Our People in QLD
Daniel Mansfield - Jindalee
Brisbane local Daniel Mansfield is thriving in his role as a Maritime Warfare Officer onboard HMAS Warramunga, an Anzac Class frigate based in Western Australia.
After finishing his schooling at Centenary State High School in Jindalee, Sub-Lieutenant Mansfield took the time to see some of the world by trying out a number of careers before joining the Navy as a 23 yr old.
“I spent a few years separating my time between Army reserves, working with a friend in a suburban fencing business and travelling in Asia,” he said.
Sub-Lieutenant Mansfield spent his first six months of training at HMAS Creswell learning basic service knowledge before posting to a number of fleet units for at-sea training.
“My most interesting deployment so far has definitely been Exercise PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP in 2010, serving in HMAS Labuan and visiting ports in East Timor and Indonesia,” he said.
“Pacific Partnership is all about providing medical assistance to developing Pacific nations and the Landing Craft HMAS Labuan was assisting the United States Navy with the landing of medical stores and personnel.”
Sub-Lieutenant Mansfield is now focussed on gaining his Bridge Warfare Certificate (BWC) in HMAS Warramunga by the end of this year. The BWC is the primary qualification of a Maritime Warfare Officer and is the culmination of almost three years of training at sea and in shore establishments.
“I really enjoyed my posting to HMAS Labuan so I think I will try to return to a minor war vessel, which are based out of Darwin and Cairns. I enjoy the lifestyle and the camaraderie of a small boat crew.”
Sub-Lieutenant Mansfield is also looking forward to some down-time once the ship has completed its current training program.
“I have bought a house in WA, so in the short term I am looking forward to spending some time with my brother who has also moved to WA,” he said.
HMAS Warramunga is one of eight Anzac Class frigates and is based at Fleet Base West, Rockingham, WA.