New CO takes the helm at RIMPAC

Photo By Senior Airman Leah Jones | Commanding Officer of HMAS Sydney, Cmdr. Billy Maddison speaks to media during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (Australian Defence Force photo by Royal Australian Air Force Imagery Specialist Corporal Adam Abela)  

HAWAII, UNITED STATES

07.02.2024

Story by Nicole Dorrett 

Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet           

It is Commander David, ‘Billy’ Maddison’s fourth time participating in RIMPAC, the world’s largest international maritime exercise, but his first in command of a Royal Australian Navy Ship.
CMDR Maddison recently assumed Command of HMAS Sydney, one of three Hobart Class guided missile destroyers (DDG) and one of Australia’s most lethal maritime capabilities.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of leading 200 highly competent Australians through what will be a challenging test of our readiness and preparedness,” CMDR Maddison said.
“The purpose of RIMPAC is to encourage interoperability and interchangeability in a highly complex environment with our partners in the Indo Pacific and that really gets to the theme of RIMPAC – Partners, Integrated and Prepared.
“We are privileged to be working with 29 other countries – both old partners like our Royal New Zealand Navy friends just over the pier from us and some partners from further away but who value a stable region such as the the Netherlands, Germany or Italy.”
CMDR Maddison first came to Pearl Harbor on the southern coast of Hawaii for RIMPAC 2010 in HMAS Warramunga when he was a sub-lieutenant Officer of the Watch.
“Then in 2017 it was a great privilege to serve on exchange with the United States Navy here in Pearl Harbor for three years. That was a real career highlight.”
That period saw him participate in two more RIMPACs in 2018 and 2020.
Two years serving as Sydney’s Executive Officer followed before assuming command..
CMDR Maddison said in his experience the best memories of RIMPAC are made ashore interacting with international colleagues on various topics, ranging from shipborne life, maritime tactics or recent operational experiences and realising that no matter where we are from we have the same challenges in our roles.
“My crew and I are looking forward to building and fostering relationships.
“This time round I’m seeing people who I’ve previously met at other RIMPACs. We are all doing different jobs and it is wonderful to reminisce about our previous experiences and reflect on how we have carried them into our new roles.
One of his favourite moments of RIMPAC is the PHOTEX exercise whereby all the ships assemble at sea for a photo opportunity.
“When you have upwards of 40 ships and submarines from multiple nations operating in close vicinity within a mile of an aircraft carrier it’s a truly impressive sight and something that lives with you for a long time.”

• Date Taken: 07.02.2024
• Date Posted: 07.06.2024 19:25
• Story ID: 475641
• Location: HAWAII, US