Mel Hupfeld

Melvin Ernest Glanville Hupfeld
250px Hupfeld at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam in 2013
Born	(1962-03-07) 7 March 1962 Sydney, New South Wales
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Royal Australian Air Force
Years of service	1980 – present
Rank	Air Vice Marshal
Commands held	Chief Capability Development Group Air Commander Australia Air Combat Group RAAF No. 81 Wing RAAF No. 75 Squadron RAAF
Battles/wars	Iraq War
Awards	Officer of the Order of Australia Distinguished Service Cross Bronze Star (United States)

Air Vice Marshal Melvin Ernest Glanville "Mel" Hupfeld AO, DSC (born 7 March 1962) is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), currently in the post of Acting Chief Capability Development Group. He previously served as Air Commander Australia from 2012 to 2014.

Early life and career

Hupfeld was born in Sydney, New South Wales, on 7 March 1962, and joined the Royal Australian Air Force as an Officer Cadet in 1980. He finished his training in 1983, won the 'Flying Prize' and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. He completed a Master of Arts degree in Defence Studies at King's College London in 1997.

During Hupfeld's career he has flown the Dassault Mirage III and McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet flying mainly with No. 3 Squadron RAAF.

Hupfeld was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on 27 November 2003 for his command of No. 75 Squadron RAAF during Operation Falconer, and the squadron was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation.

Hupfeld has commanded several RAAF units during his career, including No. 75 Squadron RAAF, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit RAAF, No. 81 Wing RAAF, and Air Combat Group RAAF. Hupfeld was promoted to air vice marshal and appointed as Air Commander Australia on 3 February 2012. He moved to the Capability Development Group, as Head Capability Systems, in September 2014.

Personal life

Hupfeld is married to Louise and his interests include cycling, running, fishing, light aircraft, hang-gliding and sailing.

Honours and awards

	Officer of the Order of Australia	2015 Australia Day Honours
	Distinguished Service Cross	27 November 2003
	Australian Active Service Medal	with 2 Clasps
	Iraq Medal
	Australian Service Medal	with 1 Clasp
	Defence Force Service Medal with 4 clasps	35–39 years service
	Australian Defence Medal
	Bronze Star	(United States)
	Meritorious Unit Citation with Federation Star	Awarded to No. 75 Squadron RAAF for Operation FALCONER.

External links

• Royal Australian Air Force Biography

Military offices
Preceded by Lieutenant General John Caligari	Chief Capability Development Group 2015 –	Incumbent
Preceded by Major General John Caligari	Head Capability Systems 2014–2015	Succeeded by Vacant
Preceded by Air Vice Marshal Mark Skidmore	Air Commander Australia 2012–2014	Succeeded by Air Vice Marshal Gavin Turnbull