After a hectic year, the crew of the Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Anzac is undergoing significant change as new crew members are welcomed, and many longstanding members are farewelled as they take up new challenges.
Anzac’s outgoing Commanding Officer, Commander Matthew Doornbos, was the longest standing officer in the ship’s company of around 180 officers and sailors, and one of the many crew members preparing for their next posting.
Commander Doornbos said:
In mid-November we welcomed aboard over 25 new joiners to Anzac, and more will be joining in the coming weeks as the ship prepares to undertake a deployment which will see her visit Gallipoli in April, along with other destinations in the northern hemisphere.
While it would be easy for us to begin to relax and let the new crew finalise the preparations, the entire ship’s crew takes a great deal of pride in getting the ship ready for her deployment – even those of us who won’t be undertaking the voyage.
We have put to sea again this week to bring new crew up to speed, and continue the process of gaining the ship’s sea qualifications following her recent Anti-Ship Missile Defence upgrade.
Communication flow is a critical element of modern warfare and Anzac’s Communications and Information Systems Manager, Chief Petty Officer Craig Andrew, has been busy overseeing the fitting, testing and implementation of a communications suite that will be vital during Anzac’s global deployment in 2015.
The new communications capabilities are important for achieving our mission, which will see major challenges during 2015, such as live broadcasts on Anzac Day, and interoperability with foreign navies during various exercises.
While many Australians look forward to extended Summer vacations, the hardworking crew of Anzac will have only a short break before continuing on with their deployment preparations.
Press release, Image: Australian Navy