April 2017

Returned & Services League of Australia,

Wash Returned & Services League of Australia,

Washington Sub-Branch,

1601 Massachusetts Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20036

202-352-8550

www.rsl-dc.com, dmward1973 at gmail (dot) com

Invitation to April Meeting

When - Thursday, April 13, 2017.

Time - Noon to 2:00 pm.

Where –Amenities Room,

Embassy of Australia,

1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW.,

Washington, DC 20036

 

Guest speaker: Air Vice Marshal Alan Clements CSC, Head Australian Defence Staff – Washington, will talk about both the Gloster Meteor and Australia’s contribution to the fight against terrorism.

 

Charge - $15.00, including buffet lunch and sodas.  Alcoholic beverages- $2.00 each.

Attire: Business casual.

RSVP by noon on Wednesday, April 12, 2017, to David Ward at 202-352-8550 or via e-mail to dmward1973 at gmail (dot) com

NOTE: Valid photo ID required.

Parking: While there is no parking at the Embassy, paid, off street parking is available behind and under the Airline Pilots Association- 17th and Mass, and, at 15th and Mass (1240 15th street). On street two hour metered parking is also available.

The next meeting will be held on the first Thursday in May - May 4, 2017.  CWO (4) James Stejskal USA Rtd., will talk about his new book:

Special Forces Berlin: Clandestine Cold War Operations of the US Army's Elite, 1956–1990

 

Returned & Services League of Australia,

Washington Sub-Branch,

1601 Massachusetts Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20036

202-352-8550

www.rsl-dc.com,  dmward1973 at gmail (dot) com

 

Biography:  AVM Alan Clements CSC, Head Australian Defence Staff - Washington

Alan Clements was born in Townsville, QLD on 28 Feb 1963. After graduating from high school in 1980, undertook an apprenticeship and was subsequently employed as an electrical fitter mechanic with the Queensland Electricity Generating Board.

Alan entered the Royal Australian Air Force as an aircrew cadet on 20 Aug 1985 to undertake pilot training, graduating in December 1986. He was posted to the School of Air Navigation to fly HS748 aircraft, with subsequent flying tours as an instructor on CT-4 and Macchi aircraft before undertaking F/A-18 conversion in 1993.

After a tour at 75 Squadron, he served as an F/A-18 instructor until promoted to Squadron Leader in 1997 and posted to Force Development as the desk officer responsible for the fighter capability. His F/A-18 executive flying appointments include Flight Commander 77 Squadron, Executive Officer No 2 Operational Conversion Unit, and culminated with Commanding Officer 77 Squadron in 2005 and 2006 In December 2006 he was promoted to Group Captain and posted as Chief of Staff Air Combat Group. In January of 2009 he was posted as Officer Commanding Number 78 Wing and responsible for Hawk 127 aircraft, fast jet aircrew training and technical specialist training for ground crew working on F/A-18, Hawk and F-111 aircraft. In September 2010 he was posted as Director Defence Aviation and Air Force Safety.

Air Commodore Clements operational deployments include Chief of Staff of the National Command Headquarters for Operation SLIPPER in 2002 and air operations Battle Director of the Middle East area in the USAF CAOC (Al Udeid) in the first half of 2010.

On promotion to Air Commodore in October of 2011 he was posted to Director General Force Structure Review. He was appointed as the Commandant of the Australian Defence Force Academy in December 2013 finishing in December 2016. For his achievements in this role he was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours List. He was promoted to Air Vice Marshal on 06 January 2017 and took up his current role as Head Australian Defence Staff on 13 January 2017.