Commodore Tim Barrett CSC

Commander Australian Navy Aviation Group (CANAG)

Commodore Tim Barrett is currently the Commander Australian Navy Aviation Group (CANAG) located at HMAS ALBATROSS in Nowra NSW.

Commodore Barrett commenced his Naval career as a Junior Entry Cadet Midshipman to Royal Australian Naval College (RANC) in 1976. He completed Seaman Officer training in HMA Ships MELBOURNE and PERTH, before gaining his Bridge Watch keeping Certificate in HMS ORKNEY with the Royal Navy in 1982. Consolidation training was conducted in HMAS BRISBANE in 1983/4. He subsequently qualified as aircrew (Observer) in 1984. He then served in HS 817 Sea Kings until 1989 as Operations Officer, HMAS STALWART Flight Commander and as a simulator instructor.

He completed flight test training on the RAF Aerosystems Course in the UK in 1989/90. He subsequently posted to the Seahawk Introduction and Transition Unit, firstly as a trials officer then as Flight Commander to HMA Ships ADELAIDE and CANBERRA, the latter including deployment to the North Red Sea on DAMASK 6. He attended RAN Staff Course in 1993, then joined the Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit as the Officer In Charge. This was followed by a posting to HS 817 Squadron as Commanding Officer in 1996.

On promotion to Commander in early 1997 he became Deputy Director Air Warfare Development in the Force Development Branch of Australian Defence Head Quarters (ADHQ). Subsequent reorganisation within Headquarters saw the position become Deputy Director Maritime Aviation under the DG Aerospace Development, responsible for both Naval Aviation and RAAF P3 capability development. Commander Barrett then posted into RANTEAA as the inaugural Helicopter Operational Test Director, responsible for coordinating the operational test and evaluation of Projects SEA 1405(1&2) – Seahawk FLIR & ESM modification, SEA 1411 – Seasprite Acquisition, and SEA 1414 – Penguin ASM Acquisition.

On promotion to Captain, he assumed command of HMAS Albatross on 26 February 2001 and assumed responsibility for the bases support of the four Naval Air Squadrons that provide aircraft and air support to the Maritime Commander. He was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for his service in command.

Captain Barrett was then posted as Chief of Staff Aviation at COMAUSNAVAIRGRP on 20 Jan 2003, heading up the Operations, Capability and Airworthiness of the Aviation Force Element Group (FEG).

In December 2004 Captain Barrett was appointed to the position of Director Naval Officers Postings (DNOP), facilitating the career management of Naval Officers whilst maintaining the balance between the corporate staffing requirements and the individual Officers aspirations.

Promoted to Commodore in December 2005, he assumed the position of FEG Commander for Naval Aviation, responsible for the whole of life and capability management.

Commodore Barrett is married to Jenny and has two young daughters Alice and Lucy. He holds a BA in history and politics and a Master of Defence Studies, both conferred by UNSW.

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