Navy People: Leon Thompson - Countering piracy on the high seas

20 October 2009

Ringarooma's Leon Thompson, 23, is heading home after six-months on anti-pirate patrol off the Horn of Africa. He and his 180 shipmates aboard HMAS Stuart will be back in Australia later in April.

The former Scottsdale High School student is now a qualified Navy communications specialist with the rank of Seaman.

Leon and the crew of HMAS Stuart were tasked to counter illegal activities, respond to maritime crises and enhance security in the Arabian Gulf.

This included disrupting criminals seeking to use international seaways to stage attacks on merchantmen and oil-tankers, holding their crews to ransom, or to traffic people, weapons and illicit cargo.

“Aboard STUART my job involves receiving and distributing ship’s signals and maintaining equipment, including computers. I am also a boarding party communicator,” Leon said. “I can also receive and send signals not just using computers but by flags and light.”

“When I get back home I want to catch up with my mum Kerry and my step-dad Chris White, my sisters and all my mates at Ringarooma footy and cricket. Then I’ll take it easy for a while and maybe go overseas again — but this time on holiday to Europe,” he said.