Best mates and brothers in arms

LEUT George Capelas and LEUT Alastair Wyatt have served together on every ship they’ve posted to since they commissioned in 2019.

They were in the same New Entry Officer Course, then posted to HMA Ships Supply, Huon, Adelaide and Leeuwin together.

Now in HMAS Yarra, they have deployed together to assist south Pacific nations.

“I had no idea that George was going to be on here when I got this posting,” LEUT Wyatt said.

“When I found out, it felt like things had come full circle.”

LEUT Capelas said it was “a privilege to serve with a good mate”.

LEUT Wyatt is the ship’s diving officer. LEUT Capelas is the Yarra operations officer.

Their jobs couldn’t be more different. One is responsible for planning the ship’s complex schedule of activities, the other leads a team of highly skilled clearance divers.

The two mates come from opposite sides of the country.

LEUT Capelas grew up in Karratha, working as a theatre-stage technician at the Crown Theatre Perth and then at Defence Force Recruiting.

LEUT Wyatt grew up in Noosa and started his career in 2017 as a submariner.

He commissioned soon after to explore education opportunities.

“We’ve done our initial training and postings together, gone away and completed our specialisation courses separately and ended up back on the same ship together. We will see what the future holds,” LEUT Wyatt said.