Stephen Chappell

Air Marshal Stephen Gareth Chappell, (born 1975) is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), currently serving as the Chief of Air Force. He joined the RAAF through the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1993 and gained his pilot's wings in 1998. He has deployed on Operations Falconer and Okra to Iraq, and has commanded No. 1 Squadron RAAF (2013–16) and No. 82 Wing RAAF (2018–20). He served as Head Military Strategic Commitments from July 2022 to June 2024, and was appointed Chief of Air Force on 3 July 2024.

Early life and family Chappell was born in 1975 to Judith ( Donaldson) and Greg Chappell. His father is a former professional cricketer, Chappell's uncles are former Test cricketers Ian Chappell and Trevor Chappell, and he is the great-grandson of accomplished sportsman Vic Richardson.

Chappell was educated at Brisbane Grammar School, where he played in the First XI in cricket. According to his father, Chappell's interest in aviation was sparked by seeing the film Top Gun as a child.

RAAF career Chappell entered the Australian Defence Force Academy as a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) officer cadet in January 1993. He graduated from the academy with a Bachelor of Arts in 1995. Following flying training, he converted to the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet and was posted to No. 75 Squadron RAAF in December 1998. He qualified as a Fighter Combat Instructor in 2001 and was then posted to No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit RAAF as an instructor. In 2003, Chappell returned to No. 75 Squadron to take part in Operation Falconer, Australia's contribution to the invasion of Iraq. He was one of the first Australians to fly on operations over Iraq, piloting an F/A-18 Hornet as escort to tanker, early-warning and control aircraft. Following his return to Australia, Chappell was promoted to squadron leader in 2004 and made a flight commander in No. 3 Squadron RAAF. During the exchange, Chappell authored five papers on communication standards, weapons employment and threat missile systems, and led the squadron in one Maple Flag and five Red Flag exercises. He was subsequently awarded the United States Meritorious Service Medal for the "exceptional initiative and vision" he demonstrated in his work with the squadron.

Chappell graduated from the Australian Command and Staff College with a Master of Military and Strategic Studies in 2013. That December, he was appointed commanding officer of No. 1 Squadron RAAF. In September 2014, he deployed with the squadron to Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates as part of Air Task Group 630 on Operation Okra, Australia's contribution to the war against the Islamic State. in the Queen's Birthday Honours that June, he received the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of his "distinguished command and leadership" on Operation Okra.

After serving as executive officer of No. 82 Wing RAAF, Chappell completed the Defence and Strategic Studies Course at the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies in 2017. He then spent twelve months as chief of staff to the Chief of the Defence Force, serving Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin and then General Angus Campbell, before assuming command of No. 82 Wing in December 2018. Promoted to air commodore in November 2020, Chappell was made Director General Air Command Operations. He was promoted to air vice-marshal and appointed Head Military Strategic Commitments in July 2022. He succeeded Air Marshal Robert Chipman in the role on 3 July.