchange assignment challenging at times, with many invested stakeholders to satisfy around the world.

“I worked on the project during its engineering manufacturing and devel-oping phase through to low-rate initial production,” CMDR Okely said.

“My biggest challenges were

managing a dislocated workforce over two continents, trying to develop a product which pushed the laws of physics and trying to align Australian and American acquisition processes in order to satisfy both nations’ needs.

“The only way I was able to work through these challenges was by con-tinually nurturing a collaborative envi-ronment and ensuring everybody kept working towards a clearly defined goal – developing a capability that protects our men and women at sea.”

Despite the different national and work cultures, CMDR Okely was sur-prised at how accepting people were and how easy it was to work in an American environment.

“Working with the United States Navy was an amazing experience and enabled me to see how truly impressive their military capability is and understand first-hand how well Australian military personnel are per-ceived,” he said.

“They love our professionalism and work ethic, yet at the same time

Start of new era of health care

A new ADF health partnership will introduce services that are more responsive to sailors’ personal needs.

they also love our sense of humour and continuously fail at trying to mimic our accents and Crocodile Dundee quotes.”

CMDR Okely said receiving a US medal for his work over three years was a profound experience.

“I felt honoured to have been presented this award, noting the rigor-ous process it must go through for a foreign national to receive it and the amount of other deserving personnel

involved in the project,” he said.“I’m proud of what both our

countries were able to collaboratively achieve despite the many challenges we faced and I’m thankful for the trust and support given to me by their chain of command and the autonomy pro-vided by my team back in Australia.

“Mostly, I’m thankful to my wife and daughter for supporting me through the experience.”

CMDR Okely is now the Fleet

Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer, providing mentoring and guid-ance to ships across the Navy from Fleet Headquarters in Sydney.

He encouraged fellow officers and sailors to pursue overseas postings.

“I would tell anyone wanting to go on an exchange program to grasp it with both hands because the profes-sional and personal experience is chal-lenging and absolutely invaluable,” he said.

Medal for work on decoy

COMAUSFLT RADM Jonathan Mead presents a United States Navy-Marine Corp Commendation Medal to CMDR Cadeyrn Okely. Photo: CPOIS Cameron Martin

The Naval Association of Australia (NAA) was established in 1920. The NAA is the only national organisation with the sole purpose of looking after the interests of serving and ex-Navy men and women. We believe that

Once Navy, Always Navy

The NAA pursue four pillars that underpin our mission:

Care(welfare), diverse and crucial support of Navy and ex-Navy men and women.

Commemoration, maintaining the legacy of past service and sacrifice.

Navy Cadets, assisting youths to become better citizens through support to the ANC.

Camaraderie, meet and socialise with like-minded Navy and ex-Navy men and women.

So why would you want to be a member of the Naval Association?

Don’t underestimate the sense of belonging, of family. Just as you belong to a Ship’s Company now, or did so in the past, so we are like-minded and have the same sense of belonging.Is this important? Believe us, it’s super important and particularly when you transition out of Navy.

If serving, we want you to have an active and rich future in the Navy. If in civvy street, being with us may be just what the doctor ordered – belonging. We need determined members to help sustain your heritage of service and sacrifice. Look at the ship’s Battle Honour

Boards, note the theatres of war listed and the years they occurred, many are inherited! You might ask yourself, why are they there? Collectively they represent a century of service and sacrifice. A century of mateship, being a member of the Naval Association

gives you the chance to continue that mateship with like minded men and women. Our aim is to be a dynamic and contemporary organisation supporting the Navy fraternity by simply being there when needed. Mateship is at the core of what we are about.

Interested? Go to our website www.navalassoc.org.au for the joining procedure, come aboard!

Naval Association of Australia

n Certified Professional Resume Writern Over 15,000 ADF to civvy resumes writtenn Spouses may be eligible for free supportn Free cover letter & coaching with every CV

Australia’s No 1 ADF Resume Writer

Call NJN now u

AWARD WINNING RESUMES

The ONLY ADF provider that does a CV interviewCPRW, CDAA, PARWCC Certifications

www.nextjobnow.com.au

1300 112 114

17FEATURESMay 30, 2019 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

FOR those who go to sea there is nothing as critical as understanding the stability of the ship as it encounters all the

forces that ocean and weather can bring to bear.

Therefore, after more than a year out of the water as part of her Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) upgrade, HMAS Arunta has undertaken an inclining experiment at Henderson Shipyard, Western Australia, to test stability.

An inclining experiment is a test performed on a ship to determine its stability, lightship weight and the coordinates of its centre of gravity. The experiment is applied to newly constructed ships greater than 24m in length, and to ships altered in ways that could affect stability.

