AIR COMMODORE MARK GOWER, OAM

COMMANDER COMBAT SUPPORT Group

BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

Go to RAAF Home Page                                                                          AIRCDRE M. Gower OAM CDRCSG

Air Commodore Gower was promoted to his current rank on assuming duties as Commander of the Air Force Combat Support Group on 31 August 2005.

Joining the Air Force in 1980, Air Commodore Gower has completed tours at a number of Maintenance and Base Squadrons, Stores Depots and in various logistics staff appointments. For the past 15 years he has been primarily engaged in the development and operation of the Air Force's expeditionary combat support capability. In this role he has commanded 1 Operational Support Unit, 386 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron, and most recently commanded 395 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing during Australian Air Force operations in East Timor, Middle East Area of Operations, Bougainville and the Solomon Islands.

Air Commodore Gower completed an exchange tour with the United States Air Force serving as the Chief Logistics War-Fighting Team, Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. During this appointment he was involved in the development and implementation of the support aspects and operational concepts for the USAF expeditionary capability. He has also been assigned to the United Nations Transitional Authority East Timor where he was responsible for providing support to coalition air elements and the operation and security of Dili and Baucau International Airports.

Air Commodore Gower was awarded the Order of Australia in 1995 for his leadership during a number of the Air Force's regional expeditionary deployments. He was awarded the United States Air Force Meritorious Service Medal in 2000 for his work in the development and introduction of the logistics support aspects of the US Air Force's expeditionary concept.

Air Commodore Gower was appointed Director of the Logistics Support Agency, Headquarters Royal Australian Air Force, Canberra, Australia on the 10 December 2004. As the inaugural Director, he was the professional head of logistics in the RAAF and responsible to the Chief of Air Force for oversight of the logistics management system that assures logistics support to Air Force capabilities.

He is a graduate of RAAF Staff College and a Fellow of the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies. Air Commodore Gower's other educational qualifications include a Bachelor degree in International Relations and Politics, a Masters of Management in Logistics and Technology and a Masters of Arts in Strategic Studies.