Commanding Officer HMAS Ballarat
Commander Kevin Turner, RAN
Commander Kevin L. Turner, RAN graduated as a MIDN from the Royal Australian Naval College in 1987. He gained sea experience in the Destroyer Tender (DT) HMAS Stalwart (II), Training Ship (GT) HMAS Jervis Bay, Destroyer Escort (DE) HMAS Parramatta (III), Destroyer (DD) USS Ingersoll and the Frigate (FFG) HMAS Sydney, where he was awarded his watch-keeping certificate in 1990. He remained in Sydney until the end of 1991, during which time he participated in the ANZAC 75th Anniversary Circumnavigation of the globe and saw active service during the Gulf War.
He joined HMAS Wollongong (II) as Navigating Officer in 1992 and was promoted to LEUT in 1993. He came ashore briefly in 1994, serving at Maritime Headquarters in the Operations Division, assisting the Fleet Navigator, before returning to sea as Navigating Officer in the Destroyer Escort (DE) HMAS Swan (III). This was followed by further sea services as Navigator in the Destroyer (DDG) HMAS Brisbane (II) in 1995.
He completed warfare training at HMAS Watson in 1996 and was awarded his PWO qualification, specialising in Navigation. He immediately returned to sea as Navigating Officer in the Destroyer (DDG) HMAS Perth (II), were he served as ‘Master of the Fleet’ until her decommissioning in 1999. Whilst in Perth (II) he served extensively as staff and was seconded to numerous operational staffs within the ADF and USN, including maritime and amphibious appointments. He was promoted to LCDR in 2000 and proceeded on exchange with the Royal Navy as Staff Officer Navigation to Flag Officer Sea Training at HMS DRAKE. On return to Australia he was appointed as OIC of the Navigation School at HMAS Watson before returning to sea in 2002 as Executive Officer in the Frigate (FFH) HMAS Arunta.
He came ashore in 2004 and was posted to Naval Strategy and Futures at Navy Headquarters, in Canberra, before attending the Australian Command and Staff Course in 2005. Promoted to CMDR in 2006, he returned to Navy Headquarters – Capability Directorate as Deputy Director Surface and Air Warfare and was appointed Executive Officer, of the RAN’s principle Maritime Warfare Training Establishment, HMAS Watson, in 2007. CMDR Turner returned to sea in 2008 in command of the Sydney based ANZAC Frigate (FFH) HMAS Ballarat.
