Air Force’s War College graduates celebrated
Some of Air Force’s brightest are among the latest students to graduate from the highly respected Australian War College in Canberra.
CAPTION: Graduates from Air Force, having completed the year-long Australian Command & Staff Course, pose for a group photo. Story by John Noble.
The Wing Commanders, Squadron Leaders and Warrant Officers were feted at a graduation ceremony at ADFA on December 2 having completed the year-long Australian Command & Staff Course (ACSC).
Among those attending the ceremony were Governor-General David Hurley, Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell, and Secretary of the Department of Defence Greg Moriarty.
Commandant of the Australian War College Air Commodore Ruth Elsley said the aim of the ACSC was to produce officers who can fulfil demanding command and staff appointments while also promoting excellence in leadership and military operations.
“The Australian Command and Staff Course provides graduates with the intellectual capacity, influence skills and confidence to apply their knowledge in various roles as they move onto the next phase of their careers,” Air Commodore Elsley said.
“They are challenged by world-class lecturers and are exposed to a broad cross-section of perspectives from other course members, which includes a sizeable international contingent.”
Dependent on enrolment and achievement on course, graduates will also achieve a Graduate Certificate in Military and Defence Studies, a Graduate Diploma of Military and Defence Studies or a Master of Military and Defence Studies.
Impressively, four Air Force officers were among the prizewinners in this year’s graduate cohort. They included Squadron Leader Benjamin Gierke, who took out the top prize: the Governor-General’s Sword.
“The friendships and professional networks developed among Australian and international students while studying at the Australian War College will benefit our country, and our international partners, as we face complex strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region and globally,” Air Commodore Elsley said.
This is the last year the qualifications will be awarded by the Australian National University, with the contract transitioning to Deakin University in 2023.
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