Russ Crane

Last updated

Russ Crane
US Navy 101001-N-8273J-152 Vice Adm. Russ Crane, Chief of Navy of the Royal Australian Navy, center, and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary (Crane cropped).jpg
Vice Admiral Crane in 2010
Born (1954-06-11) 11 June 1954 (age 69)
Southport, Queensland, Australia
AllegianceAustralia
Service/branch Royal Australian Navy
Years of service1970–2011
Rank Vice Admiral
Commands held Chief of Navy (2008–11)
Deputy Chief of Navy (2006–08)
Joint Offshore Protection Command (2005–06)
HMAS Success (1998–00)
HMAS Derwent (1993–94)
HMAS Curlew (c. 1983–85)
Battles/wars International Force for East Timor
Awards Officer of the Order of Australia
Conspicuous Service Medal
Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States)
Meritorious Service Medal (Singapore)
Commander of the National Order of Merit (France)

Vice Admiral Russell Harry Crane, AO , CSM (born 11 June 1954) is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), who served as the Chief of Navy from July 2008 until his retirement in June 2011.

Contents

Early life

Crane was born in Southport, Queensland, on 11 June 1954 to Harry and Nina Crane. [1] During his early teenage years, Crane was a cadet enlisted at the Naval Reserve Cadet unit "TS Tyalgum" at Main Beach on the Gold Coast. [2]

Crane began his naval career as a junior recruit at HMAS Leeuwin in 1970. [3] Training as an Electrical Mechanic in aircraft communications, he was posted aboard the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne in 1971. Following selection for officer training in 1972, he began training as a Seaman Officer serving in numerous RAN establishments and ships, before receiving his commission. [4] He was appointed as Minehunting Control Officer in the minehunter HMAS Curlew, in 1978 and promoted to lieutenant during the same year. In 1983 he was promoted to lieutenant commander and appointed in command of Curlew. He was later appointed as the executive officer of the destroyer escort HMAS Torrens, [3] then in 1988, promoted to commander and posted to the Equipment Acquisition Division in Navy Office Canberra.

In 1993, Crane was posted as the commanding officer aboard HMAS Derwent, a destroyer escort based in Western Australia. He was promoted to captain in January 1996 and appointed as the Chief Staff Officer Command and Control, Communications and Intelligence in Maritime Headquarters. Captain Crane assumed command of HMAS Success on 24 November 1998. During his period in command Success conducted a number of deployments to the South East Asia region including, in September and October 1999, Operation Stabilise in support of peacekeeping operations in East Timor.

Awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal in early 2000 for his time in command HMAS Success, [5] Crane was promoted to commodore in March 2000 and posted to Australian Defence Headquarters in Canberra as the Director General Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare. He was Commander Australian Navy Systems Command from October 2001 before being promoted to rear admiral on 1 May 2004 and assuming duties as Director General Coastwatch and the inaugural Commander of the newly formed Joint Offshore Protection Command in March 2005. Crane became the Deputy Chief of Navy in June 2006, and was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in June 2007. [6]

Crane was promoted to vice admiral and succeeded Vice Admiral Russ Shalders as Chief of Navy on 4 July 2008. [7] For his "distinguished service as Deputy Chief of Navy and as Chief of Navy", Crane was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2010 Australia Day Honours. [8] In February 2011, the RAN under Crane was embroiled in controversy when the Australian Defence Force was left with a critically reduced amphibious capability. [9] Analysts claimed that a critical naval capability had been allowed to deteriorate to the point of failure. [10]

On 24 May 2011, Crane was conferred Singapore's Meritorious Service Medal by Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen at an investiture held at the Ministry of Defence. [11] Crane stood down as Chief of Navy and retired from the RAN on 7 June 2011. [12] For a number of personal reasons he specifically requested to retire on this date, nearly one month earlier than the intended 4 July Defence Chiefs change over, and five weeks prior to Crane's 41st anniversary of service with the RAN. [13] He was presented with the French National Order of Merit by Vice Admiral Stephane Verwaerde, Deputy Chief of the French Navy, on 17 May 2013. [14]

Honours and awards

Order of Australia (Military) ribbon.png

CSM Australia ribbon.png Australian Active Service Medal ribbon.png INTERFET Medal ribbon.png DFSM with Fed Star.png

