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| Air Command | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1942–current |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | RAAF Glenbrook |
| Motto(s) | Alert and Ready |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Air Vice MarshalGlen Braz (Air Commander Australia) |
Air Command is the operational arm of theRoyal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It is headed by theAir Commander Australia, whose role is to manage and command the RAAF'sForce Element Groups (FEGs), which contain the operational capability of the Air Force.[1] Headquarters Air Command is located atRAAF Base Glenbrook.[2]
Air Command consists of the following FEGs:[2]
Air Command has a critical strategic role both in peacetime and wartime. It works closely withAir Force Training Group (formerly RAAF Training Command) and theAustralian Defence Force's Joint Logistics Command in developing and maintaining the nation's defence capabilities.
The Air Commander is responsible for all operational Air Force tasks, and reports to the Chief of Air Force. The Air Commander raises, trains and sustains forces for assignment to operations under theChief of Joint Operations (CJOPS). Similar arrangements exist withCommander Forces Command (Australian Army) andCommander Australian Fleet (Royal Australian Navy).
Air Command has undergone a number of changes since its formation in May 1942, both in name and location. The following table lists those Air Force officers who have been appointed to lead the command and its headquarters in its various incarnations.
Note: The official title of each group of commanders is listed immediately after the name of the command.
| Rank | Name | Post-nominals | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| HQ Eastern Area Command (Air Officers Commanding) | |||
| Air Vice Marshal | William Anderson | CBE, DFC | 1942–1943 |
| Air Commodore | Alan Charlesworth | CBE, AFC | 1943–1944 |
| Air Commodore | Francis Lukis | CBE | 1945–1946 |
| Air Commodore | Leon Lachal | CBE | 1946–1947 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Francis Bladin | CBE | 1947–1948 |
| Air Vice Marshal | John McCauley | CB, CBE | 1949–1953 |
| HQ Home Command (Air Officers Commanding) | |||
| Air Vice Marshal | John McCauley | CB, CBE | 1953–1954 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Allan Walters | CB, CBE, AFC | 1954–1957 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Charles Candy | CB, CBE | 1958–1959 |
| HQ Operational Command (Air Officers Commanding) | |||
| Air Vice Marshal | Valston Hancock | CB, CBE, DFC | 1959–1961 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Frank Headlam | CB, CBE | 1961–1962 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Alister Murdoch | CB, CBE | 1962–1965 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Colin Hannah | CB, CBE | 1965–1967 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Keith Hennock | CB, CBE | 1967–1969 |
| Air Vice Marshal | William Townsend | CB, CBE | 1969–1973 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Brian Eaton | CB, CBE, DSO &Bar, DFC | 1973 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Frederick Robey | AO, CBE | 1974–1978 |
| Air Vice Marshal | John Adams | CBE, DFC, AFC | 1978–1980 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Michael Ridgway | AFC | 1980–1981 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Russell Law | 1981–1984 | |
| Air Vice Marshal | Bernard Reynolds | AM | 1984–1985 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Edward Radford | AO | 1985–1987 |
| Air Headquarters Australia (Air Commanders Australia) | |||
| Air Vice Marshal | Edward Radford | AO | 1987–1990 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Barry Gration | AO, AFC | 1990–1992 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Gary Beck | AO | 1992–1996 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Peter Nicholson | AO | 1996–1996 |
| Headquarters Air Command (Air Commanders Australia) | |||
| Air Vice Marshal | Peter Nicholson | AO | 1996–1998 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Alan Titheridge | AM | 1998–1999 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Peter Criss | AM, AFC | 1999–2000 |
| Air Vice Marshal | John Kindler | AO, AFC | 2000–2003 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Geoffrey Shepherd | AM | 2003–2005 |
| Air Vice Marshal | John Quaife | AM | 2005–2007 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Mark Binskin | AM | 2007–2008 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Mark Skidmore | AM | 2008–2012 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Melvin Hupfeld | DSC | 2012–2014 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Gavin Turnbull | AM | 2014–2017 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Steve Roberton | DSC, AM | 2017–2019 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Joe Iervasi | AM, CSC | 2019–2022 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Darren Goldie | AM, CSC | 2022–2023 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Glen Braz | AM, CSC, DSM | 2023– |
