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Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford jnr, has confirmed the appointment of the Australian Defence Force’s Rear Admiral Stuart Mayer as the Deputy Commander United Nations Command Headquarters in the Republic of Korea.
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The appointment of RADM Mayer is a great opportunity for Australia to work with the Republic of Korea, the US and regional partners to further contribute to the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula.
This is the first time an Australian will serve as the Deputy Commander of the United Nations Command Headquarters, Korea, and only the second time in the Command’s 69-year history that this post has been offered to a non-American officer.
Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, AO, DSC, welcomed the announcement, saying, "I would like to congratulate Rear Admiral Mayer on his appointment. This opportunity enables Australia to pursue our shared values and mutual security interests, and further contribute to regional peace and stability."
RADM Mayer has a distinguished record of service and has held key command, strategic and operational appointments including Commander Australian Fleet, Chief of Staff Navy Strategic Command, and Commander of the multi-national International Stabilisation Force in East Timor.
RADM Mayer’s most recent appointment was as Head of Force Design. In this role he was responsible for supporting the Australian Defence Organisation in delivering and maintaining a joint force that is capable, agile and potent in achieving the strategic defence objectives directed by the government of Australia.
RADM Mayer joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1984. He gained his bridge watch-keeping certificates in the patrol boat HMAS Gladstone and the frigate HMAS Darwin and completed the air intercept controller course at RAAF Base Williamtown. He then served in the frigates HMA Ships Canberra and Sydney.
On promotion to Commander in January 2000, RADM Mayer was posted to the US as the first ADF liaison officer to US Joint Forces Command based in Norfolk, Virginia. On return from the US in mid-2002, he assumed command of the frigate HMAS Canberra continuing an association with that ship that included service in every rank from trainee to commanding officer.
Upon leaving Canberra in July 2004, he was promoted Captain and assumed the position of Chief Staff Officer (Operations) at Maritime Headquarters (MHQ) Australia in January 2005. While posted to MHQ, he was seconded to the Australian Maritime Deployable HQ staff for duties as Commander Task Group 58.1 - Northern Arabian Gulf Maritime Security Operations Commander, for which he was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service. After six months in the Gulf, he returned to MHQ in October 2005 and resumed his duties as Chief Staff Officer (Operations).
RADM Mayer was appointed as an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) in the Australia Day Honours List 2017 for distinguished service to the Royal Australian Navy, principally in key command roles. In January 2018, he relinquished command of the Australian Fleet and took up his next appointment as Head Force Design (Vice Chief of Defence Force Group) in March 2018.
RADM Mayer is a graduate of the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies, RAN Staff College, holds a BA from the University of New South Wales, an MBA from the University of Southern Queensland, an MA from Deakin University, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
GEN Campbell will promote RADM Mayer to the rank of Vice Admiral prior to him taking up the appointment.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
