Commander Anthony (Tony) Nagle
Commander Anthony (Tony) Nagle joined the Royal Australian Navy from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, entering the Navy via the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1998 and studying at the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
On commencing training in navigation and maritime warfare in 2000, then Sub-Lieutenant Nagle served in the Navy’s three amphibious units, Her Majesty’s Australian Ships (HMAS) Manoora, Kanimbla and Tobruk, prior to joining his first surface combatant and achieving his Bridge Warfare Certificate onboard HMAS Sydney in 2002.
Deploying in Sydney to Operations FALCONER and CATALYST in the Arabian Gulf in 2003, Nagle saw active service during the Iraq War prior to taking up a rewarding posting as Divisional Officer at the Navy’s Recruit School at HMAS Cerberus in 2004.
Following an appointment in HMAS Warramunga, then Lieutenant Nagle undertook the Principal Warfare Officer Course in Sydney in 2006 and consolidated as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer and Operations Officer in HMAS Parramatta. In 2009, Nagle further specialised as a Surface Warfare Officer and undertook the Force Warfare Officer Course, before returning to Parramatta as Operations Officer and deploying to the Middle East Area in support of Operation SLIPPER in 2010.
On promotion to Lieutenant Commander, Nagle served as the Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer within the Sea Training Group in 2011 before proceeding to the United Kingdom as Principal Warfare Officer training staff at the Maritime Warfare School in HMS Collingwood. Whilst on exchange in the United Kingdom, Nagle undertook further deep specialisation training and completed the Royal Navy’s Advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare Course.
Returning to Australia in 2014, Lieutenant Commander Nagle assumed the role as Officer in Charge of the School of Maritime Warfare in Sydney prior to assuming the appointment as Executive Officer in HMAS Newcastle in 2015. During a fulfilling period at sea in Newcastle, Nagle deployed in support of border protection operations, RESOLUTE and KRAGLE, in 2016 and to the Greater Middle East Area of Operations in support of Operation MANITOU in 2017. For his efforts in Newcastle, Nagle was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in the Australian Honours List on the Queen’s Birthday in 2018.
Commander Nagle assumed command of the ANZAC Class Frigate, HMAS Arunta, in late 2020 and in May 2021 assumed command of HMAS Perth in which he led the Ship’s return to operational service following an extended period in the ANZAC Midlife Capability Assurance Program upgrade. For its return to full and effective Fleet service, Perth was awarded both the coveted Gloucester Cup and the Spada Shield as the Fleet unit that excelled in all aspects of their operations and tasking in 2022.
Commander Nagle holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business through UNSW, a Master of Science (Technology) through Kingston University London, and a Graduate Certificate in Strategic People Management (UNSW).
