Military three-star appointment in the Australian Defence Force
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]
Joint Operations Command
The 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
The 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.
Deputy Chief of Joint Operations
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
References