RAN Sailors are now undertaking training at the US Naval Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut. The first cadre of nine sailors and the second cadre of three officers from the RAN commenced training in earlier in June. These 12 Australians will train alongside their American counterparts to operate conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs).
The enrolment of RAN sailors at the Submarine School marks a significant step in the AUKUS Pillar 1 Optimal Pathway, aimed at helping Australia acquire a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet.
“We’re excited to welcome these sailors and officers to Groton and build on the momentum of the first cohort of Australian officers to graduate from Submarine Officer Basic Course (SOBC) in April,” said Captain Matthew Fanning, Commanding Officer, Naval Submarine School. “It is an honour to be part of the team that is delivering game-changing capabilities to one of our country’s closest and staunchest allies.”
The Submarine School trains officers and enlisted personnel through two distinct but interrelated tracks: SOBC and Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS). SOBC is the last step in the US Navy’s submarine officer training pipeline, graduating over a thousand officers annually. BESS introduces enlisted sailors to the fundamentals of the construction and operation of today’s nuclear-powered submarines. The course covers everything from shipboard organization to submarine safety and escape procedures. Following BESS, enlisted sailors will complete their pipeline training with classroom and skills training specific to their intended technical rating.
Upon graduation from pipeline schools, the RAN officers and sailors will be assigned to US SSNs for their first sea tour to further their knowledge and training. “The Royal Australian Navy officers and sailors commencing their training at the U.S. Naval Submarine School represent the leading edge of Australia’s future submarine fleet,” said the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond. He went onto say, “Three Australian officers have already completed 14 months of intensive shore-based training, including Nuclear-Power School, nuclear propulsion training, and the Submarine Officer Basic Course before being assigned to US Virginia class submarines. Our people are receiving world class training through our US and UK partners, and will play a crucial role for Australia’s future SSN capability. I’m incredibly proud of their achievements representing the Royal Australian Navy.”
“Australians are exceptional submariners,” said Rear Adiral Lincoln Reifsteck, the US Navy’s AUKUS Integration and Acquisition program manager. “The training they receive at Submarine School will set them up for a successful tour aboard an American SSN, moving the Royal Australian Navy that much closer to operating sovereign, conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.”
The number of RAN personnel training across the US will increase to over 100 people in the next 12 months. Training RAN sailors alongside their American counterparts will enhance interoperability across the submarine forces, which is a cornerstone of establishing Australia’s sovereign nuclear-powered attack submarine capability.
In its media release on the training, the US Navy said, “The AUKUS partnership is a strategic endeavour that aims to strengthen the industrial bases of the three partners and promote a safe, free, and open Indo-Pacific, ensuring the international, rules-based order is upheld in the region. Australia will acquire conventionally armed SSNs for the Royal Australian Navy under AUKUS Pillar 1. The AUKUS I&A program office is responsible for executing the trilateral partnership to deliver conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines to the Royal Australian Navy at the earliest possible date while setting the highest nuclear stewardship standards and continuing to maintain the highest nuclear nonproliferation standard.”
Source: USN
