Navy People: Long way from home
5 September 2008
It’s a long way from home in Wollongong for Leading Seaman Kye Hogan, who is in the Northern Persian Gulf with the navy. He is currently working onboard HMAS Stuart assisting in the protection of Iraq’s offshore assets. Leading Seaman Hogan is working as an electronics technician on Operation Catalyst.
Operation Catalyst is the Australian Defence Force (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.
Leading Seaman Hogan has been deployed four times since joining the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in May 2003. This is second time he has deployed to the Northern Persian Gulf, first in 2005 and now again in 2008. In 2006 and 2007, he was deployed on Operation Resolute conducting domestic maritime security activities to protect Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
After originally joining the RAN as an electronic technician, Leading Seaman Hogan completed further training at HMAS Cerberus in Melbourne as well as at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. He now specialises in weapons on Anzac Class frigates as a grade 3 technician.
“I maintain and operate the 5 inch guns on Anzac Class ships along with chaff launchers and some other weapon systems. It is rewarding to see my 5 inch gun shooting and for it to be all working well, because this means that I am doing my job properly.”
“When I was growing up my babysitter’s son joined up. I would hear about all the fun he was having. That’s when I decided to join up and do it all for myself.”
When Kye goes home, he’ll be trying to meet up with friends and family for a few drinks and laughs. He is also looking forward to planning a holiday in the USA.
