Commanding Officer HMAS Farncomb

Commander Tom Phillips, RAN

Commander Tom Phillips, RAN was born in London, UK in 1971, immigrating to Brisbane shortly after. Tom joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1990 as a Seaman Officer. He was promoted to the rank of Commander in 2008 and subsequently had the honour of taking command of HMAS Farncomb, a Collins Class 'Hunter Killer' Submarine crewed by Australia's best and brightest young men and women.

Tom is a graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy receiving a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography. On completion of Seaman Officer Training, Tom served in a number of ships and submarines, both Australian and foreign, and has enjoyed one posting to the United Kingdom with the Royal Navy. In preparation for command, Tom undertook the Netherlands Submarine Command Course 'Perisher' in 2006.

Tom is a fiercely patriotic Australian and is strongly committed to providing a high performing military asset that can be called upon at any time to provide a range of security options.