Mel Hupfeld

Melvin Ernest Glanville Hupfeld
Hupfeld at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam in 2013
Born (1962-03-07) 7 March 1962
Sydney, New South Wales
Allegiance Australia
Service/branch Royal Australian Air Force
Years of service 1980 – present
Rank Air Marshal
Commands held Chief of Joint Operations (2018–)
Head ADF Force Design (2016–18)
Chief Capability Development Group (2015–16)
Air Commander Australia (2012–14)
Air Combat Group RAAF (2010–11)
No. 81 Wing RAAF (2006–07)
No. 75 Squadron RAAF (2001–04)
Battles/wars Iraq War
Awards Officer of the Order of Australia
Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star (United States)

Air Marshal Melvin Ernest Glanville "Mel" Hupfeld, AO, DSC (born 7 March 1962) is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force. He served as Air Commander Australia from 2012 to 2014 and was the acting and final Chief Capability Development Group (2015–16), before being appointed as Head Force Design in the Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group (2016–18).[1] He was promoted air marshal and made Chief of Joint Operations in May 2018.[2]

Early life and career

Hupfeld was born in Sydney, New South Wales, on 7 March 1962, and joined the Royal Australian Air Force as an Officer Cadet in 1980.[3] He finished his training in 1983, won the 'Flying Prize' and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. He completed a Master of Arts degree in Defence Studies at King's College London in 1997.

During Hupfeld's career he has flown the Dassault Mirage III and McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet flying mainly with No. 3 Squadron RAAF.

Hupfeld was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on 27 November 2003 for his command of No. 75 Squadron RAAF during Operation Falconer,[4] and the squadron was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation.

Hupfeld has commanded several RAAF units during his career, including No. 75 Squadron RAAF, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit RAAF, No. 81 Wing RAAF, and Air Combat Group RAAF. Hupfeld was promoted to air vice marshal and appointed as Air Commander Australia on 3 February 2012. He moved to the Capability Development Group, as Head Capability Systems, in September 2014.[5] Hupfeld was promoted air marshal and appointed Chief of Joint Operations on 24 May 2018.[6]

Personal life

Hupfeld is married to Louise and his interests include cycling, running, fishing, light aircraft, hang-gliding and sailing.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group Organisational Chart
  2. ↑ Greene, Andrew (16 April 2018). "Angus Campbell will be Australia's next Chief of Defence". ABC News. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  3. ↑ "Air Vice-Marshals (A-K)". Air Marshals of the RAAF. RAAF Air Power Development Centre. Archived from the original on July 6, 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  4. ↑ Its an Honour Distinguished Service Cross retrieved 6 June 2012
  5. ↑ "New RAAF Air Commander". Australian Aviation. 15 September 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  6. ↑ Marise Payne [@MarisePayne] (24 May 2018). "Chief of Joint Operations Transition of Authority Ceremony" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. ↑ "Biography - Air Vice Marshal Mel Hupfeld" (PDF). Department of Defence, Australian Government. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
Military offices
Preceded by
Vice Admiral David Johnston		 Chief of Joint Operations
2018–		 Incumbent
New office Head Force Design
2016–2018		 Succeeded by
Rear Admiral Stuart Mayer
Preceded by
Lieutenant General John Caligari		 Chief Capability Development Group
(Acting)
2015–2016		 Disbanded
Preceded by
Major General John Caligari		 Head Capability Systems
2014–2015		 Vacant
Preceded by
Air Vice Marshal Mark Skidmore		 Air Commander Australia
2012–2014		 Succeeded by
Air Vice Marshal Gavin Turnbull
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