On 24 September 2024, Air Vice Marshal Glen Braz AM CSC DSM, Air Commander Australia spoke to the Royal United Service Institute of New South Wales on the topic “Development and Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)”. His talk covers the full scope from transport craft the size of a medium sized passenger aircraft to small commercial products of miniscule dimensions. Uses from transport to reconnaissance and use of weapons are discussed along with a worthwhile Q&A session. AVM Braz speaks @02:25, and the Q&A @ 35:33.
AVM Braz joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1987 and commenced studies at the Australian Defence Force Academy. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1989 and went on to complete pilot training in 1991. Following lead-in-fighter training, he transferred to Amberley for F-111C conversion and joined No. 1 Squadron.
AVM Braz completed Flying Instructor Course in 1997 and was posted as an instructor on the PC-9 advanced trainer and Macchi lead-in-fighter. In 2001, he returned to No. 1 Squadron where he undertook the inaugural F-111 Fighter Combat Instructor Course and was promoted into the position of Weapons and Reconnaissance Flight Commander. In 2003 he served in the Combined Air Operations Centre in support of Operations Falconer, Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom.
Following completion of Australian Command and Staff Course in 2006, Air Vice-Marshal Braz was appointed to the role of Deputy Director Air-Land Integration. He later served as Deputy Director of the Super Hornet Transition Team and then as Commanding Officer of No. 1 Squadron, introducing the Super Hornet to Australian Service.
In 2011, AVM Braz relocated to the United States to serve as Air Staff Officer Plans and Operations at the Australian Embassy in Washington D.C. This was followed by the role of Director EA-18G Growler Transition, leading the integration of the Growler Airborne Electronic Attack capability into the Australian Defence Force. He then deployed and served as Commander Australian Air Task Group - Middle East Region during 2015, for which he was recognised with the Distinguished Service Medal. On return to Australia, he assumed command of No. 82 Wing at RAAF Base Amberley.
As commander of Air Force Training Group, Air Vice-Marshal Braz oversaw the formation of the Air and Ground Academies, introduction of the PC-21 for basic and advanced flying training, and centralised all Officer Aviation initial training at RAAF East Sale. Air Vice Marshal Braz assumed the position of Director General Military Strategic Commitments in December 2019. On promotion to Air Vice-Marshal in July 2020, he assumed the role of First Assistant Director-General, Expeditionary and Transnational Intelligence Division and Senior Ranking Australian Defence Force Officer within the Australian Signals Directorate. In January 2023, Air Vice-Marshal Braz was appointed as Deputy Chief of Air Force.
Air Vice Marshal Braz is a graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Australian Command and Staff College. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (Physics), an Advanced Diploma of Aviation and a Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies. In 2018, Air Vice-Marshal Braz studied ethical leadership to become a Vincent Fairfax Fellow and in 2019 attended the Senior Managers Program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Air Vice Marshal Braz is married and has two wonderful daughters.
The Air Commander Australia is responsible to the Chief of Air Force for effectively preparing air combat forces. Headquarters staff help the Air Commander control the activities of six Force Element Groups.
