RAAF Air Command

Air Command is the operational arm of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It is headed by the Air Commander Australia, whose role is to manage and command the RAAF's Force Element Groups (FEGs), which contain the operational capability of the Air Force. Headquarters Air Command is located at RAAF Base Glenbrook.

Air Command
Active1942–current
CountryAustralia
AllegianceAustralian Defence Force
BranchRoyal Australian Air Force
Current locationRAAF Glenbrook
Motto(s)Alert and Ready
Commanders
Current
commander		Air Vice Marshal Joe Iervasi
(Air Commander Australia)

Structure

Air Command consists of the following FEGs:

Air Command has a critical strategic role both in peacetime and wartime. It works closely with Air Force Training Group (formerly RAAF Training Command) and the Australian Defence Force's Joint Logistics Command in developing and maintaining the nation's defence capabilities.

Commanders

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 the Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS). Similar arrangements exist with Commander Forces Command (Australian Army) and Commander 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.

RankNamePost-nominalsPeriod
HQ Eastern Area Command
(Air Officers Commanding)
Air Vice MarshalWilliam AndersonCBE, DFC1942–1943
Air CommodoreAlan CharlesworthCBE, AFC1943–1944
Air CommodoreFrancis LukisCBE1945–1946
Air CommodoreLeon LachalCBE1946–1947
Air Vice MarshalFrancis BladinCBE1947–1948
Air Vice MarshalJohn McCauleyCB, CBE1949–1953
HQ Home Command
(Air Officers Commanding)
Air Vice MarshalJohn McCauleyCB, CBE1953–1954
Air Vice MarshalAllan WaltersCB, CBE, AFC1954–1957
Air Vice MarshalCharles CandyCB, CBE1958–1959
HQ Operational Command
(Air Officers Commanding)
Air Vice MarshalValston HancockCB, CBE, DFC1959–1961
Air Vice MarshalFrank HeadlamCB, CBE1961–1962
Air Vice MarshalAlister MurdochCB, CBE1962–1965
Air Vice MarshalColin HannahCB, CBE1965–1967
Air Vice MarshalKeith HennockCB, CBE1967–1969
Air Vice MarshalWilliam TownsendCB, CBE1969–1973
Air Vice MarshalBrian EatonCB, CBE, DSO & Bar, DFC1973
Air Vice MarshalFrederick RobeyAO, CBE1974–1978
Air Vice MarshalJohn AdamsCBE, DFC, AFC1978–1980
Air Vice MarshalMichael RidgwayAFC1980–1981
Air Vice MarshalRussell Law1981–1984
Air Vice MarshalBernard ReynoldsAM1984–1985
Air Vice MarshalEdward RadfordAO1985–1987
Air Headquarters Australia
(Air Commanders Australia)
Air Vice MarshalEdward RadfordAO1987–1990
Air Vice MarshalBarry GrationAO, AFC1990–1992
Air Vice MarshalGary BeckAO1992–1996
Air Vice MarshalPeter NicholsonAO1996–1996
Headquarters Air Command
(Air Commanders Australia)
Air Vice MarshalPeter NicholsonAO1996–1998
Air Vice MarshalAlan TitheridgeAM1998–1999
Air Vice MarshalPeter CrissAM, AFC1999–2000
Air Vice MarshalJohn KindlerAO, AFC2000–2003
Air Vice MarshalGeoffrey ShepherdAM2003–2005
Air Vice MarshalJohn QuaifeAM2005–2007
Air Vice MarshalMark BinskinAM2007–2008
Air Vice MarshalMark SkidmoreAM2008–2012
Air Vice MarshalMelvin HupfeldDSC2012–2014
Air Vice MarshalGavin TurnbullAM2014–2017
Air Vice MarshalSteve RobertonDSC, AM2017–2019
Air Vice MarshalJoe IervasiAM, CSC2019–

References
  1. "RAAF's AOSG becomes Air Warfare Centre". Australian Aviation. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.

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