Navy the instrument of choice
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A general scene from Divisions which were held to farewell Maritime Commander RADM Gates and welcome his successor RADM Moffitt at Garden Island, Sydney.

Photo: ABPH Nina Nikolin

A march past during the ceremony.

Divisions involved 600 officers and sailors.

RADM Moffitt with family members.

RADM Raydon Gates

By Graham Davis

Maritime Command Changeover
(MPEG video 10.16 MB)

Recent world happenings have presented the Royal Australian Navy with its busiest operational period since the Korean War and possibly World War II, the new Maritime Commander, RADM Rowan Moffitt, said.

Should further Defence resources be required: “I believe the Government’s instrument of choice could be the Navy,” RADM Moffitt added.

His remarks came during a formal address and a follow-on press conference at ceremonial Divisions outside Garden Island’s new Heritage Centre on June 28. The Divisions were called to farewell outgoing Maritime Commander RADM Raydon Gates and Mrs Gates and welcome in the new MC, RADM Moffitt.

More than 600 officers and sailors formed impressive lines beside Sydney Harbour in perfect winter conditions.

A number of retired naval officers were invited to attend. They included Admirals Hudson, Leach, Smith, Chalmers and MacDougall.

Proudly sitting in the front row of the VIP area were Mr Archie Gates, father of RADM Gates, Mrs Julianne Dempsey, RADM Gates’ sister and close friend Mrs Ann McFarland.

HMA Ships Kanimbla, Manoora, Sydney, Melbourne, Yarra, Kuttabul and Waterhen and FIMAs based at Garden Island and Waterhen, along with staff from Maritime Headquarters provided contingents for the Divisions.

Sailors, soldiers and airman were soon on parade.

HMAS Manoora provided the guard while the Sydney detachment of the RAN
Band provided the music and songs.

RADM Gates inspected the assembly, speaking to many officers and sailors young and old.

CHAP Richard Thompson opened the ceremony with prayers to God for peace and the safety of the RAN, its outgoing Maritime Commander and his family and the incoming officer and his family.

In his farewell address, RADM Gates said he served as MC for 709 days. He said he regarded it as the “best job in the Navy”.

He told of the operational tempo experienced by the service in recent times, including deployments to the Middle East, the Solomons, Bougainville and to patrols in waters north of Australia.

Despite this hectic program the RAN had still been able to participate in exercises such as Crocodile and Kakadu and others in Korea, Japan and Hawaii. He applauded those who remain behind, particularly the FEGs, to support the ships.

“Without that support the ships don’t sail,” RADM Gates said.

RADM Gates commended the support loved ones gave to serving members and then gave a formal “thank you” to his wife Alison.

He went on to say he regarded the RAN as the “best fleet in the world” and that it would continue to “fight above its weight”.

Deputy Maritime Commander, CDRE Nigel Perry then thanked RADM Gates for his work indicating the “command has achieved great things”.

On behalf of the command, he presented to the outgoing MC a framed collage of photographs depicting RADM Gates’ time in the role.

Then with his wife and family members and escorted by his Flag Lieutenant, LEUT Fiona Southwood, RADM Gates moved through the ranks, out to a pontoon and boarded the Admiral’s Barge to be transported away.

As the barge moved clear, caps were raised and “three cheers” given. At the same time an 817 Squadron Sea King helicopter roared in from the east carrying a huge White Ensign.

It was a fitting farewell tribute. Earlier, nine helicopters, Sea Kings, Seahawks, Seasprites and Squirrels had made a formation flight over the Divisions.

With RADM Gates’ departure, RADM Moffitt took the microphone telling the assembled ADF personnel he was “totally committed” to the job. He said he expected challenges.

He said should these challenges require further Defence assets, he believed “the Government’s instrument of choice could be the Navy”.

In a dockside press conference later, RADM Moffitt said the operational tempo which the RAN had recently experienced was the busiest since the Korean War, if not World War II.

He said the RAN was currently going through a “reconstitution period” which sees personnel clear outstanding leave periods and important maintenance carried out on ships.

RADM Moffitt, 49, is the 60th Maritime Commander.

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