1 October 2024
Having an embarked flight or helicopter on board HMAS Sydney is an asset during Operation Argos as it adds to the ship’s capability to monitor and deter illegal ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned goods.
For Leading Seaman Aircrewman James Neville, his role is operating the sensors in the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter to help provide a surface picture to Sydney.
“My role during Op Argos is primarily to search our given area utilising radar and FLIR (forward looking infrared cameras) for vessels of interest that may be conducting illegal ship-to-ship transfers," Leading Seaman Neville said.
“We can then report these back to the ship and capture imagery that can be used in tracking these activities.
“Operation Argos is a good chance for the entire ship to put its training to use and directly see the results of the hard work that has been put into preparing for operations such as this."
This isn’t Leading Seaman Neville's first Operation Argos, having also completed the operation on HMAS Anzac in 2023.
When not on Operation Argos the role of aircrewman is varied.
The main role at sea is operating the sensors in the aircraft to provide the ship a surface picture for better situational awareness as to what’s in the area.
Crew also use passive and active underwater sensors to locate or track underwater contacts.
Other roles can be quite diverse and include aerial door gunnery, rescue swimmer, live transfers (winching), vertical replenishment and intelligence photography. They also perform landing safety officer duties while not flying.
'It’s a very unique place to work and I’ve met some of the best people I know through my job.'
Leading Seaman Neville didn’t join the Navy as an aircrewman, he was originally an aviation technician – avionics (ATV) whose role was to service the MH-60R helicopter.
“I spent six years as an ATV before transferring in 2019 to aircrewman after my posting on HMAS Parramatta with 816 Flight 4,” Leading Seaman Neville said.
Growing up in Dubbo, he followed in his brother's footsteps after hearing of the benefits and opportunities Navy could offer him.
“The best moment in the Navy for me would have to be Exercise Joint Warrior in 2018. I was able to travel to Stornoway in Scotland with two Seahawks in the back of two C-17s and work alongside the Royal Navy and their Merlins for two weeks,” he said.
But his favourite thing about the Navy is the people he’s met and unique experiences he’s been a part of.
“It’s a very unique place to work and I’ve met some of the best people I know through my job,” he said.
Some of his most memorable moments have been when he first qualified as an aircrewman with no instructor.
“Another one will always be jumping out of the helicopter into the ocean during rescue swimmer training; that is always a moment where it hits me how good the job is," he said.
“I would recommend the Navy to anyone considering joining. The only thing I would say is to do your research into the job you’re interested in so that you understand what you are going to be in for.
“The Navy has offered me so many unique and exciting opportunities as well as a good salary and other unique benefits, along with how many good people I have met through working in the Navy."
Sydney is conducting an Indo-Pacific regional presence deployment, enhancing cooperation and relationships with regional partners and allies.
