Introducing AIR VICE-MARSHAL JOE ‘VINNY’ IERVASI, AM, CSC,   

Air Vice Marshal Joe Iervasi completed flying training in 1989, and converted onto the FA-18 Hornet in 1991.

He then, during his Air Force career as a fighter pilot, served in junior pilot roles through to Flight Commander appointments and then Commanding Officer of 3 Squadron.

A notable posting was on exchange to 5 Squadron RAF flying the Tornado F3.  He deployed on Operation Deny Flight enforcing the no fly zone over Bosnia-Herzigovnia (1995).

In staff and command appointments, Air Vice Marshal Iervasi served with Capability Systems, 81 Wing as Senior Operations Officer and Officer Commanding, and Chiefs of Staff positions to Air Combat Group and to the Vice Chief of the Defence Force.

Air Vice-Marshal Iervasi was promoted to Air Commodore and deployed to the Middle East as the Director, US Central Command 609th Combined Air Operations Centre at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

He returned to Australia in July 2014 and was appointed to the position of Director General Air Command Operations and Director General Air where he commanded global air operations including Operation OKRA.

This posting was followed in December 2016 with a two year appointment as Commander Air Warfare Centre.

In December 2018, on promotion to Air Vice-Marshal, he was appointed Commander Joint Task Force 633 and deployed again to the Middle East this time stationed in Al Minhad Air Base, in Dubai.

Air Vice-Marshal Iervasi took up his current role as Air Commander Australia in Jul 2019.

Air Vice-Marshal Iervasi has over 3000 hours flying fast jets. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree, a Masters of Management in Defence Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies

He has been awarded the Medal in the Order of Australia (2009), Australian Active Service Medal, Afghanistan Medal, Defence Long Service Medal with Third Clasp, and the Australian Defence Medal. He was appointed as a Member in the Order of Australia in 2016 and in June 2020 was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for outstanding achievement as the Commander Joint Task Force 633.