A dream deployment
14 October 2010 By Lieutenant Commander Robyn Sampson
Seaman Bosun's Mate (SMNBM) William McCombe joined HMAS Warramunga on the day the ship deployed for a lengthy RIMPAC, KAKADU and Northeast Asia deployment.
As the ship returned to homeport recently he reflected on what has been, in his words “a pretty awesome” start to his Naval career.
SMNBM McCombe is one of many fresh faces who participated in their first crossing the line ceremony during the deployment and he has also made the most of exciting work related experiences plus the many other advantages of international engagement during overseas visits.
Originating from Sunbury in Victoria, 23 year old SMNBM McCombe joined the Navy in August 2009.
He never dreamed his first deployment would allow him to experience so much real action first hand during multi national exercises, and take him to the range of ports he has visited.
“Using the 50 Cal machine gun to shoot down a drone during RIMPAC_2010 was really cool, sinking the ex USS New Orleans was also a highlight” he said, “and taking the RHIB over to see the USS ARIZONA Memorial in Pearl Harbour was amazing too”.
Warramunga tried to bring some ‘Hawaii’ to HMAS Sirius when they rendezvoused for a Replenishment at Sea (RAS) enroute to Darwin from Hawaii in the Coral Sea.
All personnel on the upper decks and bridge were in Hawaiian shirts, leis and hats and there were 'lovely' Hula girls (ie. SMNBM McCombe and a few other blokes in straw skirts and coconut bras) providing entertainment.
“Sirius didn't make it to RIMPAC, so we thought they would appreciate it. Unfortunately the weather that day was pretty bad and everyone got drenched, but we had a blast and so far that’s my most memorable RAS out of the 12 we did during the deployment” said SMNBM McCombe.
Always keen to see the sights of the countries Warramunga visited during the four and a half month deployment, SMNBM McCombe has great memories and photo proof of time in Tonga, Hawaii in the USA, the Republic of Korea and China. One notable activity was a tour of the Demilitarized Zone between North Korea and the Republic of Korea.
Around eighty percent of the crew visited this tense part of the world while visiting Incheon for the 60th Anniversary of the Landings that changed the course of the Korean War.
Along with over 100 of the crew, SMNBM McCombe also took the opportunity to do a whirlwind tour of Beijing (including the Temple of Heaven) and the Great Wall during the ship’s port visit to Qingdao, China.
To top off the deployment, in the last port of Zhanjiang SMNBM McCombe and the other Boarding Party members, along with the Ship’s Dive Team, pitted their skills against the Chinese People’s Liberation Army – Marines on their multi faceted climbing wall, obstacle course and weapons range where they fired the Chinese L9 rifle.
In what was a truly unique and significant opportunity for the Royal Australian Navy to engage with Chinese Marines, Warramunga’s mixed gender team impressed the hosts with their enthusiasm, skill and ‘have a go’ attitude.
SMNBM McCombe is looking forward to being able to share what he has learnt with new crew members posting on in the next few months, and he is also looking forward to Warramunga’s next major deployment scheduled for late 2011.
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