Lance Corporal Samuel Young, an experienced Australian Army plant operator, recently deployed to Nauru with the 6th Engineer Support Regiment and allied partners on Operation Render Safe.
Led by the 20th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron, the operation removes and destroys explosive remnants of war.
Originating from the small town of Rushworth in Victoria, Lance Corporal Young has served more than eight years in the ADF.
He began his career in 2016 working in Brisbane painting and maintaining superyachts.
On Operation Render Safe, Lance Corporal Young establishes the staging area for the demolition site. Leveraging his expertise in manoeuvring heavy machinery, he ensured the smooth and safe execution of rendering unexploded ordnance.
Lance Corporal Young said the work presented him with a good number of challenges.
"My duty in Operation Render Safe included establishing Hesco barriers with heavy plant equipment, which assist with mitigating blast and fragmentation risks posed by explosive remnants of war," he said.
"This deployment has provided me with invaluable opportunities to forge strong bonds with our allied nations, offering insights into their operational procedures and practical frameworks.
He said participation in the operation filled him with pride, and reaffirmed his commitment to serving in the ADF.
"While Nauru may be small, its warmth extends far beyond its climate. The friendliness of its people is truly remarkable," Lance Corporal Young said.
