The Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS) is a three-star role within the Australian Defence Force (ADF), responsible for the Joint Operations Command and joint operational deployments, such as United Nations peacekeeping and joint task groups. Until 2007, the Vice Chief of the Defence Force (VCDF) was double hatted, additionally exercising the responsibilities of CJOPS. However, in September 2007 the Minister of Defence, Brendan Nelson announced the formation of a separate CJOPS position based at the Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) at Bungendore, New South Wales.[1]
| Chief of Joint Operations | |
|---|---|
since 5 July 2024 | |
| Member of | Australian Defence Force |
| Reports to | Chief of the Defence Force |
| Term length | 3–4 years |
| Inaugural holder | Lieutenant General David Hurley |
| Formation | September 2007 |
Joint Operations Command
editThe Joint Operations Command consists of Headquarters Joint Operations Command, Northern Command, and Australian Defence Force elements of the Maritime Border Command. Chief of Joint Operations is a joint position, and the incumbent can be appointed from any of the three ADF services.
Chiefs of Joint Operations
editThe following list chronologically records those who have held the post of CJOPS, with rank and honours as at the completion of the individual's term.
| Rank | Name | Postnominals | Image | Term began | Term ended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant General | David Hurley | AO, DSC |  |
September 2007 | July 2008 |
| Lieutenant General | Mark Evans | AO, DSC |  |
July 2008 | May 2011 |
| Lieutenant General | Ash Power | AO, CSC |  |
May 2011 | 20 May 2014 |
| Vice Admiral | David Johnston | AO | .jpg) |
20 May 2014[2] | 24 May 2018 |
| Air Marshal | Mel Hupfeld | AO, DSC | .jpg) |
24 May 2018 | 1 July 2019 |
| Lieutenant General | Greg Bilton | AO, CSC |  |
1 July 2019 | 5 July 2024 |
| Vice Admiral | Justin Jones | AO, CSC | 5 July 2024 | Incumbent |
Deputy Chief of Joint Operations
edit| Rank | Name | Postnominals | Term began | Term ended | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Admiral | Rowan Moffitt | AO | 2005 | 2008 | [3] |
| Air Vice Marshal | Greg Evans | DSC, AM | 2008 | 2009 | |
| Major General | Ash Power | AM, CSC | 2009 | 2010 | |
| Rear Admiral | Ray Griggs | AM, CSC | May 2010 | June 2011 | |
| Rear Admiral | Steve Gilmore | AM, CSC | December 2011 | November 2013 | [4] |
| Major General | Shane Caughey | AM, CSC | November 2013 | November 2015 | |
| Major General | Stuart Smith | AO, DSC | November 2015 | April 2017 | |
| Major General | Greg Bilton | AM, CSC | April 2017 | December 2018 | |
| Major General | Roger Noble | DSC, AM, CSC | 2019 | September 2019 | |
| Rear Admiral | Jaimie Hatcher | DSC, AM | September 2019 | August 2021 | [5] |
| Air Vice Marshal | Michael Kitcher | AM, DSM | August 2021 | January 2024 | |
| Rear Admiral | Justin Jones | AO, CSC | January 2024 | July 2024 | |
| Major General | Hugh McAslan | DSD | 1 October 2024 | The first New Zealand Army officer to hold this post. [6] |
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ Minister of Defence Press Release MIN99/07 19 September 2007 Archived 30 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "New Chief of Joint Operations announced". Defence News. Department of Defence. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ^ "Rear Admiral Rowan Carlisle Moffitt". Who's Who in Australia Online. ConnectWeb. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
- ^ "Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore, AM, CSC, RAN" (PDF). Embassy of Australia, Washington DC. Australian Government. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
- ^ O'Hara, Veronica (4 October 2019). "ADF Welcomes New Deputy Operations Chief". Defence News. Department of Defence. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
- ^ "New Zealand Defence Force Major General Hugh McAslan appointed as Deputy Chief of Joint Operations". Defence Media Release. Department of Defence. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.