Navy People: From the Ukraine to Australia
19 November 2010
Mt Gravatt man Dmytri Stepchenkov’s family originally came from Kiev but Dmytri is certainly no chicken. He’s now an aero-engineer in the Navy’s Fleet Air Arm.
“My parents Yuri and Olena were performers on tour from the Ukraine but, in 2000, their troupe manager ran off with the cash. They were marooned in Byron Bay along with me and my sister Mariya,” said Dmitri, now 23.
“Kiev is Russian-speaking so it took us all a few months to get our English to a decent speed.
“I must have done OK because in 2004 I was made Dux at Cavendish Road High School, which made me feel very proud. Then I headed for QUT to begin an aeronautics degree. I also applied for the Air Force but it was full that year! Next stop was the Fleet Air Arm and here I am.
“As a Sub-Lieutenant I’m still finishing my training as a weapons electrical engineer. These days I’m based at HMAS Albatross, near Wollongong, but there’s a lot of on-the-job training all over the country.
“For example we are just back from WA where we have been learning to hunt submerged submarines — dropping practice torpedos onto them from helicopters! That would be our main job in wartime, along with search and rescue and humanitarian aid.
“Socially it’s been easy to find good people. Many are from different countries — like me — so there is always someone with good experiences to share.
“I’ve had no sea-time yet but the Navy is getting some new amphibious assault ships, called Landing Helicopter Docks — LHDs for short. The first is being built at the moment, so soon there will be a lot more chances for engineers like me to go to sea.
“I’ll also be promoted to Lieutenant in January, which will be a big cause for celebration — and I’ll certainly be no stranger to Mount Gravatt when that happens!”
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