23 July 2025
When the 19 personnel of Flight 806 joined HMAS Sydney the day it left Fleet Base East in late March, for Able Seaman Louise Schutz it was just days after her wedding.
“We got married in Milton with Pigeon House Mountain in the background, the sun burning through the peaks, it was just the most perfect day,” Able Seaman Schutz said.
“Within that week, I was on deployment. I haven’t seen all my wedding photos yet.”
Inside Sydney’s hangar, an MH-60R helicopter named Electra is ready for action at a moment’s notice.
The flight crew, from Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, change out with every deployment.
“There’s a lot of pressure to fit in because unlike everyone else, we’re not on here for two years,” Able Seaman Schutz said.
“But Sydney’s crew made it easy, and we heard good things before posting on, which has brought up morale for us.”
The avionics technician works on the electronic side of helicopters, loading and maintaining explosive ordnance and weapons.
“I like my role because when you fix something, you get a lot of satisfaction out of it because it's basically what makes the helicopter work,” she said.
'I’m doing something none in my friends will be able to do, something I know [my] parents are proud of.'
It was this flight’s first international trip, after deploying on Operation Resolute last year in Australian waters.
On this regional presence deployment, Able Seaman Schutz travelled around Japan, Korea, the Philippines and Singapore.
“Japan was perfect, especially the food. Honestly I probably spent more money on ramen than I did on anything else,” Able Seaman Schutz said.
When things get hard at sea, she reminds herself about the reason she signed up: to challenge herself.
“I’m doing something none in my friends will be able to do, something I know [my] parents are proud of; it’s just finding the little moments that get me through,” Able Seaman Schutz said.
Working with fellow aviators such as Lieutenant Aaron Grow, a pilot on the flight, teamwork is crucial.
“Electra weighs around 10 tonnes and just moving her out of the hangar is a delicate operation,” Lieutenant Grow said.
“If something goes wrong, she can crush you so it’s very important to work together and listen to each other.”
After being a part of the flight crew for 18 months, Able Seaman Schutz has been enjoying her sea time before returning to Australia.
“Once we’re back, I am looking forward to going for a nice pub feed together with my new husband and enjoying shore life,” she said.
