Headquarters Joint Operations Command (Australia)
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 in NSW adjacent to the Kowen district of the Australian Capital Territory. 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.
L-R: Gymnasium, Mess, 100m gate entrance, main building, car park, 100m fence. To the right is part of the Kowen forest in the Australian Capital Territory
Main entrance (500m gate)
Staff at work in the HQJOC Joint Control Centre at Bungendore, November 2011
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of the Commonwealth of Australia and its national interests. It has three branches: the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The ADF has a strength of just over 89,000 personnel and is supported by the Department of Defence and several other civilian agencies.
The retirement of the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne without replacement in 1982 marked a shift away from the policy of "forward defence".
Australian soldiers lead a column of American troops during Exercise Kangaroo '89, which was held in northern Australia.
A RAAF C-130 Hercules being unloaded at Tallil Air Base, Iraq, during April 2003
Australian Army ASLAV armoured vehicles in Afghanistan during 2011