Geoff Brown (RAAF officer)

Geoffrey Charles Brown

Air Marshal Geoff Brown (left) in November 2013
Born 1 August 1958
Clermont, Queensland
Allegiance  Australia
Service/branch  Royal Australian Air Force
Years of service 1980 – present
Rank Air Marshal
Commands held Chief of Air Force (2011–)
Deputy Chief of Air Force (2008–11)
Air Combat Group (2006)
No. 82 Wing (2000–03)
No. 3 Squadron (1997–00)
Battles/wars Iraq War
Awards Officer of the Order of Australia
Legionnaire of the Legion of Merit (United States)
Meritorious Service Medal (Singapore)

Air Marshal Geoffrey Charles "Geoff" Brown AO (born 1 August 1958) is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force and the current Chief of Air Force.

Military career

After studying engineering, Brown joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1980.[1] He became Officer Commanding No. 3 Squadron in 1997 and Officer Commanding No. 82 Wing in 2000.[1] He commanded air transport operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 before becoming Officer Commanding Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems Program Office later that year.[1] He became Commander of the Air Combat Group in 2006, Director General Capability Planning at Air Force Headquarters in 2007 and Deputy Chief of Air Force in 2008.[1]

Brown became Chief of Air Force in July 2011.[2][3][4] On 4 April 2014, it was announced that Brown would continue as the Chief of Air Force for an extra twelve months, to July 2015.[5]

Honours and awards

Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) 26 January 2012[6]
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) 27 November 2003[7]
Australian Active Service Medal
Iraq Medal
Defence Force Service Medal
Australian Defence Medal
Legionnaire in the Legion of Merit (United States) 30 July 2003[8]
Meritorious Service Medal (Singapore) 2014

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Air Marshal Geoff Brown, AO". Royal Australian Air Force. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  2. "Brown becomes CAF after RAAF command changeover ceremony". 1 July 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  3. Blenkin, Max (1 July 2011). "RAAF rules the skies – and Russell". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  4. "Air Marshals". Air Marshals of the RAAF. Royal Australian Air Force Air Power Development Centre. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
  5. AAP (4 July 2014). "Air Marshal Mark Binskin has been announced as the new head of the Australian defence force.". SBS News (Special Broadcasting Service). Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  6. It's an Honour – Officer of the Order of Australia – 26 January 2012
    Citation: For exceptional performance of duty, particularly in regard to the development of the Australian Rules of Engagement and Targeting Directive, as the Commander Task Group 633.4, during Operation FALCONER.
  7. It's an Honour – Member of the Order of Australia – 27 November 2003
    Citation: For distinguished service to the Royal Australian Air Force in senior command and staff appointments.
  8. Air Force News – Legionnaire of the Legion of Merit – 20 July 2003
    Citation: Deftly balanced participation in coalition headquarters planning and utilisation functions with his responsibilities as wartime commander to supervise, control and direct Australian forces engaged in complex airspace operations

External links

Military offices
Preceded by
Air Marshal Mark Binskin
Chief of Air Force
2011 – present
Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Air Vice Marshal John Blackburn
Deputy Chief of Air Force
2008–2011
Succeeded by
Air Vice Marshal Neil Hart