First Group of Australian Sailors Graduate from U.S. Navy Submarine School

US Navy News

In a milestone for the AUKUS partnership, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) sailors have graduated from the U.S. Navy’s Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS). The graduates, who all distinguished themselves, include one sailor named Honor Graduate for achieving a perfect score.

Chief of the RAN, Vice Adm. Mark Hammond, praised the sailors’ dedication and acknowledged the U.S. Navy’s support in training Australian personnel for the future nuclear-powered submarine fleet. This training is crucial as Australia prepares to acquire Virginia-class submarines by 2030.

Australian sailors are also training with the UK Royal Navy, with the first officers graduating from the UK’s Nuclear Operators Course earlier this month. These efforts are consistent with Australia’s legal commitments, including non-proliferation.

Captain Matthew Fanning, Commanding Officer of the Naval Submarine School, highlighted the rigorous training the Australian sailors underwent. This graduation follows the April 2024 completion of the Submarine Officer Basic Course by the first RAN officers.

The success of these sailors, as noted by Warrant Officer of the RAN Andrew Bertoncin, underscores their skill and knowledge. Vice Adm. Jonathan Mead and Rear Adm. Lincoln Reifsteck emphasized the significance of this achievement for the AUKUS nations, enhancing interoperability and capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

AUKUS aims to deliver a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability to the RAN by the early 2030s, strengthening security and industrial collaboration among Australia, the U.S., and the UK.