Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, DSC, CSC, OAM
The Chief of Air Force oversees Air Force activities that raise, train and sustain assigned Air Force capabilities.
Air Marshal Chappell joined the Royal Australian Air Force in January 1993, graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts.
He completed Pilot’s Course in 1997, F/A-18 Operational Conversion in 1998, and Fighter Combat Instructor course in 2001. Following instructional and flight commander assignments, he was the inaugural exchange officer with the United States Air Force 65th Aggressor Squadron.
Air Marshal Chappell has held command appointments at Squadron, Wing and Component levels and has accumulated over 2,900 flying hours on the F/A-18A, F-15C, F/A-18F and EA18G.
Senior staff appointments include Chief of Staff to the Chief of the Defence Force late in 2017, supporting both Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, AC and General Angus Campbell, AO, DSC; and as the Head of Military Strategic Commitments, responsible for the strategic level management and situational awareness of current and potential Australian Defence Force commitments, until his selection as Chief of Air Force and promotion to Air Marshal in July 2024.
Operationally, Air Marshal Chappell deployed to the Middle East with No. 75 Squadron on Operation FALCONER in 2003, and with No 1 Squadron in 2014 contributing to the Air Task Group commitment to Operation OKRA.
Air Marshal Chappell received a Conspicuous Service Cross for outstanding achievement in air combat development and preparedness as Commander of No. 1 Squadron in January 2017, and a Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of his "distinguished command and leadership" on Operation Okra in June 2017.
He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for meritorious service to the Royal Australian Air Force in the field of Air Combat in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours; and received the United States Meritorious Service Medal for performing outstanding services as Assistant Director of Operations, 65th Aggressor Squadron December 2005 – December 2007.
In 2013, Air Marshal Chappell attended the Australian Command and Staff College, completing a Master of Military and Strategic Studies and was awarded the Chief of Air Force prize. He graduated the Defence Strategic Studies Course at the Australian War College in 2017. He has also completed the Pinnacle General and Flag Officer Course at the National Defense University in Washington, DC.
He is a keen student of history, an avid reader, and enjoys a multitude of sports.