Allegiance Australia Name Mel Hupfeld | Battles/wars Iraq War Years of service 1980 – present Rank Air vice-marshal | |
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Commands held Chief Capability Development GroupAir Commander AustraliaAir Combat Group RAAFNo. 81 Wing RAAFNo. 75 Squadron RAAF Awards Officer of the Order of AustraliaDistinguished Service CrossBronze Star (United States) Service/branch | ||
Is2017 opening keynote avm mel hupfeld 27th incose international symposium
Air Vice Marshal Melvin Ernest Glanville "Mel" Hupfeld, (born 7 March 1962) is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), currently in the post of Head Force Design in the Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group. He was the acting and final Chief Capability Development Group (2015–16), and previously served as Air Commander Australia from 2012 to 2014.
Contents
- Is2017 opening keynote avm mel hupfeld 27th incose international symposium
- Early life and career
- Personal life
- References
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. 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.
Personal life
Hupfeld is married to Louise and his interests include cycling, running, fishing, light aircraft, hang-gliding and sailing.