The navy’s Fleet Air Arm’s new command centre was officially opened at HMAS Albatross on Thursday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett and Commander Fleet Air Arm, Commodore Chris Smallhorn formally opened the new building.
It is the first time in the 70-year history of the RAN’s Fleet Air Arm, headquarters staff will be based in a purpose-built command centre.
Headquarters Fleet Air Arm oversees navy’s aviation force, managing naval aviation capabilities and contributing to military support operations.
The state of the art operational command centre was built by CPB Contractors and is part of the $157 million redevelopment program at HMAS Albatross.
Among the special guests at the ceremony were relatives of the late Lieutenant Commander Palgrave Ebden Carr, after whom a conference room has been named.
LCDR Carr was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1949 for, “Exceptional valour, courage or devotion to duty,” after his Catalina flying boat was shot down in Celebes and he was taken by the Japanese as a prisoner of war.
Members of LCDR Carr’s family, including his sons Robert and Richard were present for the opening.
Commodore Smallhorn said it was another “small piece of history” for the Fleet Air Arm , which next year’s celebrates its 70th anniversary.
“This base has undergone an enormous transformation over many years, a great deal of that began while Vice-Admiral Barrett, then Captain Barrett was commanding officer of the base. As he comes back he has been able to see the enormous change that has happened,” he said.
“The former headquarters base was affectionately known as Moonbase Alpha and a long time ago it was also somewhere people would go to eat during those late night watches.
“Many of us here have enjoyed many wonderful moments down there, many a hard day’s work and a great deal of our history has been written there.
“In 20 years times the same will be said about this building.”|
Vice Admiral Barrett said he has seen dramatic change in the base’s airfield.
“This is the latest part of the development and is absolutely essential in what the base will deliver not just for navy but the Australian Defence Force now and well into the future,” he said.