John Hewitson

Air Commodore John Hewitson AM
Director General Personnel - Air Force (Air Force Representative)

Air Commodore Hewitson joined the RAAF in 1975 as Clerk Equipment Accounts. After graduating from No 55 Navigator's course in 1978, he was commissioned and commenced a flying career on P3B Orion's with No 11 Squadron.

In 1984 he qualified as a Navigation Instructor and served at the School of Air Navigation. On promotion to squadron leader in 1988, he commenced a long association with Air Force Personnel Branch when he was posted to the Directorate of Personnel Officers (Air Force) as a career manager.

He returned to Maritime flying in 1990 and converted to the P3C Orion before being appointed Operations Staff Officer at No 92 WG and subsequently B Flight Commander on No 10 Squadron. He completed RNZAF Staff College and was a member of the Directing Staff for two years, including six months as Commandant following his promotion to wing commander in June 1995.

On return to Australia he was appointed POMANB in the Directorate of Personnel Officers, and since that time has been immersed in Personnel work including full time study in Human Resources at Canberra University. He was awarded a Chief of Air Force Commendation in 1998. He was promoted to Group Captain in September 2001 and appointed Deputy Head of the ADF Remuneration Team, also acting as Secretariat for the Nunn Review. As Director of Personnel Strategy Implementation for Air Force, he masterminded the amalgamation of the Air Force Officer and Airman personnel management directorates.

As Director Personnel Capability Management-Air Force and Director Personnel-Air Force he has been instrumental in the development of a new generation of Air Force Personnel Managers. On promotion to Air Commodore in November 2006 he was appointed Director General Personnel-Air Force. In The Queens Birthday Honours of 2008, AIRCDRE Hewitson was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his professional mastery of Maritime surveillance operations and an exceptional grasp of personnel management practices and innovation; successfully blending his operational experience with a deep understanding of people and contemporary personnel management practices to deliver outstanding outcomes to the Air Force.

Air Commodore Hewitson's interests include technology, wine appreciation and fine dining.