There's always a positive feeling in the air when a warship pulls into an Australian port after being at sea, not least for members of the crew due to be reunited with family.
As HMAS Arunta made its transit through Port Phillip Bay, headed for the Port of Melbourne recently, this was certainly the case for one young aviation technician.
Able Seaman Phoebe Poole is a member of Flight 801, within 808 Squadron, based at HMAS Albatross in NSW.
The flight was embarked on Arunta with its MH-60R Seahawk helicopter during its Navy Week visit to the Victorian capital.
For the young Aussie born and raised in the Riverina town of Echuca, the journey from the Murray River and ski boats to high seas and warships was one she was always interested in.
However, the turn to Navy, and to aviation, became clear through the ADF Gap Year program.
"I've always been interested in Defence as a job," Able Seaman Poole said.
"I chose the Navy Gap Year program because they give you a wide variety of experiences and you can check out lots of different jobs and roles.
"I was posted to HMAS Albatross, and I liked aviation, so I decided to specialise as an Aviation Technician Aircraft [ATA]."
Able Seaman Poole spent 14 months training at RAAF Base Wagga, and finished with nine months of specialist Seahawk training at Albatross, before posting to 808 Squadron.
'One of my highlights in Navy was getting a Seahawk flight during the transit to Melbourne; taking off from the ship's flight deck and flying over Mallacoota and the national park was awesome.'
"We get great training as ATAs," Able Seaman Poole said.
"I have a Certificate IV in Aero Skills (mechanical), and this could give me a pathway to a civil aviation job if I ever decided to leave Navy."
An ATA is responsible for the maintenance and repair of aircraft systems, components and support equipment, ensuring Fleet Air Arm aviation assets such as the Seahawks remain airworthy.
"While we are embarked, our day to day depends on whether the aircraft is flying or not," Able Seaman Poole said.
"On flying days, we pull the helicopter out of the hangar, conduct our safety checks and prepare it for flying.
"We use non-flying days for scheduled and sometimes corrective maintenance, and at sea, everything is done twice as often as at home in Nowra."
Flight 801's embarkation on Arunta was Able Seaman Poole's first time at sea as an ATA.
"It's very different to life at Albatross. But the crew have been so nice and welcoming," Able Seaman Poole said.
"One of my highlights in Navy was getting a Seahawk flight during the transit to Melbourne; taking off from the ship's flight deck and flying over Mallacoota and the national park was awesome.
"If someone was looking at doing this, I'd say give it a go.
"Most roles have initial commitments similar to a university degree, but you're getting paid to do it, and get to see things that not many people will get to in their lives."
During Arunta's visit, Able Seaman Poole was able to be with her family, who travelled down from Echuca, and give them a personal tour of the ship and Seahawk during the open day.
