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Major General Susan Coyle has been replaced as commander of the Australian Forces in the Middle East.
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Rear Admiral Michael Rothwell, AM, has officially assumed command of all Australian Defence Force operations in the Middle East region, including oversight of nearly 900 Defence personnel.
RADM Rothwell replaced Major General Susan Coyle, CSC, DSM, as commander of Joint Task Force 633 during a ceremony at Australia’s main operating base in the Middle East on Wednesday (25 November).
“I am privileged to have been given this opportunity to lead Australia’s military and public service personnel on operations,” RADM Rothwell said.
“I look forward to building upon the significant contributions made by Major General Coyle, her predecessors, and all who have served in the Middle East region.”
The rear admiral previously served as head of information and communications technology operations within the Chief Information Officer Group.
Reflecting on her tenure as commander of Joint Task Force 633, MAJGEN Coyle noted the achievement of significant milestones, as well as her oversight of changes and challenges across the area of operations.
This included:
- the completion of Task Group Taji and air support to Operation OKRA;
- the conclusion Australia’s contribution to the Afghan National Army Officer Academy, and Train, Advise, Assist Command – South under Operation HIGHROAD;
- preparations for the drawdown of maritime commitments under Operation MANITOU; and
- the ongoing impact of COVID-19 in the region.
“I am honoured to have not only had the privilege to command Joint Task Force 633, but to have also been a witness and play a part of this extraordinary chapter in the history of Australian operations in the Middle East,” MAJGEN Coyle said.
[Related: Air Task Group 630 command changes hands]
Charbel Kadib
News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media
Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.
