Air Commodore Ben Sleeman, CSC, DSM. Loved Flying the F18 Hornet

Introducing AIR COMMODORE BENJAMIN SLEEMAN, CSC, DSM,   Deputy Air Commander Australia Ben Sleeman joined the Australian Air Force in January 1990 and after attending the Defence Force Academy proceeded to pilot training. Ben then completed fast jet training and was posted to 75 Squadron in Tindal on the F/A-18 Hornet.   In 1999 Ben completed 26 Fighter Combat Instructor Course. Ben then deployed on Operation Slipper with 3 Squadron in early 2002.  In 2003 he deployed again on Operations Bastille and Falconer. In 2004, Ben was promoted to Squadron Leader and completed postings at 75 Squadron as a Flight Commander and then Executive Officer. Ben was promoted to Wing Commander and in 2011 he attended the US Air Force Air War College in Alabama, graduating with a Master of Strategic Studies. In 2013 Ben assumed command of 77 Squadron, during which he deployed on Operation Okra. Ben was then posted as the Director of the Air and Space Operations Centre in Joint Operations Command on promotion to Group Captain in June 2016. In January 2018 Ben assumed command of 81 Wing, overseeing the transition of the Wing from the F/A-18A to the F-35A aircraft. In December 2019, Ben was promoted to Air Commodore and again deployed to the Middle East Region as Combined Air Operations Centre Director in Qatar at USAF 609th Air Operations Centre. In November 2020 Ben assumed his current role as the Deputy Air Commander Australia based at RAAF Glenbrook.