Outgoing CAF AIRMSHL Robert Chipman salutes the parade as two F-35As and two F/A-18Fs fly overhead. Photo: ADF.
As announced by the Federal Government in April, the Chiefs of the Royal Australian Air Force, Joint Capabilities Group and Joint Operations Command have all handed over.
Outgoing Chief of Air Force (CAF) Air Marshall Rob Chipman handed over command of the RAAF to AIRMSHL Stephen Chappell at a parade at Russell Hill’s Blamey Square witnessed by about a thousand RAAF personnel and more than 500 ADF and contractor civilians.
AIRMSHL Chipman handed over the Chief’s ceremonial sword and signed the transfer of command before being saluted by the assembled personnel. He was then farewelled by a spectacular flypast of two RAAF Lockheed Martin F-35As and two Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets in a tight mixed formation that had flown over Parliament House and up Kings Avenue.
But AIRMSHL Chipman isn’t going far.
He will assume the role of Vice Chief of Defence Force next week, replacing Vice Admiral David Johnston, who will be promoted to Admiral and replace General Angus Campbell as Chief of Defence Force.
AIRMSHL Chappell is the son of former Australian cricket captain Greg Chappell. AIRMSHL Chappell had a distinguished career as a fighter pilot flying the F/A-18A ‘classic’ Hornet before being promoted through several command positions.
Lieutenant General John Frewen handed over as Chief of Joint Capabilities Group (CJCG) to LTGEN Sarah Coyle.
LTGEN Coyle was most recently Commander Forces Command in Army, and has also served as Commander Joint Task Force (JTF) 633 and was the inaugural Commander Task Group Afghanistan. LTGEN Frewen will retire from the ADF.
Also on Thursday, outgoing Chief of Joint Operations Command (CJOPS) LTGEN Greg Bilton handed over command to Vice Admiral Justin Jones.
VADM Jones is a Principal Warfare Officer by trade and has commanded two naval vessels and several task forces. He took over as Deputy Chief of Joint Operations in January 2024. LTGEN Bilton will retire from the ADF.
Chief of Army (CA) LTGEN Simon Stuart and Chief of Navy (CN) VADM Mark Hammond will remain in their current roles for a further two years.
