RAN uniform desert camouflage shirt

Date2001-2002

Object number00044953

NameShirt

MediumFabric

DimensionsOverall: 760 x 450 mm, 192.2 g

ClassificationsClothing and personal items

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Sea Power Centre Australia

Terms

DescriptionThis camouflage desert shirt belonged to Lieutenant Commander Joe Straczek RANR during his six month deployment on Historical Duties in OPERATION SLIPPER, Australia's commitment to the international coalition against terrorism. Straczek's deployment aboard HMAS KANIMBLA (II) during November 2001 and April 2002 was part of his Continuous Full Time Service in the Navy Reserves.HistoryJoe Straczek joined the Royal Australian Navy as a Junior Recruit in January 1971. Following training at HMAS LEEUWIN he was selected to undertake technical training at HMAS NIRIMBA and subsequently selected as an Officer Candidate. After completing a course at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, he was commissioned as a Supply Midshipman in 1977. He received specialist training at HMAS CERBERUS and was posted to various supply positions. In late 1990 he transferred to the Naval Reserve to take up the position of Senior Naval Historian at the Sea Power Centre Australia. Straczek is a graduate of the RAN Staff College and holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Defence Studies. He is currently working towards a Doctor of Philosophy on the topic of the History of Signals Intelligence in the RAN. He has had a long-term interest in naval history, writing his first articles in 1974 and is currently (2007) Access Examiner, Directorate of Classified Archival Records Review within the Department of Defence, a position he has held since 2004. Mr Straczek was deployed on Operation SLIPPER for historical duties as well as two months Continuous Full-Time Service (CFTS). Those on a CFTS contract are deployed if a ship is sent overseas or are posted on training days if the ship remains in Australia. Straczek was attached to RANLO Bahrain and Middle East Area of Operations in March 2007 and again in January 2008, deployed in HMAS KANIMBLA. The transport landing ship KANIMBLA is the second to carry the name, the first serving with distinction in World War II. HMAS KANIMBLA (formerly USS SAGINAW) is an amphibious landing platform commissioned on 29 August 1994 refitted between 1995 and 1999. Based at Fleet Base East, Garden Island, Sydney the transport was used during Operation SLIPPER leaving Australia on 8 November 2001. It intercepted and boarded 16 Arab dhows, the largest single interception known to have occurred during MIF operations in the Gulf. KANIMBLA also completed a total of 27 compliant boardings and 23 non-compliant boardings during deployment. An RBS 70 surface-to-air weapon system detachment was embarked on HMAS KANIMBLA to provide the ship with protection against enemy aircraft. KANIMBLA was also deployed in Operation SUMATRA ASSIST, to provide humanitarian aid to victims of the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia and then Operation SUMATRA ASSIST Phase II. In November 2006 KANIMBLA was sent to Fiji to aid Australian citizens and nationals evacuated during the military coup. Operation SLIPPER is the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) commitment to the international coalition against terrorism, known as Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF). Currently, Australia's commitment to Operation SLIPPER involves the deployment of an Australian Major Fleet Unit under the joint Australian operations SLIPPER and CATALYST, as well as the deployment of AP-3C Orion aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force Maritime Patrol Group, who conduct maritime patrol tasks in the Persian Gulf. Operation CATALYST is the ADF's post-conflict contribution to the Australian Government mission to assist in the rehabilitation of Iraq and help their transition to self-government. The Operation came into effect on 16 July 2003.SignificanceThis shirt is representative of early 21st century Australian Navy apparel. Lieutenant Commander Joe Straczek has served for more than twenty years in the RAN and is an active naval historian.