Glen Braz | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | "Blitz" [1] |
Born | 1969 (age 54–55) |
Allegiance | Australia |
Service/ | Royal Australian Air Force |
Years of service | 1987–present |
Rank | Air Vice-Marshal |
Commands held | Air Command (2023–) Deputy Chief of Air Force (2023) Air Force Training Group RAAF (2017–19) No. 82 Wing RAAF (2015–17) Air Task Group 630 (2015) No. 1 Squadron RAAF (2008–11) |
Battles/wars | Iraq War War against the Islamic State |
Awards | Member of the Order of Australia Conspicuous Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal |
Air Vice-Marshal Glen Edward Braz, AM , CSC , DSM (born 1969) is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He joined the RAAF through the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1987 and gained his pilot's wings in 1991. He has deployed on Operations Falconer and Okra to Iraq, and has commanded No. 1 Squadron RAAF (2008–11), Air Task Group 630 (2015), No. 82 Wing RAAF (2015–17) and Air Force Training Group RAAF (2017–19). He served as Deputy Chief of Air Force from January to June 2023, before assuming his current appointment as Air Commander Australia.
Braz entered the Australian Defence Force Academy as a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) officer cadet in 1987. He graduated from the academy with a Bachelor of Science in physics in 1989 and, [2] [3] following flying training at No. 2 Flying Training School RAAF, graduated from No. 155 Pilot Course with his pilot's wings in June 1991. [4] Following lead-in fighter training and conversion to the General Dynamics F-111C aircraft, Braz was posted to No. 1 Squadron RAAF at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland. He qualified as a flying instructor in 1997, and subsequently instructed on the Pilatus PC-9 trainer aircraft and the Macchi MB-326H lead-in-fighter. Braz returned to No. 1 Squadron in 2001 as flight commander of weapons and reconnaissance and, in 2003, was posted to the Combined Air Operations Centre to support Operation Falconer, Australia's contribution to the invasion of Iraq. [2] [3]
Following his return to Australia, Braz was appointed executive officer of No. 6 Squadron RAAF at RAAF Base Amberley. [5] In 2006, he was promoted to wing commander and graduated from the Australian Command and Staff College, [2] [6] before being appointed Deputy Director Air-Land Integration. He was next made deputy director of the Super Hornet Transition Team, to assist in the introduction of the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet into Australian service, and in January 2009 was appointed commanding officer of No. 1 Squadron, the first RAAF unit—and the first squadron outside of the United States—to operate the Super Hornet. [2] [3] [7] [8] The first five Super Hornets were accepted by the RAAF in March 2010; Braz led the ferrying flight of the first set of aircraft from California to Australia, touching down at RAAF Base Amberley on 26 March. [9] Braz relinquished command of the squadron in May 2011 and, in the Queen's Birthday Honours the following month, he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in recognition of his "outstanding achievement" in command of the unit and for his role in the transition to the Super Hornet. [10]
Braz was posted to the Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C. later in 2011, where he served as Air Staff Officer Plans and Operations. On his return to Australia, he was made Director of the EA-18G Growler Transition, to oversee the introduction of the Boeing EA-18G Growler into service with the RAAF. In January 2015, Braz deployed to Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates as commander of the second rotation of Air Task Group 630 on Operation Okra. [2] [3] [11] Braz was responsible for six F/A-18F Super Hornet strike aircraft (replaced by F/A-18A Hornets in March), a E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, one KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport and 400 personnel in conducting operations against the Islamic State. [11] [12] [13] The role of the Air Task Group included carrying out airstrikes against ISIL, in support of Iraqi and Kurdish ground forces, and to provide humanitarian and logistic support to coalition partners. [11] [13] During the six-month deployment, the Air Task Group dropped 152,500 pounds (69,200 kg) of explosive ordnance in 277 airstrikes. [14] Braz returned to Australia in July 2015 and, in the 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his "distinguished leadership" on Operation Okra. [15]
Posted once again to RAAF Base Amberley, Braz was appointed to command No. 82 Wing RAAF from December 2015. He became commander Air Force Training Group RAAF in 2017 and, during his two-year tenure, Braz oversaw the replacement of the Pilatus PC-9 with the Pilatus PC-21 for flying training, the centralisation of initial officer aviation training at RAAF East Sale, and significant reforms to Professional Military Education in the RAAF, which included the establishment of the Air Academy and the Ground Academy. [2] [16] [17] For his role in these reforms, and for his "exceptional performance" in enabling strategic capability and air combat sustainment, Braz was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2019 Australia Day Honours. [18] He was appointed Director General Military Strategic Commitments in December 2019 and, on promotion to air vice-marshal in July 2020, he was seconded to the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) as First Assistant Director-General, Expeditionary and Transnational Intelligence Division. [2] [3] His role was, in part, to command Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel seconded to the ASD in support of cyber and signals intelligence, which was used by the ADF for defence and operational planning. [19]
Braz briefly served as Deputy Chief of Air Force from January to June 2023, before succeeding Air Vice-Marshal Darren Goldie as Air Commander Australia. [1] [2] [3] As Air Commander, Braz commands the combat arm and oversees the operational capability of the RAAF. [2]
Braz is married to Charnie, with whom he has two daughters. [2]
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the principal aerial warfare force of Australia, a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army. Constitutionally the Governor-General of Australia is the de jure Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force. The Royal Australian Air Force is commanded by the Chief of Air Force (CAF), who is subordinate to the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF). The CAF is also directly responsible to the Minister for Defence, with the Department of Defence administering the ADF and the Air Force.
