Mel Hupfeld

Melvin Ernest Glanville Hupfeld

Hupfeld at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam in 2013
Born (1962-03-07) 7 March 1962
Sydney, New South Wales
Allegiance Australia
Service/branch Royal Australian Air Force
Years of service 1980 – present
Rank Air Vice Marshal
Commands held Chief Capability Development Group (2015–)
Air Commander Australia (2012–14)
Air Combat Group RAAF (2010–11)
No. 81 Wing RAAF (2006–07)
No. 75 Squadron RAAF (2001–04)
Battles/wars Iraq War
Awards Officer of the Order of Australia
Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star (United States)

Air Vice Marshal Melvin Ernest Glanville "Mel" Hupfeld AO, DSC (born 7 March 1962) is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), currently in the post of Acting Chief Capability Development Group. He previously served as Air Commander Australia from 2012 to 2014.

Early life and career

Hupfeld was born in Sydney, New South Wales, on 7 March 1962, and joined the Royal Australian Air Force as an Officer Cadet in 1980.[1] He finished his training in 1983, won the 'Flying Prize' and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. He completed a Master of Arts degree in Defence Studies at King's College London in 1997.

During Hupfeld's career he has flown the Dassault Mirage III and McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet flying mainly with No. 3 Squadron RAAF.

Hupfeld was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on 27 November 2003 for his command of No. 75 Squadron RAAF during Operation Falconer, and the squadron was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation.

Hupfeld has commanded several RAAF units during his career, including No. 75 Squadron RAAF, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit RAAF, No. 81 Wing RAAF, and Air Combat Group RAAF. Hupfeld was promoted to air vice marshal and appointed as Air Commander Australia on 3 February 2012. He moved to the Capability Development Group, as Head Capability Systems, in September 2014.[2]

Personal life

Hupfeld is married to Louise and his interests include cycling, running, fishing, light aircraft, hang-gliding and sailing.[3]

Honours and awards

Officer of the Order of Australia 2015 Australia Day Honours
Distinguished Service Cross 27 November 2003[4]
Australian Active Service Medal with 2 Clasps
Iraq Medal
Australian Service Medal with 1 Clasp
Defence Force Service Medal with 4 clasps 35–39 years service
Australian Defence Medal
Bronze Star (United States)
Meritorious Unit Citation with Federation Star Awarded to No. 75 Squadron RAAF for Operation FALCONER.

References

  1. "Air Vice-Marshals (A-K)". Air Marshals of the RAAF. RAAF Air Power Development Centre. Archived from the original on July 6, 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  2. "New RAAF Air Commander". Australian Aviation. 15 September 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  3. "Biography - Air Vice Marshal Mel Hupfeld" (PDF). Department of Defence, Australian Government. 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  4. Its an Honour Distinguished Service Cross retrieved 6 June 2012
Military offices
Preceded by
Lieutenant General John Caligari
Chief Capability Development Group
2015 –
Incumbent
Preceded by
Major General John Caligari
Head Capability Systems
2014–2015
Succeeded by
Vacant
Preceded by
Air Vice Marshal Mark Skidmore
Air Commander Australia
2012–2014
Succeeded by
Air Vice Marshal Gavin Turnbull
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 9/14/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.