Michael Little has joined Austal as Regional Service Manager – Asia. Based in Singapore, Mr. Little will be responsible for Austal’s support offering in Singapore, Hong Kong and the Philippines and for developing relationships in the broader region.
Mr. Little has considerable experience in the Asia-Pacific ship repair industry and direct expertise supporting US Navy operations in the region. His addition follows Austal’s recent acquisition of Darwin-based Hydraulink NT and its associated business KM Engineering (HKME), and further signals Austal’s commitment to supporting US Navy operations in Asia-Pacific, where Austal expects many of its Mobile-built Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) to operate.
Austal’s Chief Operating Officer – Service and Systems, Charles McGill, welcomed Mr. Little to Austal and commented: “ We are thrilled with Mike’s decision to join the Austal team. He brings direct and credible experience in the region, which is of growing significance to Austal and our core client, the US Navy. Mike’s command experience brings an added dimension to Austal’s capability, which we value tremendously .”
Mr. Little joins Austal from SES Marine Services, a subsidiary of Sembawang Shipyard. Prior to joining Sembawang, Mike served 20 years in the US Navy with assignments including Commanding Officer of the Mine Counter Measures Ship USS PATRIOT (MCM 7) and Commanding Officer of the Naval Special Warfare Patrol Craft USS HURRICANE (PC 3). Mike’s last US Navy assignment was as Director Military Sealift Command Ships Support Unit Singapore.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff,October 10, 2012; Image: Austal