Commander Paul Moggach

Raised and educated in Sydney, Commander Paul James Moggach, RAN joined the Royal Australian Navy in January 1986 and subsequently completed the Executive Officers Application Course qualifying as a Seaman Officer in 1989.

Commander Moggach commenced pilot training in February 1990 with No. 155 Course at RAAF Point Cook and RAAF Pearce. He graduated in August 1991 and was the last Navy pilot to gain his wings on the Macchi Jet Trainer. Helicopter training followed and Commander Moggach was subsequently posted to 817 SQN in September 1992 to complete Sea King Pilot Operational Flying Training. This was completed in March 1993 and was followed by posting to sea in HMAS Success as the Flight P2. Commander Moggach gained his Anti-Submarine Warfare Captaincy in early 1995 and completed a number of postings at both 817 SQN and at sea with embarked flights and detachments.

Commander Moggach completed Helicopter Instructor training and a posting as a Qualified Helicopter Instructor at the Australian Defence Force Helicopter School, RAAF Fairbairn, from 1997 until 1999. He then returned to Sea Kings where he served as the Pilot Training Officer and then the Flight One Flight Commander in HMAS Success and HMAS Kanimbla. This posting included operations in support of the Sydney Olympics, Exercise Tandem Thrust 01, Op Trek in the Solomon Islands and Operations Bastille, Slipper and Falconer in the Northern Arabian Gulf. Commander Moggach was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service for his work as the HMAS Kanimbla Flight Commander during Op Falconer.

After a brief posting to Maritime Headquarters as the Deputy Fleet Aviation Officer, Commander Moggach was posted as the Executive Officer in 817 SQN from 2005 – 2006. Commander Moggach completed the Australian Command and Staff Course (Joint) in 2007. He was promoted to Commander in January 2008 and commenced a posting as Directing Staff at the Australian Command and Staff College.

Commander Moggach assumed command of 817 Squadron in August 2009 until the decommissioning of the squadron on 16 December 2011.

Commander Moggach is married to Sandy, has two daughters. He enjoys travelling and camping with his family and friends.