From St Columba's High School to the skies
Local Student Becomes Navy Captai
A proud alumnus of St Columba’s High School has reached a remarkable milestone in his naval career. Former pupil Paul Hannigan has been promoted to Captain in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and now commands HMAS Albatross, the RAN’s prestigious Naval Air Station located on the picturesque South Coast of New South Wales.
Captain Hannigan’s journey began in September 1989 when he entered Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, following his graduation from Napier Polytechnic, Edinburgh, with an engineering degree. His career took flight—quite literally—when he earned his Royal Navy pilot wings in July 1991.
For 17 years, he served as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy, seeing operational service in Northern Ireland, the Former Yugoslavia, and Iraq. However, in 2006, Captain Hannigan made a bold move, emigrating to Australia with his wife and three daughters to join the Royal Australian Navy.
Since then, he has held several key positions as a naval aviator, but one of his most notable achievements came during the catastrophic 2019-2020 bushfires that devastated much of New South Wales’ South Coast. As Commanding Officer of 808 Squadron, Captain Hannigan led operations with the MRH90 Taipan helicopter, providing vital support to the community in a time of crisis.
Now, his promotion to Captain and appointment to HMAS Albatross mark a crowning achievement in a career that spans over 36 years. Known for his inclusive and decisive leadership style, Captain Hannigan has earned the admiration of his peers and inspires all those under his command.
Despite his years abroad, Captain Hannigan remains connected to his roots in Dunfermline. He maintains a close friendship with his best friend from school, Michael Dignan, who now lives in Crossgates with his wife, Catherine.
Captain Hannigan’s inspiring story, from his school days at St Columba’s to commanding one of Australia’s key naval bases, is a testament to hard work and perseverance. His story is a source of pride for the Dunfermline community and an inspiration for future generations.