Major General Angus Campbell, DSC, AM promoted to Lieutenant General

The Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley promoted Major General Angus Campbell, DSC, AM to the rank of Lieutenant General at a small ceremony in Canberra today.

"Lieutenant General Campbell is an accomplished officer who is highly regarded amongst his peers and widely respected by those who have served under his command.

"I am very pleased to welcome him into the Australian Defence Force's most senior ranks," General Hurley said.

The newly appointed Lieutenant General Campbell also commenced his appointment as Commander of the Joint Agency Task Force for Operation SOVEREIGN BORDERS today.

"Lieutenant General Campbell brings a unique and highly valuable history of senior appointments, both military and civilian, to this new position.

"He is an excellent all-rounder with extensive operational experience and a strong background working in the headquarters and tri-service environment as well as the inter-agency arena," General Hurley said.

Lieutenant General Campbell graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1984 as an Infantry Officer and served as a platoon commander in the 3rd Battalion (Parachute), the Royal Australian Regiment before he joined the Special Air Service Regiment where he served as Troop and Squadron Commander.

In 2001 Lieutenant General Campbell commanded the 2nd Battalion Group on deployment to the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2003 for his exceptional service in East Timor.

Following a range of staff appointments, including Chief of Staff to the Chief of the Defence Force (General Peter Cosgrove and Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston), Lieutenant General Campbell joined the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in 2005 as First Assistant Secretary in the Office of National Security and was subsequently promoted to Deputy Secretary and later, Deputy National Security Adviser.

He returned to the Australian Defence Force in 2010 as a Major General and led the Military Strategic Commitments Division until 2011 when he assumed command of all Australian forces deployed in the Middle East Area of Operations, including Afghanistan.

On his return from the Middle East, Lieutenant General Campbell was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for distinguished command and leadership in action as Commander Joint Task Force 633 on Operation SLIPPER.

Lieutenant General Campbell was appointed Deputy Chief of Army in February 2012.

Media note:

All enquiries relating to Lieutenant General Campbell’s appointment as the Commander of the Joint Agency Task Force for Operation SOVEREIGN BORDERS should be directed to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

Imagery of Lieutenant General Campbell and today's promotion ceremony will be available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20131460

Media contact:

Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999