Our People in WA
Able Seaman Electronics Technician Glen Prior - LOCAL SERVING IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Glen and his 180 shipmates 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.
Glen, who joined the Navy in 2004, is primarily responsible for the Ship's navigation aids, which includes maintaining a range of electronic equipment such as the Target Indicating Radar, GPS, laser ring gyros, wind sensors, closed circuit television system and an automated plotting table. The position requires Glen to maintain the visual landing aids for the Ship's embarked Seahawk helicopter and more recently has expanded to include maintaining and operating the Mini Typhoon weapon system.
"For this mission I have been tasked with operating the Mini Typhoon weapon system. This requires the manning of two remotely controlled 12.7mm machine guns from within the ship. The role also includes controlling 2 high quality Infra-red cameras used for visual identification of contacts and reporting any suspicious activity to the on-watch Principle Warfare Officer," explains Glen
When asked what he has enjoyed most about the deployment, Glen responded, "The port visits are always good, especially after being out at sea for a month. Stepping ashore with a group of your best mates in a foreign country is always going to be a lot of fun."
Glen and his shipmates will be back home in July after a 6 month deployment.