RAN Flagship

 

UNCLASSIFIED
ROUTINE

130739Z MAR 15
CN AUSTRALIA
AIG 3600
AIG 3602
RAN ALL SHORE
CN AUSTRALIA
Z4P

SUBJ: DESIGNATION OF NAVYS FLAGSHIP
1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO FORMALISE THE DESIGNATION OF
HMAS CANBERRA AS THE FLAGSHIP OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY
2. THE COMMISSIONING OF CANBERRA AND THE PROGRESSION TO TASK GROUP
CENTRED OPERATIONS PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE A FLAGSHIP
INTO THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY. THE NAVY FLAGSHIP IS A SYMBOLIC
REPRESENTATION OF THE LEAD SHIP OF THE RAN WITH A RESULTANT INCREASE
IN ITS ABILITY TO SHAPE AND INFLUENCE THROUGH PRESENCE AND THE
CONDUCT OF SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING REPRESENTATIONAL AND
CEREMONIAL. AS THE FLAGSHIP IT WILL PROVIDE THE PRIMARY PLATFORM FROM
WHICH TO SUPPORT NAVY, ADF AND GOVERNMENT 'SOFT POWER' ROLES. WHILE
ANY SHIP CAN BE CALLED UPON TO DO ANY OF THE ROLES OUTLINED IN THIS
SIGNAL, CANBERRA WILL BE EXPECTED TO DO MORE AND TO A HIGHER STANDARD
BY VIRTUE OF HER FLAGSHIP ROLE
3. THE ROLE IS NOT INTENDED TO ESTABLISH ANY UNNECESSARY COMMAND
AUTHORITY. THE MANAGEMENT, ROLES, CEREMONY AND AUTHORITIES OF THE
CHIEF OF NAVY FLAG, COMAUSFLT FLAG AND COMWAR BROAD PENNANT ARE
UNCHANGED BY THIS ROLE
4. HMAS CANBERRA WILL RETAIN THE ROLE UNLESS A DEEP MAINTENANCE
ACTIVITY PRECLUDES THE SHIP PERFORMING THIS FUNCTION. IN THIS
INSTANCE THE FLEET COMMANDER WILL PREPARE A BRIEF FOR CHIEF OF NAVY
SEEKING A TEMPORARY TRANSFER OF THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ANOTHER SHIP
5. THE TITLE OF FLAGSHIP IS ONE THAT IS LOADED WITH HISTORICAL
PRESTIGE, IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO DESIGNATE CANBERRA AS THE
NAVY FLAGSHIP

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