New tactics pay off

By Graham Davis

RADM Raydon Gates presents LCDR Cate Leggett with her commendation.

Photo LSPH Damian Pawlenko

A Royal Australian Navy officer who developed tactics to counter emerging smuggler activities in The Gulf, has seen her efforts formally acknowledged.

LCDR Cate Leggett recently received the Maritime Commander’s Commendation for services while serving in HMAS Arunta, then under the command of CMDR Ray Griggs.

LCDR Leggett is now the operations officer to COMFLOT, CDRE Matt Tripovich.

In a ceremony at Maritime Headquarters recently the Maritime Commander, RADM Raydon Gates formally read his citation to LCDR Leggett and handed a framed copy of it to her.

The citation reads in part: “The Maritime Commander Australia commends LCDR Leggett for outstanding service while serving as the Operations Officer and Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer in HMAS Arunta during Operation Slipper.

“As the Force Protection Officer her efforts in the organisation or protection of the ship from terrorist attack were outstanding and required considerable talent, patience, persistence, imagination, capacity for lateral thinking and attention to detail.

“This organisation was assessed as the best in the fleet and is testament to LCDR Leggett’s considerable abilities and professionalism.”

RADM Gates said the dedication, enthusiasm and initiative demonstrated by LCDR Leggett in the performance of her duties embrace the Navy’s core values, are of the highest order and are in the finest traditions of the RAN.

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