A fitting place for promotion

After completing a three-year posting with the United States Navy (USN), Chief Petty Officer Luke Brewer was promoted to Warrant Officer on board USN ship USS Canberra in January.

CAPTION: Washington Naval Attaché Commodore Darren Grogan, left, congratulates Warrant Officer Luke Brewer on his promotion on board USS Canberra. Story by Lieutenant Commander Steven Witzand. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Vance Ha (US Navy).

Warrant Officer Brewer joined the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 2002, served on board Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates and was part of the HMAS Hobart commissioning crew.

During his posting with the USN, he was embedded within the San Diego Southwest Regional Maintenance Center (SWRMC) combat systems alignment team, ensuring radars, sensors and weapon systems were aligned to meet mission requirements and operational tasking.

Washington Naval Attaché Commodore Darren Grogan, who promoted Warrant Officer Brewer, said it was a proud and significant moment.

“In this instance, the honour to promote an Australian senior enlisted sailor on a US ship that holds the same name as the Australian capital offers such a unique opportunity and highlights the strong and enduring ties between the RAN and the USN,” Commodore Grogan said.

Commanding Officer of SWRMC Captain John Bauer said there was no better location for the promotion to take place.

“I can’t think of any better way to recognise senior chief Brewer’s significant milestone and monumental achievement than to have this symbolic ceremony performed on Canberra,” Captain Bauer said.

Canberra is the second US ship to be named in honour of the Australian capital city. The first was USS Canberra (I), named by the USN in honour of HMAS Canberra (I), which was lost in action at the Battle of Savo Island in World War 2.

Homeported in San Diego, California, Canberra is part of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One. The ship is scheduled to officially join the fleet and conduct a commissioning ceremony later this year.

Warrant Officer Brewer is one of 101 RAN officers and sailors serving abroad in the US on a variety of postings and training, including embedded staff and liaison officers.

Centrally supported by the Naval Attaché Office staff in Washington, functions of RAN members posted to the USN include enhancing engagement and supporting interchangeability with US counterparts.

Warrant Officer Brewer will return to Australia as the Deputy Executive Manager within Fleet Support Unit – Sydney, where Navy will seek to leverage interchangeability experience from his time serving on exchange with the USN.

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