Mike Hindmarsh
Encyclopedia
Major General
Michael Simon "Mike" Hindmarsh AO, DSC
, CSC
was a senior officer in the Australian Army
. Hindmarsh served as Special Operations Commander Australia
from 2004 to 2008, and Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East Area of Operations from March 2008 to January 2009.
in 1976, graduating into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps
in 1978.
He saw regimental service as a Platoon Commander with the 2nd/4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
and as a Troop Commander, Squadron Commander and Commanding Officer with the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR). Other appointments included: SO3 Operations at HQ Land Command; SO2 Training at HQ UK Special Forces; SO1 Operations at HQ Special Forces; and Brigade level tactics instructor at the Land Warfare Centre.
As Commanding Officer of the SASR, he commanded the ANZAC Special Operations Force detachment to Operation Pollard in Kuwait
during 1998. Hindmarsh was later appointed to command the Special Operations Component on Operation Bastille and Operation Falconer
in the Iraq War. He was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for his distinguished leadership in this position.
He served as the Australian Special Operations Commander
from October 2004 to February 2008. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours of 2008 for his distinguished service in that position.
Hindmarsh assumed command of Australian Forces in the Middle East Area of Operations in an official ceremony on 1 March 2008; he succeeded Major General
Mark Evans
in this position. His tour ended on 12 January 2009, at which time he was succeeded by Major General Mark Andrew Kelly
. For his "distinguished command and leadership in action in the Middle East", Hindmarsh was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
.
From March 2009, Hindmarsh assumed command of Army Training Command at Victoria Barracks
, Sydney.
and the United Kingdom Royal College of Defence Studies
. He is married and has three sons. He enjoys rock climbing, bush walking and rugby union.
Major General (Australia)
Major General is a senior rank of the Australian Army, and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of Major General. It is the third-highest active rank of the Australian Army, and is considered to be equivalent to a two-star rank...
Michael Simon "Mike" Hindmarsh AO, DSC
Distinguished Service Cross (Australia)
The Distinguished Service Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It is awarded for distinguished command and leadership in action. The DSC was introduced in 1991 and is the highest distinguished service decoration in the Australian Honours System...
, CSC
Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia)
The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration of the Australian Honours System. The CSC is awarded only for outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations...
was a senior officer in the Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
. Hindmarsh served as Special Operations Commander Australia
Special Operations Command (Australia)
The Special Operations Command is a command within the Australian Defence Force . Special Operations Command was established in May 2003, to unite all of the ADF special forces units. As of 2007 Special Operations Command is fully operational. Australia's Special Operations Command is of...
from 2004 to 2008, and Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East Area of Operations from March 2008 to January 2009.
Military career
Mike Hindmarsh entered the Royal Military College, DuntroonRoyal Military College, Duntroon
The Royal Military College, Duntroon is the Australian Army's officer training establishment. It was founded at Duntroon, in the Australian Capital Territory, in 1911 and is situated on picturesque grounds at the foot of Mount Pleasant near Lake Burley Griffin, close to the Department of Defence...
in 1976, graduating into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps
Royal Australian Infantry Corps
The Royal Australian Infantry Corps is the parent corps for all infantry regiments of the Australian Army. It was established on 14 December 1948, with its Royal Corps status being conferred by His Majesty King George VI. At her coronation in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II became Colonel-in-Chief of the...
in 1978.
He saw regimental service as a Platoon Commander with the 2nd/4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
2nd/4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
The 2nd/4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment was an Australian Army infantry battalion. 2/4 RAR was formed on 15 August 1973 by linking 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. 2/4 RAR was unlinked to re-form 2 RAR and 4 RAR on 1 February 1995...
and as a Troop Commander, Squadron Commander and Commanding Officer with the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR). Other appointments included: SO3 Operations at HQ Land Command; SO2 Training at HQ UK Special Forces; SO1 Operations at HQ Special Forces; and Brigade level tactics instructor at the Land Warfare Centre.
As Commanding Officer of the SASR, he commanded the ANZAC Special Operations Force detachment to Operation Pollard in Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
during 1998. Hindmarsh was later appointed to command the Special Operations Component on Operation Bastille and Operation Falconer
Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq
The Howard Government supported the disarmament of Iraq during the Iraq disarmament crisis. Australia later provided one of the four most substantial combat force contingents during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, under the operational codename Operation Falconer. Part of its contingent were among the...
in the Iraq War. He was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for his distinguished leadership in this position.
He served as the Australian Special Operations Commander
Special Operations Command (Australia)
The Special Operations Command is a command within the Australian Defence Force . Special Operations Command was established in May 2003, to unite all of the ADF special forces units. As of 2007 Special Operations Command is fully operational. Australia's Special Operations Command is of...
from October 2004 to February 2008. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours of 2008 for his distinguished service in that position.
Hindmarsh assumed command of Australian Forces in the Middle East Area of Operations in an official ceremony on 1 March 2008; he succeeded Major General
Major General (Australia)
Major General is a senior rank of the Australian Army, and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of Major General. It is the third-highest active rank of the Australian Army, and is considered to be equivalent to a two-star rank...
Mark Evans
Mark Evans (general)
Lieutenant General Mark Evans AO, DSC is a retired senior officer in the Australian Army. He served as Chief of Joint Operations from July 2008 until May 2011.-British Army:...
in this position. His tour ended on 12 January 2009, at which time he was succeeded by Major General Mark Andrew Kelly
Mark Andrew Kelly
Major General Mark Andrew Kelly AO, DSC is a former senior officer in the Australian Army. He served as Commander Joint Task Force 633 commanding all Australian Forces in the Middle East Area of Operations and Afghanistan from 12 January 2009 until 14 January 2010 and as Land Commander Australia ...
. For his "distinguished command and leadership in action in the Middle East", Hindmarsh was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (Australia)
The Distinguished Service Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It is awarded for distinguished command and leadership in action. The DSC was introduced in 1991 and is the highest distinguished service decoration in the Australian Honours System...
.
From March 2009, Hindmarsh assumed command of Army Training Command at Victoria Barracks
Victoria Barracks
There are several Victoria Barracks in the world.*Victoria Barracks, Windsor Castle*Victoria Barracks, Melbourne*Victoria Barracks, Hong Kong*Victoria Barracks, Sydney*Victoria Barracks, Brisbane...
, Sydney.
Personal
Hindmarsh is a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College, Queenscliff, the Joint Services Command and Staff CollegeJoint Services Command and Staff College
Joint Services Command and Staff College is a British military academic establishment providing training and education to experienced officers of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence Civil Service, and serving officers of other states.-History:JSCSC combined the single...
and the United Kingdom Royal College of Defence Studies
Royal College of Defence Studies
The Royal College of Defence Studies is an internationally-renowned institution and component of the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom...
. He is married and has three sons. He enjoys rock climbing, bush walking and rugby union.
External links
- Official photo (copyright)
- "Always being ahead of the enemy", Australian Defence Magazine Feature, November 2004
