Navy People: Largs North Sailor Heads For Persian Gulf
26 March 2008
Nicole Royals has lived all her life in Largs North — until she joined the Navy, that is. Now she and her 184 shipmates aboard HMAS Stuart are getting pretty focused. They are heading for a six-month deployment in the Persian Gulf, where they will be boarding contraband runners and guarding Iraq’s oil terminals. It’s a vital job as the two terminals produce over 80% of Iraq’s income.
Nicole joined the Navy in May 2005, when she was 17 yrs old, straight out of Le Fevre High School.
“After spending about seven months in a Navy job in Canberra, I volunteered for a sea posting onboard HMAS Stuart where I have now been promoted to Able Seaman.
“My job title now is Communications Information System sailor. My primary task is to provide the ship’s war-fighting team with early warning of threats which can then be avoided or neutralized.
But it’s not just communications that Nicole is learning about. “Since joining HMAS Stuart I have undertaken ‘watch on deck’ where I am part of the bridge team keeping lookout, and I’ve taken turn as helmsman — steering the ship at sea. I’ve also got involved in painting, cleaning, handling lines etc. Every day there is something new to do. One day I might be doing the job I was trained to do — while other days I might be learning something completely different.
“This deployment to the Gulf is my first overseas trip. Since joining HMAS Stuart in May of last year we have spent time in Perth, Melbourne and Devonport, and involved in exercises with the Malaysian Navy.
“I love being in the Navy because it has given me so many opportunities to learn, meet new people and experience so many new things that I wouldn’t have done if I stayed in Adelaide and studied at university.
“I have been able to live or visit every state in Australia and have friends all over the country. I think it’s great that I have this opportunity to represent Australia in the Gulf and be able to do what I have been training to do for the last couple of years. It’s what I joined up to do and finally I have this opportunity.
“My partner is also in the Navy. His name is Jake Thornton and he is posted on HMAS Parramatta. It is difficult to have a relationship whilst in the Navy but having an understanding partner makes it a lot easier! When I get back from the Gulf I am getting posted to Melbourne with my partner where we will hopefully finally be able to settle down for a while and think about marriage. Hallo Jake, are you reading this!”
Nicole is one of some 1400 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.