No. 1 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadron headquartered at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. It is controlled by No. 82 Wing, part of Air Combat Group, and is equipped with Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet multi-role fighters.
No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit is a fighter training unit of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Located at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, the unit trains pilots to operate the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. Pilots new to the F-35 enter No. 2 2OCU after first qualifying to fly fast jets at No. 79 Squadron and undertaking initial fighter combat instruction at No. 76 Squadron. Once qualified on the F-35, they are posted to one of No. 81 Wing's operational F-35 units, No. 3 Squadron, No. 75 Squadron or No. 77 Squadron.
No. 33 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) strategic transport and air-to-air refuelling squadron. It operates Airbus KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transports from RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. The squadron was formed in February 1942 for service during World War II, operating Short Empire flying boats and a variety of smaller aircraft. By 1944 it had completely re-equipped with Douglas C-47 Dakota transports, which it flew in New Guinea prior to disbanding in May 1946.
The Royal Australian Air Force's Air Combat Group (ACG) is the group which administers the RAAF's fighter and bomber aircraft. ACG was formed on 7 February 2002 by merging the RAAF's Tactical Fighter Group and Strike Reconnaissance Group in an attempt to improve the speed with which the RAAF can deploy its combat aircraft.
No. 78 Wing is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operational training wing, headquartered at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales. It comprises Nos. 76 and 79 Squadrons, operating the BAE Hawk 127 lead-in fighter, and No. 278 Squadron, a technical training unit. No. 79 Squadron, located at RAAF Base Pearce, Western Australia, is responsible for converting new pilots to fast jets, while No. 76 Squadron at Williamtown conducts introductory fighter courses; both units also fly support missions for the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army.
No. 81 Wing is responsible for operating the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II multi-role fighters of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Headquartered at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, the wing comprises three combat units, Nos. 3 and 77 Squadrons based at Williamtown and No. 75 Squadron at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory, as well as an operational conversion unit at Williamtown. No. 81 Wing headquarters oversees squadron training in air-to-air and air-to-ground tactics, and support for the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy. Tasked with offensive and defensive counter-air operations, the Hornets have been deployed to Diego Garcia in 2001–02, when they provided local air defence, to Iraq in 2003, when they saw action flying fighter escort and close air support missions in concert with Coalition forces, and to the Middle East in 2015–16, when they undertook strike operations during the military intervention against ISIL. They have also been employed to patrol high-profile events in Australia, including the Commonwealth Games and visits by foreign dignitaries.
No. 82 Wing is the strike and reconnaissance wing of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It is headquartered at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Coming under the control of Air Combat Group, the wing operates F/A-18F Super Hornet multirole fighters, EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, and Pilatus PC-21 forward air control aircraft. Its units include Nos. 1 and 6 Squadrons, operating the Super Hornet and Growler respectively, as well as No. 4 Squadron, operating the PC-21.
Air Vice Marshal Alfred John Quaife, AM is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
Air Marshal Raymond George (Ray) Funnell, is a retired senior commander of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He served as Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) from 1987 until 1992. A graduate of RAAF College, he began his career flying CAC Sabre jet fighters in Australia and South East Asia in the 1950s and 1960s. From 1972 to 1975 he commanded No. 6 Squadron, during which time the General Dynamics F-111C swing-wing bomber entered Australian service. He held senior staff posts in the early 1980s. In 1986, he was promoted to air marshal and became the inaugural Vice Chief of the Defence Force. Appointed CAS in July 1987, Funnell was closely involved in the development and dissemination of air power doctrine. He retired from the RAAF in October 1992 following his term as CAS, and was founding Principal of the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies from 1994 to 1998. Since then he has served on various Federal Government committees on immigration and detention.
