Our People in QLD
David Ueda - A former Gold Coast man keeps our troops in the Middle East on track
Keeping track of the hundreds of Australian troops who move in and out of the Middle East Area of Operation (MEAO) is not an easy task, but that’s exactly what a former Gold Coast man is doing as part of his deployment.
Lieutenant David Ueda is the Force Support Team (FST) Gulf States Operations Lieutenant with the Force Support Unit 2 at the Australian Contingent Compound affectionately known as Billabong Flats.
“The FSU pretty much provides all the logistical support to the major elements within the MEAO,” LT Ueda said.
“My role here is to make sure that all the tasking gets done on time and that people are where they need to be.”
LT Ueda, who attended The Southport School and AB Paterson College on the Gold Coast, joined the Royal Australian Navy as a trainee pilot in 1994.
Three years later, he discharged and studied a Bachelor of Commerce and later undertook an MBA – Masters of Business Administration.
But the lure of the military remained, and he joined the Army, graduating from Royal Military College, Duntroon, in December 2006.
After two years with Joint Movements Control Office (JMCO) in Darwin, the 32-year-old posted into 10 Force Support Battalion (10FSB) at Townsville as an Operations Lieutenant at the start of 2009.
“Being in the Defence Force and knowing the tempo, I expected to deploy and, luckily, at 10FSB, they were the next guys up and I got to deploy with them,” LT Ueda said. “It’s my first overseas operational deployment.”
The Townsville based contingent arrived in the Middle East at the end of July, and LT Ueda said the first few weeks flew past.
“The first three to four weeks were just full on, getting your head around the job, actually learning the job and understanding what was required, and just building the relationships that I need to have to be able to actually conduct my work.”
LT Ueda, whose mother still lives in the Gold Coast district, said he has now settled into his role and adjusted to the hot and dry conditions, and is thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to serve his nation overseas.
Australia's military contribution to Afghanistan is part of the nation’s broader commitment to Coalition efforts against international terrorism, countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and maritime security.
The Australian deployment, comprising around 1550 personnel in Afghanistan and a further 850 across the Middle East, is know as Operations SLIPPER.