Our People in SA
Beau Roberts - LOCAL SAILOR SAYS “ALOHA”
Able Seaman Roberts is posted to heavy landing ship, HMAS Tobruk, one of three RAN ships in the Australian fleet that is capable of carrying big numbers of troops and embarked military vehicles. For RIMPAC, the largest maritime exercise in the world, Tobruk has taken onboard US Marines and a number of their 26 tonne Amphibious Assault 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 with other nations in an environment with lots of ships, aircraft and personnel,” said Beau.
A former Victor Harbour High student, Beau has been in the Navy for less than two years but has already received his first promotion.
“I was promoted from Seaman to Able Seaman,” he said.
Navy Boatswains take on a variety of seamanship and weaponry roles in the Navy. Beau said he was qualified to operate and maintain a number of small arms, as well as whole-of-ship evolutions such as replenishments at sea, towing, anchoring and small boat handling.
“I joined the Navy to travel and experience different things and now I really feel like that part of my career is well on its way,” said Beau.
“Hawaii is my first overseas trip but I am sure it won’t be my last. Before that, I was involved in Operation Resolute, protecting Australia’s northern waters from unauthorised arrivals and illegal foreign fishing vessels inside our exclusive economic zone.”
“ I just love being in the Navy, it’s so much more than an everyday type job and I really feel like I am giving something back to my country at the same time,” he said
Beau said that Navy life provided lots of benefits beyond the pay and travel.
“We get free medical and dental treatment, as well as rental assistance to ensure everyone is on an even playing field no matter where we are posted. I’ve been attached to HMAS Tobruk for about a year now and I may get a shore posting after that. Navy life is a mixture of on shore and at-sea work. Just because you’re in the Navy doesn’t mean you are away all the time.”
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. 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 finished on 31 July 2008.