From shipbuilding and engineering to operations and international peacekeeping, ADF members from Navy, Army and Air Force have been recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday military honours list.
This year, 97 ADF members have received honours for distinguished and conspicuous service. Recipients range in rank from leading seaman to rear admiral, reflecting contributions made at every level of the Australian Defence Force.
The list recognises work across a wide span of Defence activity, including shipbuilding and sustainment, land and joint capability reform, operations at home and overseas, health and medical support, engineering, space and cyber capability, uncrewed systems, intelligence, training, workforce reform and international cooperation.
Rear Admiral (retd) Steven Tiffen has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Military Division for distinguished service in ADF ship construction, acquisition and sustainment, including leadership of major surface ship programs during a period of significant reform.
Also appointed AOs in the Military Division are Lieutenant General (Hon) Cheryl Pearce, for distinguished service in Army capability development and strategic reform, and Major General Richard Vagg, for senior leadership in support of international peace and security, including international and multinational roles.
The 14 appointments and 83 awards in this year’s military honours list are:
OFFICER (AO) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Navy: Rear Admiral Steven Tiffen AM CSM RAN (retd)
Army: Lieutenant General (Hon) Cheryl Pearce AM CSC; Major General Richard Vagg DSC
MEMBER (AM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Navy: Warrant Officer Bradley Lahey; Commodore Paul O’Grady DSM CSM RAN; Commodore Heath Robertson CSC RAN; Commodore Jan Wiltshire CSC and Bar RAN
Army: Brigadier Shaun Hoffmann; Brigadier David McCammon DSM and Bar; Brigadier Timothy Orders
Air Force: Warrant Officer Matthew Elliott; Group Captain Martin Parker; Wing Commander Todd Woodford; Wing Commander Susan Yates
MEDAL (OAM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Navy: Commander Kate Alston RAN; Chief Petty Officer Marcus Effrett; Lieutenant Commander Mohab Hanna RAN; Warrant Officer Bradley Martin; Commander David O’Toole RAN; Lieutenant Commander Robert RAN (retd); Commander David Wright RAN
Army: Warrant Officer Class One B; Warrant Officer Class One Michael Beeton; Warrant Officer Class One Scott Caswell; Major Andrew Crook; Warrant Officer Class One Wayne Davis; Major Craig Fairweather; Warrant Officer Class One Adam Harper; Warrant Officer Class One Alison Huber; Warrant Officer Class One David Nutini; Warrant Officer Class One Gregg Orlicki
Air Force: Warrant Officer Scott Atkinson; Flight Lieutenant Tobias Peach; Wing Commander Alan Turner
BAR TO THE CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC and Bar)
Army: Colonel Tracy Allison CSC
CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC)
Navy: Captain Bernadette Alexander RAN; Captain Jorge McKee CSM RAN; Captain Christopher Searle RAN; Commander Scott Squires RAN
Army: Lieutenant Colonel Richard Adamson; Lieutenant Colonel Suzanne Albury; Lieutenant Colonel Brendan Allen; Lieutenant Colonel Haydn Barlow; Major Joshua Clarke; Lieutenant Colonel Travis Day; Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Farrell; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Finch; Colonel G; Lieutenant Colonel David Hickey; Lieutenant Colonel Jason Long; Lieutenant Colonel Markus Ludwig; Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Mitchell; Lieutenant Colonel Glenn Neilson DSM; Lieutenant Colonel Mark Ripper; Lieutenant Colonel Justin Robinson; Colonel Wendy Say; Lieutenant Colonel Brooke Steele
Air Force: Wing Commander Wayne Armstrong; Flight Lieutenant Nicholas Chapman; Warrant Officer Stephen Clark; Squadron Leader Emily Hartley; Group Captain Terrence Lewis; Wing Commander Peter Mole; Flight Sergeant Joshua Schoeneck
CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL (CSM)
Navy: Leading Seaman Luke Bonanno; Chief Petty Officer Michelle Bush; Commander Christopher RAN; Lieutenant Commander David Sinclair RAN; Chief Petty Officer Vanessa Toohey
Army: Major Nicholas Aplin; Warrant Officer Class Two Anthony Begnell; Sergeant J; Major Brenton Chapman; Lieutenant Colonel Robert Coales; Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Dawe; Warrant Officer Class Two Christopher Fallon; Warrant Officer Class One Sonya Francis; Warrant Officer Class Two Corey Freckleton; Major Christopher Grimes; Warrant Officer Class One Scott Kelly; Warrant Officer Class One Daniel Leatham; Warrant Officer Class One M; Warrant Officer Class One P; Warrant Officer Class Two S; Warrant Officer Class Two Matthew Solis; Lieutenant Colonel Pete Tarling; Lieutenant Colonel Scott Thomas; Captain Aaron Wurfel
Air Force: Sergeant Lawson Alick; Squadron Leader Charles Goodacre; Wing Commander Mark Jobson; Group Captain Mark Powell; Flight Lieutenant Alexander Quitzau; Wing Commander Timothy Shaw; Flight Lieutenant Stuart Siebels; Warrant Officer Darren Williams; Wing Commander Leigh Wrighton-Jones
For the full list of the King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List recipients visit the Governor-General’s website.
Defence image Pratt and Whitney acedemic training instructor Mr Jose Nemez (left) conducts engine checks with Aircraft Technician Corporal Daniel Jackson (centre left), 2 Operational Conversion Unit, Milskil contractor Mr Paul Wagstaff (centre right) and Aircraft Technician Corporal Matthew Elliott (right), No 77 Squadron during acceptance testing of F-35A engine training aids received from the USA.
