Australian Army Lieutenant Luke Haitas, who calls Williamstown home, received a commendation after serving in Afghanistan. 68450
By ALESHA CAPONE
AT 25 years old, Australian Army Lieutenant Luke Haitas could be called a home-grown hero of Williamstown.
Last year, he served in Afghanistan for seven months and while in Kabul, trained the Afghan National Army in artillery.
He was also awarded a gold commendation from the Commander of Joint Operations for his work in developing the Afghan army’s “fire direction” curriculum.
“First and foremost, the reason I joined the army was to serve and protect my country,” Lieutenant Haitas said.
“My work with the Artillery Training Team – Kabul was extremely rewarding and challenging.
“Our team introduced and developed new artillery processes and procedures into the Afghan National Army Artillery doctrine, established the Afghan National Army School of Artillery and co-ordinated the procurement of new equipment and instructed Afghan National Army Artillery soldiers on numerous courses.”
Lt Haitas was also recently deployed to Greece as the commander of a contingent of Australian Federation Guards.
The young officer said attending commemorations for the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Greece and Crete was exciting, as he has a family connection to the historic fight.
“One of my ancestors on my mother’s side fought for the liberation of the island in the early 19th century, so it was quite a long time ago,” he said.
Lt Haitas said he decided on a career with the army in his final year of studying economics at La Trobe University, as an office job was not ideal for him.
“We do have to be very fit in the army,” he said.
“The daily physical training as well as the demands of being in the field mean that we have to keep fit all year round and the physical training that the military provides is top quality.”
While his life in the army sounds adventurous, Lt Haitas said he missed “my mother and her cooking the most, as well as my grandmother” when he travelled overseas.
His Mum, Williamstown resident Sophia Haitas, said she was able to see her son once every few months.
“I’m very proud of his service to his country,” she said.
But Mrs Haitas said she often worried about Lt Haitas when he was serving in Kabul.
“It was very hard because day and night you think about your child in that situation and how dangerous it can be,” she said.
“But that’s what he is meant to be, he’s an officer through and through.”
