Year 10's Navy 'Quicklook'

A group of selected Year 10 students headed out to HMAS Albatross on Thursday, 7 June for a fantastic day. 'Quicklook' is a chance to get a look at Navy aviation, with the goal of encouraging students to consider a career in this expanding and challenging field. Under the guidance of Leading Seaman Jan Gilmour, and with Mr Petts in tow, our first visit was to the Seahawk Training Squadron 725 for a look at how Navy trains its sailors to maintain the helicopter. Lieutenant Ian Donovan showed us around, and we got to see how weapons are fitted to the aircraft as well. We then went across to 816 Squadron to learn how the aircraft is used by the Navy to conduct intelligence gathering, search and rescue, and most importantly hunt submarines and surface ships. Our next stop was the Navy drone unit, where we saw the fixed-wing Boeing ScanEagle and rotary wing Schiebel S-100 drones in their maintenance shed. We also did a tour of 723 Squadron and were shown around by pilot trainer Chris Thomas the new EC-135 helicopters used to train the next generation of rotary wing pilots. We also visited nearby 808 Squadron and toured the MRH-90 troop transport helicopters. The group enjoyed a hearty lunch onboard, before heading to the Helicopter Underwater Escape Trainer for a sea survival familiarisation. The whole day was excellent, and the group enjoyed every aspect of it. A big thank you to the Navy and Mrs West for organising the day!