Media Room | Reports and Publications | Careers and Recruiting | Industry and Contracts | Other Defence Links

Our People in VIC

Rebecca 'Bec' Crossingham - LOCAL IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Beechworth's Rebecca 'Bec' Crossingham, the daughter of Phil and Kath Warden, is currently serving in the Persian Gulf in the Royal Australian Navy Frigate HMAS TOOWOOMBA. The former St Joseph 's Primary and Beechworth Secondary College student joined the Australian Regular Army as an Electronic Warfare Operator in January 2000.

Bec, currently on an exchange posting to the Navy for two years, and her 180 shipmates onboard Navy frigate HMAS TOOWOOMBA provide an ongoing contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq. This includes the important work of protecting Iraq 's offshore export oil terminals and monitoring, intercepting and boarding vessels suspected of illegally trafficking cargo that diverts funds from the Iraqi economy.

Bec, who is a Corporal, said "despite the challenges faced whilst serving on a Royal Australian Navy vessel in the Arabian Gulf she has the added adventure of being the only soldier posted aboard." Bec has enjoyed the deployment to date and said "the opportunity to visit such places as Dubai, Abu Dhabi (both in the United Arab Emirates) and Bahrain has been great." The port visits form an important part of the rest and recuperation program of a Ship that is deployed for a long time. Bec said she "looks forward to her return to Australia ."

During her seven years with the Defence Force Bec has also deployed to East Timor and the Solomon Islands with the Army. She is providing a great service to Australia.