David Johnston (admiral)

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David Johnston
160706-N-FK070-001 Vice Adm. David Johnston (Johnston cropped).jpg
Johnston in July 2016
Born1962 (age 61–62) [1]
AllegianceAustralia
Service / branch Royal Australian Navy
Years of service1978–present
Rank Admiral
Commands Chief of the Defence Force
Vice Chief of the Defence Force
Chief of Joint Operations
Border Protection Command
HMAS Newcastle
HMAS Adelaide
Battles / wars Operation Quickstep
War in Afghanistan
War against the Islamic State
Awards Companion of the Order of Australia
Commendation for Distinguished Service
Officer of the Legion of Honour (France)

Admiral David Lance Johnston, AC (born 1962) is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy. He served as Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 633 on Operation Slipper in 2010, Commander Border Protection Command from 2011 to 2013 and, following promotion to vice admiral, was posted as Chief of Joint Operations from 2014 until 2018. Johnston was appointed Vice Chief of the Defence Force in July 2018. He was promoted to admiral and appointed Chief of the Defence Force on 10 July 2024.

Contents

Early life and Naval career

Born in 1962, Johnston entered the Royal Australian Naval College in 1978 as a junior entry Cadet Midshipman at 16 years old and graduated in 1982 as a Maritime Warfare Officer later specialising as a Principal Warfare Officer after commencing training at HMAS Watson. Throughout the decades he subsequently served as commanding officer of the frigates, HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Newcastle. The latter command included deployment on Operation Quickstep to Fiji in 2006. [1] [2]

Johnston's staff appointments include command and control specialist staff positions in Australian Defence Force Headquarters, Operations Manager at Sailors' Career Management and later as Director Joint Plans in Strategic Operations Division, where he developed the military response options for consideration by the government. In July 2007, on promotion to commodore, he joined Fleet Headquarters as Commodore Flotillas, where he was responsible for planning of maritime operations and the operational training and preparedness of navy's ships, submarines and diving teams. [1] In 2008 he performed the Deputy Coalition Force Maritime Component Commander role and Australian National Commander for Exercise RIMPAC 08. In November 2008 Johnston assumed the role of J3 (Director General Operations) at Headquarters Joint Operations Command. This role encompassed the operational level execution of all Australian Defence Force operations both overseas and within Australia. [1]

In October 2010, Johnston deployed to Operation Slipper in the Middle East Area of Operations as the Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 633. He supported the Commander JTF in providing national command oversight of all Australian Defence Force elements conducting maritime, land and air operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was promoted to rear admiral in March 2011 to perform the role of Deputy Commander of the Combined AS/US Task Force for Exercise Talisman Sabre and assumed the role of Deputy Chief of Joint Operations on 6 June 2011. He commanded the operations that supported CHOGM 2011 and the visit to Australia by the President of the United States, also in 2011. Johnston was appointed Commander Border Protection Command in December 2011, [1] and the next month was made a Member of the Order of Australia for "exceptional service" in senior staff appointments and awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service in recognition of his leadership on Operation Slipper. [3] [4]

Meeting US Air Force General Paul J. Selva, Sydney, 2018 Paul Selva and David Johnston 181019-D-SW162-1017 (45369914702).jpg
Meeting US Air Force General Paul J. Selva, Sydney, 2018

Johnston was promoted vice admiral and appointed Chief of Joint Operations on 20 May 2014. [5] After four years in the post, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on 16 April 2018 that Johnston would succeed Vice Admiral Ray Griggs as Vice Chief of the Defence Force in July. [6] He was replaced as Chief of Joint Operations by Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld on 24 May. [7]

Johnston was advanced to Companion of the Order of Australia in the 2022 Queen's Birthday Honours in recognition of his "eminent service to the Australian Defence Force through strategic stewardship and capability integration." [8] Later that month, Johnston's tenure as Vice Chief of the Defence Force was extended for a further two years. [9]

According to sources he is known to be very humble and considerate. A acquaintance former navy chief Michael Noonan said “He is a bloody hard worker, I’ve never seen him riled up. He is highly respected.” [10]

Education

He holds a Master of Science in Operations Research from the United States Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, California and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the Australian Defence College. [1]

Chief of the Defence Force

On 10 July 2024, Johnston was promoted to admiral and appointed the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF), succeeding General Angus Campbell. [11] [12] [13] He is the first full Admiral and naval officer to serve as CDF since Admiral Chris Barrie retired in 2002. [14] He was succeeded as Vice Chief of the Defence Force by Air Marshal Robert Chipman on 9 July 2024. [15]

Personal Life

He is married to his wife Belinda and has two children.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Rear Admiral David Johnston". Our people: Biographies. Royal Australian Navy, Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  2. ↑ Navy, corporateName=Royal Australian. "Admiral David Lance Johnston". seapower.navy.gov.au. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  3. ↑ "Member of the Order of Australia". It's an Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. 26 January 2012. Archived from the original on 26 January 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2014. Citation: For exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy in senior Naval and Joint operational staff appointments.
  4. ↑ "Commendation for Distinguished Service". It's an Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. 26 January 2012. Archived from the original on 26 January 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2014. Citation: For distinguished performance of duty in warlike operations as Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 633 on Operations SLIPPER and KRUGER from October 2010 to March 2011.
  5. ↑ "New Chief of Joint Operations announced" (Press release). Australia: Department of Defence. 28 March 2014.
  6. ↑ Greene, Andrew (16 April 2018). "Angus Campbell will be Australia's next Chief of Defence". ABC News. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  7. ↑ @MarisePayne (24 May 2018). "Chief of Joint Operations Transition of Authority Ceremony" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ↑ "The Queen's Birthday 2022 Honours List" (PDF). Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. 13 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  9. ↑ Marles, Richard (28 June 2022). "ADF Senior Leadership Appointments". Media Releases. Office of the Minister for Defence. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  10. ↑ "'Never seen him riled up': Meet Australia's new defence chief". Australian Financial Review. 9 April 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  11. ↑ Minister for Defence Richard Marles; Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (9 April 2024). "Appointment of Australian Defence Force senior leadership". Department of Defence Ministers (Press release). Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  12. ↑ Evans, Jake (8 April 2024). "Vice Admiral David Johnston Named New Chief of the Defence Force". ABC News . Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  13. ↑ "Admiral David Lance Johnston". Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  14. ↑ Knott, Matthew (9 April 2024). "'Safe Pair of Hands' David Johnston the New Defence Force Chief". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  15. ↑ "Vice Chief of the Defence Force". Department of Defence. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of the Defence Force
2024–present		Incumbent
Preceded by
Vice Admiral Raymond Griggs
Vice Chief of the Defence Force
2018–2024		Succeeded by
Air Marshal Robert Chipman
Preceded by
Lieutenant General Ash Power
Chief of Joint Operations
2014–2018		Succeeded by
Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld
Preceded by
Rear Admiral Tim Barrett
Commander Border Protection Command
2011–2013		Succeeded by
Rear Admiral Michael Noonan
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