Our People in NSW
Lee Tough - ILLAWARRA SAILOR SAYS “ALOHA”
Able Seaman Tough is posted to HMAS Tobruk, a heavy landing ship that can carry troops and a range of vehicles, including up to 40 Armoured Personnel Carriers or 40 Australian Light Armoured Vehicles.
“We’re in Hawaii for the exercise, and it has been a great opportunity for everyone in the ship’s company to get some experience working in an environment with lots of ships, aircraft and personnel,” said Lee.
Lee, a former student at Albion Park Rail High School, joined the Navy in early 2006 and hasn’t looked back since.
“I’m mostly involved in maintenance of electronic equipment in communication and weapons systems.”
“I did my initial and trade training at HMAS Cerberus in Victoria and now I am a fully qualified Electronics Technician. It was great, the Navy paid me while I trained and my trade certificate in electronics is nationally recognised in the civilian workforce.”
According to Lee, life in the Navy is a mixture of hard work and enjoying the benefits of travel to different ports.
“I have been all around Australia with the Navy and now to Hawaii,” Lee said.
“You can’t get better than that.”
Able SeamanTough said working and living with people in such close quarters leads to shipmates in the Navy becoming friends for life. But he still has a special place in his heart for the loved ones he leaves at home when he is away on deployment.
“I can hardly wait to see my partner, Emma and son, Bodie,” he said.
That reunion will happen soon as HMAS Tobruk returns to Australia after RIMPAC.
Exercise RIMPAC is a biennial multilateral exercise held in the Hawaiian Islands Operating Area. Countries participating with their navies include Australia, Canada, Chile, Netherlands, Japan, Peru, Singapore, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom and the USA. The exercise is intended to enhance the tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of combined operations at sea, on land and in the air. RIMPAC is the largest maritime exercise in the world. By enhancing interoperability between participating countries, RIMPAC promotes stability in the Pacific Rim region to the benefit of all.
The Royal Australian Navy’s contribution to Exercise RIMPAC 2008 includes HMA Ships Anzac, Tobruk, Success and Waller, Clearance Diving Team 4, Fleet Battle Staff and a Headquarters element. RIMPAC 2008 began on 27 June and ended on 31 July 2008 and is the 21st in the RIMPAC series.