VADM to lead new Joint Ops Command

By Graham Davis

VADM Russ Shalders

A senior Navy officer has been appointed to head the Australian Defence Force’s new Joint Operations Command.

The first Chief Joint Operations(CJOPS) will be the current Vice Chief of the Defence Force, VADML Russ Shalders. He will retain his role as the vice chief of the ADF.

The present Commander Australian Theatre, RADM Mark Bonser will become deputy to VADM Shalders (DCJOPS).

The announcement was made by the Defence Minister Senator Robert Hill earlier this month. Senator Hill also announced the commencement of a two-stage tender process for the ADF’s new 300 million joint operational headquarters at Woodlands 11 km south-west of Bungendore.

It is hoped the first sod of the greenfields” site will be turned by March 2005 and the centre be fully operational in 2007/08.

The centre will be privately financed and will have about 1,000 operational staff.

Speaking of the changes to the ADF’s higher command arrangements, Senator Hill said the changes will simplify and streamline the ADF’s command structure and allow more effective control of forces on operations.

“I have accepted advice of the Chief of the Defence Force, GEN Peter Cosgrove for changes to ADF command and control,” Senator Hill said.

“The first Chief Joint Operations (CJOPS) will be the current Vice Chief of the Defence Force, VADM Russ Shalders who will also continue in his current role.”

The Joint Operations Command will report directly to CDF bringing into one structure the following divisions:

• Strategic Operations Divisions.
• Headquarters Australian Theatre.
• Headquarters North Command’s operational responsibilities.
  Norcom will continue as a decentralised element of Joint Operations Command located in Darwin.
• Deployable Joint Force Headquarters.
  
  Senator Hill said the changes to some extent had been made possible by the restructure and enhanced Capability Development Group which will enable VADM Shalders to focus more on operations.
  
  The current Commander Australian Theatre will become Deputy to VADM Shalders, the minister said. Theatre Command is to be effected through the current environmental components , Maritime, Land, Sea, Special Operations and a Joint Logistics Command separated out from the current Defence Materiel Organisation.
  
  DMO will retain responsibility for all materiel acquisition and through life support management functions. In contrast the Joint Logistics Command will be responsible for operational and physical support for the ADF.
  
  Senator Hill said the reforms will be made more effective by the provision of a new joint headquarters at Bungendore.
  
  Senator Hill congratulated GEN Cosgrove on the new command structure which complements the significant reforms of both the DMO and the Capability Group as recently announced.
  
  An implementation plan for these reforms will be developed by VADM Shalders The Minister then moved on to announce the start of a twostage tender process for the new joint operational headquarters at Bungendore.
  
  He said first stage of the tender process would be to call later this month for Registrations of Interest from companies willing to finance, construct and maintain the facility.
  
  The second stage will be to issue a Request for Tender in the middle of 2004 for the delivery of the facility with the preferred tenderer to be appointed in November.
  
  

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