Mike Hindmarsh
| Major General Michael Simon Hindmarsh AO DSC CSC | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1956 Kilcoy, Queensland |
| Allegiance |
 Australia United Arab Emirates |
| Service/branch |
Australian Army United Arab Emirates Army |
| Years of service |
1976 – 2009 2010 – Present |
| Rank |
Major General (Australia) Major General (UAE) |
| Commands held |
UAE Presidential Guard Command Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East Area of Operations Special Operations Command Special Air Service Regiment |
| Battles/wars |
Operation Pollard
|
| Awards |
Officer of the Order of Australia Distinguished Service Cross Conspicuous Service Cross |
Major General Michael Simon "Mike" Hindmarsh AO DSC CSC is a senior officer within the army of the United Arab Emirates and is the Commander of the UAE Presidential Guard, a warfighting UAE Armed Forces formation which includes both conventional and special forces units. Hindmarsh was also a senior officer in the Australian Army. Hindmarsh served as Special Operations Commander Australia from 2004 to 2008, and Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East Area of Operations from March 2008 to January 2009.
Military career
Mike Hindmarsh entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1976, graduating into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps in 1978.[1]
He saw regimental service as a Platoon Commander with the 2nd/4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and as a Troop Commander, Squadron Commander and Commanding Officer with the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR). Other appointments included: SO3 Operations at HQ Land Command; SO2 Training at HQ UK Special Forces; SO1 Operations at HQ Special Forces; and Brigade level tactics instructor at the Land Warfare Centre.[2]
As Commanding Officer of the SASR, he commanded the ANZAC Special Operations Force detachment to Operation Pollard in Kuwait during 1998.[3] Hindmarsh was later appointed to command the Special Operations Component on Operation Bastille and Operation Falconer in the Iraq War. He was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for his distinguished leadership in this position.[4]
He served as the Australian Special Operations Commander from October 2004 to February 2008. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours of 2008 for his distinguished service in that position.[5]
Hindmarsh assumed command of Australian Forces in the Middle East Area of Operations in an official ceremony on 1 March 2008; he succeeded Major General Mark Evans in this position. His tour ended on 12 January 2009, at which time he was succeeded by Major General Mark Andrew Kelly. For his "distinguished command and leadership in action in the Middle East", Hindmarsh was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[6]
From March 2009, Hindmarsh assumed command of Army Training Command at Victoria Barracks, Sydney.
He is now a Major General, in charge of the United Arab Emirates Presidential Guard.[7][8]
Retirement
Hindmarsh retired from the Australian Army in later half of 2009.[2]
Following retirement from the Australian Army, Hindmarsh accepted a position with the United Arab Emirates where he was commissioned in the grade of Major General. Hindmarsh is currently Special Advisor - National Security and Commander of the Presidential Guard Command which, among other things, performs the UAE's special operations mission. [9]
Personal
Hindmarsh was educated at the Anglican Church Grammar School.[10] He is a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College, Queenscliff, the Joint Services Command and Staff College and the United Kingdom Royal College of Defence Studies. He is married and has three sons. He enjoys rock climbing, bush walking and rugby union.[1]
Honours and Awards
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| | Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) | 2008[5] |
| Member of the Order of Australia (AM) | 2003[4] | |
| | Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) | 2009[6] |
| | Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) | 1998[3] |
| | Australian Active Service Medal | |
| | Afghanistan Medal | |
| | Iraq Medal | |
| | Australian Service Medal | |
| | Defence Force Service Medal with 3 Rosette's | for 30-34 years of service |
| | Australian Defence Medal | |
| | NATO Medal | with ISAF Clasp |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 ADF Biography, retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Newsletter, September 2009, Royal United Services Institute, Western Australian Branch. Retrieved on 2009-09-17.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Conspicuous Service Cross, 14 June 1999, It's an honour.gov.au, Retrieved on 2009-09-09.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Commonwealth of Australia Gazette - Member of the Order of Australia; 27 November 2003, page 1
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Commonwealth of Australia Gazette - Officer of the Order of Australia; 28 January 2008, page 3 - retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)". The Queen's Birthday 2009 Honours List. Governor-General of Australia. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
- ↑ http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2013/October/15/131015-Sea-Khanjar
- ↑ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/united-arab-emirates-poaches-former-major-general-mike-hindmarsh-as-security-adviser/story-e6frf7jo-1225806366075
- ↑
- ↑ Mason, James (2011). Churchie: The Centenary Register. Brisbane, Australia: The Anglican Church Grammar School. ISBN 978-0-646-55807-3.
- ↑ The Grub Club - Grub Club Patrons; 6 July 2012
External links
- Official photo (copyright)
- "Always being ahead of the enemy", Australian Defence Magazine Feature, November 2004
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Major General Mark Evans |
Commander of Australian Forces in Middle East Area of Operations March 2008 – January 2009 |
Succeeded by Major General Mark Kelly |
| Preceded by Major General Duncan Lewis |
Special Operations Commander 2004 – 2008 |
Succeeded by Major General Tim McOwan |