Newly qualified officers of the watch, Sub-Lieutenants Mollie Murton and James Lara, have achieved a significant career milestone by completing advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) training with the United States Navy (USN).
The eight-week program was undertaken during HMAS Brisbane’s recent five-month deployment at US Naval Base San Diego and gave the officers hands-on experience with the state-of-the-art Advanced Tactical Employment Trainer (ATET).
The training will equip them with the skills to lead complex underwater operations and integrate seamlessly with allied forces.
Commanding Officer Brisbane Commander Bernard Dobson explained how previously the course had only been available to one or two personnel on deep-exchange with the USN every couple of years, and limited to mostly principal warfare officers (PWOs).
“Although this is not a common course generally offered to the RAN, the interchangeability deployment of Brisbane to San Diego offered the unique opportunity for two officers to train at Combat Systems Training Command,” Commander Dobson said.
“The ship seized the initiative to advance the lethality of the platform and upskill two young officers in a way that has not been achieved before.
“What sets this achievement apart is the officers have gained this advanced knowledge before earning their platform endorsement and well before the typical progression to PWO qualifications.”
‘By giving young officers opportunities like this, the RAN is paving the way for a stronger, more capable Navy ready to tackle modern challenges.’
Sub-Lieutenants Murton and Lara are now qualified as ASW directors, capable of directing anti-submarine operations in the Combat Information Centre (CIC)/Operations Room, on behalf of the PWO.
Their role includes leading the anti-submarine battle, tracking submarines using target motion analysis (TMA) and coordinating with assets such as P-8A Poseidon aircraft, MH-60R Romeo helicopters and allied ships, to locate and neutralise enemy submarines.
Reflecting on the experience, Sub-Lieutenant Murton described using the ATET simulation tool as “both user-friendly and highly realistic”.
“The specialist course was also a valuable opportunity to work with the USN in strike groups within the ASW theatre,” Sub-Lieutenant Murton said.
“And, integrating our tactics with theirs will help optimise combat effectiveness between navies.”
Sub-Lieutenant Lara echoed these sentiments, highlighting how the program has prepared them for their first postings to a major fleet unit.
“The ‘Intermediate Warfare Officer’ training will allow Mollie and me to perform critical warfighting roles in the Ops Room where previously, as junior officers, we would have been limited to standing watch on the Bridge,” Sub-Lieutenant Lara said.
Commander Dobson praised the officers’ achievements.
“This is a practical example of the Royal Australian Navy’s commitment to innovation and warfare mastery in support of the new Surface Warfare Officer career framework,” he said.
“By giving young officers opportunities like this, the RAN is paving the way for a stronger, more capable Navy ready to tackle modern challenges.”
