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COLONEL COMMANDANTS

OF THE

ROYAL REGIMENT of AUSTRALIAN ARTILLERY

EASTERN REGION

COLONEL IAN FRANCIS AHEARN

Colonel Commandant Eastern Region - Colonel Ian Francis Ahearn
       

Colonel Ian Ahearn was born in Sydney 1945 and matriculated from Epping Boys High School in 1962. Ian entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon the following year and graduated in 1966 into the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. Posted to 102nd Field Battery he saw Active Service in South Vietnam (1968-1969) both as gun position officer and forward observer with C Company 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment.

On return from Vietnam Ian married Elizabeth and was promoted Captain and posted to Tasmania as Adjutant 6th Field Regiment RAA. He also performed the role of Army Careers Lecturer Tasmania Command before leaving the far South for the far North in 1971. A short stint with 4th Field Regiment in Townsville followed before Ian accompanied 106th Field Battery to Singapore as the BK. 106th Field Battery formed the Australian component of 28 ANZUK Field Regiment which in turn was the artillery element of the ANZUK Force. Singapore also saw the birth of Ian and Elizabeth's first son Nathan.

 Promoted Major on return to Australia in 1974, Ian was appointed as Deputy Assistant Quarter Master General (DAQMG) in Headquarters 3rd Military District. This posting was short lived and in September 1974 he joined 8th/12th Medium Regiment as Battery Commander 102nd Field Battery in Holsworthy. Shortly after arrival in Sydney a second son, Justin, was born. The family then moved back to Victoria while Ian attended the Australian Staff College at Queenscliff. Staff appointments in Headquarters 2nd Military District and HQ Training Command followed before a posting to the United States where Ian assumed the appointment as Staff Officer Grade Two Training.

The Ahearns returned to Australia in 1981 and Ian was promoted Lieutenant Colonel and in succession served as Deputy Commander 2nd Training Group and Staff Officer Grade 1 Co-ordination Headquarters Training Command. In 1985 Ian attended the Joint Services Staff College followed by promotion to Colonel and appointed as Chief of Staff of the newly formed Land Force Headquarters.

In 1988 Ian was posted as Commandant 1st Recruit Training Battalion and Commander Kapooka Military Area. In 1990 a move was made to Canberra and a 'purple' appointment in Headquarters Australian Defence Force as Director Support Force Development Land). This was followed by a final position of Director Corporate Information Policy and Plans-Army in Army Headquarters.

Ian left the Army in 1997 and worked in the Information Technology industry with C3I Pty Ltd, Know1 Pty Ltd, Election.Com and Catalyst Interactive before retiring in 2004. In retirement he has spent six years as a Board Member of Federal Golf Club including two years as President, continues to be a member of the RSL National Committee for Conditions of Service and has an avid interest in rugby, golf and cricket as well as the Sing Australia Choir.

Ian and Elizabeth continue to live in Canberra. Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Diploma in Special Education and works as a disability consultant for the NSW Department of Education. Their eldest son, Nathan is a Warrant Officer Class One in the Royal Australian Regiment currently serving RSM 4/19 RNSWR. Justin has a Bachelor of Science (Marine Biologist) and is currently in Orange with the NSW Office of Water.

         
       
         
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