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LCDR
Sean Leydon (Front) with his graduating class from the first
seaborne FFG Weapons Systems Course conducted aboard HMAS
Canberra.
Photo by HMAS Canberra
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While
HMAS Canberra (CMDR Stuart Mayer) was flat out on Op Relex II
and avoiding tidal waves, the ship conducted the first ever FFG
Combat Systems course at sea.
The course, conducted between June 23 and July 11 is designed
to give students a better understanding of the FFG Combat System,
weapons and support systems.
The four-week course covers the Combat System of the FFGs. These
include the radars, sonars and other sensors, combat system, NCDS,
WCP and MK 92 systems, support systems (ie cooling, power, air
etc), aviation and propulsion systems. It also provides the students
an overall view of the FFG.
It also concentrates on damage control procedures to restore capability
during times of sustained damage to the ship.
Students that attend the course are PWOs, WEEOs and DWEEOs, POCSS’,
CPOCSMs and CPOETs/POETs.
Normally held at CDSC Fyshwick in the FFG’s namesake city,
Canberra requested the course be held aboard while she was deployed
to Op Relex II due to the high number of personnel requiring their
billet pre-requisite (BPR).
CDSC obliged and the course instructor, LCDR Sean Leydon embarked
in the FFG shortly before she sailed, along with two of the 11
students who were attached to other Perth-based ships.
According to LCDR Leydon, while the theory side of the course
was conducted in the Wardroom, being at sea gave the course something
the classroom at CDSC couldn’t match - practical experience.
“Instead of showing pictures on overheads or going to the
suite we have at CDSC, we actually got onto the equipment aboard
HMAS Canberra and the class got to do a live 76mm gun firing as
well,” he said.
The students sat for two major exams on FFG Combat Systems, with
a 75% pass mark. They also had to prepare and present three assignments,
the final one being a presentation to the CO and Heads Of Departments
on different Damage Control battle damage scenarios and how they
would deal with them to restore capability to the ship.
All 11 personnel attending the course passed.
With five spare days before leaving the ship, LCDR Leydon conducted
a Link-11 Maintainer’s Course for three of Canberra’s
sailors before returning to the mainland from Christmas Island.
These back-to-back courses made the time spent aboard a success
for all involved.
Canberra’s tidal wave alert came after a Tsunami warning
was issued, following an earthquake in mid Indian Ocean. Canberra
moved to the lee side of Christmas Island until the possible danger
had passed.
