The Trade by Rudyard Kipling - Royal Australian Navy

American Farewell
Retirement of CPO Werley
CPO Sonar Technician Submarines
Craig L. Werley was born on September
15 th 1968 in Sumter, South Carolina. He
enlisted in the US Navy on November 15th
1988 at the age of 20, after a short term in
the US Army.
After his initial basic training and Submarine
school training, Craig reported to his first
command, USS Billfish (SSN 676) in 1989.
From there, his career progressed and
he reported to numerous US commands,
finalising with a posting to the USN
regulator and Staff Officer-Acoustics
position at the Australian Submarine Force
in July of 2008.
After four years in this position at HMAS
Stirling and a cumulative of 24 years service
in the US Navy, Craig decided to retire.
A retirement ceremony featuring guest
speaker WO Martin Holzberger (WO
Australian Navy) and including all the
formalities of an American retirement
ceremony, including the official presentation
of the United States flag, was held for Craig
at HMAS Stirling.
THE TRADE
EDITION 2, 2012
USN Chief Petty Officer Sonar
Technician Submarines Craig Werley
receives a Unites States flag.
CPO Werley has decided to retire in
Western Australia and the SUBFOR wishes
him and his family all the best in whatever
the future holds.
At the same time, SUBFOR has the
privilege of welcoming Senior Chief Shane
Finck who will be taking up Craig’s vacated
position. Shane comes to us from the
USS Bremerton (SSN 698) currently home
ported in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii.
Shane brings with him a wealth of
experience and has served aboard four
Ballistic Missile submarines, three 688 class
SSN’s, and one Ohio class Guided Missile
Submarine, with tours at Submarine special
projects and various training commands
in the USA during his 20 years of Naval
Service. Senior Chief Finck was born and
raised in Niceville, Florida, USA and enlisted
in the Navy in February 1992.
Shane has settled into the Australian
lifestyle quite quickly, and has already
established a healthy rapport with
all members as well as engaging in
“appropriate banter”. Welcome aboard
from the SUBFOR.
USN Chief Petty Officer Sonar Technician Submarines
Craig Werley makes an address during his
SMWOC
(Submarine
Warfare Officers
Course)
The
Graduates
of 2012
Images by
ABIS Jayson Tufrey
The Submarine Warfare Officer’s Course
01-12 graduated on Wednesday 5th September at the Submarine Training
and Systems Centre, HMAS Stirling.
The course provides Submarine Officers
with the essential knowledge and skills
to enable them to perform the duties of
a Warfare Officer and Principal Sensor
Co-ordinator in an operational submarine.
The SUBFOR congratulate the members
on a job well done.
PO Ian Davies and
LS Catherine Smith;
Bravery Award
PO Ian Davies and LSEW SM Catherine Smith
will be recognised with an Australian Bravery
Decoration for their courageous and selfless
actions during a training exercise incident onboard
HMAS Waller in 2011.
Announcing the awards on August 27, Governor-
General Quentin Bryce said they are recognition
for the heroic actions of those who have placed
the safety and lives of others before their own.
“We are privileged to have such role models in
our society, and it is an honour to be able to
recognise their acts of selfless bravery and thank
them publicly for their brave actions,” Ms Bryce
said.
On the evening of February 9, 2011, the then
Able Seaman Smith made her way to the Ships
Office Flat in HMAS Waller to fire a green float
signal submerged (FSS) pyrotechnic from the
forward Submerged Signal Ejector (SSE) during
an exercise off the West Australian coast.
With the pyrotechnic inserted three quarters
of the way into the SSE, Smith removed the
second and final safety pin when the base plate
immediately popped off.
“This was not meant to happen at this stage,”
said LS Smith.
“I knew then I had only 8 to 14 seconds to get
that pyrotechnic loaded and ejected out of the
submarine before it ignited.”
LS Smith continued valiantly to attempt to
complete the load and fire the SSE thereby
NEWS
Retirement Ceremony. Mr Mike Deeks, Raytheon Senior Site Executive WA, Graduates of the Submarine Warfare Officer’s Course
presents the Dux of the Submarine Warfare Officer’s
Course, Lieutenant Daniel Booth, RAN, with the
Raytheon Sword of Excellence.
(from left) Lieutenants Joel Patterson, Daniel Booth
(Dux) and Simon O’Hehir at the Submarine Training and
Systems Centre, HMAS Stirling, WA.
following the Emergency Operating Procedure,
at all times mindful of the consequences of the
pyrotechnic actuating inside the submarine.
Unfortunately the pyrotechnic did actuate.
In accordance with the emergency operating
procedure for a pyrotechnic actuation the
submarine proceeded to emergency stations.
PO Ian Davies immediately went to the
assistance of LS Smith and proceeded to remove
her from the scene while LSMED Dionette
Wilson applied initial first aid. The selfless and
courageous actions of PO Davies also have
been acknowledged with him also receiving the
bravery award.
“I am lucky to have had such a great crew
onboard HMAS Waller who gave me the most
amazing support throughout and after the
incident.”
Since the incident LS Smith has been in a
rehabilitation program and has overcome most of
her injuries, which she credits to a great team of
specialists at the Royal Perth Hospital.
“I worked very hard last year to sustain my career
in the ADF and believe anything is possible if you
want it enough”, LS Smith said
“I carried out my duties that night as I believe any
other Submariner would have and I feel extremely
proud and honoured to receive the Australian
Bravery Decoration,”
THE TRADE
EDITION 2, 2012