In true Anzac spirit, two sailors were recognised for their commitment to their teams and their service during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).
With the USS Arizona Memorial providing a poignant backdrop, Royal Australian Navy's Chief Petty Officer Edgar Dunsby and Royal New Zealand Navy's Leading Seaman Thomas Sullivan were promoted at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Opening the ceremony, Commander Australian Contingent RIMPAC Captain Scott Craig reflected on the significance of the location and the sacrifices made by those who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
"It is a stark reminder of what we do. The sacrifice they made is the sacrifice we all make as we continue our military careers," he said.
"The two men we are promoting today are part of that next legacy - the people who will lead our sailors into the future."
Recognising Chief Petty Officer Dunsby's service, Captain Craig described him as a sailor who consistently leads by example.
"He is someone who gets on with the job, makes everyone around him comfortable and brings people along with him to accomplish the task," he said.
Captain Craig also reminded those in attendance that leadership extends beyond rank.
"Leadership is not given by rank; it is something you've developed and exercised throughout your career," he said.
During RIMPAC, both members will serve as part of the Mine Warfare Clearance Diving Task Group.
'The two men we are promoting today are part of that next legacy - the people who will lead our sailors into the future.'
Chief Petty Officer Dunsby will perform the role as battle watch assistant within a multinational task group participating in the world's largest international maritime exercise.
"I am really looking forward to working with our allies," he said.
"We'll be working closely with Singapore, and I'll be reporting to a Danish operations officer, who reports to the German contingent, which then reports back to Australia, while also working alongside Republic of Korea personnel.
"It's a very multinational and integrated task group."
He said he was also looking forward to reconnecting with "old mates" from previous exercises conducted throughout the Indo-Pacific region, particularly his Kiwi mates, who he has served with on a number of occasions.
Reflecting on one of the task group's first serials, known as 'Pouncer Ops', Chief Petty Officer Dunsby described the aerial mine countermeasures activity, where clearance divers deploy from a helicopter into the ocean to locate and neutralise simulated mine threats.
"It was a pretty challenging one, but everyone conducted it with safety as the priority, and you could see everyone knew their role," he said.
"The interoperability and professionalism of all the members in the task group was evident."
RIMPAC provides a unique opportunity for allies and partners to strengthen collective capability, build trust and enhance the people-to-people relationships that underpin regional security and stability.
Hosted biennially by Commander US Pacific Fleet and executed by Commander US 3rd Fleet, the official theme for RIMPAC 2026 is 'Partners: Integrated and Prepared'.
