The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Michael deployed on HMAS Darwin to the Persian Gulf in August 1990.
Michael discusses his early life in Geraldton WA and reasons for enlisting in the Royal Australian Navy; training as an electrician; awareness of the situation in the Gulf in 1990; hearing that Iraq (Saddam Hussein) had invaded Kuwait; being on HMAS Darwin when it was announced that Australian forces would be sent to the Gulf; feelings on hearing the news and the reaction of the crew and naval forces; undertaking the rapid work up required to send the ships in three days' time; speaking to his mother about his imminent departure; anecdotes from the work up; recollections of the ship's commander, Russ Shalders; preparations for departure including immunisation; meeting Liberal Opposition Leader John Hewson at the ships' send off; sailing up the Australian coast; hearing Australians discussing the Gulf war over live talk-back radio; life aboard ship on the way to the Gulf including regular "attacks" by the RAAF as part of training; training for gas and chemical attacks; arrival in the Gulf; shore trips to Oman; the mail drop; boardings; relative quiet of the deployment; handover to incoming ships and return home via Singapore; reflections on Iraq and his time in the navy; reasons for transferring out of the navy after nine years' service; hopes for the Memorial galleries under construction at time of interview.
Rear Admiral Campbell is a Naval Aviator with experience in Navy capabilities, command, acquisition and sustainment. He flew approximately 3,500 flying hours mainly in anti-submarine Sea King and Se
Ian Parker discusses his naval career in two part interview, with particular focus on deployments to Iraq (Op Damask) and East Timor (UNAMET / INTERFET). Part one: Topics discussed include: early int
Fred Campbell was born in Sydney in 1966. His father was a fitter and turner, and Fred enlisted out of high school with the RAN, at the age of 15 and a half, to do the same. He liked the idea of going
Captain Craig Powell (Rtd) served as a SBLT on HMAS Brisbane, October 1990 - April 1991 during the First Gulf War as part of Operation Damask. Topics discussed include: reasons for enlistment; commi
Topics discussed include: early life and reasons for enlistment; training; going to sea for the first time; commissioning HMAS Stuart; deploying on Operation Catalyst to the Arabian Gulf in March 2004
Warrant Officer Class 2 Stuart Chappelow interviewed about his deployment during Operation Catalyst, serving as part of SECDET V as the gunner in ASLAV 16311, and being part of the first Australian gr