Commander Australian Navy Patrol Boat Group

Captain Vaughn Rixon, CSC, ADC, RAN

Captain Vaughn Rixon, CSC, ADC, RAN entered the Royal Australian Naval College as a Cadet Midshipman in 1977. After qualifying and consolidating as a seaman officer he specialised in communications, serving as the last Destroyer Squadron Three Signals Communications Officer in HMAS TORRENS.

In 1986 Vaughn qualified as a Mandarin Chinese Linguist and subsequently undertook advanced training at the Ministry of Defence (UK) School of Languages, Hong Kong and held staff positions within the Directorate of Naval Intelligence and Security.

Captain Rixon served in Patrol Boats and Major Fleet units, commanding HMA Ships GLADSTONE, GERALDTON and JERVIS BAY. Under his command GLADSTONE was awarded the 1998 Kelly Shield for MWV Efficiency and in 2000, Captain Rixon was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross for his efforts in command of GLADSTONE and JERVIS BAY.

While servicing as the Staff Officer Operations in Headquarters, Northern Command responsible for surveillance and response in Australia's northern approaches, Vaughn also attended the 2001 Peoples' Liberation Army National Defence University Asia Pacific Security Symposium at Changping, Beijjing. He then returned to Canberra in 2002 to join the Defence Materiel Organisation as the Major Surface Ships Branch Operational Requirements Manager and Evolved SEASPARROW Missile Project Director. In 2003, Commander Rixon was selected as the Defence Attaché, Beijing and then promoted to Captain in November 2004 on taking up the position. On completion of this posting Vaughn was awarded the PLA August 1st Medal for his contribution to Sino-Australian defence relations.

Vaughn returned to Australia in January 2008 to assume duties as Commander Australian Naval Patrol Boat Group and Senior Naval Officer Northern Australia. Captain Rixon was also appointed as an honorary aide-de-camp to the Governor General at this time.