Armidale Class Patrol Boat Crew Aware Three

Commanding Officer	Lieutenant Commander Rod Newbold

The third crew of the Aware Division of the Armidale Class Patrol Boat (ACPB) Squadron formally stood up on 1 October 2007 and was inaugurated into the RAN on 1 December 2007. This was a major milestone in the establishment of the new RAN ACPB capability as it not only completed the formation of the AWARE Division but also the entire squadron of 21 crews. The three Aware crews are based at Darwin and rotate through the two newest and final ships of the 14 that form the ACPB Squadron, namely HMA Ships Maryborough and Glenelg, under a multi crewing concept. In addition to delivering more days at sea per platform per year, and therefore an enhanced overall operational capability, the multi crewing concept provides a stable shore and sea time programme for the crew. This enables personnel to plan their personal and professional lives ahead to a much greater degree than before, a fact much appreciated by both the crew members and their families.

Aware Three has remained busy since being inaugurated into the RAN, conducting patrols of Australia’s Northern waters in support of Operation Resolute, the ADF contribution to the whole of government effort to protect Australia's borders and offshore maritime interests. Aware Three’s primary mission is to provide surveillance and response in frontline border protection for Australia, including the prevention of illegal fishing and immigration. Aware Three has conducted several boarding operations on illegal fishing vessels and suspected irregular entry vessels.

The crew of Aware Three comes from all walks of life and from all around Australia however they all have one shared dedication; ensuring Australia’s borders and maritime interests remain secured, now and into the future.