Christopher Smith (admiral)

Summary

Rear Admiral Christopher Erson Smith, AM, CSM is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy. He has commanded the ships HMAS Gladstone (2002–04), HMAS Darwin (2008–10) and the flagship HMAS Canberra (2015–17), and served as Deputy Chief of Navy from September 2020 to December 2022. He was appointed Commander Australian Fleet on 16 December 2022.[1]

Christopher Smith
AllegianceAustralia
Service/branchRoyal Australian Navy
Years of service1989–present
RankRear Admiral
Commands heldFleet Command (2022–)
Deputy Chief of Navy (2020–22)
Surface Force (2017–19)
HMAS Canberra (2015–17)
HMAS Darwin (2008–10)
HMAS Gladstone (2002–04)
Battles/warsOperation Helpem Fren
Iraq War
AwardsMember of the Order of Australia
Conspicuous Service Medal

Naval career edit

Smith joined the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 1989 as a midshipman at the Royal Australian Naval College, HMAS Creswell.[2] He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal in the 2002 Australia Day Honours,[3] and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2023 Australia Day Honours.[4]

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Honours and awards edit

Source:[5]

       

       

  Member of the Order of Australia Military Division (AM) As a part of the 2023 Australia Day Honours, Smith was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.[4]
  Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM) As a part of the 2002 Australia Day Honours, Smith was awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal.[3]
  Australian Active Service Medal
  Iraq Medal
  Australian Service Medal
  Australian Operational Service Medal - Border Protection
  Defence Long Service Medal With 3 rosettes for 30 years service.
  Australian Defence Medal

References edit

  1. ^ "Chris Smith". auto-biographical. Linkedin. 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Rear Admiral Christopher Smith". Royal Australian Navy. Australian Government. 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Australia Day 2002 Honours". Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. 26 January 2002. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Member (AM) in the Military Division of the Order of Australia" (PDF). Australia Day 2023 Honours List. Office of the Governor-General of Australia. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Official Portrait of Rear Admiral Christopher Smith".
Military offices
Preceded by
Rear Admiral Jonathan Earley
Commander Australian Fleet
2022–present
Incumbent
Preceded by
Rear Admiral Mark Hammond
Deputy Chief of Navy
2020–2022
Succeeded by
Rear Admiral Jonathan Earley