December 17 saw CDRE Deeks depart HMAS Stirling.

Photo: ABPH Joanne Edwards

Albatross flies the coop

By LEUT H. Anderson

There was a change of command at 816 Squadron at HMAS Albatross late last year.

The outgoing Commanding Officer, CMDR Brad White, was farewelled in true aviation fashion.

CMDR White, Commanding Officer since December 2002, spoke to the Squadron at a Clear Lower Deck before changing into a wetsuit and being escorted to a waiting Seahawk.

CMDR White and his surfboard were then flown to Shoalhaven Bight, where he was winched into the sea for a morning of surfing.

CMDR White will begin a posting to Strategic Operations Division in Canberra in 2005.

The incoming Commanding Officer, CMDR Andy Rushbrook, begins his tenure at 816 Squadron following an 18-month posting to HQJOC.

CMDR Rushbrook, an S-70B-2 TACCO and former Flight Commander in HMAS Sydney, is looking forward to the challenges which lay ahead for 816 Squadron.

Weight shift at Cairns

CMDR Sue Smith hands command of HMAS Harman over to CMDR Ian Parker on January 24.

Photo: ABPH Kade Rogers

Heavy rain and threat of a cyclone did not dampen the proceedings for a change of weight at HMAS Cairns last month.

More than 60 members of HMAS Cairns, her ships and lodger units gathered, out of the weather, for a clear lower deck to farewell outgoing Cairns’ CO, CMDR Niel Wark and welcome the incoming CMDR Andrew Dakin.

CMDR Wark came to the end of a two-year posting a posting which was to become very busy what with the deployment of landing craft and patrol boats to the Solomon Islands.

“I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my time as CO, in particular the support and friendship shown by the people of Cairns and the far north,” he said.


“Cairns has been a wonderful posting and one that my wife Christine and I will look back on with fond memories.

“It has been an honour and privilege to lead the dedicated and professional group of men and women who serve at HMAS Cairns,” he said.

After the weight, a large trophy surmounted by a marlin, was exchanged, CMDR Wark made his way to a small landing craft, a vessel used by the base’s divers, to be taken away.

CMDR Dakin comes to the base from the Airworthiness Coordination and Policy Agency in Canberra.

Top navigator bids farewell

By LCDR John Sperring

COMAUSNAVHMGRP and Hydrographer of Australia CAPT Bruce Kafer, bid farewell to his command at a morning tea put on by the staff of the Australian Hydrographic Office.

CAPT Kafer, who has held this posting for the last four years moves to the Australian Defence College to undertake the Defence Strategic Studies Course.

He said he was particularly proud of the number and variety of new navigation products that came out during his term in office.

The change of command occurred December 22 with CAPT Rod Nairn, taking over as the new HMFEG Commander and Hydrographer of Australia.

CAPT Nairn said he was “honored to be selected for this position and accepts the breadth of responsibility that it entails”.

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