Commodore Matt Royals

Commander Fleet Air Arm Royal Australian Navy

Commodore Matt Royals joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1990 and graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1992. He then commenced seaman officer training at HMAS Watson and served his qualified years as Officer of the Watch and Gunnery Officer in HMAS Success.

Commencing Basic Observers Course in 1997, Matt received his wings as dux of number 40 Observers Course in 1998 and commenced Sensor Operators course on the S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter.

In 2000, Matt commenced a loan posting to the Royal Navy and qualified as a TACCO on the Lynx Mk 3 Maritime Attack Helicopter. He also dual qualified on the Lynx Mk 8 DSP and served in Lynx flights in HM Ships Glasgow, Somerset, Edinburgh and finally York as the Flight Commander. His operational highlights of the loan were flying in Sierra Leone in support of International Military Assistance to Sierra Leone in 2001, and as Flight Observer in HMS Edinburgh for the Iraq Conflict of 2003; where he flew combat missions in support of the Al Faw peninsula campaign and force protection for HMS Ocean.

Matt Royals returned to Australia in January 2004 to perform the duties of Staff Officer Policy in the Aviation Headquarters for one year prior to taking up post as the Senior Naval Officer at the School Of Air Warfare in RAAF East Sale. Three years were spent in Sale instructing ab-initio Observer and RAAF ACO students on the King Air 350 before returning to HMAS Albatross as the Commanding Officer of 805 Squadron.

After decommissioning 805 Squadron in June 2008, Matt was employed as Staff Officer Projects Aviation in the HQFAA and managed a small team to provide Navy Aviation’s requirements to all aviation and aviation related Minor and Major Projects as well as future requirements.

Matt Royals completed Australian Command and Staff Course in 2010. He joined NPCMA as the Aviation Career Manager in December 2010 before taking on the position of Deputy Director Navy Aviation in Navy Strategic Command in November 2012.

In 2015 Matt completed his MH-60R conversion course prior to taking Command of 725 Squadron in December that year.

Promoted to Commodore in November 23, he undertook the role of Deputy Commander Fleet Air Arm in November 2020, now Commander Fleet Air Arm.

Matt married Sarah whilst on loan to the Royal Navy and they have three sons. He is a passionate supporter of all things Rugby (especially as a loyal lifelong Parramatta Eels supporter) and Cricket, enjoys swinging golf clubs when he can and keeps fit swimming laps.