Navy People: Hallett Cove Sailor’s Persian Gulf Adventure

19 June 2008

Andrew Wood, 21, was born and bred in Hallett Cove but now he is on Navy patrol in the Persian Gulf. He and his 180 shipmates aboard HMAS Stuart are chasing down contraband runners in the Gulf’s northern waters — and protecting Iraqi oil terminals which bring in 80% of the country’s income.

Following his father Steven, who served in the Navy, Andrew joined directly from Hallett Cove High School and now building his own seagoing career. It took basic training, plus two further courses before he became fully qualified as specialist Boatswains Mate — on-deck seamanship, small arms and anti-aircraft guns.

Now promoted to Able Seaman, Andrew's job now is Navigator’s Yeoman. “I assist the navigator by correcting and updating charts, adding objects and information that has been previously missing from them – very important when you’re sailing in dangerous waters like the Persian Gulf.”

“The Navigator’s Yeoman generally works alone. This means you’re only posted to the position for around six months, but I do get a constant stream of visitors during the day checking to see how I’m going — which breaks up the day quite bit!”

“The Navy has offered me some great experiences so far and the deployment to the Gulf has been a pretty big one,” Andrew said. “I’d just like to see my family and friends and tell them a bit about what I’ve seen.

“So in October I’ll be spending my whole month’s deployment leave back home in Zeevalk Avenue with my Dad and Mum Helen.

Andrew is one of approximately 1000 men and women serving with Operation Catalyst, the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq.

Working with the Iraqi Government, the ADF continues to contribute to Multi-National Force efforts to develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq, assist national recovery programs and facilitate the transition to Iraq self-government.