As he prepares to step into the role of Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Air Marshal Robert Chipman reflected on his term as Chief of Air Force.
As I reflect on the last two years serving as your Chief, I am full of pride for what our Air Force has achieved and admiration for the people who serve in and support us.
When I came into the office, I made clear my priorities to be a ready, resilient and resourceful Air Force. We have adopted this approach in implementing the Defence Strategic Review and National Defence Strategy, contributing to deterrence by projecting air power throughout the Indo-Pacific region, while strengthening the resilience of our operations across Australia’s Northern bases. This work is not complete and will continue to demand much from all of us as we strive to compete in a challenging strategic environment.
We have experienced significant structural changes to our organisation. I could not be more impressed with your commitment to deliver an integrated force. This is how we must organise and how we must fight – as an integrated force, even as we continue to honour and celebrate our unique identity and contribution as aviators.
We have also been confronted with the realities of Service life through the experiences shared during the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide (RCDVS). Our people, serving members, veterans and their families have shown extraordinary courage to help us understand what they have experienced, so that we can learn and improve as an organisation. The RCDVS recommendations will continue to drive significant reform across Defence. It is vital that we all engage constructively with this work.
The success of our Air Force depends on the physical and mental wellbeing of our aviators, from recruits to veterans. We have a wonderful culture in Air Force, but we can do more to ensure all aviators have an even experience of our culture in all places, all the time. We can only achieve this through strong leadership at all levels.
It has been my absolute pleasure to work with some exceptional leaders across Air Force, none better than [former Warrant Officer of the Air Force] Fi Grasby and [Warrant Officer of the Air Force] Ralph Clifton. I would like to thank them for their leadership and support to me and their strong advocacy for the wellbeing of all aviators and their families.
This role has reinforced to me that a career in Air Force is like no other. We serve a vital purpose to protect the security and prosperity of our nation, overcome challenges operating state of the art technology in complex environments; and experience the adventure of deploying across Australia and around the world alongside some of the most wonderful people we will ever meet. This is the experience of Air Force life: challenge, adventure and, above all, purpose.
I am very conscious of the extraordinary demands Service life places on our families. Please know that your love and support is recognised and deeply appreciated. I include of course my own family who have endured much to make my service possible. Thank you.
It has been the privilege of my life to serve as the 27th Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force. I look forward to taking the experience and expertise I have gained in Air Force forward to my next role as VCDF. Alyce and I leave humble, grateful and inspired.
Per Ardua ad Astra.
