Stirling weight in new hands

HMAS Stirling recently welcomed CAPT William ‘Cam’ Hooper as its new CO during a change of command ceremony, marking the formal transfer of command for Australia's largest naval base.

The ceremony brought together sailors, officers, Defence personnel, family and friends to witness the traditional handover of responsibility for the establishment that sits at the centre of Australia's future submarine capability.

XO HMAS Stirling CMDR Fletcher Wall said the occasion marked both a farewell and a transition for an establishment at the forefront of Australia's future maritime security.

“Captain [Ken] Burleigh steps down as the longest-tenured commanding officer in Stirling's history,” CMDR Wall said.

“Under his watch, this establishment has evolved from a vital fleet base into the bedrock of Australia's future maritime security, literally laying the concrete, building this capability and preparing the deck for the dawn of AUKUS and Australia's nuclear-powered submarine enterprise.”

The ceremony also marked the formal taking of command by CAPT Hooper, who assumes responsibility for an establishment preparing for the arrival of Submarine Rotational Force – West and the continued implementation of AUKUS initiatives.

In his final address as CO, CAPT Burleigh reflected on the significance of handing over command at HMAS Stirling.

“Stirling has been by far the most challenging. It's been the most challenging of my career, both militarily and civilly, but it's been equally the most rewarding and the most consequential,” CAPT Burleigh said.

“It is my honour to hand over my final command to my friend, CAPT Cam Hooper.

“I know he is absolutely the right person to command this base over the next three years.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, CAPT Burleigh made his final departure from HMAS Stirling alongside his wife Tracy and CWO Danny Burgess and his wife Nadia, drawing to a close the formal proceedings before CAPT Hooper assumed responsibility for leading the establishment into its next chapter.