The weight of a ship can be readily determined by reading draughts and comparing with the known hydrostatic properties. The ‘metacentric height’, which dominates stability, can be estimated from the design, but an accurate value must be determined by an inclining experiment.

The experiment involves positioning the ship in still water and applying weights in varying configurations throughout the ship and measuring the list of the ship for each configuration.

The experiment performed on Arunta is important as the ship is the first of its Anzac class to undergo the AMCAP upgrade and the data from the experiment will be used as a basis for updating the trim and stability handbook for future AMCAP ships.

The upgrade, being implemented by the Warship Asset Management Agreement, includes significant improvements to major platform systems such as the communications centre, and the replacement of the ship’s long-range air search radar.

Arunta’s Marine Engineer Officer, LCDR Leonard Woodman, said the inclining experiment was another important milestone for both Arunta and the AMCAP.

“The inclining experiment, while being a standard practice after a significant upgrade, has provided good data that will support all the ships that come after us on the AMCAP,” he said.

“[It] is a key component in getting the ship ready to sail later in the year and marks a key milestone of the post-production process.”

The AMCAP aims to remediate obsolescence issues and upgrade ship systems, positioning the Anzac-class ship for sustainment and maintenance of its warfare systems capabilities.

Leaning towards stability

HMAS Arunta conducts an inclining test as part of the Anzac Mid-life Capability Assurance Program upgrade at Henderson, Western Australia. Photo: POIS James Whittle

After a major upgrade, HMAS Arunta has undergone an inclining experiment that will set the standard for future ships, LEUT Mick Wheeler reports.

18 FEATURES www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS May 30, 2019

SGT Dave Morley

AFTER crossing the Kokoda Track from May 3-12, an HMAS Kuttabul senior sailor now has a much greater appreciation of what soldiers went through during WWII.

SO4 Fleet Personnel Section at Fleet HQ POML-P Dina Mackay said getting a specifically ADF apprecia-tion of the history and briefs on significant parts of the track given by military professionals was enlightening.

She said it showed the resolve and strength of the Australian spirit.

“Noting the historical significance that this was the first time Australians had fought to protect home soil, and the unpreparedness of the personnel who were sent initially, this campaign needs to be elevated in importance in Australian studies,” PO Mackay said.

PO Mackay said crossing the Kokoda Track was mentally and physically demanding.

“Coming through the archway at Ower’s Corner after climbing up and down mountains was emotional as it hit home we had crossed the Kokoda Track in seven days,” she said.

“If it wasn’t for the close teamwork and support of the group, putting one foot in front of the other for 12 hours a day would have been much harder.

“It makes you think just how much harder it would have been for the soldiers who went through this in 1942.”

PO Mackay did lead-up training for the trek by hiking around Sydney basin and walking up and down McElhone Stairs in Woolloomooloo.

“But that doesn’t prepare you for the Kokoda Track – I’m not sure what can,” she said.

NURSING officer LCDR Steven Line had only just started his deployment to

Afghanistan when his team responded to a mass casualty event.

“It was a targeted attack in the city of Kabul. A vehicle carrying an improvised explo-sive device had exploded so a lot of people were caught in it,” LCDR Line said.

“After that initial blast there was also a second-wave attack, but the attackers fled because the Afghan security response was so effective.”

LCDR Line works at a NATO military hospital at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.

“Once the victims started arriving at the hospital, it was amazing to see how our multi-nation team came together when faced with this emer-gency,” he said.

“Our training and experi-ence went into action, and we got it done, with successful outcomes for our patients.”

Only two weeks earlier, he had farewelled his wife and two daughters – the youngest only 14 weeks old – for a six-month deployment.

The hospital provides a range of services, from routine and primary care through to life-saving emergency resus-citation, a blood bank, trauma surgery and dental treatment.

ADF members working at the US-led facility are part of Australia’s contribution to the Resolute Support mission.

It is LCDR Line’s second career in the ADF. He initially joined as a submariner.

“When I joined the Navy, I became a combat systems operator specialising in sonar,” he said.

“After serving my initial term, I left the Navy to study a degree in nursing at Edith Cowan University.

“Once I graduated, I started working in emergency medi-cine at a hospital in Perth and applied to rejoin the Navy as a reserve nursing officer.”

As a reservist, he has been involved with a number of exercises, including Pacific Partnership and Rim of the Pacific.

“In the military, you really must learn quickly how to improvise and adapt to produce a good medical outcome for patients in adverse environ-ments,” he said.

“I have done a lot of humanitarian care and disaster response in my military career, so my hospital back home ben-efits from that experience.”

