THE
Air Force’s top office will become home to another combat
pilot when CAF Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd is joined by his new
deputy later this year.
Air Vice-Marshal John Blackburn will take up his new appointment
as DCAF in December. He is currently serving as Commander of the
Integrated Area Defence System at RMAF Butterworth in Malaysia.
Joining the Air Force 30 years ago, he flew Mirage aircraft and
attended the Empire Test Pilots School at RAF Boscombe Down in
the UK.
He served as an operational test pilot at the Aircraft Research
and Development Unit and was posted to the Tactical Fighter Project
Office in Washington DC to assist with the introduction of the
F/A-18 into service.
He spent seven years flying Hornets at No. 77 Squadron, two years
of which were as Squadron CO.
His senior appointments have included OC No. 41 Wing, where he
commanded all air defence and air traffic control elements, and
Director General Policy and Plans-Air Force.
He will replace Air Vice-Marshal Roxley McLennan, who is retiring
from the Air Force.
Back
