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AVM
John Quaife
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A
FIGHTER combat instructor with extensive operational experience
has become the new Air Commander Australia.
Air Vice-Marshal John Quaife, who was previously Joint Force Air
Component Commander (JFACC), has stepped up to the high-profile
position at RAAF Glenbrook. He takes over from newly-appointed
CAF, Air Vice-Marshal Geoffrey Shepherd.
As part of his new post, AVM Quaife has also become the Air Component
Commander of Headquarters Joint Operation Command.
After starting his flying career on Mirage aircraft in 1981, AVM
Quaife converted to F/A-18s, where he clocked up more than 2000
hours fighter experience. In his distinguished career, he has
commanded No. 77 Squadron, served as a fast-jet specialist officer
and been appointed Director of Aerospace Combat Development.
In 2001, he directed the amalgamation of fast jet operations into
a single Force element group, and in the following year, was appointed
to command the newly created Air Combat Group.
He became the Air Force’s first JFACC in 2004, and in the
same year was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in
the Australia Day Honours List.
Most recently, AIRCDRE Quaife served as the Director of the US
CENTAF Combined Air Operations Centre, where he was responsible
for orchestrating the application of Coalition air power in Iraq,
Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa regions.
An official handover/takeover parade was held at RAAF Glenbrook
on June 24.
