Steve Roberton joined the RAAF in 1989 and trained as a fighter pilot.
20 Facts About Steve Roberton
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Steve Roberton has deployed to Iraq, commanded No 75 Squadron RAAF and No 82 Wing RAAF, and led Air Task Group 630 on operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
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Steve Roberton served as commander Air Combat Group RAAF from 2015 to 2017, Air Commander Australia from 2017 to 2019, and Head Force Design within the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group from June 2019 to February 2022.
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Steve Roberton studied a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Mathematics at the University of Queensland, graduating in 1988.
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Steve Roberton had originally intended to pursue graduate studies in medicine, but after joining the university glider club he gained a passion for flying and decided to embark on a career in aviation.
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Steve Roberton was accepted into the Royal Australian Air Force as a direct entry pilot trainee in 1989.
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Steve Roberton completed initial officer and flight training at RAAF Point Cook and RAAF Base Pearce, graduating from No 153 Pilots Course in 1990.
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Steve Roberton returned to No 3 Squadron, as commander of A Flight, in 1998.
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Steve Roberton was posted to the Fighter Requirements division of the Capability Development Group for eighteen months from July 2000.
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Steve Roberton was then selected to attend the Australian Command and Staff College, where he graduated with a Master of Management in Defence Studies from the affiliated University of Canberra in 2002.
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Steve Roberton received a Chief of Air Force Commendation for his performance in the Middle East and, following his return to Australia, assumed command of No 75 Squadron RAAF at RAAF Base Tindal from November 2003.
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Steve Roberton was posted to RAAF Base Amberley in command of No 82 Wing RAAF in April 2010, having overseen the introduction of the Super Hornet into Australian service ahead of schedule and below budget.
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Steve Roberton was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2012 Australia Day Honours, the award recognising his "exceptional capability, capacity and devotion" to "effective Air Combat Group capability" in both his command appointments and during the introduction of the Super Hornet.
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Steve Roberton next completed the Higher Command and Staff Course in the United Kingdom in early 2012, before returning to Australia in April as Director General Aerospace Development in the Capability Development Group.
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In September 2014, Steve Roberton was selected as the inaugural commander of Air Task Group 630 on Operation Okra.
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Steve Roberton handed over command of the air task group to Air Commodore Glen Braz on 5 January 2015, by which time the Australian aircraft were flying approximately 13 percent of coalition airstrikes in Iraq.
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In recognition of his "tireless devotion and exceptional personal skills" in the establishment, deployment and initial operations of Air Task Group 630, Steve Roberton was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in the 2016 Australia Day Honours.
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Steve Roberton was appointed commander Air Combat Group at RAAF Base Williamtown in January 2015, with responsibility for the administration of the RAAF's fast-jet combat aircraft and command of Australia's air combat operations.
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Steve Roberton became Head Force Design within the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group in June 2019.
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Steve Roberton is married to Libby, with whom he has three children.