By
LCDR Mick Gallagher
More
than 200 Navy personnel attended the Navy Symposium at HMAS
Watson recently, where the Chief of Navy, VADM Russ Shalders,
outlined his key areas of priority.
CN thanked the efforts of former CN, VADM Chris Ritchie, who
launched Plan Blue.
VADM Shalders then outlined his four main priorities for the
future including: conduct of maritime operations; leading our
people and managing our resources; developing the Navy of the
future; and providing effective corporate governance.
“My job is to put Navy before the public and I ask for
your help in achieving this,” VADM Shalders said.
“The operations, campaigns, exercises and deployments that
we have participated in have significantly raised the public’s
awareness and understanding for Navy’s mission.
‘Such support is vital in putting us in a position to
attract the right people into our ranks, and to gain the political
backing for the resources we need.’
– VADM Russ Shalders
He
also reflected on the loss of the six Navy and three RAAF personnel,
who perished in the crash of the Sea King helicopter Shark 02,
on Nias Island in Indonesia in April of this year.
“I hope you are supporting each other and continuing with
your work as your lost shipmates would have wanted,” said
VADM Shalders.
CN thanked the civilian Defence personnel present and stressed
the importance of integrating our total Navy force. He also
acknowledged the reliance on contractors.
CAPT Vin Thompson gave an update of planned projects, which
included the FFG Harpoon Blk 11 upgrade, the Anzac’s sensor
upgrade, long-range submarine detection, a new Air Warfare destroyer
by 2013, replacement of AOR and the Squirrel helicopter, new
LSH/LPA ships and the Seahawk mid-life upgrade.
This was followed by an update of projects underway by Head
Maritime Systems RADM Trevor Ruting and CDRE Drew McKinnie and
CDRE Boyd Robinson.
The Maritime Commander, RADM Davyd Thomas, and his team consisting
of CDRE Kevin Taylor, CAPT Daryl Bates and WO Peter Whitehead,
gave an update of the fleet.
“We operate in a domain that protects our national interests,”
said RADM Thomas.
CDRE Taylor presented Standard Operational Procedures stating
that the “Can Do” is replaced with “Can Do Safely”.
Systems Command gave an update of Sea Change and personnel issues.
Speakers included CDRE Geoff Geraghty, CDRE Nigel Coates, CMDR
Trevor Hay and WO Darren Jeffs.
CAPT Vince Di Pietro presented Navy’s Management Systems
and announced that Navy Safety Awards for 2005 will be presented
in November.
A presentation on Sea Change from a sailor’s view was given
by WO-N, David Turner, who will leave the RAN in January, 2006.
CAPT Adam Grunsell then highlighted the importance of Navy’s
reputation.
