Geoff Shepherd

Infobox Military Person
name= Geoff Shepherd
born= birth date and age|1952|1|24
died=
placeofbirth= Brisbane, Queensland
placeofdeath=
placeofburial=


caption= Air Marshal G.D. Shepherd, AO
nickname= Shep
allegiance= flagicon|Australia Commonwealth of Australia
serviceyears= 1971 - Present
rank= Air Marshal
branch= air force|Australia
commands=No. 6 Squadron RAAF No. 82 Wing RAAF RAAF Air Command Royal Australian Air Force
unit=
battles=
awards= Officer Of The Order Of Australia Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States) Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) (Singapore)
laterwork=

Air Marshal Geoffrey David Shepherd AO (born 24 January1952) is a retired senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, serving as its Chief from 2005 until 2008.

ervice History

Shepherd commenced his RAAF service with the 1971 RAAF Academy intake, graduating in December 1974 with a Bachelor of Science (Physics) degree from Melbourne University.

He had operational flying tours on Mirage III fighter aircraft at RAAF Base Butterworth (Malaysia), the F-111 strike bomber at RAAF Base Amberley, both as a line pilot and as the Training Flight Commander and as a flying instructor at No 1 Flying Training School RAAF Base Point Cook. He has approximately 4500 flying hours, including 2500 hours in the F-111.

He has held staff appointments at 82 Wing (F-111) HQ, as the Assistant Defence Adviser at the Australian High Commission in Singapore, and in Force Development in the field of capability analysis. He also undertook staff training at the Joint Services Staff College.

His command appointments were Commanding Officer of 6 SQN (F-111), in the rank of Wing Commander, and Officer Commanding 82 Wing (F-111), as a Group Captain.

He was promoted to Air Commodore on 1 December 1998 and served two years as the Chief of Staff at HQ Air Command. He was the Director General Operations at the Defence Signals Directorate from January 2001 until October 2002, when he moved on to become Director-General Joint Operations and Plans in Strategic Operations Division.

Air Commodore Shepherd was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Australia Day 2000 Honours List. [http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1129760&search_type=simple&showInd=true It's an Honour] - Member of the Order of Australia - 26 January 2000
Citation: "For exceptional service to the Royal Australian Air Force in the field of Operations, particularly as the Officer Commanding of Number 82 Wing."]

He was promoted to Air Vice Marshal on 2 December 2003 and appointed Air Commander Australia (ACAUST) taking effect 15 December 2003.

On 23 May 2005, the Minister for Defence announced that, upon promotion to Air Marshal (as of 4 July 2005), Shepherd would succeed Angus Houston as the Chief of Air Force (CAF). In June 2006 he was elevated to Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). [http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1132846&search_type=simple&showInd=true It's an Honour] - Officer of the Order of Australia - 12 June 2006
Citation: "For distinguished service to the Australian Defence Force in senior command and staff appointments."]

On 4 July2008 his 37 year career in the RAAF came to an end with his retirement. His last official function was to be the Reviewing Officer of the Officer Training School Graduation Parade, held at RAAF Base East Sale, however due to unwanted weather conditions the Parade was cancelled. He was given one final stairway guard by the young men and women of the Australian Air Force Cadets, who were on a camp at RAAF Base East Sale at the time.

He was succeeded as CAF by Air Marshal Mark Binskin.

Personal

Shepherd is known throughout the RAAF for calling out "Cooee", a distinctive Australian vocalisation used mainly in the outback, with which he ended his first address as Chief of Air Force. [cite web|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/RAAF/airpower/html/publications/conferences/caf07/10_ClosingAddress.pdf |title=CAF Closing Address |accessdate=2007-10-10 |last=Shepherd |first=Geoffrey |date=19 March 2007 |work=2007 Air Show Conference|format=PDF]

He attended Brisbane State High School.

He is married to Anne, with whom he has two sons. His interests include gardening, rugby league football, travelling and understanding other cultures.

Honours and awards

References

Persondata
NAME = Shepherd, Geoffrey David
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Shepherd, Geoffrey David
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Australian Chief of Air Force
DATE OF BIRTH =
PLACE OF BIRTH =
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =