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The Royal Australian Navy officers completed the US Navy’s 15-month nuclear submarine training program and will now be assigned to Virginia Class submarines based at Pearl Harbor.
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The trio spent the last two months learning alongside sailors from the US Navy on the fundamentals of operating nuclear-powered submarines, Defence has confirmed.
It is expected that the number of Australian sailors training in the US will increase to 100 over the next year.
The officers included Lieutenant Commander James Heydon, Lieutenant Commander Adam Klyne, and Lieutenant William Hall. The trio graduated from the Submarine Officer Basic Course, having studied at the US’ Naval Nuclear Power Training Command and Nuclear Power Training Unit.
The three will now serve as division officers on Virginia Class submarines and lead teams of US submariners.
The training is fundamental to the success of Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, director-general of the Australian Submarine Agency, Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead AO, RAN said.
“The Royal Australian Navy’s greatest strength is its people and I commend Lieutenant Commander Heydon, Lieutenant Commander Klyne, and Lieutenant Hall on their achievements,” he outlined.
“The AUKUS program for Australia to acquire conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines will succeed because of our team of hardworking, driven people like these three officers, working alongside thousands of other Australians from welders and engineers to electricians and scientists.
“Already we have made remarkable progress as we build a new high-tech industry and I strongly encourage young Australians to consider a submarine career and being part of this exciting opportunity to design, build, sustain and crew nuclear-powered submarines.”
The Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO, RAN congratulated the trio for graduating the program.
“I could not be more proud of Lieutenant Commander Heydon, Lieutenant Commander Klyne, and Lieutenant Hall,” VADM Hammond told Defence.
“Their commitment and dedication over the past 15 months has paid off, and they are now well-equipped to put their training into action aboard Virginia Class submarines.
“They have set a high bar for Navy officers who will follow in their footsteps and demonstrated that Australia’s future fleet of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines will be in safe hands.”
