Aussie awarded the Bronze Star
11 March 2010 By Tammie Collie
One of the RAN’s own has been recognised by Australia’s closest ally with the awarding of a US Bronze Star for service during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Captain (CAPT) Tony O’Malley was awarded the Bronze Star for exceptionally meritorious service in a combat zone with exposure to risk of hostile action on February 23 in Canberra. The award was presented by a representative from the US Embassy. The Chief of Navy, VADM Russ Crane, AO, CSM, RAN was also present.
“My reaction was, I think, fairly typically Australian; I was slightly embarrassed but also pleased and proud to have represented Australia,” CAPT O’Malley said.
CAPT O’Malley served as a planner, Future Operations, in the Multi-National Corps Iraq, from December 3, 2008 to June 3, 2009 and developed numerous orders directing missions of five multi-national divisions, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Arabian Peninsula and two separate brigades, which were all involved in high tempo operations in a combat zone.
It was an enjoyable challenge for CAPT O’Malley.
“Working in the headquarters that was directing an 18-brigade force in combat was both professionally rewarding and personally exciting,” he said.
“The sheer weight of combat power brought to bear defies easy description. These are full strength, fully armed and armoured brigades, complete with supporting elements. We’re talking 150,000 men and women, 10,000 mine resistant armoured vehicles, thousands of main battle tanks, regiments of artillery and vast fixed and rotary winged aviation elements – it’s truly awe inspiring.”
Serving with great distinction CAPT O’Malley also coordinated the Multi-National Corps’ participation in the Joint Military Operations Committee process. He developed the initial requirements for the Military Operations, Training and Logistics Sub-committee, and directly interacted with senior members of the Iraqi Ground Forces Command, the Iraqi Ministry of Defence, the Multi-National Force Iraq and the Multi-National Corps Iraq.
These committees were formed to drive coordination and interaction between United States and Iraqi senior leadership to ensure the success of the US/Iraq Security Agreement.
CAPT O’Malley displayed the rare attributes of diplomate, statesman and soldier/sailor in his endeavours. Indeed, the Joint Sub-Committee for Military Operations, Training and Logistics has become the model for 11 sub-committees to emulate and will have a lasting impact on Multi-National Corps Iraq in future dealings with the Government of Iraq.
CAPT O’Malley enjoyed working with the US forces and spoke of the ADF’s excellent reputation overseas.
“I was among a small contingent of Aussies working in the Multi National Corps, Iraq (MNC-I) as embedded staff officers. Most of us were working fully integrated with the US Army Corps headquarters and dispersed among that organisation.”
“While we Aussies were something of a cultural curiosity, the US forces were, for the most part, well aware of our outstanding military reputation and very welcoming. Our proficiency as military planners was widely acknowledged and our presence in the HQ positively influenced the ADF’s reputation as a fighting force peopled by professional, competent and dedicated warriors.”
Raised in Sydney, CAPT O’Malley graduated from the Royal Australian Naval College, Jervis Bay, at the end of 1983, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of New South Wales.
After Seaman Officer training in HMA Ships Stalwart, Gladstone and Perth (II), he was posted to HMAS Hobart as an Officer of the watch and then HMAS Jervis Bay as the Training Officer.
In 1987, he began his career as a Principal Warfare Officer – Navigation, undertaking of sub-specialist courses and postings. These postings included HMA Ships Dubbo (II), Parramatta, Adelaide and Tobruk as Navigating Officer, HMAS Canberra (II) as the Signal Communications Officer, Maritime Headquarters as Fleet Navigation Officer and HMAS Watson as the Officer-in-Charge of the Navigation School.
In 1999, he was appointed Executive Officer to HMAS Hobartfollowed by HMAS Newcastle. He was subsequently posted to the Australian Command and Staff Course and earned a Masters in Management and Defence Studies from the University of Canberra and a Graduate Diploma in Maritime.
Promoted to Commander in 2002, CAPT O’Malley served for three years as the Operations Officer Headquarters Northern Command before being appointed in command of HMAS Adelaide in May 2005. In January 2007, he was promoted to Captain and assumed duties in Navy Headquarters as the Director Navy Force Structure and Warfare.
In December 2009, CAPT O’Malley assumed duties as the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Northern Command and Deputy Commander Northern Command. He has served in operations in Fiji, Kuwait, Somalia, Bougainville, the Solomon Islands, East Timor and Iraq.
