HMAS AUSCDT 4
Lieutenant Commander Paul Sedgman, RAN
LCDR Paul Sedgman graduated as a Midshipman from the Australian Defence Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1995. He conducted Seaman Officer training on HMA Ships SWAN and LAUNCESTON and was awarded his watch-keeping certificate in 1997. He then served as the Weapons Officer on HMAS HUON and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1999.
LCDR Sedgman saw operational service in East Timor in 1999 whilst serving on HMAS SUCCESS. He then completed the Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Officer courses in 2000 and subsequently served on HMAS HAWKESBURY as the Diving Officer, HMAS DIAMANTINA as the Operations Officer and as the Mine Counter Measures Element Officer at Australian Clearance Diving Team Four.
He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 2005 and was posted to the Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Force Element Group as Staff Officer Human Resource Management followed by a posting as the Officer in Charge of the Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Operational Support Unit.
In August 2007 LCDR Sedgman completed his Masters of Management from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management and in December 2007 he assumed Command of Australian Clearance Diving Team Four based at HMAS STIRLING, Garden Island Western Australia.
Welcome Aboard
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Australian Clearance Diving Team Four is one of two commissioned Clearance Diving Teams in the Royal Australian Navy. They are the Australian Defence Force's specialist divers, who operate in-service diving equipment to the maximum permissible depths. They also conduct explosive ordnance disposal for the Navy are capable of locating and destroying or recovering underwater ordnance or maritime assets.
The Australian Clearance Diving Branch was created in 1951 and for many years much of its activities were based on the east coast of Australia.
Then, in 1962, a Reserve Diving Team was formed at HMAS LEEUWIN in Fremantle. Eventually, this unit was absorbed into Australian Clearance Diving Team Four when it was established as an operational unit at HMAS STIRLING in 1978.
Australian Clearance Diving Team Four has always been at the forefront of operational activity.
Between 1980-1985, it provided personnel to the counter-terrorist squadron of the Special Air Service Regiment. Personnel to the Team also formed the bulk of the specially formed Clearance Diving Team that served in the 1991 Gulf War. Team members also deployed to East Timor as part of the International Force East Timor (INTERFET) in 1999. On 1 December 2001, Australian Clearance Diving Team Four became a commissioned unit of the Royal Australian Navy.
The Team consists of a headquarters element and three operational elements that specialise in tactical operations, mine countermeasures and battle damage repair. All elements are capable of performing explosives disposal and can be deployed independently or as a combined task unit. The Team operates specialised diving and explosive ordnance disposal equipment and can be deployed independently or as a combined task unit. The Team operates specialised diving and explosive ordnance disposal equipment that enables it to locate and dispose of modern mines that feature sophisticated arming and targeting systems. Australian Clearance Diving Team Four personnel are also trained in field craft and the use of wide range of small arms, enabling them to deploy to remote operating areas under varying levels of threat. |
