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The new Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, was recently welcomed by the Royal Australian Navy at a ceremony in Canberra.
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The appointment follows a distinguished career for VADM Hammond, having joined the Navy in 1986 as an electronics technician before gaining his commission two years later.
Having served as a submariner and Commanding Officer of the HMAS Farncomb, VADM Hammond was then appointed Commander Australian Fleet in 2020 and served as Deputy Chief of Navy between 2018-20.
According to Defence, in addition to surface vessels, VADM Hammond served in French, British and US nuclear attack submarines, as well as conventional Australian and Dutch submarines.
He also holds the honour of being the first ADFA graduate to be appointed Chief of Navy.
VADM Hammond explained that he was honoured to be appointed to the role.
“The officers and sailors of our Navy reflect the very best of Australian society. They are Australians who are ready to defend Australia and its national interests in the maritime domain, and work incredibly hard to protect our maritime approaches and vital trade routes. I am deeply honoured to work with these extraordinary people, and to lead them as Chief of Navy,” he said.
“I want to thank Vice Admiral Noonan for his 38 years of distinguished service and his four years as our Chief of Navy during which Navy’s workforce grew to more than 15,000 people.
“His term was one of significant change. Navy commissioned two Hobart Class destroyers, HMA Ships Brisbane and Sydney, and two new auxiliary oiler replenishment ships, HMA Ships Stalwart and Supply, while Defence launched NUSHIP Arafura, the first of 12 Arafura Class offshore patrol vessels, and took ownership of its first evolved Cape Class patrol boat.
“Government approved Navy’s future workforce growth to more than 20,000 people by 2040, and announced that at least eight nuclear powered submarines would be acquired for the Royal Australian Navy through the AUKUS trilateral agreement between Australia, the UK, and US.
“I commit to building upon Vice Admiral Noonan’s work to evolve Navy’s Fleet and grow our service.
“It’s an important time to be part of the Navy, and we will continue to work closely with industry and our international partners to maintain maritime security and a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
VADM Michael Noonan, the outgoing Chief of Navy, reflected on his time in the role.
“I sincerely thank the men and women of our Navy for their hard work and dedication during my term, and particularly during the past two and a half years.
“Our people have shown exceptional resilience, strength and adaptability in challenging times. They have provided unprecedented support for the Australian community during COVID-19, the 2019-20 bushfires and recent floods, while also maintaining Navy’s consistent presence in the South West Pacific and wider Indo-Pacific region.
“Navy is undergoing its biggest evolution since the Second World War in order to respond to a dynamic strategic environment. At this important time, I am confident I leave Navy in great hands. Vice Admiral Hammond is an exceptional leader and I congratulate him on taking command of the Royal Australian Navy today.”
[Related: ADF hierarchy revamped, CDF to remain]
