Page 114 - Australian Defence Magazine Feb-Mar 2023

114 FROM THE SOURCE AM ROBERT CHIPMAN
FEBRUARY-MARCH 2023 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
AIR MARSHAL
ROBERT CHIPMAN
CHIEF OF AIR FORCE
The Royal Australian Air Force’s plans to celebrate the centenary of its formation during 2021 were curtailed by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but as the service begins its second century of operations, Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Robert Chipman recently answered ADM Editor Nigel Pittaway’s questions about the future.
ADM: What are your priorities for your term as Chief of Air Force?
AM CHIPMAN: In July 2022, I released my Intent for the Royal Australian Air Force (https://www.airforce.gov.au/ our-work/strategy/chiefs-intent) during my tenure. My pri- orities are to strengthen our air and space power readiness and resilience to the limit of our resources.
ADM: Is there anything that keeps you awake at night? AM CHIPMAN: Air Force has chal-
lenges ahead of it no doubt. But
every time I meet with our person-
ment opportunities. We want to see an equally diverse workforce delivering air and space capability. We are grow- ing our Air Force to meet our future needs, and we offer an exciting and rewarding career for all Australians.
ADM: What lessons can the RAAF learn from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?
AM CHIPMAN: Ukraine, like all countries, has the right to make its own strategic choices consistent with its interests.
nel, from my own team in Air Force Headquarters to aviators across our bases in Australia and those posted overseas, I walk away reassured that we have the best people work- ing with us to get the job done.
ADM: Is the RAAF attracting suf- ficient numbers of recruits to meet its needs for the short and long term?
AM CHIPMAN: We recognise in Air Force that our advantage is deliv- ered through the capability of our people. It follows that we manage our people capability carefully, and think about the risks to our capa- bility in the short and long term. Ensuring we create the right in- centives to recruit and retain our workforce is fundamental to deliv- ering air and space power.
PROFILE
2022 Chief of Air Force
2021 Head of Military Strategic
Commitments
2019 Australian Military Representative to NATO
and the European Union 2015 Director, Plan Jericho
2013 Officer Commanding 81 Wing
2006 Commanding Officer 75 Sqn
1999 Completed Fighter Combat Instructor (FCI) course
1995 Completed F/A-18A Operation Conversion course
1994 Completed pilot training 1992 Graduated in Aeronautical
Engineering Sydney University
1989 Joined RAAF as Officer Cadet at ADFA
Deprivation of that right by the use of military force should have no place in the modern world.
That is why Australia has supported international efforts to ensure Putin’s aggression fails and that Ukraine’s sover- eignty and territorial integrity prevails.
Australia has committed approximately $476 million in military assistance to con- tribute to Ukraine’s needs on the battle- field to repel Russia’s advance. Assistance packages have included artillery and am- munition, Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, M113 armoured vehicles, anti- armour weapons and ammunition, body armour, unmanned systems, de-mining equipment, medical supplies and other non-lethal supplies such as cold weather clothing.
Australia continues to deliver military assistance using Air Force C-17As and contracted Antonov An-124 aircraft.
We are of course observing the op- erational and tactical lessons from the conflict, and considering how we might apply these lessons in our own strategic environment. The war has illustrated the
Air Force will continue its tech-
nological evolution of air and space
power, which will leverage the power of integrated net- works and information systems. Air Force will continue to focus on recruiting people with the STEM skills to sup- port the range of new capabilities, including cyber, space, hypersonic capabilities and other advanced technologies.
However, we have an incredibly diverse range of employ-
importance of integrated operations, control of the air and space domains, manoeuvre, logistics support, air and mis- sile defence, and the rapid exploitation of new technolo- gies. It has also reinforced the importance of generating ready and resilient forces to respond resourcefully when circumstances demand.