Armidale Class Patrol Boat Crew Ardent Four
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| Commanding Officer | Lieutenant Commander David Ince |
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6 August 2007
These last few weeks have proven to be very busy for the crew of Ardent 4 with more training and courses spread all over the country to prepare us to embark in our new ship. After weeks of waiting we embarked in the new Armidale Class Patrol Boat Launceston in late July and commenced the huge job of storing the ship with all of it's required equipment. We're still discovering new things about our ship as we set to work much of the cutting edge technology gear we have onboard. Our last two members of the ship's company have also recently joined and we are now a 'complete team' and now getting ready for our required audit in late August before heading out to sea for the first time. It's very busy times at the moment with everyone pitching in and working very hard to make sure all is ship shape and up to scratch and ready to take to sea. Hectic, but really rewarding for all to see the ship coming together for the first time!
26 June 2007
Greetings from Ardent Four,
Since standing up in early April the crew of Ardent Four have been working hard to prepare for the upcoming commissioning of NUSHIP Launceston. Departmental Management Audits along with pre-work up training have taken up a large amount of our time recently, however we did manage to get away for a couple of days recently to conduct a range day and fire our small arms weapons.
The range day provided us with an opportunity to get together away from all the paperwork and training. The whole crew were spot on with their shooting with LSBM Hanson obtaining the highest result. With the business end of the day covered the crew relaxed in front of the campfire and played a couple of card games. The day really provided us with an opportunity to get to know each other away from the office and provided us with many laughs.
In the upcoming weeks we have a pretty hectic schedule full of, you guessed it training, training and more training. Although in true Ardent Four style the good times are never too far behind. On the 6th Jul we are planning a cable skiing trip for the crew which I am sure will be great. Although the highlight of the day will definitely be returning with all personnel still intact.
Well that is all from Ardent Four for now,
"Keep smiling, it makes the other Ardent crews wonder what we have been up to"
30 May 2007
The RAN's newest Armidale Patrol Boat crew came into existence in Cairns on Tuesday 10 April with 18 of the expected 21 ship's company meeting for the first time. The crew's first month has been hectic with many completing the many courses required for a new ship - busy times for all. ANZAC Day was also a highlight with the ship's company marching together for the first time in the QLD town of Innisfail. The CO and XO also attended the naming of our new ship Launceston in Fremantle where we first laid eyes on our new ship - happy days!
The coming months promise to be busy with the commencement of our platform training in early May and the many jobs involved in getting a new ship and crew ready to commence our trials and workup.