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Air Marshal Melvin Ernest Glanville Hupfeld, is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Air Force. He served as Air Commander Australia from 2012 to 2014 and was the acting and final Chief Capability Development Group (2015–16), before being appointed as Head Force Design in the Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group (2016–18). He was promoted air marshal and made Chief of Joint Operations in May 2018, and succeeded Air Marshal Leo Davies as Chief of Air Force in July 2019.
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Air Marshal Gavin Neil "Leo" Davies, is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). A navigator who retrained as a pilot, he joined the RAAF in 1979, commanded No. 1 Squadron RAAF (2002–03) and No. 82 Wing RAAF (2004–05), deployed to Iraq in 2007, and was Australia's air attaché in Washington, D.C. (2010–11). He served as Deputy Chief of Air Force from 2012 to 2015 and succeeded Air Marshal Geoff Brown as Chief of Air Force, the professional head of the RAAF, in July 2015. He retired from the RAAF in July 2019.
Air Vice Marshal Gavin Alexander Turnbull, is a retired senior commander in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He joined the RAAF in 1984, trained as a helicopter pilot, and transferred to fast jets in 1991. He has commanded No. 77 Squadron RAAF (2002–04), No. 81 Wing RAAF (2007–11) and the 609th Combined Air Operations Centre (2012), and deployed on operations to the Sinai Peninsula, Iraq and Afghanistan. He served as Air Commander Australia from 2014 to 2017, and Deputy Chief of Air Force from May 2017 to July 2019.
Air Vice Marshal Steven Peter "Zed" Roberton, is a retired senior commander of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He joined the RAAF in 1989 and trained as a fighter pilot. He has deployed to Iraq, commanded No. 75 Squadron RAAF (2003–06) and No. 82 Wing RAAF (2010–11), and led Air Task Group 630 on operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (2014–15). He served as commander Air Combat Group RAAF from 2015 to 2017, Air Commander Australia from 2017 to 2019, and Head Force Design within the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group from June 2019 to February 2022.
Air Vice Marshal Stephen Leslie Meredith, is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He joined the RAAF as a navigator in 1986. He has commanded No. 6 Squadron RAAF (2006–08), No. 42 Wing RAAF (2008–10), the Aerospace Operational Support Group RAAF (2014–16) and the Combined Air Operations Centre (2017), and has served on operations in the Gulf War, War in Afghanistan and in the International military intervention against ISIL. He served as Head Force Integration from 2017 to 2019, before being appointed Deputy Chief of Air Force from July 2019 to January 2023.
Air Marshal Robert Timothy Chipman, is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) who serves as Chief of Air Force since July 2022. He joined the RAAF as an aeronautical engineer in 1989 and gained his pilot's wings in 1994. He has commanded No. 75 Squadron RAAF (2006–09), the Air and Space Operations Centre (2010–12), No. 81 Wing RAAF (2013–14) and Air Task Unit 630.1 (2014), and deployed to the Middle East on Operations Slipper and Okra. He served as the Australian Military Representative to NATO and the European Union from 2019 to 2021 and Head Military Strategic Commitments from 2021 to 2022. He succeeded Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld as Chief of Air Force on 1 July 2022. Chipman will be appointed Vice Chief of the Defence Force in July 2024.
Air Vice-Marshal Stephen Gareth Chappell, is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), serving as Head Military Strategic Commitments since July 2022. He joined the RAAF through the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1993 and gained his pilot's wings in 1998. He has deployed on Operations Falconer and Okra to Iraq, and has commanded No. 1 Squadron RAAF (2013–16) and No. 82 Wing RAAF (2018–20). He is to be appointed Chief of Air Force in July 2024.
Air Marshal Darren James Goldie, is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force. He joined the RAAF through the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1993 and gained his pilot's wings in 1997. He has deployed on operations to East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, and has commanded No. 37 Squadron RAAF (2012–15) and No. 92 Wing RAAF (2017–18). He was Air Commander Australia from April 2022 to June 2023, and served as the inaugural National Cyber Security Coordinator from July to November 2023.