Australian Defence Medal (Australia) ribbon.png US Legion of Merit Commander ribbon.png Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) ribbon.png Ordre national du Merite Commandeur ribbon.svg

RibbonDescriptionNotes
Order of Australia (Military) ribbon.png Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)Awarded January 2010 [8]
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)Awarded June 2007 [6]
CSM Australia ribbon.png Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM)Awarded June 2000 [5]
Australian Active Service Medal ribbon.png Australian Active Service Medal [15] with "EAST TIMOR" clasp [15]
INTERFET Medal ribbon.png International Force East Timor Medal [15]
DFSM with Fed Star.png Defence Force Service Medal with 5 clasps/Federation Star [15] 40–44 years service
Australian Defence Medal (Australia) ribbon.png Australian Defence Medal [15]
US Legion of Merit Commander ribbon.png Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States)
Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) ribbon.png Meritorious Service Medal (Singapore) – 24 May 2011
Ordre national du Merite Commandeur ribbon.svg Commander of the National Order of Merit (France) – 17 May 2013 [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Ritchie</span>

Vice Admiral Christopher Angus Ritchie is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy, who served as Chief of Navy from 2002 to 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russ Shalders</span> Admiral of the Royal Australian Navy

Vice Admiral Russell Edward Shalders, is a retired admiral of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). He served as Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force from 2002 to 2005, and as Chief of Navy from 2005 to 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roy Dowling</span> Royal Australian Navy chief

Vice Admiral Sir Roy Russell Dowling, was a senior commander in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). He served as Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), the RAN's highest-ranking position, from 1955 until 1959, and as Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC), forerunner of the role of Australia's Chief of the Defence Force, from 1959 until 1961.

Vice Admiral Matthew John Tripovich, is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy. He served as Chief Capability Development Group from 2007 until his retirement in October 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Stevenson (admiral)</span>

Vice Admiral Sir Hugh David Stevenson was a senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy, serving as Chief of Naval Staff from 1973 to 1976.

Rear Admiral Davyd Rhys Thomas, is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nigel Coates (admiral)</span> Royal Australian Navy admiral

Rear Admiral Nigel Stephen Coates, was a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Beaumont</span>

Admiral Alan Lee Beaumont, was a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy, whose career culminated with his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force from 1993 to 1995.

Admiral Sir Victor Alfred Trumper Smith, was a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy. Smith's career culminated with his appointment as chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee—forerunner of the role of Australia's Chief of the Defence Force—from 1970 to 1975, following an earlier term as Chief of Naval Staff from 1968 to 1970.

Vice Admiral Rodney Graham Taylor, was a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy, serving as Chief of Navy from 1994 to 1997. Born in Queensland, Taylor entered the Royal Australian Naval College at the age of thirteen. Graduating as dux of his year in 1957, he later specialised in navigation and served during the Vietnam War. Commanding HMAS Vampire as well as HMAS Torrens, Taylor planned and coordinated the deployment of Australian ships during the Gulf War. Retiring from the navy in 1997, Taylor died from lung cancer in 2002 at the age of 62.

Vice Admiral Sir Guido James Willis, was an officer in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) who rose to the rank of vice admiral. He joined the RAN in 1937, saw active service during World War II and the Korean War, and was Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) from 1979 to 1982 before retiring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Peek (admiral)</span>

Vice Admiral Sir Richard Innes Peek was a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy, who served as First Naval Member of the Australian Commonwealth Naval Board from 1970 to 1973.

Rear Admiral Trevor Norman Jones, is a retired senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). He served as Deputy Chief of Navy from 2011 to 2013, Head Military Strategic Commitments from April 2013 to December 2014, and the Commander Joint Task Force 633 from December 2014 to January 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Griggs</span>

Vice Admiral Raymond James Griggs, is an Australian senior public servant and a former senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy. He served as Chief of Navy from June 2011 to June 2014, before being appointed Vice Chief of the Defence Force until his transfer to the reserve in July 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Johnston (admiral)</span> Royal Australian Navy officer

Vice Admiral David Lance Johnston, 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stuart Mayer</span> Senior Royal Australian Navy officer

