Stephen Meredith

Air Vice Marshal Stephen Leslie Meredith, is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He joined the RAAF as a navigator in 1986. He has commanded No. 6 Squadron RAAF (2006–08), No. 42 Wing RAAF (2008–10), the Aerospace Operational Support Group RAAF (2014–16) and the Combined Air Operations Centre, and has served on operations in the Gulf War, War in Afghanistan and in the International military intervention against ISIL. He served as Head Force Integration from 2017 to 2019, before being appointed Deputy Chief of Air Force from July 2019 to January 2023.

RAAF career Meredith joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as an officer cadet in 1986 and trained as a navigator. On the completion of his training, he was posted to No. 37 Squadron RAAF at RAAF Base Richmond, serving aboard Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. In December 1990, Meredith was among a detachment from No. 37 Squadron deployed in support of Australia's contribution to the Gulf War. Following his return to Australia in 1991, he completed a conversion course on the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark and was posted to No. 1 Squadron RAAF at RAAF Base Amberley.

Meredith was posted as an instructor navigator in No. 6 Squadron RAAF from 1995 and, on promotion to squadron leader, was assigned to the Defence Material Organisation in 1998. He returned to No. 6 Squadron as executive officer in 1999, graduated from the Australian Command and Staff College in 2002, and was posted as staff officer to the Deputy Chief of Air Force. Promoted wing commander, he was made deputy director of Combat Enablers in the Capability Development Group in 2003. He was next appointed executive officer of No. 82 Wing RAAF in January 2006, before assuming command of No. 6 Squadron from December that year. While in command of No. 6 Squadron, Meredith oversaw the retirement of the F-111G.

In January 2017, Meredith redeployed to the Middle East as Director of the Combined Air Operations Centre. His "distinguished leadership" during the six-month posting was recognised with the award of the Distinguished Service Medal in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours. Following his return to Australia, Meredith was promoted air vice marshal and appointed Head Force Integration in the Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group in December 2017. After eighteen months in this joint service role, he succeeded Air Vice Marshal Gavin Turnbull as Deputy Chief of Air Force on 1 July 2019.

Personal life Meredith is married to Sue and has two children. He is an enthusiastic fisherman and a fan of the Brumbies rugby team.