Our People in QLD
Liam Mcintyre - Liam keeps the communications channels open
One of the benefits of being posted to a ship like HMAS Kanimbla is that you get the chance to spend a fair amount of time in your home state, according to Bundaberg local Liam Mcintyre.
As an amphibious transport ship, Kanimbla spends much of its time transporting Army equipment from places like Townsville.
But now Liam and his Kanimbla shipmates are in Pariaman, north of Padang, and they are disembarking a team of Australian 100 military engineers and their equipment. The team will be working with Indonesia to repair several essential infrastructure sites and develop a temporary medical facility.
Australian Army engineers already on site have been producing up to 100,000 litres of fresh water per day as the local water treatment plant had been damaged in the earthquake.
Liam has specialised as an electronics technician and been promoted to Able Seaman. He has been in the Navy four years, half of which he has spent onboard Kanimbla.
His short but eventful naval career has so far taken him to a number of overseas countries, including New Caledonia, Singapore and Papua New Guinea, but this is his first disaster relief operation and his role is vital.
“I specialise in the internal and external communications side of things,” Liam said.
“I am responsible for maintaining equipment such as telephones, radios and other equipment that the ship uses to keep in contact with the shore and other ships.”
“I’m excited to be part of Operation Padang Assist but I’m also looking forward to returning to Australia where I’m planning to take leave to visit my family in Bundaberg.
“Who knows, as a former member of the Across the Waves Cricket Club, I might even get chance to catch a game or two.”
HMAS Kanimbla is one of two RAN amphibious transport ships and is based at Fleet Base East in Sydney.