Air Commodore Robert Chipman, CSC
Director General Capability Planning – Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
Air Commodore Chipman joined the RAAF in 1989, graduating from Sydney University with an Honours degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1992. He completed No 164 Pilot’s course in 1994 and was posted to No 25 and then No 76 SQN flying the Macchi MB326H. Air Commodore Chipman completed F/A-18 Operational Conversion in 1995.
Air Commodore Chipman completed an operational tour at No 77 and No 75 Squadron before undergoing Fighter Combat Instructor Course in 1999. After a short tour as an F/A-18 instructor at No 2 Operational Conversion Unit, he returned to No 75 SQN as the Fighter Combat Instructor and A Flight Commander, before returning to No 2 Operational Conversion Unit as the Executive Officer in 2002.
In 2004, Air Commodore Chipman was posted to Capability Development Group as Deputy Director Firepower with responsibility for fast jet related projects, most notably the Hornet Upgrade Program. He then returned to Tindal and commanded No 75 Squadron from 2006-2009.
In 2010 Air Commodore Chipman was promoted to Group Captain, and appointed as Director of the Australian Air and Space Operations Centre. In 2012 he completed an operational tour with the United States Air Force as a Battlecab Director in the 609th Air and Space Operations Centre. On return to Australia, he assumed Command of No 81 Wing.
In September 2014, Air Commodore Chipman deployed with the Australian Air Task Group 630, in Command of Air Task Unit 630.1, for which he was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in 2015. On return to Australia, Air Commodore Chipman was employed as the Director of Plan Jericho, an Air Force transformation program intended to deliver joint, integrated air and space capability for the ADF.
In 2016, Air Commodore Chipman graduated as a fellow of the Defence and Strategic Studies Course. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, an alumni of the Cranlana Institute and has completed the United Nations Senior Mission Leaders Course.
Air Commodore Chipman is married to Alyce and has four sons, Thomas, Oliver, Darcy and Charlie. He enjoys keeping fit and reading.
