21 March 2006
Commodore Jack Steer, ONZM, RNZN will be the new Commander of the Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand, and will be promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral, Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson announced today.
Commodore Steer is appointed to the position with effect 1 May, replacing Major General Lou Gardiner, who has been appointed as Chief of Army.
Air Marshal Ferguson also announced the appointment of Captain Tony Parr, MVO, RNZN, as Deputy Chief of Navy, to be promoted to the rank of Commodore. Colonel Phil Gibbons has been appointed Land Component Commander, and will be promoted to the rank of Brigadier.
The Chief of the Defence Force congratulated all the appointees on their new positions.
"Commodore Steer has had a distinguished career and will serve New Zealand Defence Force well as Commander Joint Forces New Zealand. I also congratulate Captain Parr and Colonel Gibbons on their appointments."
Commodore Jack Steer was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. He joined the Royal New Zealand Navy on 3 January 1973 as a Midshipman, specialising as a Seaman Officer. He served in HMNZ Ships Taupo, Waikato, Otago, Hawea and Southland before completing staff training at the Royal Australian Staff College.
In 1991 Commodore Steer was promoted to Commander, and in 1994 he took command of HMNZS Wellington, which successfully contributed to the Multinational Interception Force operations in the Arabian Gulf, enforcing UN sanctions against Iraq.
He was promoted to Commodore and appointed Maritime Component Commander at Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand in 2004. On January 27 2006 he was appointed Deputy Chief of Navy.
ENDS
For further information please contact Lieutenant Colonel Mike Shatford, Director Defence Public Relations: 04 496 0299 or 021 441 493.