Defence Leaders: Other Leaders
Major General Elizabeth Cosson, CSC
Head National Operations, Defence Support Group
In 1991 she was appointed to a position at the Royal Australian Air Force Logistics Command where she was responsible for the logistics support to army aviation aircraft. For her work in improving the availability of the Blackhawk helicopter fleet and supporting the fleet deployment to Cambodia, she received a commendation from the Air Officer Commanding Logistics.
From 1995 Major General Cosson served in a number of appointments within Land Command. These included a regimental appointment with the 11th Brigade and a logistics staff officer appointment at Headquarters Land Command. During this appointment her responsibilities included logistics planning in support of the 1999 operations in East Timor.
In November 1999 she deployed as the Chief of Staff of the Peace Monitoring Group, Bougainville. For these later activities, she was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2001 Australia Day Honours List.
On her return from Bougainville she served with Defence Corporate Support before being seconded to the Joint Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade in the House of Representatives. In 2002, Major General Cosson commenced a three year appointment in strategic logistics planning and was responsible for logistics policy and for developing concepts to improve logistics information systems.
She was promoted to Brigadier in December 2005 and posted to the position of Director General Regions and Bases, Defence Support Group, responsible for the management of integrated service delivery to Defence bases across Australia. After assuming the appointment as Acting Head National Operations, Defence Support Group, in March 2007, she was confirmed in the role and appointed on promotion to Major General in November 2007.
Major General Cosson is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff College at Queenscliff (1994) and the Defence Strategic Studies Course (2005). She holds a Graduate Diploma in Management Studies, a Bachelor of Social Sciences and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies.