Navy People: Orange Girl on Aden Gulf Patrol

15 March 2010

Orange sailor Jasmine Thompson, 19, might be heading for pirate patrol off the Horn of Africa but she is still thankful to her family and friends for their support.

“Important deployments overseas are difficult enough,” Jasmine said. “I know I can concentrate on the job at hand because I have the full support of everyone back home.”

Jasmine is an Able Seaman aboard HMAS Parramatta. She and her shipmates sailed from Sydney on March 15 and are expected to be away for six months.

Their mission is to provide naval support to coalition maritime security operations and counter-terrorism in the Middle East Area of Operations.

“In a nut shell, my job onboard the ship is to feed almost 200 people every day for the whole deployment,” said Jasmine. “Meal times are usually very intense, but we all work really well as a team in the galley and we get the job done — like a highly tuned machine.”

“It’s great experience in a high-pressure kitchen environment and I also get sought-after qualifications as a chef that are recognised in the civilian world.”

Jasmine says the thing she will miss most while on deployment is her family and friends.

“It can be challenging leaving on deployment, but the social atmosphere is extremely positive in the galley; everyone knows each other and we have all been through the same ups and downs and we all get in and help each other out,” said Jasmine.

“I feel that our galley team has really helped me settle in and has made me feel like we are going to make the most of this deployment.”

“I am really proud to be serving my country by helping to counter piracy and provide security abroad.”