.gif)
Headquarters Joint Operations Command (Australia)
Encyclopedia
The Australian Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) is the Australian Defence Force
's (ADF) operational level headquarters responsible for the command and control of ADF operations
worldwide. It was formed from "Headquarters Australian Theatre" (HQAST) in 2004 to reflect the changing internal structure of the ADF and the need to establish a purpose built, co-located joint headquarters. Since December 2008, it has been based adjacent to the Kowen
district of the Australian Capital Territory
, just south of the Kings Highway, about 15 km east of Queanbeyan
and 15 km south of Bungendore
. The complex is known as the General John Baker
Complex, named after a former Chief of Defence Force who was a strong advocate of joint command and control.
, in 1996 as the ADF's first operational level joint headquarters. Prior to that, ADF's offshore operations were commanded by the "environmental commands" of the three Services, also known as the "component commands":
When HQAST was established in 1996, it was intended to provide the ADF with a single headquarters to command the forces of all three services when deployed on operations. The three services retained the responsibility for raising, training and sustaining their forces, but they then "force assigned" their troops to Commander Australian Theatre (COMAST) for the duration of any operational deployments.
Richard Wilson
in 2005, (known as "The Wilson Review"), HQJOC was re-structured and increased its staffing nearly fivefold in January 2007. It was officially designated as "HQJOC (Transitional)" for the two year period 2007–2008 while awaiting the construction of a new purpose-built facility at Kowen
, about half-way between Bungendore and Queanbeyan to the east of Canberra
. The most significant changes to the headquarters during this period were:
Operations Branch remained at the facility at Potts Point, and the other branches (Support, Intelligence and Air) were either located within the Russell Offices
area, or divided between these three locations.
In September 2007, the Minister of Defence announced that a new separate three-star position
had been created for CJOPS; the VCDF position was then left to focus on more strategic matters.
35°20′39"S 149°22′32"E
Occupation of the permanent headquarters near Kowen, ACT, commenced in early December 2008, and subsequently all 550 staff from all branches have collocated in the one purpose built facility, (named the "General John Baker
Complex"), along with the Headquarters of the Commander, Special Operations Command (Australia)
(SOCOM/SOCAUST). The Baker Complex is located adjacent to the Kowen district of the Australian Capital Territory
, about 25 km east of Canberra city, 15 km east of Queanbeyan
and 15 km SSW of Bungendore
. It is situated just to the south of the railway line that delineates the border between New South Wales
and the Australian Capital Territory
, although access to the site is from the Kings Highway
in the Kowen district of the ACT via a restricted-access, Defence-owned road that passes under the railway line. The site is generally considered to be a part of the ACT, in that it is considered part of the ACT defence district, its postal address is 'Canberra, ACT', and staff adhere to ACT public holidays. A secondary entrance road also provides access to the site from the Captains Flat
road. The site is about 4 km north-west from the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope
, and particular arrangements were needed at the complex so that electrical interference is not emitted. The two-storey main Headquarters building is located inside two security fences, one at a 100m radius from the building, the other at 500m.
The new building was constructed by Praeco Pty Ltd, a consortium comprising Leighton Contractors Pty Limited and ABN AMRO Australia Limited, the latter selling its stake to Industry Funds Management shortly after completion of the facility. The contract deed
between Defence and Praeco covers the capital cost of the buildings and infrastructure for the facility, and the cost of providing a range of contracted services such as access control, cleaning, administrative support, waste removal and maintenance services over the 30-year contract term. Defence has contracted to pay Praeco an Annual Service Payment, commencing when the facility was completed in July 2008; the first full-year payment to be A$
39.99 million, in 2009–10. The whole-of-life nett present cost to Defence for the provision by Praeco of the buildings, infrastructure and services over the 30 year term is A$572.2 million. (All amounts are expressed in 2006–07 prices, less GST
). Praeco commenced construction in November 2006, with completion in July 2008.
