Defence Leaders: Army
Major General Tony Fraser, AM, CSC
Head Helicopter Systems Division
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Major General Tony Fraser was born in Sydney in November 1958 and grew up in regional New South Wales . He joined the Australian Army in July 1977 as an Aviation Cadet and graduated from the Officer Cadet School Portsea in June 1978. After completing flying training he served in a variety of aviation regimental and instructor appointments in Townsville, Oakey and the United Kingdom .
In 1987-88 he served in Israel and Lebanon with the United Nations Truce Supervisory Organisation, following which he was awarded a Chief of the General Staff (CGS) Commendation. His other non-corps appointments have been in the Directorate of Officer Career Management. In 1998-99 Major General Fraser served at Ft Rucker USA as the Australian Army Aviation Standardisation Representative and Liaison Officer. He is a graduate of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps' Regimental Officer's Advanced Course, and the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College .
Major General Fraser has commanded at Troop level (162 nd Reconnaissance Squadron 1985-86), Squadron level (171 st Command and Liaison Squadron 1989-1991, during which time the unit transitioned from Kiowa to Iroquois helicopters), and at Regiment level (5 th Aviation Regiment 1996-97). Upon promotion to Colonel in January 2000 he assumed the appointment of Commander 1 st Division Aviation, a tenure that included command of the Sydney Olympics Joint Aviation Group, and then on formation of 16 th Brigade (Aviation) in April 2002, he transitioned to the Deputy Commander appointment. On January 2003 he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier and assumed the appointment of Commander 16 th Brigade (Aviation)
On 17 th March 2006 Major General Fraser assumed the appointment of Director General Army Aviation Systems in the Defence Materiel Organisation in Canberra . On 21 st August 2006 he assumed the inaugural appointment of Head Helicopter Systems Division and was promoted to Major General on 25 August 2006 .
He has 5400 flying hours mostly on helicopters and he achieved an A1 instructor category. He was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) and a CGS Commendation for flood rescue missions. The Major General also received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2003 Australia Day Honours List.
Major General Fraser and his wife Kelly have two daughters, Katelin (12) and Sarah (6).