By
LEUT Andrew Herring
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MCAUST
RADM Raydon Gates has released a priorities statement.
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The
Royal Australian Navy fleet will shift its focus from operations
to refreshing its people, maintaining its ships and recovering
individual and collective warfighting skills according to a priorities
statement released in early August by MCAUST, RADM Raydon Gates.
In releasing the statement entitled “Our Direction - Maritime
Command Priorities 2003/04” during a Clear Lower Deck of
Maritime Headquarters staff, RADM Gates acknowledged the command’s
achievements since 2001 and outlined its priorities for the year
ahead under the Navy-wide reconstitution plan.
“Since September 11, the fleet has successfully pursued Navy’s
vision and mission, earning an international reputation for excellence
as a sea power by fighting and winning in the maritime environment
as part of a combined force,” RADM Gates said.
“As Maritime Commander, I am very pleased with the extraordinary
efforts of fleet and supporting personnel that allowed us to protect
our borders, fight terrorism and help liberate Iraq in our busiest
operational period since World War II.”
RADM Gates said that despite the fleet’s reduced operational
tempo, the Government’s continuing commitment to border protection,
fighting terrorism and contributing to regional security means
the fleet must expect and prepare for operations to support these
policies.
Despite the operational demands on the horizon, the RADM Gates
is calling on Maritime Command to make good use of any pause in
operational tempo.
“As our operational tempo allows, we will focus on refreshing
and developing our people with leave and professional development
training, reinvigorating our core warfighting skills through exercises
and making a concerted effort to maintain our ships, submarines,
aircraft and equipment,” he said.
Copies of “Maritime Command Priorities 2003/04” are
being sent out to all fleet units, Maritime Command establishments,
FEGs and shore-based units, with further details on the priorities
provided to personnel by commanding officers.
Additional copies will be available on request from the MHQ coordination
division on telephone (02) 93594918 or from the Maritime Command
Defweb page at http://mhq.defence.gov.au
