JAWS OF LIFE
Navy trials shark protection device
Able Seaman Luke Bunter knows what it's like to be shark bait.


Flying flag in Timor
When trainee pilot LEUT Ben Crowther was grounded for three years after injuring his back in a car accident in 1999 (one year into his pilot training) it appeared his aspirations of being a Navy pilot might well be over.


Study scheme back in vouge
Member Initiated Civil Schooling is being reintroduced after being temporarily suspended due to workforce priorities and funding pressures.


Ballarat gets thumbs up from crew
“She’s fantastic! “She’s very empty but she’s fantastic!” That’s the view of NUSHIP Ballarat’s Supply Officer, LEUT Andy Barnes, as he began stocking up his ship one working day after the eighth Anzac Class Guided Missile Frigate was delivered to the Royal Australian Navy.


Flinders guns fire up
The West Head Gunnery range recently held their annual open day to show off their array of weapons and to thank the local public in Flinders, Victoria for their support over the years.

OH&S practices commended
The RAN’s Training Authority- Submarines (TA-SM) based at HMAS Stirling has been awarded a “five star” grading for its ongoing commitment to achieving “world best practice” in the management of occupational health and safety.

Budget 2004

Patrol boats full steam
Work has started on the first of 12 Armidale Class patrol boats for the Royal Australian Navy.

BRIEFS

US chief calls on Tartan Terror
In a visit that highlighted the importance of the RAN’s contribution to Coalition Operations in The Gulf, the US Chief of Naval Operations (Admiral Vernon E. Clark) recently paid a visit to HMAS Stuart. Stuart’s CO, CMDR Philip Spedding, OAM, is the commander of the Coalition task group conducting maritime security operations protecting Iraqi territorial waters and oil platforms.

Familiar ship found in Gulf
Australian Navy ship HMAS Melbourne (CMDR Vern Dutschke) conducted hundreds of boardings during its stint in The Gulf, but none of the boardings were quite like the time they boarded the passenger ferry MV Ajman City.


BULLETIN BOARD


Name remain the same
Some people may not realise it, but HMAS Coonawarra still exists and serves the busiest Naval port in Australia.


Navy billets set for sky
The Navy is up in the air with the opening of the Air Force’s new 2 Squadron Headquarters at RAAF Williamtown.

Comms upgrade project underway
Sailors deployed on 15 of the RAN’s principal ships will be able to communicate with their families more often under a $45 million upgrade to the Navy’s shipborne information systems.