Vice Admiral Stuart Campbell Mayer, is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy. He joined the navy via the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell in 1984 and qualified as a Principal Warfare Officer in 1994. He commanded HMAS Canberra (2002–04), HMAS Anzac (2007–09) and the International Stabilisation Force (2009–10), and deployed on operations to the Persian Gulf, East Timor, and the Arabian Sea during the Iraq War. He served as Commander Australian Fleet from 2014 to 2018, Head Force Design within the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group from 2018 to 2019, and Deputy Commander United Nations Command, based in South Korea, from 2019 to 2021. He retired from the navy in 2022 and was appointed a partner in Ernst & Young's consulting division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Knox (admiral)</span>

Vice Admiral Ian Warren Knox AC is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). In a 42-year career, Knox commanded HMA Ships Torrens, Hobart and Melbourne, briefly served as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, and was Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet from 1985 to 1987. His career culminated with his appointment as Vice Chief of the Defence Force in January 1987; a position he held until his retirement in September 1989.

Vice Admiral Robert Andrew Kevin Walls, was a senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). In 42 years of service, Walls commanded HMA Ships Tobruk, Moreton and Brisbane, and served as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and Maritime Commander Australia, before his career culminated in his appointment as Vice Chief of the Defence Force from April 1995 until his retirement in March 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Mead</span> Royal Australian Navy admiral

Vice Admiral Jonathan Dallas Mead, is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy. He joined the navy via the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell in 1984, and spent his early career with the Clearance Diving Branch before training as a Principal Warfare Officer. He captained HMAS Parramatta on operations in the Persian Gulf from 2006 to 2007 during the Iraq War and commanded Combined Task Force 150, overseeing maritime counter-terrorism operations around the Arabian Peninsula and Horn of Africa, from 2011 to 2012. He served as Head of Navy Capability from 2015 to 2017, Commander Australian Fleet from 2018 to 2020, Chief of Joint Capabilities from 2020 to 2021, and was appointed Chief of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Task Force in September 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Hammond (admiral)</span> Royal Australian Navy officer

Vice Admiral Mark David Hammond, is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), serving as the Chief of Navy since July 2022. He joined the RAN as an electronics technician in 1986 and, after being accepted for officer training, graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1990. Much of Hammond's career has been spent in the Submarine Service. He has served on operations in the Indo-Pacific, commanded the Collins-class submarineHMAS Farncomb, was Deputy Chief of Navy from 2018 to 2020, and served as Commander Australian Fleet from November 2020 to June 2022. He succeeded Vice Admiral Michael Noonan as Chief of Navy on 6 July 2022.

References

  1. ↑ "Vice Admiral Russell Harry Crane". Who's Who in Australia Online. ConnectWeb. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  2. ↑ Band of Brothers Defence News, 2 October 2008
  3. 1 2 Chief of Navy Archived 13 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine , Official Navy bio
  4. ↑ Russell Crane, Defence Leaders' bio
  5. 1 2 It's an honour – Conspicuous Service Medal – 12 June 2000
  6. 1 2 It's an honour – Member of the Order of Australia – 11 June 2007
  7. ↑ New Defence leadership team announced [ dead link ]
  8. 1 2 "Officer (AO) in the Military Division of the Order of Australia" (PDF). Australia Day 2010 Honours List. The Australian Honours Secretariat. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 February 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  9. ↑ Mark Dodd Talk of bungle as military landing craft axed, 2 Feb 2011, The Australian
  10. ↑ James Brown, Defence: Bad news and worse news, 1 Feb 2011, The Interpreter, www.lowyinterpreter.org
  11. ↑ Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera), MINDEF: Australian Navy Chief Receives Prestigious Military Award, 24 May 2011, MINDEF Singapore, http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/home.html
  12. ↑ "Navy welcomes new Chief". Media Release. Department of Defence. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  13. ↑ "New Chiefs for the Australian Defence Force". Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 1 June 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  14. 1 2 "Vice Admiral R. Crane, Commander in the National order of Merit (17 May 2013) – La France en Australie". ambafrance-au.org. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 Official High Resolution Photo
Military offices
Preceded by
Vice Admiral Russ Shalders
Chief of Navy
2008–2011		Succeeded by
Vice Admiral Ray Griggs
Preceded by
Rear Admiral Max Hancock
Deputy Chief of Navy
2006–2008		Succeeded by
Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.