Commanding Officer Armidale Class Patrol Boat Crew Attack Four
Lieutenant Commander Paul Garai, RAN
LCDR Paul Garai, RAN was born and raised in Sydney. He trained at the RAN College and initially qualified in the Patrol Boats Dubbo and Launceston while serving in border protection operations. He also subsequently served in the Destroyer Escort Swan and Guided Missile Destroyer Perth on regional security operations. A posting at Navy Recruiting Melbourne followed and Paul transferred to the Naval Reserve in July 1994, returning to permanent service in March 1999. During this time he was a human resources executive in major corporations in Sydney. He also served in Naval Reserve positions at the RAN Staff College and the RAN Sail Training Centre.
On resuming his Naval career in 1999, Paul was appointed Executive Officer of the amphibious ship HMAS Betano, serving in stabilisation operations at Bougainville Island and East Timor. HMAS Betano was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation in East Timor and the Amphibious Forces Shield during this time. A posting to Fleet Human Resources Management followed after which he joined the amphibious ship HMAS Tobruk as the Operations Officer, serving in regional security operations and coalition training.
Lieutenant Commander Garai joined the Plans Section at Fleet Headquarters in 2004 as the Plans Coordinator and Joint Plans officer. During this time he was a member of numerous joint and coalition planning teams. In March 2005 he deployed to Sumatera, Indonesia, for earthquake relief operations and was heavily involved with support to the Sea King helicopter accident. From 2006-2007, Lieutenant Commander Garai returned to Betano in command, conducting border security and domestic relief operations as well as coalition exercises. Following HMAS Betano, Paul joined the regional operations staff at HQ Joint Operations Command in 2008 with particular responsibility for stabilisation operations in East Timor.
Lieutenant Commander Garai has completed a number of joint operations courses and is a graduate of the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group in the US. Paul has a Bachelor of Arts degree, is completing a Master’s program through the Defence Academy and is a qualified Ocean Yachtmaster.
Lieutenant Commander Paul Garai assumed command of Armidale Patrol Boat Crew ATTACK FOUR in December 2009.
He is married with four children and they are involved in many community activities. His personal interests are sailing, rugby and current affairs.
