Commander Timothy Byles
Commander Timothy Scott Byles, RAN joined the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and attended the RAN College in 1988. After completing Seaman Officer training ashore and afloat he was awarded his Bridge Warfare Certificate in HMAS Whyalla in 1990. Time was spent as an Officer of the Watch (OOW) in HMAS Sydney during Gulf War I for the liberation of Kuwait. After a posting to HMAS Canberra as an OOW he joined the Fremantle Class Patrol Boat (FCPB), HMAS Townsville as the Navigating Officer in 1993.
Further Navigation postings to HMAS Torrens and HMAS Canberra followed prior to Warfare and Navigation specialist training at HMAS Watson in 1997. Upon successful completion of this training Lieutenant Byles joined HMAS Manoora undergoing modification at Newcastle. After a period of sea trials and a short period on operations in the Solomon Islands he left the ship in mid 2000.
Promoted to Lieutenant Commander he joined Commander Minor War Vessel Sea Training Group’s staff as the Staff Officer – Navigation where he remained until 2003. During this time the group Lieutenant Commander Byles was awarded a Chief of Defence Force group Commendation for efforts in preparing the RAN Fleet for operations.
Lieutenant Commander Byles joined HMAS Whyalla as the Commanding Officer in June 2000. He was deployed as the first FCPB to support Operation Anode in the Solomon Islands and was awarded the Kelly Shield for overall proficiency in the Patrol Boat Group for 2004. The following week his selection for promotion to Commander was announced. In 2004 he also completed a Bachelor of Business (Maritime Management) with the Australian Maritime College, Launceston.
2005 was spent as the Head of the Officer’s Initial Training Faculty at the Royal Australian Naval College, where he was responsible the Training Authority – Initial Training Leadership and Management at HMAS Creswell leading the successful induction of all officers into the Royal Australian Navy.
Promoted to Commander in January 2006 he completed the Australian Command and Staff Course in the same year. In 2007 he deployed to the Middle East Area of Operation as the Chief of Joint Operations’ Liaison Officer to the Commander US Naval Central Command where he was commended for his service.
In 2008, Commander Byles served as the Staff Officer – Policy to the and his selection for Command of HMAS Kanimbla in 2009 was announced midway through this tenure.
He is married to Rachael and they have three children.
Commander Byles assumed Command of HMAS Kanimbla on 10 June 2009.
