Commander Ainsley Morthorpe

1986 – 1988:
Joined RAN as a Seaman Officer through the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra. Studied politics and social science for award of BA in Dec 1988.

1988 – 1990:
Seaman officer training, going to sea in HMA Ships Stalwart (II) (Training Ship), Parramatta (III) (Destroyer Escort) and Success (Replenishment Ship).

1990:
Navigating Officer HMAS Betano (Landing Craft). Promoted to Sub Lieutenant. Married to Lee, in Gundagai, NSW.

1990-1992:
Pilots course at 1 and 2 Flight Training Schools RAAF – suspended from course in 1992. Birth of son in 1990 and daughter in 1992. Promoted to Lieutenant in 1992.

1992 - 1994:
OOW in HMA Ships Brisbane (II) and Hobart (II) (Destroyers). Mine Warfare qualification awarded in 1994.

1994 – 1996:
Operations Officer (OPSO) HMAS Shoalwater (Mine Hunter Inshore – MHI) (1994-95) and XO HMAS Rushcutter (MHI) (1995-96).

1997:
Officer of the Watch HMAS Melbourne (Frigate – FFG).

1998:
Principle Warfare Officer (PWO) course, specialising in Surface and under-sea Warfare.

1999 – 2001:
PWO in HMNZS Canterbury (Destroyer Escort based in Auckland). Operational service in INTERFET (East Timor) 1999. Promoted to Lieutenant Commander 1999.

2001 – 2002:
Anti-submarine warfare officer (TASO)/OPSO HMAS Sydney, operational service in Op SLIPPER (Arabian Gulf) 2001-02.

2003:
Instructor at ADF Warfare Centre in Newcastle.

2003 – 2005:
Commanding Officer (CO) HMAS Fremantle (II) (Fremantle Class Patrol Boat) in Darwin. Operational service Op ANODE (Solomon Islands) 2004.

2006:
Training Coordinator at Sea Training Group in Sydney. Promoted to Commander in July 2006.

2006 – 2007:
Head of Operations (J3) at HQNORCOM in Darwin.

2008 – 2009:
CO HMAS Coonawarra, Navy base in Darwin. Awarded Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM) in 2008 for service as J3 in HQNORCOM. Coonawarra awarded Governor’s Cup for most efficient base in 2009.

2010:
Deputy Director Capability Needs Analysis at Capability and Plans in Capability Development Group in Canberra.

23 Nov 10:
Assumed Command HMAS Success.

I am interested in 4WDing and camping, bush-walking, photography, painting, reading and listening to almost all types of music imaginable. I am a keen middle distance runner (2.4km to 14 km).

Lee is a High School teacher in Canberra. Son is in second year of university, studying to be a teacher like his mother. Daughter has this year joined the Navy as a Seaman Officer through ADFA.