Andrew Thorpe takes over Command of HMAS Cairns in formal handover ceremony

With a new defence focus to the north, the role of Cairns as a strategic point of projection into the Pacific is growing bringing with it big money, upgrades, and importance for HMAS Cairns. See who will be leading the crucial base as its new Commanding Officer.

HMAS Cairns new Commanding Officer Andrew Thorpe with outgoing commander Alfonso Santos. Photo: Dylan Nicholson

HMAS Cairns has a new Commanding Officer and while he is new to the role he is no stranger to Cairns and its growing importance as a regional hub.

Command of the northern base was handed over to Commander Andrew Thorpe from departing commander Alfonso Santos during a formal ceremony on Friday.

With a new defence focus on the north, the role of Cairns as a strategic point of projection into the Pacific is growing bringing with it big money, upgrades, and greater importance for HMAS Cairns.

The servicemen and women of HMAS Cairns line the wharf to salute outgoing Commanding Officer Alfonso Santos. Photo: Dylan Nicholson

Commander Thorpe has been in the navy for 32 years rising through the ranks.

“Much like the former CO I joined as a sailor coming up through the ranks,” he said.

“I spent my first 15 years as a helicopter technician and progressed into the logistics stream as a maritime logistics officer with quite extensive time at sea in operations.”

Commander Thorpe has moved up from fleet headquarters but is no stranger to Cairns.

“I have spent a couple of years up here on deployments during 2009 to 2011 posted to one of the logistics support elements here so the landscape is familiar,” he said.

“What I really like about Cairns is our involvement in the community, we represent them as much as we do the defence force.

Commander Alfonso Santos hands the wheel of command at HMAS Cairns over to new Commanding Officer Andrew Thorpe. Photo: Dylan Nicholson.

“We can’t do our job without the support of the local community so we are here representing the defence force but see ourselves as a bigger part of the community.”

First on the priority list for the commander was meeting with key stakeholders in the community.

“For me it is about building and enhancing the relationships that Commander Santos has worked so hard to create,” he said.

Commander Thorpe said he was excited about taking command during a time when HMAS Cairns is undergoing a lot of growth.

“In the defence landscape the strategic importance of Cairns has grown and that is exciting,” he said.

“It’s value has grown and there are not many opportunities to have the chance to have command, so this is a big responsibility.”

Outgoing HMAS Cairns Commanding Officer Alfonso Santos is saluted during the handover ceremony accompanied by his wife and children. Photo: Dylan Nicholson

Commander Thorpe added Cairns was positioned well.

“We have the growing capability and further developing infrastructure for the ADF but also for our coalition partners like the US and the UK.”

In taking over from Commander Santos he said he had some big shoes to fill.

“It’s a position that holds a lot of importance and there is a lot of responsibility but in all jobs in the ADF we get trained for that level,” he said.

“If I came into this role without any nervousness I think I wouldn’t be fully appreciating the scope and responsibility of the position.

“I’m very fortunate to take over from Commander Santos, he has led and managed the base to a high level so big shoes to step into but he has been great with the support he has provided during this handover.”

Originally published as Andrew Thorpe takes over Command of HMAS Cairns in formal handover ceremony