The Baker Complex was officially named the "General John Baker Complex" and opened by then Prime Minister of Australia
, Kevin Rudd
, on 7 March 2009, with Mrs Baker joining various officials for the ceremony and unveilling a bronze bust of her husband.
operations worldwide. This means that each of the ADF's Combined Task Forces (CTF) and Joint Task Forces (JTF), and the Australian contingents to UN peace monitoring operations, are directly subordinate to HQJOC, and their commanders report directly to CJOPS. This currently includes:
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
's (ADF) operational level headquarters responsible for the command and control of ADF operations
Current Australian Defence Force deployments
As of March 2009, around 3,000 Australian Defence Force personnel are deployed on overseas operations. An additional 500 personnel are deployed on domestic maritime security tasks and 520 as the ADF's response to the February 2009 Victorian bushfires....
worldwide. It was formed from "Headquarters Australian Theatre" (HQAST) in 2004 to reflect the changing internal structure of the ADF and the need to establish a purpose built, co-located joint headquarters. Since December 2008, it has been based adjacent to the Kowen
Kowen
The Kowen District was designated by the Districts Act of 1966 as one of the 18 districts of the Australian Capital Territory . It is situated in the northeast corner of the ACT, to the east of Sutton Road and the town of Queanbeyan, New South Wales. Kowen is primarily covered by pine forests, and...
district of the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
, just south of the Kings Highway, about 15 km east of Queanbeyan
Queanbeyan, New South Wales
Queanbeyan is a regional centre in the Southern Tablelands in south-eastern New South Wales adjacent to the Australian Capital Territory. The city's mixed economy is based on light construction, high technology, manufacturing, service, retail and agriculture. It is the council seat of the...
and 15 km south of Bungendore
Bungendore, New South Wales
Bungendore is a town in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia, in Palerang Council. It is on the Kings Highway near Lake George, the Molonglo River Valley and the Australian Capital Territory border. It has become a major tourist centre in recent years, popular with visitors from...
. The complex is known as the General John Baker
John Baker (general)
General John Stuart Baker, AC, DSM was an Australian army general. He was Chief of the Australian Defence Force from July 1995 to July 1998...
Complex, named after a former Chief of Defence Force who was a strong advocate of joint command and control.
Headquarters Australian Theatre
HQAST was established in a temporary facility at Potts Point, New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, in 1996 as the ADF's first operational level joint headquarters. Prior to that, ADF's offshore operations were commanded by the "environmental commands" of the three Services, also known as the "component commands":
- Maritime Headquarters (MHQ) at Garden IslandGarden IslandGarden Island may refer to:Australia:* Garden Island, New South Wales* Garden Island, Tasmania* Garden Island , near PerthCanada:* Garden Island , Ontario* Garden Island , Ontario...
, Potts Point; - Land Headquarters (LHQ) at Victoria Barracks, SydneyVictoria Barracks, SydneyVictoria Barracks is an Australian Army base in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Victoria Barracks is located in the suburb of Paddington, between Oxford Street and Moore Park Road...
(in PaddingtonPaddington, New South WalesPaddington is an inner-city, eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Paddington is located 3 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district and lies across the local government areas of the City of Sydney and the Municipality of Woollahra...
); and - Headquarters Air Command (HQAC) at RAAF Glenbrook west of SydneySydneySydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
at the foot of the Blue Mountains.
When HQAST was established in 1996, it was intended to provide the ADF with a single headquarters to command the forces of all three services when deployed on operations. The three services retained the responsibility for raising, training and sustaining their forces, but they then "force assigned" their troops to Commander Australian Theatre (COMAST) for the duration of any operational deployments.
Headquarters Joints Operations Command
The concept was taken a step further with the establishment of HQJOC in 2004. The headquarters remained in the same temporary facility at Potts Point, but the commander was re-designated Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS) and raised from two-star to three-star rank level. Instead of creating a new three-star position, the Vice Chief of the Defence Force (VCDF) was initially dual-hatted as VCDF and CJOPS. The environmental commands, and a number of other operational level headquarters' elements across the ADF, were designated as "components" of HQJOC. This meant, for example, that in addition to being responsible to Chief of Army for raising, training and sustaining ground forces, the Land Commander (LCAUST) was also designated the "Land Component Commander" (LCC) of HQJOC, and was responsible to CJOPS for a range of operational issues involving the Land Component of the ADF.HQJOC(T)
Following an extensive review of ADF Command and Control by MAJGENMajor General (Australia)
Major General is a senior rank of the Australian Army, and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of Major General. It is the third-highest active rank of the Australian Army, and is considered to be equivalent to a two-star rank...
