David Johnston | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Johnston in July 2016 | |
| Born | 1962 (age 62–63)[1] |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service | Royal Australian Navy |
| Years of service | 1978–present |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | Chief of the Defence Force Vice Chief of the Defence Force Chief of Joint Operations Border Protection Command HMAS Newcastle HMAS Adelaide |
| Battles / wars | Operation Quickstep War in Afghanistan War against the Islamic State |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of Australia Commendation for Distinguished Service Officer of the Legion of Honour (France) |
AdmiralDavid Lance Johnston,AC (born 1962) is a senior officer in theRoyal Australian Navy. He served as Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 633 onOperation Slipper in 2010, CommanderBorder Protection Command from 2011 to 2013 and, following promotion to vice admiral, was posted asChief of Joint Operations from 2014 until 2018. Johnston was appointedVice Chief of the Defence Force in July 2018. He was promoted toadmiral and appointedChief of the Defence Force on 10 July 2024.
Born in 1962, Johnston entered theRoyal Australian Naval College in 1978 as a junior entry Cadet Midshipman at 16 years old and graduated in 1982 as a Maritime Warfare Officer later specialising as aPrincipal Warfare Officer after commencing training atHMAS Watson. Throughout the decades he subsequently served as commanding officer of thefrigates,HMAS Adelaide andHMAS Newcastle. The latter command included deployment onOperation Quickstep to Fiji in 2006.[1][2]
Johnston's staff appointments include command and control specialist staff positions in Australian Defence Force Headquarters, Operations Manager at Sailors' Career Management and later as Director Joint Plans in Strategic Operations Division, where he developed the military response options for consideration by the government. In July 2007, on promotion tocommodore, he joined Fleet Headquarters as Commodore Flotillas, where he was responsible for planning of maritime operations and the operational training and preparedness of navy's ships, submarines and diving teams.[1] In 2008 he performed the Deputy Coalition Force Maritime Component Commander role and Australian National Commander for Exercise RIMPAC 08. In November 2008 Johnston assumed the role of J3 (Director General Operations) atHeadquarters Joint Operations Command. This role encompassed the operational level execution of all Australian Defence Force operations both overseas and within Australia.[1]
In October 2010, Johnston deployed toOperation Slipper in the Middle East Area of Operations as the Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 633. He supported the Commander JTF in providing national command oversight of all Australian Defence Force elements conducting maritime, land and air operations inIraq andAfghanistan. He was promoted torear admiral in March 2011 to perform the role of Deputy Commander of the Combined AS/US Task Force for Exercise Talisman Sabre and assumed the role of Deputy Chief of Joint Operations on 6 June 2011. He commanded the operations that supportedCHOGM 2011 and the visit to Australia by the President of the United States, also in 2011. Johnston was appointed Commander Border Protection Command in December 2011,[1] and the next month was made aMember of the Order of Australia for "exceptional service" in senior staff appointments and awarded aCommendation for Distinguished Service in recognition of his leadership on Operation Slipper.[3][4]
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Johnston was promotedvice admiral and appointedChief of Joint Operations on 20 May 2014.[5] After four years in the post, Prime MinisterMalcolm Turnbull announced on 16 April 2018 that Johnston would succeed Vice AdmiralRay Griggs asVice Chief of the Defence Force in July.[6] He was replaced as Chief of Joint Operations by Air MarshalMel Hupfeld on 24 May.[7]
Johnston was advanced toCompanion of the Order of Australia in the2022 Queen's Birthday Honours in recognition of his "eminent service to the Australian Defence Force through strategic stewardship and capability integration."[8] Later that month, Johnston's tenure as Vice Chief of the Defence Force was extended for a further two years.[9]
According to sources he is known to be very humble and considerate. An acquaintance former navy chiefMichael Noonan said “He is a bloody hard worker, I’ve never seen him riled up. He is highly respected.”[10]
He holds a Master of Science in Operations Research from theUnited States NavyPostgraduate School in Monterey, California and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from theAustralian Defence College.[1]
On 10 July 2024, Johnston was promoted toadmiral and appointed theChief of the Defence Force (CDF), succeeding GeneralAngus Campbell.[11][12][13] He is the first fullAdmiral and naval officer to serve as CDF sinceAdmiral Chris Barrie retired in 2002.[14] He was succeeded as Vice Chief of the Defence Force by Air MarshalRobert Chipman on 9 July 2024.[15]
He is married to his wife Belinda and has two children.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by GeneralAngus Campbell | Chief of the Defence Force 2024–present | Incumbent |
| Preceded by Vice AdmiralRaymond Griggs | Vice Chief of the Defence Force 2018–2024 | Succeeded by Air MarshalRobert Chipman |
| Preceded by Lieutenant GeneralAsh Power | Chief of Joint Operations 2014–2018 | Succeeded by Air MarshalMel Hupfeld |
| Preceded by Rear AdmiralTim Barrett | Commander Border Protection Command 2011–2013 | Succeeded by Rear AdmiralMichael Noonan |
| Vice Chief of the Defence Force |  | |
|---|---|---|