LCDR Line is one of about 300 ADF personnel deployed on Operation Highroad as part of the Australian contribu-tion to the Resolute Support Mission.

A submariner turned nursing officer tells FLTLT Dion Isaacson how military experience has taught him to improvise and adapt in adverse environments.

Video from the trek can be seen at video.defence.gov.au/play/6194

Care in all conditions

LCDR Steve Line, deployed to Hamid Karzai International Airport military hospital in Kabul, has had to learn to think and act quickly in explosive situations.Photo: CPL Chris Beerens

POML-P Dina Mackay leads other Defence members along the Kokoda Track.

Photo: CPL Tristan Kennedy

Team spirit keeps trekkers on track

Men’s Health Week 10–16 June 2019Visit the Healthy Male website to learn more about men’s reproductive and sexual health, download and print fact sheets, and order free hard copy information guides.

Visit healthymale.org.au/defenceforce

Something wrong?Let’s do something about it.

19SPORTMay 30, 2019 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

CPL Sebastian Beurich

AFTER five years on top, Navy finally pushed Army off the throne during the ADF Rugby Union Championships held in Canberra from May 12 to 17.

The championships pitted all three services against each other, with a combined Australian Federal Police and Border Force team thrown into the mix.

After winning the final 30-20, male and rookie player of the cham-pionships SMNCD Mitch Walton said the team was “elated” to see Army evicted from the top spot.

“This was the first time since 2014 Navy has won the champion-ships, so I think the boys were all pretty happy,” SMN Walton said.

“It was definitely a tough game. If they had kicked all of their goals, it would have been a hell of a lot closer.

“It was one of the tougher games I’ve ever played in.

“I was surprised to get both male and rookie player of the champion-ships.

“I was stoked to be awarded

both of them, but the way the team played was awesome.”

ADFRU Patron CDF General Angus Campbell presented RANRU captain LEUT Josh Friend with the Championship Shield.

Although extremely pleased with the result, LEUT Friend said his team would not rest on the success at the championships.

“We are absolutely stoked to be champions in 2019, but have much larger ambitions,” he said.

“We have a busy calendar planned in the lead-up to what will be our biggest challenge: the Commonwealth Navies Rugby Cup to be hosted by the RAN in 2021.”

On the other side of the field, most of the Navy women’s team was made up of rookies.

Despite a solid week of prac-tice before the championships, the team’s lack of experience let them down, according to captain and Navy female player of the champi-onships POPTI Amy Carpenter.

“Our training was dedicated to two training sessions a day, then a week of combined training and playing,” PO Carpenter said.

“I think most of the girls were pretty proud of themselves. They went from playing not a single game of rugby to setting a pretty high standard of football against Army.

“It was a hard game, but the girls kept getting back onto the line, kick-ing the ball off and hitting hard.

“The girls never dropped their heads.”

The women’s additional focus on development this year extended to activities off the field.

PO Carpenter led her team through a training session for 100 year 4 students at Gold Creek Primary School in Canberra.

“It was really rewarding to see the girls out there showing the kids how to play rugby,” PO Carpenter said.

“Each station we ran involved different skills and it was really good to see the kids getting involved.

“I think they really enjoyed it – just as much as we did.”

Sailors keen to get involved with Navy rugby can contact Director of Rugby CAPT Adam Allica or head coach LEUT Jason Harrington.

Navy wins title

Members of Navy’s women’s team put students at Gold Creek School in Canberra through their paces at a training session before the championships.

MIDN Jonte Heirdsfield scores a try during the ADF

Rugby Union Championships held in Canberra.

Photo: CPL Sebastian Beurich

Navy personnel selected for the ADFRU sides:

MAKING THE CUT

Women

PO Amy CarpenterLS Gabi BryanLS Christine FineLS Jenna ShielAB Mahalia EllisAB Courtney FranklAB Tika YeendSMN Cayla BarlowSMN Indiana Lewis

Men

AB Tom BaileyAB Clark ChancellorLEUT Joshua FriendMIDN Jonte HeirdsfieldAB Thomas HiramatsuAB Scott HoganLS Aaron LoudonAB Dominic MorrisAB Suamili Nanai

AB Lachlann TaylorAB Edmund TomsanaSMN Mitchell WaltonLS Alexander Wilson

Volume 62, No. 9, May 30, 2019

SPORT

BALL AND ALL

Services do battle at rugby comp

AB Courtney Frankl stops an Army player in her tracks during the ADF Rugby Union Championships held in Canberra from May 12 to 18. Photo: CPL Sebastian Beurich

Page 19