Commanding Officer Armidale Class Patrol Boat Crew Ardent Two

Lieutenant Commander Carlton Longhurst, RAN

LCDR Carlton Nicholas Longhurst, RAN, born 1967, joined the Navy in 1985 as recruit communications sailor, specialising in Electronic Warfare. Carlton studied Indonesian at ADF School of Languages in 1989 and was promoted to LS in the same year.

Commissioned in March 1990, Carlton underwent Seaman Officer training, completing the Executive Application course at HMAS Watson. During this training, Carlton served in HMA Ships JERVIS BAY, STUART, Launceston (II) and Sydney. He was awarded a Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate in June 1992 whilst serving in HMAS Darwin during Operation DAMASK V.

Carlton is a Communications specialist who has served in HMA Ships Wollongong (II), Hobart, Bunbury and ashore at the Defence Signals Directorate, Joint Defence Facility – Nurrungar and Joint EW Support Unit in Adelaide. Carlton was appointed as the Executive Officer of HMA Ships Melville and Leeuwin in 2006 after completing a tenure on staff at the Royal Australian Naval College. More recently, Carlton has served in the Joint Operations Command as an Operations Desk Officer and in 2009, Carlton served as an Officer Commanding a Second Year Squadron at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

After undertaking a Command Training course at HMAS Watson, Carlton assumed Command of the Ardent Two based in Cairns, Queensland on 17 June 2010. Ardent Two routinely serves in HMA Ships Childers and Bundaberg conducting Border Protection duties in Northern Australian Waters.

Carlton is married to Karen, his partner of twenty years. They have one child, Callum aged 13 yrs who commenced High School in 2010. Carlton’s hobbies include golf, fishing, boating and gardening.