Command’s big reorg
Volume 11, No. 58, December 14, 2006

THE two-phase restructuring of HQ JOC is “the biggest reorganisation of command and control for 100 years”, according to VCDF Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie.

Lt-Gen Gillespie, who commands HQ JOC, said the new organisation would be responsible for the planning, control and support of all ADF campaigns, operations, joint/combined exercises and overseas engagement activities.

“I expect the new integrated structure for HQ JOC to demonstrably improve our command and control efficiency,” Lt-Gen Gillespie said.

Under the new command and control arrangements, the raise-train-sustain functions would be separated from the headquarters and managed directly by the Service Chiefs.

Lt-Gen Gillespie said coordination and efficiency would also be improved by integrating operational activities with customs, police and immigration.

“We will achieve valuable synergy by merging the strategic and operational levels while, at the same time, ensuring wide integration with other government agencies.

This way we can avoid unwanted duplication of effort,” he said.

Phase one of the transition would begin on January 15, 2007 and last for two years.

Managed by the Command and Control Implementation Team, it would involve 550 staff located in Canberra and Sydney. This period would test and refine the new integrated JOC concept.

Phase two would begin in January 2009 when HQ JOC was established at a new 220 hectare site in Bungendore near Canberra.

Lt-Gen Gillespie said continuity of operations during the transition of HQ JOC was of vital importance.

“Nothing can be allowed to disrupt command and control of operations in such places as Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said.

He said disruption to personnel would be minimised by moving them during the normal posting cycle.

“Defence housing and child-care authorities have been advised early to ensure all affected families are looked after throughout the transition phase.”

The new organisation would be better suited to deal with the full range of planning including natural disasters.

It would have considerable emphasis on deliberate planning – making provision for possible situations to improve our preparedness should they arise.

Resources would also be allocated to immediate planning for likely or certain events, and contingency planning where the emphasis is on urgent response to situations that arise without warning – such as natural disasters.