A bilateral agreement between Australia and New Zealand has opened the opportunity for cross-employment within the two countries’ air forces.
Under the deal, senior Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) officials are eligible to fill the position of a Deputy Air Commander Australia (DACAUST) of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
The role of DACAUST is now an ongoing position open to senior officers in the RNZAF.
Chief Air Force Marshalls of the two Air Forces signed a joint guidance statement in May 2024, with the aim to strengthen cooperation and interoperability between the RAAF and RNZAF.
On January 13, 2025, RNZAF Air Commodore Susie Barns officially became the first DACAUST of the RAAF.
Barns served the RNZAF continuously since 1993, and brings a wealth of experience to her new role with the RAAF.
During that time, she worked across all branches of the RNZAF including senior roles as Director of Logistics, Director of Air Force Health and Safety, and Head of the Logistics Branch for the RNZAF.
Air Commodore Barns’ international experience also extends to her role as the RNZAF Logistics Adviser based in London, United Kingdom. There, she was responsible for liaison with the UK military establishment on a range of procurement initiatives, multilateral agreements and a variety of representational duties in both the UK and Europe.
To prepare for her role as DACAUST, Barns spent the past 12 months undertaking the Defence and Strategic Studies Course at the Australian Defence College in Canberra.
“What a great honour it is to take up the position of Deputy Air Commander for RAAF as part of this new joint agreement between our two great Air Forces,” Barns said.
“The ties between both our Air Forces are deep and rich and I look forward to bringing my experience to the role of DACAUST, while also using it as an incredible learning opportunity,” she added.
