Officers who went beyond call of duty recognised

A special forces officer and an air force commander are among military person­nel recognised in the Queen’s Birthday honours.

Colonel Robert Calhoun. Picture: Evan Morgan

A special forces officer who spent almost three years fighting extrem­ists in Iraq and Afghanistan and an air force commander responsib­le for more than 500 attack­s are among military person­nel recognised in the Queen’s Birthday honours.

Those receiving the highest decoration for command roles, the Distinguished Service Cross, includ­e two members of the Australian Army and one from the air force for their distinguished leadership in Iraq-based operations during 2017 and last year.

The member from the air force, who cannot be named, commanded a strike element as part of Operatio­n Okra in the Middle East, firing more than 500 times on enemy targets in Iraq and Syria.

“His superior airmanship enabled­ his strike element to sustai­n a highly effective presence in theatre, delivering ongoing support to international objectives,” the citation says.

Colonel Robert Kent Calhoun from the ACT was another recipient of the DSC in recognition of his leadership as commander of Task Group Taji VI in Iraq from December 2017.

The citation said Colonel Calhoun improved the operational effectiveness of Iraqi forces and contributed to the denial-of-operational-freedom manoeuvre against Da’esh (ISIS) in north Baghdad.

Thirty military personnel were honoured with the Order of Australia across the Australian Army, navy and air force. Among them is an unnamed special forces officer who made a remarkable contribution to the global war on terror over the past decade, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan in six combat deployments over a total of 32 months. Warrant Officer Class One Michael Reyne of NSW was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his “meritorious performance of duty in the field of leadership, training and live fire range safety”.

He was commended for his service as Regimental Sergeant Major of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, and for his contribution to the Combined Arms Training Centre where he “inculcated a culture of excellence in battlefield shooting, fitness and training safety,” according to the citation.

Air Vice Marshal Tracy Lee Smart from the Royal Australian Air Force has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for her contribution to medical and health services of the Australian Defence Force. She has been recognised for “exceptional leadership and superb professionalism”, which have shaped the provision of world-class medical and health services to ADF members.

“She significantly enhanced health capability over years of devoted service, and has been key to major improvements in the mental health services provided to current and former members,” the accompanying biography to her appointment read.