Tim Ireland, Wing Commander. Highlights in the F18A, F35A and Middle East Operations

Welcome to Wing Commander Tim Ireland, Commanding Officer No 77 Squadron Tim was born in Bega, NSW, in 1980.  He grew up in the country towns of Cowra and Port Macquarie before enlisting in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1998, graduating with distinction from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 2000. Tim holds a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics and Physics) from the University of New South Wales, graduated from 190 Pilot’s Course in 2002, F/A-18A Hornet Operational Conversion in 2005, became a Qualified Flying Instructor in 2008, and converted to F-35A Lightning II in 2020. He was awarded Category A qualification on the F-18A in 2017, has flown more than 50 missions and 350 combat hours over Iraq and Syria, and is an F-35A Mission Instructor and is Mission Command Qualified. Tim has served at all operational fighter squadrons.  He was a Flight Commander at No 3 Squadron during 2012-2015, and Executive Officer of No 75 Squadron during 2015-2017. Tim deployed to Afghanistan as an Air Liaison Officer on Operation SLIPPER in 2008. He subsequently deployed twice to the Middle East Region throughout 2015-2016 on Operation OKRA as Executive Officer Strike Element of the Air Task Group. Tim has staff officer experience in Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group and Air Force Headquarters as the Deputy Director Air Combat Transition Office 2018-2019. He was Executive Officer, No 81 Wing before taking command of No 77 Squadron in December 2020. He has been selected as Staff Officer to Chief of Air Force in 2023. Wing Commander Ireland is married to Sarah, an Air Force Legal Officer, and they enjoy caring for their rescue greyhound, Audrey. He is also keenly interested in travel, keeping fit, and music.