Pitch Black 2008
AIRCDRE NEIL HART – COMMANDER AIR COMBAT GROUP
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Air Commodore Hart joined the Royal Australian Air Force in January 1982 as an Academy cadet. He graduated with distinction and was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science by Melbourne University.
His first operational posting to a Mirage fighter squadron in Butterworth, followed by a variety of flying and flight commander postings on Macchi and F/A-18 aircraft, including time as a Qualified Flying Instructor. In 1996, Air Commodore Hart was selected to undertake the United States Air Force Command and Staff College, where he then took up a post as a member of the Directing Staff for a further two years.
Following his time in the United States of America, Air Commodore Hart assumed the position of Commanding Officer at Number 3 Squadron, where he was also awarded Category A Fighter Pilot. After 3 years as Commanding Officer, Air Commodore Hart was posted to the New Air Combat Capability project team in Canberra.
On promotion to Group Captain in December 2003, Air Commodore Hart took up the position of Director, Airworthiness Coordination and Policy Agency for the Australian Defence Force. This was followed by another joint position, serving within Headquarters Special Operations Command.
In 2007 Air Commodore Hart undertook the prestigious Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom. He returned to Australia in 2008 on promotion and assumed his new appointment as the Commander of Air Combat Group in March 2008.
Air Commodore Hart is married with three young children and lives in Newcastle.