Tim McOwan

Infobox Military Person


name= Tim McOwan
lived=
placeofbirth=
placeofdeath=
|caption=
nickname=
allegiance= flagicon|Australia Australia
serviceyears= 1976 - Present
rank= Major General
branch= Australian Army
commands=Special Air Service Regiment
Special Operations Commander Australia
unit=
battles= Operation Mazurka
Operation Pollard
International Force for East Timor (INTERFET)
* Operation Spitfire
* Operation WardenOperation Gold
War in Afghanistan
* Operation Slipper
Iraq War
* Operation Falconer
awards= Distinguished Service Cross
Conspicuous Service Medal|
Major General Timothy Joseph McOwan DSC, CSM, is the current Special Operations Commander Australia.

ervice History

Tim McOwan enlisted in the Australian Army in 1976, and gained his commission via the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1980.

Major General McOwan served in regimental appointments with the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) and the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR). His service with 1RAR included an attachment to the Rifle Company Butterworth, in Malaysia while his service with the SAS included a two-year secondment to the headquarters commanding the British Special Air Service and the Special Boat Service.

Whilst in SASR he served as a Vehicle Mounted Troop Commander, a Counter Terrorist Troop Commander, an Operations Officer and Adjutant. He also commanded SAS Operations Support Squadron, between 1990 and 1991. In 1992 McOwan attended the Army Command and Staff College at Fort Queenscliff, following which he served in staff appointments within the Directorate of Operational Support in Army Headquarters.

In 1994 he was then appointed as Commander Australian Service Contingent Operation Mazurka, with the Multinational Force and Observers MFO, Sinai, Egypt where he served as the Force Assistant Chief of Staff.

1998 saw McOwan attended Joint Services Staff College, before being deployed to the Persian Gulf on Operation Pollard as a member of the United States Central Command led Coalition Headquarters.

McOwan assumed command of the Special Air Service Regiment in 1999, holding that position until 2001. During his time as Commanding Officer McOwan commanded Joint Task Force 504 during Operation Spitfire, the Special Operations Component of International Force for East Timor during Operation Warden and Joint Task Force 643 during Operation Gold, the ADF Counter Terrorism support to the Sydney Olympics.

During 2001 McOwan was appointed the Chief Staff Officer Plans in Joint Operations Command. In this capacity he was responsible for operational planning for Australia’s commitment to the War On Terror, Operation Slipper in Afghanistan and Operation Falconer in Iraq, as well as numerous other ADF operations.

In 2004 he became the Director Strategy and International Engagement in Army Headquarters, before assuming the appointment of Deputy Special Operations Commander, Australia.

In January 2006 he was appointed the Chief of Defence Force Liaison Officer to the Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff in The Pentagon, Washington DC. This appointment saw him responsible to the Chief of the Defence Force for liaison between the US Defence Force and the Australian Defence Force in the areas of operations, strategic plans and intelligence.

Major General McOwan assumed his current appointment as Special Operations Commander Australia in February 2008. [ [http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Fitzgibbontpl.cfm?CurrentId=7429 Defence Announcement] - New Special Operations Commander appointed]

Personal

McOwan's academic achievements include a Bachelor of Arts (Military Studies), a Graduate Diploma in Management, a Graduate Diploma in Defence Studies, a Masters in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies.

Tim McOwan is married, and has two children. [ [http://www.defence.gov.au/leaders/Special_Operations_Commander.htm ADF Biography] ]

Honours and Awards

References

External links

* [http://www.specialforcesroh.com/browse.php?mode=viewiaward&awardid=3875 Special Forces entry]
* [http://ararat.yourguide.com.au/articles/1231187.html?src=search The Ararat Advertiser - Army Promotion]
* [http://www.defence.gov.au/leaders/army/timothyMcOwan/images/20080402adf9901_003_lo.jpgOfficial photo] ( [http://www.defence.gov.au/copyright.cfm copyright] )