Chief of Joint Operations (Australia)

Chief of Joint Operations (Australia)
Post	Chief of Joint Operations
Body	Australian Defence Force
Incumbent	General Angus Campbell
Incumbentsince	2023
Department	Australian Defence Force
Style	Chief
Reports to	Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)
Seat	Entitlements
Formation	2007
First	Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie

Chief of Joint Operations (Australia) is the senior officer responsible for planning, commanding and controlling Australian Defence Force operations. The position integrates capabilities from the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, and Royal Australian Air Force to deliver joint maritime, land and air operations in regional and global contexts. The Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS) liaises with civil authorities such as the Department of Defence (Australia) and with international partners including the United States Department of Defense, United Nations, and regional organisations like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Role and responsibilities

The Chief of Joint Operations directs operational command and control of ADF missions, coordinating with the Chief of the Defence Force (Australia), the Head of the Australian Defence Force Academy, and component commanders from the Fleet Command (Royal Australian Navy), Forces Command (Australia), and Air Command (Royal Australian Air Force). Responsibilities include operational planning, force generation liaison with the Chief of Joint Capabilities (Australia), rules of engagement development with the Attorney-General of Australia, and interoperability work with partners such as the United States Indo-Pacific Command, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and African Union. The role engages with policy bodies like the National Security Committee (Australia) and humanitarian actors such as the International Committee of the Red Cross during disaster response.

History and development

The position evolved from joint command concepts influenced by operational lessons from the Gulf War (1990–1991), East Timor intervention (1999), and operations in Iraq War and Afghanistan (2001–2021). The formal CJOPS post was created in 2007 following reviews of Australian expeditionary operations and reforms advocated by figures such as Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and recommendations from analyses of the Corps of Staff model used by the United States Joint Staff and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence. Early incumbents shaped doctrine reflecting experiences from the INTERFET deployment to Timor-Leste and counterinsurgency operations alongside the International Security Assistance Force.

Organisation and command structure

CJOPS commands the Joint Operations Command (Australia), comprising component commands and joint task forces tailored for specific missions. Subordinate formations include Joint Task Force headquarters, maritime task groups drawn from the Royal Australian Navy, land brigades from the 1st Division (Australia), and air wings from the 1st Air Division (Australia). The structure integrates staffs for operations, intelligence, logistics and communications, regularly coordinating with agencies like the Australian Signals Directorate and the Defence Science and Technology Group. International liaison offices embed with the United States Pacific Fleet, Australian Embassy detachments, and regional partners such as the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.

Appointment and tenure

The Chief of Joint Operations is appointed by the Governor-General of Australia on the advice of the Prime Minister of Australia and the Minister for Defence (Australia), typically drawn from senior officers of the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, or Royal Australian Air Force. Tenure norms have varied; holders often serve multi-year terms comparable to posts like the Chief of Navy (Australia), Chief of Army (Australia), and Chief of Air Force (Australia). Appointment follows career milestones including commands such as the Maritime Component Commander, 1 Brigade (Australia), or senior staff roles within the Defence Strategic Review process and may be influenced by parliamentary oversight from committees like the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade.

Operational deployments and notable actions

CJOPS has commanded ADF contributions to wide-ranging operations: peacekeeping and stability missions in Timor-Leste, humanitarian assistance after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, counter-piracy patrols off Somalia, coalition operations in Iraq War (2003) and Operation Slipper in Afghanistan (2001–2021), and regional disaster relief following events affecting Fiji and Vanuatu. Notable actions include coordination of multi-national evacuation operations, maritime interdiction with the Combined Maritime Forces, and support to UN missions such as UNAMID by enabling force protection and logistics. CJOPS has overseen responses to domestic emergencies in coordination with state premiers and federal agencies including Emergency Management Australia.

Insignia, rank and official residence

The Chief of Joint Operations typically holds a three-star or four-star rank—ranks have included Vice Admiral, Lieutenant General, and Air Marshal—reflecting parity with other service chiefs. Insignia and flags symbolize joint authority and incorporate elements from the Australian Defence Force Ensign and service badges such as the Rising Sun badge, the Royal Australian Navy badge, and the RAAF roundel. The office is headquartered at Headquarters Joint Operations Command near Canberra, and incumbents liaise from official residences and ceremonial venues including Government House (Canberra) for formal functions.

Category:Australian Defence Force Category:Military appointments of Australia