Air Force has marked the Air Commander Australia Change of Command from Air Vice-Marshal Steven Roberton to Air Vice-Marshal Joe Iervasi with a formal ceremony at RAAF Base Glenbrook.
About 200 personnel and Air Force leadership attended the 12 July 2019 ceremony that included a traditional tree planting and culminated with a low formation flypast of four RAAF F/A-18A Hornet aircraft from No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit (2OCU).
Air Commander Australia (ACAUST) is responsible to the Chief of Air Force for effectively preparing air combat forces with a mission to raise, train and sustain Air Force's air and space power to meet Government objectives.
Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Steven Roberton said it has been an incredible opportunity to serve alongside the women and men of Air Command over the past two years.
"I have been continually impressed by the commitment, knowledge and skill of our women and men over the past two years," AVM Roberton said.
"We have more than 10,000 people across Air Command and leading this professional and talented team has been both a pride and a privilege for me.
"Our operational tempo has remained very high and our ability to maintain our high safety standard and flying programs is a testament to the professionalism of the teams involved."
He said some of the highlights of his command had been the delivery of the Indigenous Liaison network, the Human Performance Directorate and the ongoing commitment to the Safety Always program.
AVM Roberton departs after two years as ACAUST to take up the appointment of Head Force Design at the Australian Defence Force Headquarters.
AVM Joe Iervasi takes up his appointment as Air Commander Australia having just completed a deployment as Commander Joint Task Force 633 (CJTF633) in command of Australian Forces in the Middle East region.
AVM Iervasi said he looks forward to the challenge of leading Air Command over the next two years.
"I'm excited about taking command of this professional, capable and respected group of people that form the six Force Element Groups and headquarters staff," AVM Iervasi said.
"It is my intent to ensure our people, individually and collectively can continue to be the best they can be, enabled by a connective and responsive command.
"Put simply, I require you to be brilliant at the basics, work together as a team and stay focused on the bigger picture.
"My responsibility is to provide the environment within which you can be your best so that we are postured to respond as the need arises.
"So all that's left to do now is to start, or more to the point to keep going.
"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to continue to serve with you all in Air Command."
/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.
