Lieutenant Commander David Martinussen

Lieutenant Commander David Martinussen was born in Cairns, Queensland and joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1991. Following graduation from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science, he served in HMA Ships Hobart and Bendigo before being awarded his Bridge Warfare Certificate in HMAS Gawler in 1996.

Martinussen then consolidated as an Officer of the Watch in HMA Ships Sydney (IV), Brisbane (II), Tobruk and Success. The highlight of this period saw the latter receive the Fleet Award for Excellence in Communications Proficiency during his tenure as her Signals Communications Officer in 2003.

From 2005 he was posted ashore and undertook a series of staffing roles and appointments, principally in the spheres of Information Warfare and Operations - at Headquarters Special Forces Command, the Directorate of Naval Information Warfare and at Headquarters Joint Operations Command. In 2013 he deployed to the Middle East, serving in the J3 Staff to Headquarters Joint Task Force 633 on Operation SLIPPER.

Following his return to Australia, Martinussen completed specialist training as a Maritime Geospatial Officer. As a Meteorologist he then completed forecasting roles at HQJOC and the Naval Air Station Weather and Oceanography Centre before returning to sea for three years in HMAS Adelaide deploying on INDO-PACIFIC ENDEAVOUR (IPE) 2017, IPE 2018, Operation APEC 2018 ASSIST and Operation RENDER SAFE 2019.

Lieutenant Commander Martinussen holds two Masters Degrees in Business and Management. He also holds a Commercial Fixed Wing Pilot’s License.

Lieutenant Commander Martinussen assumed command of HMAS Ararat on 7 August 2020.