Navy People: Port Pirie Man For Persian Gulf Duty
26 March 2008
Port Pirie sailor Travis Ramsay is now getting pretty focused. Not only is he expecting to be a first-time Dad in August, he’s also aboard HMAS Stuart and heading for a tour of duty in the Persian Gulf.
One key job will be safeguarding Iraq’s two giant oil terminals which produce over 80% of the country’s income. Another will be chasing down and boarding contraband runners in Gulf waters.
“After Airdale Primary and John Pirie High, I joined the Navy in 2000. I specialized as a bosun’s mate [on-deck seamanship] and most of the time since then I’ve been with patrol boats in Darwin. I enjoyed it a great deal as I was involved in many boarding operations, locating illegal fishing, and patrolling our border — and I got promoted to Leading Seaman too.
“Since then I’ve become a Naval Police Coxswain (Navy policeman) and this is my first sea posting since I changed my career path.
“Aboard Stuart my job involves maintaining the standard of conduct for the ship’s company, but I also look after personnel movements and travel and, as the Quartermaster, I’m also a watch-keeper on the bridge.
“This will be my second operational deployment — I served in the Solomon Islands onboard HMAS Kanimbla and HMAS Wollongong and I’ve received the Australian Service Medal with Solomons clasp. This time I’ll be getting the Australian Active Service Medal.
“There are many reasons that I love the job. The biggest thing to me is great people that you meet along the way, and the friends that you gather the longer you serve. No day is ever the same — but whatever happens, it’s what I’m trained to.
“When I get back home I expect to take some leave and spend some quality time with my wife and new-born child. My wife and I are expecting our first child mid August, but as a result of the deployment I may not be able to be there for the birth. For that reason I’m really looking forward to the return home to Australia!”
Travis is one of some 1500 members of the Australian Defence Forces who are now on duty in the Middle East. They are 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.
