Our People in SA
Michael Oaklands - Crime Scene Investigator Afghanistan
Port Pirie’s Michael Oaklands, 45, reckons if his job was a TV series it would be called ‘CSI Afghanistan’.
The Australian Navy clearance diver and Chief Petty Officer is part of a specialised investigation team at Multi-National Base Tarin Kot in Afghanistan spearheading a potent capability for the Australian Defence Force.
Michael and his colleages on the Weapons Intelligence Team analyse components from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to trace those responsible for the weapons and enable the ADF and its Coalition partners to work out the best ways of countering the threat.
“It is interesting work,” said Michael. “Almost every day we encounter a new IED and the work we do to defeat them makes things safer for soldiers and civilians in Uruzgan and Afghanistan.”
Procedures for clearing roads, bridges and paths of IEDs throughout Afghanistan are constantly evolving to counter the latest threat thanks to the intelligence gained by the team.
The team is also helping track down those responsible for the bombs.
“We’re like the CSI team on TV or any forensics crime team back in Australia, we go out to the crime scene where the IED was laid, we dust the componentry for fingerprints and test for DNA to trace those responsible,” Michael said.
Around 1550 Australian Defence Force personnel are currently serving in Afghanistan as part of Australia’s contribution to the international campaign against terrorism.
Michael joined the Navy 26 years ago to see the world.
“I had a cousin in the Navy and he kept telling me about all his trips overseas,” he said.
“It was also the era before the Navy paid off its big destroyers and some of the cooler aspects of the uniform, such as the bell-bottom pants. I thought that stuff was pretty sexy and I wanted to be part of it.”
Originally, Michael joined as a radio operator but after six years he moved across to become a clearance diver.
“I did get to serve on a destroyer, as well as a frigate and a mine-hunter, but before I retire I’d love to serve on one of the new helicopter landing ships the Navy is currently buying,” he said.
These days Michael is normally based at Port Kennedy near Perth, but this is the second time he has deployed to the Middle East. He previously served aboard HMAS Sydney in the Persian Gulf in 2003.
When he comes home in May, Michael has plans to visit Port Pirie.
“My sister and my wife’s family are all still in Port Pirie, so I get back there as much as I can,” he said.
“I love the unique things about South Australia, stuff like Fritz lunchmeat and Golden North ice-cream.
“It’s been a while since I was last home so I’m particularly looking forward to catching up with my sister and all her news over a few West End beers at the Portside Tavern.”