Australia’s defence ties with New Zealand have been strengthened with the appointment of a Kiwi Major General as Australia’s newest Deputy Chief of Joint Operations.
The appointment of New Zealand Defence Force Major General Hugh McAslan marks the highest senior appointment of an officer from a foreign military into the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
ADF Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones said it followed the recent appointment of ADF Brigadier Michael Bassingthwaighte as the Deputy Commander Headquarters Joint Force New Zealand.
Vice Admiral Jones said integrating Australian and New Zealand senior military officers into each other’s defence forces was a key step to enhanced interoperability and increasing the ability to deploy together.
“Major General McAslan’s appointment advances Australia’s close defence relationship with New Zealand, building on more than a century of close military cooperation regionally and globally.”
Major General McAslan said the two nations shared a unique history and heritage and this appointment would only strengthen that bond.
“I have spent a considerable amount of time in my 35-year career in the New Zealand Defence Force working closely with my Australian counterparts and I am looking forward to working alongside the Australian Defence Force and continuing to forge the Anzac spirit.
“My experience working alongside the ADF in operations throughout the world, including in Iraq and Timor-Leste, within the strategic intelligence community, and across the Indo-Pacific region will be invaluable in taking on this new role.”
