Our People in VIC
Able Seaman Andrew Hutcheon
Now an Able Seaman, Andrew has specialised in Communications Information Systems. “I manage all the communicational flow in and out of the ship and signals traffic, as well as managing and maintaining the computers on board,” Andrew said.
Andrew has been in the Navy two years, and this is on his first deployment to the Middle East. “It’s amazing being here, getting to do what I’ve been trained to do, we’re up here with the other coalition partners making it happen - it’s completely unreal”, he said.
Andrew says one of the biggest surprises was the environment and the harshness of it. “I didn’t really know what to expect. People can tell you it’s hot or dusty, but you can’t imagine it until you get here – it’s incredible!”
Andrew’s father serves in the defence force, but Andrew chose the Navy more to do something different from his mates. “Everyone I knew was doing apprenticeships, but I wanted to do more, like seeing the world — I’ve definitely seen some amazing places”, Andrew said
Andrew is also involved with ships boarding parties, providing a communication link between the boarding party and HMAS Stuart. It’s a task that Andrew finds both exhilarating and scary at the same time. “Getting on board the ships can be pretty intense, you’re regularly climbing the sides of the ships which can be up to 40 metres high – It’s definitely not for the faint hearted!”
Andrew is one of approximately 1000 men and women serving with Operation Catalyst, the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq.
Working with the Iraqi Government, the ADF continues to contribute to Multi-National Force efforts to develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq, assist national recovery programs and facilitate the transition to Iraq self-government.