Chris Deeble AO, CSC Deputy Secretary of the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group
Chris Deeble AO, CSC
Chris Deeble is the Deputy Secretary of the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) in the Department of Defence.
Chris has extensive experience spanning the defence, industry and commercial sectors and working with Government. He also served for 37 years in the Australian Defence Force, most notably as an Air Vice-Marshal.
His most recent appointment was Chief Executive at Northrop Grumman Australia. Prior to that he worked for Airservices Australia as the program executive for OneSKY, responsible for delivering the Civil Military Air Traffic Management System for Australia.
Chris returns to CASG after previously holding the role of Senior Program Manager where he managed more than $25 billion of complex acquisition and sustainment programs including the Joint Strike Fighter, Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control, Multi Role Tanker Transport and Collins Class Submarine.
Chris has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Sydney. He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) in 2007, and recognized in 2016 as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).
Chris is married to Donna and they have five adult children. They enjoy travel, movies and spending time with family.
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Admiral David Johnston AC RAN
Chief of Defence Force
Admiral Johnston joined the Royal Australian Naval College as a junior entry Cadet Midshipman in 1978. Graduating as a Seaman Officer in 1982, he later specialised as a Principal Warfare Officer.
He was appointed Chief of the Defence Force on 10 July 2024. He has extensive experience across a range of leadership, maritime and joint operations, training and capability management appointments in Australia and overseas.
Admiral Johnston’s senior command appointments include Commanding Officer of HMAS Adelaide (FFG 01), HMAS Newcastle (FFG 06), Commander Border Protection Command, Chief of Joint Operations, and Vice Chief of the Defence Force.
His operational experience includes Operation RELEX (2002), Operation QUICKSTEP in Fiji (2006), Operation RESOLUTE (2007) and Operation SLIPPER (2010).
Admiral Johnston’s honours and awards include his appointment as Member of the Order of Australia (2012), advancement to Officer of the Order of Australia (2018) and Companion of the Order of Australia (2022) ‘for eminent service to the Australian Defence Force through strategic stewardship and capability engagement.’
Sir Richard Williams Foundation