The Deputy Commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), Commodore Dean Bassett, accompanied by Command Master Chief Lucas Pullen, United States Coast Guard, CMF’s Command Senior Enlisted Leader, were delighted to recognise Leading Electronic Warfare Specialist (LEWS) Matthew Fletcher, of the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), as CMF’s “Enlisted Member in the Spotlight” during a recent Command Update Brief.

CMF’s “Enlisted Member in the Spotlight” is a new initiative, designed to provide recognition and acknowledgment of the outstanding work of enlisted personnel drawn from all CMF partner nations, afloat, in the air and on base.

LEWS Fletcher was selected as CMF’s “Enlisted Member in the Spotlight” due to his affable nature and positive approach. His ability to build relationships within CMF and across the broader Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain) have enabled his Royal Australian, Royal Canadian and Royal New Zealand Navy colleagues in CTF150 to gain a deeper understanding of long-established networks in Bahrain, which has had a direct benefit on their rotation in Command.

LEWS Fletcher has also been enthusiastic and engaged with CTF 150 physical fitness endeavours, ensuring that the team has every opportunity to stay physically active by scheduling and promoting the many sports activities available in NSA Bahrain.

LEWS Fletcher has been invaluable in providing short notice assistance to all personnel within the CTF150 team in addition to training as a battlewatch alternate. LEWS Fletcher has maintained a professional and courteous manner within the work environment and uses his initiative to investigate and implement a variety of different solutions to challenges faced by CTF 150 staff.

LEWS Fletcher was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and his career has taken him all around the world. In 2017 he was posted to Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in the United Kingdom as part of NATO Joint Electronic Warfare Core Staff, and over that posting he deployed to six different NATO partner countries conducting electronic warfare exercises and testing.

“This deployment has been a highlight of my career,” said LEWS Fletcher. “I’m very proud to be a part of this team of Australians, Canadians, and New Zealanders and the 33 nation team of CMF. It’s an honor to be recognised and I look forward to making the most of the rest of my time here at NSA Bahrain.”

After this deployment to CTF 150, LEWS Fletcher will deploy to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada where he will be part of the crew receiving Her Majesty’s New Zealand Ship Te Kaha after the ship completes its frigate systems upgrade.