Download - Royal Australian Navy

waller
Since her last feature in The Trade, WALLER has
conducted
a conducted a passage from Fleet Base West to ASC,
arriving in Adelaide on 10 April 02, to
commence Intermediate Docking 3 – due
to complete on 5 September 02. This will
lead WALLER into her end of year
preparations for safety workup and
return transit to Fleet Base West arriving on 6
December 02.
In what has been a quiet period
operationally, WALLER ship’s company
has enjoyed the opportunity to clear
outstanding recreational leave, attend
various and much needed training
courses and to prepare for the end of
year activities and deployment in 2003.
Significantly during the periods,
there was a change of command
with the previous CO, LCDR Brett
Sampson handing over the boat to
LCDR Jason "JJ" Cupples, who
assumed Command on 29 May 02.
LCDR Cupples completed the "Perisher"
and Submarine Command Courses in
June/July 2001, prior to a
short stint at the STSC
where he headed up
Warfare Training until
joining WALLER this
year.
Similarly there will have
been a 50% change out of
Officers in the wardroom prior to
the undocking later this year. The
remainder of the ship’s company remains
relatively intact, allowing the team to retain
the experience gained during 2001 and early 2002.
WALLER will have been on the hard stand at ASC for the best part of 25 weeks when she plans to
undock on 31 October 02. During this long overdue ID, WALLER will have replaced her submarine
battery, completed diesel engine modifications, conducted hull forgings work and repaired the battery
sump defects which forced her into an early ID in April. Additionally, the Collins class hull weld
survey would have been completed. In all, it could be agreed that this docking was an extremely busy
and much needed one.
The undocking will, no doubt, be accompanied by the frenzied activity of watchkeeper training,
command team training and full pre-sea preparations prior to sailing on 22 November 02 for workup
and the much looked forward to – transit home to FBW.
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