Navy People: Bathurst Sailor Heads For the Persian Gulf
26 March 2008
Only two years ago Nikki Ison was at Bathhurst High School. Now she and her 184 Navy shipmates are getting very focused indeed — they are aboard HMAS Stuart and heading for six months duty in the Persian Gulf.
One key job will be guarding Iraq’s giant oil terminals which generate over 80% of the country’s income. They will also be hunting down contraband runners.
“I joined in May 2006. I attended recruit school at HMAS Cerberus in Victoria and then had 9 months of specialist training at the Defence Force School of Signals in communications and information systems.
“Aboard Stuart my job is a combination of different skills. It includes communicating with other ships in a variety of ways — including flashing light, flags, radio — and with local area network [LAN] stations. I also look at administration and I’m involved with a lot of ceremonial aspects of the Navy.
“HMAS Stuart is my first overseas trip. I graduated training in May 2007 but was ashore for approximately 4 months as I had to have an ankle reconstruction, left ankle, after a sporting injury. I wasn’t thrilled about it at the time and had to work very hard to gain the strength and stability in my ankle but, after months of physio and rehabilitation, I was declared medically fit and joined HMAS Stuart.
“I joined the Navy to travel and meet friends — and have done both in such a short period of time. The friends you make in the Navy are definitely friends for life. I love what I do, and for such a young age I have accomplished a lot. I look forward to this upcoming deployment as I have a fantastic crew to work with, so I know no matter what I will have a great trip on the ship and when we head into port.
“I am sad to be leaving my family, friends and partner but I’m looking forward to what’s ahead. When I return I will have been promoted —I get promoted to Able Seaman in May. I will be posted off HMAS Stuart in December, and I am hoping to gain a position on another sea going ship — I am enjoying sea life to much!”
Nikki is one of some 1500 members of the Australian Defence Forces who are now on duty in the Middle East as part of Operation Catalyst, the Australian Government’s contribution to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq. Working with the Iraqi Government and coalition forces, Australian military personnel are continuing to work for a more secure environment and assist with national rehabilitation programs.
