Fleet Commander's Rounds In Toowoomba
6 August 2009
HMAS Toowoomba (CMDR Ivan Ingham) welcomed Commander Australian Fleet, RADM Nigel Coates AM, on board prior to the ship’s departure for its second Operation SLIPPER patrol.
Embarking alongside on 26 July in the Dubai’s commercial port of Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Toowoomba conducted a transit of the Straits of Hormuz overnight before entering the Gulf of Oman (GOO) early the next day.
The first thing the Fleet Commander noticed about the Ship’s Company was their cheerful, enthusiastic and upbeat manner, evident at all levels within F156. The Toowoomba catchphrase that “Attitude Is Everything” is evidently being embraced.
"The attitude makes the difference between a good ship and a great ship, and Toowoomba definitely has that attitude" RADM Coates said.
During the three day visit, the Fleet Commander toured all parts of ship but most importantly, he spent quality time meeting and talking with Toowoomba’s crew. The opportunity to be hosted and dine in the Wardroom, the Chief Petty Officers’ and Petty Officers’ Messes and the Junior Sailor’s Café was especially enjoyable.
"It was important for me to take this time to visit Toowoomba now that she is well established in the MEAO, to see what they’re doing and hear about their successes and challenges, and take feedback back to Australia to see if we can assist her in her future operations,” said the Fleet Commander.
During the visit the Admiral was able to see Toowoomba go about her everyday business witnessing Mini-Typhoon and Pirate Decoy firings, Boarding Party training, Fast Roping, Command and Operations briefings. He also attended two leadership lectures, the first on Ricky Ponting provided by POMT Dale Field and the second on General Sir John Monash provided by SBLT Michael Power.
Toowoomba is the first and currently only RAN ship to carry the Pirate IR Decoy and so the Fleet Commander witnessed this, the third RAN decoy firing with interest. A particular highlight of Fleet Commander’s visit was accompanying the Executive Officer, LCDR Simon Howard on evening messdeck rounds.
The next day, the Admiral addressing a Clear Lower Deck congratulated the Ship’s Company of Toowoomba on their achievements to date.
He told them "I haven’t seen you since you finished your work up period and Mission Rehearsal Exercise but I need to add a congratulatory note for your efforts and results during the work up. All the reports I received from Sea Training Group indicated that Toowoomba ‘aced it’ and you can be very proud of that," he said.
However, he also reminded the crew of the need to remain alert to the risk of complacency – particularly as Toowoomba will face new and different challenges in contributing to Counter-Terrorism and Anti-Piracy Operations, the first RAN tasking under CTF150 and CTF151.
The Clear Lower Deck was also used for the Admiral to make a number of important presentations and awards. Amongst them was a Fleet Commander’s Commendation for CPO Electronics Technician (CPOET) Morris Nash for his outstanding contribution to the management of the Weapons Electrical Engineering Department and the 2008 Silver Platter Fleet Award to the Supply Department of HMAS Toowoomba for excellence in food service hospitality in the maritime environment.
Other important presentations included promotion of Brent Hawkins to AB and award of Commanding Officer’s ‘Sailor of the Quarter’ for the period of April to June to PO Bosun Craig Range.
The Commanding Officer described the visit as a rare opportunity for a RAN Ship to host the Fleet Commander for three days underway.
"The Fleet Commander’s time is extremely valuable and so it is an enormous privilege for Toowoomba to benefit from such a significant visit whilst we are deployed on operations", said CMDR Ivan Ingham.