Richard Wilson
Richard Gary Wilson
Major General Richard Gary Wilson AO is a senior officer in the Australian Army, currently Chairman of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and former Director of the Defence Intelligence Organisation.- Early life :...
in 2005, (known as "The Wilson Review"), HQJOC was re-structured and increased its staffing nearly fivefold in January 2007. It was officially designated as "HQJOC (Transitional)" for the two year period 2007–2008 while awaiting the construction of a new purpose-built facility at Kowen
Kowen
The Kowen District was designated by the Districts Act of 1966 as one of the 18 districts of the Australian Capital Territory . It is situated in the northeast corner of the ACT, to the east of Sutton Road and the town of Queanbeyan, New South Wales. Kowen is primarily covered by pine forests, and...
, about half-way between Bungendore and Queanbeyan to the east of Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
. The most significant changes to the headquarters during this period were:
- the creation of a 24/7 Joint Control Centre,
- the establishment of five one-star level branch heads (Operations, Plans, Support, Intelligence, and Air), and
- the expansion and re-location of Plans Branch into a temporary facility at Fairbairn, CanberraFairbairn, CanberraFairbairn was a base of the Royal Australian Air Force located in Australia's national capital, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Over the years the name of the establishment, and the use of the land, has changed...
.
Operations Branch remained at the facility at Potts Point, and the other branches (Support, Intelligence and Air) were either located within the Russell Offices
Russell Offices
The Russell Offices is a complex of office buildings located in the Canberra suburb of Russell.Together with Campbell Park, these two complexes are home to the Australian Department of Defence and contain the administrative headquarters of the Australian Defence Force.The Office of National...
area, or divided between these three locations.
In September 2007, the Minister of Defence announced that a new separate three-star position
3 star rank
An officer of three-star rank is a very senior commander in many of the armed services holding a rank described by the NATO code of OF-8. The term is also used by some armed forces which are not NATO members...
had been created for CJOPS; the VCDF position was then left to focus on more strategic matters.
HQJOC(B)
Occupation of the permanent headquarters near Kowen, ACT, commenced in early December 2008, and subsequently all 550 staff from all branches have collocated in the one purpose built facility, (named the "General John Baker
John Baker (general)
General John Stuart Baker, AC, DSM was an Australian army general. He was Chief of the Australian Defence Force from July 1995 to July 1998...
Complex"), along with the Headquarters of the Commander, Special Operations Command (Australia)
Special Operations Command (Australia)
The Special Operations Command is a command within the Australian Defence Force . Special Operations Command was established in May 2003, to unite all of the ADF special forces units. As of 2007 Special Operations Command is fully operational. Australia's Special Operations Command is of...
(SOCOM/SOCAUST). The Baker Complex is located adjacent to the Kowen district of the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
, about 25 km east of Canberra city, 15 km east of Queanbeyan
Queanbeyan, New South Wales
Queanbeyan is a regional centre in the Southern Tablelands in south-eastern New South Wales adjacent to the Australian Capital Territory. The city's mixed economy is based on light construction, high technology, manufacturing, service, retail and agriculture. It is the council seat of the...
and 15 km SSW of Bungendore
Bungendore, New South Wales
Bungendore is a town in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia, in Palerang Council. It is on the Kings Highway near Lake George, the Molonglo River Valley and the Australian Capital Territory border. It has become a major tourist centre in recent years, popular with visitors from...
. It is situated just to the south of the railway line that delineates the border between New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
and the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
, although access to the site is from the Kings Highway
Kings Highway, Australia
The Kings Highway connects Canberra and Batemans Bay. It starts at the junction with the Monaro Highway on Canberra Avenue in the Australian Capital Territory crossing over the border into New South Wales near Queanbeyan, passing through Queanbeyan itself, briefly crossing back into the Kowen...
in the Kowen district of the ACT via a restricted-access, Defence-owned road that passes under the railway line. The site is generally considered to be a part of the ACT, in that it is considered part of the ACT defence district, its postal address is 'Canberra, ACT', and staff adhere to ACT public holidays. A secondary entrance road also provides access to the site from the Captains Flat
Captains Flat, New South Wales
Captains Flat is a town in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia, in Palerang Shire. It is south of Queanbeyan.It is suggested that a bullock named "Captain" from Foxlow station, 12 km away, grazed here and hence the place name....
road. The site is about 4 km north-west from the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope
Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope
The Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope is a radio telescope operating at 843 MHz. It is operated by the School of Physics of the University of Sydney...
, and particular arrangements were needed at the complex so that electrical interference is not emitted. The two-storey main Headquarters building is located inside two security fences, one at a 100m radius from the building, the other at 500m.
