Chairman

Air Vice-Marshal Kym Osley AM, CSC

AVM Kym Osley

Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Kym Osley joined the Air Force in January 1977. After initial training as an Air Combat Officer, he flew in F-111s strike aircraft with No 1 Squadron and flew in RF-4C Phantom II aircraft as a Flight Commander on exchange with the USAF, including operating from West Germany during the Cold War. On return to Australia in 1988, he was promoted to Squadron Leader and flew as a Flight Commander with No 6 Squadron (F-111C/RF-111C) until 1990.

In the period 1990-93, AVM Osley was responsible for major strike-reconnaissance projects within Capability Development (Air) Branch. Following staff training in 1994, he was the Air Force strategic planner for three years before taking command of No 1 Squadron. He led the F-111 squadron on operations over East Timor in 1999.

On promotion to Group Captain in late 1999, AVM Osley was posted to the United Kingdom as the Air Force Adviser. In 2002 he undertook senior staff studies before being appointed Officer Commanding No 82 Wing. In August 2004 he was posted on promotion to Director General Capability and Plans, Canberra. In this position he assisted with planning the future force structure for the Australian Defence Force.

AVM Osley deployed as Director of the Coalition Air Operations Centre in the Middle East in the period November 2006 to March 2007, where he directed the employment of 425 Coalition aircraft and 25,000 airmen and on occasion flew on combat missions He took up the appointment of Commander Air Combat Group (F-18/F-111/Hawk aircraft) in July 2007. AVM Osley was promoted to his current rank in mid-2008 as Head of Australian Defence Staff (Washington) and in 2010 returned to Australia to lead the Australian F-35 Procurement Team. After a final posting in 2013/14 as Head Capability Transition in Air Force Headquarters, AVM Osley transferred to the Air Force Reserves.

AVM Osley works full-time as a Managing Director for the international firm, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, in their Canberra management consulting practice. He is also the Patron of the Australian Federation Guard, a Patron of the 467-463 SQN Association, Mentor for the RAAF Beaufort Association, a Master Air Navigator of the Honorable Company of Air Pilots, a Fellow of the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies and is Executive Secretary (and a Fellow) of the Australian Institute of Navigation. He is currently writing his second military biography and is a slow but enthusiastic road cyclist.

AVM Osley is married to his very understanding wife, Debbie, and they have three adult sons. AVM Osley has fooled a number of tertiary institutions over the years, and has various tertiary qualifications including BSc (Physics), a Master of Arts and a Master of Defence Studies. He is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School (AMP). He spends much time working on his old car collection, out of necessity.

The Australian Air Force Cadets acknowledges this country and its traditional custodians.

We acknowledge and respect the spiritual relationship between the traditional custodians and this country which is inspired by language of songs, dance law and dream time stories over many thousands of years and we pay our respect to the elders who have passed into the dreaming, those here today, and those of tomorrow. May we continue to peacefully walk together in gratitude, respect and kindness in caring for this country and each other.