The new building was constructed by Praeco Pty Ltd, a consortium comprising Leighton Contractors Pty Limited and ABN AMRO Australia Limited, the latter selling its stake to Industry Funds Management shortly after completion of the facility. The contract deed
Deed
A deed is any legal instrument in writing which passes, or affirms or confirms something which passes, an interest, right, or property and that is signed, attested, delivered, and in some jurisdictions sealed...
between Defence and Praeco covers the capital cost of the buildings and infrastructure for the facility, and the cost of providing a range of contracted services such as access control, cleaning, administrative support, waste removal and maintenance services over the 30-year contract term. Defence has contracted to pay Praeco an Annual Service Payment, commencing when the facility was completed in July 2008; the first full-year payment to be A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
39.99 million, in 2009–10. The whole-of-life nett present cost to Defence for the provision by Praeco of the buildings, infrastructure and services over the 30 year term is A$572.2 million. (All amounts are expressed in 2006–07 prices, less GST
Goods and Services Tax
A goods and services tax or value added tax is a tax on exchanges.By country:*Goods and Services Tax *Goods and Services Tax *Goods and Services Tax *Goods and Services Tax...
). Praeco commenced construction in November 2006, with completion in July 2008.
The Baker Complex was officially named the "General John Baker Complex" and opened by then Prime Minister of Australia
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
, Kevin Rudd
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
, on 7 March 2009, with Mrs Baker joining various officials for the ceremony and unveilling a bronze bust of her husband.
Current responsibilities
Under CJOPS, HQJOC is responsible for the command and control of all ADFAustralian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
operations worldwide. This means that each of the ADF's Combined Task Forces (CTF) and Joint Task Forces (JTF), and the Australian contingents to UN peace monitoring operations, are directly subordinate to HQJOC, and their commanders report directly to CJOPS. This currently includes:
- ADF deployments in:
- East Timor (Operation AstuteOperation AstuteOperation Astute is an Australian-led military deployment to East Timor to quell unrest and return stability in the 2006 East Timor crisis. It is currently headed by Brigadier Bill Sowry, and commenced on 25 May 2006 under the command of Brigadier Michael Slater...
), - Solomon Islands (RAMSI),
- Afghanistan (Operation SlipperOperation SlipperOperation Slipper is the Australian Defence Force contribution to the war in Afghanistan. The operation commenced in late 2001 and is ongoing...
) and - Iraq (Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of IraqAustralian contribution to the 2003 invasion of IraqThe Howard Government supported the disarmament of Iraq during the Iraq disarmament crisis. Australia later provided one of the four most substantial combat force contingents during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, under the operational codename Operation Falconer. Part of its contingent were among the...
);
- East Timor (Operation Astute
- contributions to UN operations in:
- Sudan (UNMISUnited Nations Mission in SudanThe United Nations Mission in the Sudan was established by the UN Security Council under Resolution 1590 of 24 March 2005, in response to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the government of the Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement on January 9, 2005 in Nairobi,...
), - Sinai Peninsula (MFOMultinational Force and ObserversThe Multinational Force and Observers is an international peacekeeping force overseeing the terms of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.-Background:...
) and - Israel/Lebanon (Operation PaladinOperation PaladinOperation Paladin is Australia's contribution to the UN Truce Supervision Organisation that was established in 1948 to supervise the truce agreed at the conclusion of the first Arab/Israeli War....
/ UNTSOUnited Nations Truce Supervision OrganizationThe United Nations Truce Supervision Organization is an organization founded on 29 May 1948 for peacekeeping in the Middle East. Its primary task was providing the military command structure to the peace keeping forces in the Middle East to enable the peace keepers to observe and maintain the...
); and
- Sudan (UNMIS
- border protection operations in northern Australia (Operation ResoluteOperation ResoluteOperation Resolute is the Australian Defence Force's contribution to patrolling Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone. Operation Resolute began on 17 July 2006 and consolidated a number of previous ADF operations, including Operation Relex....
). - Northern Command, Darwin. Northern Command manages ADF personnel, units and equipment assigned to the interagency Border Protection CommandBorder Protection Command (Australia)The Australian Government's Border Protection Command is a multi-agency command which was established in 2005 to coordinate the protection of Australia’s offshore assets...
, CanberraCanberraCanberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
.
External links
- Australian Department of Defence Headquarters Joint Operations Command Project