# Jonathan Mead

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{{Short description|Royal Australian Navy admiral}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox military person
| name           = Jonathan Mead
| image          = File:Rear Adm. Jonathan Mead 13 September 2018 (cropped).jpg
| image_size     = 
| alt            = Colour photo of a man wearing a white uniform standing behind a lectern
| caption        = Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead in 2018
| nickname       = 
| birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1964|11|03|df=yes}}
| birth_place    = [Melbourne](/source/Melbourne), Victoria
| death_date     = 
| death_place    = 
| burial_place   = 
| allegiance     = Australia
| branch         = [Royal Australian Navy](/source/Royal_Australian_Navy)
| service_years  = 1984–present
| rank           = [Vice Admiral](/source/Vice_admiral_(Australia))
| service_number = 
| unit           = 
| commands       = [Australian Submarine Agency](/source/Australian_Submarine_Agency) (2023–)<br/>Nuclear-Powered Submarine Task Force (2021–23)<br/>[Chief of Joint Capabilities](/source/Chief_of_Joint_Capabilities) (2020–21)<br/>[Fleet Command](/source/Fleet_Command_(Australia)) (2018–20)<br/>[Head of Navy Capability](/source/Navy_Strategic_Command) (2015–17)<br/>{{nowrap|[Combined Task Force 150](/source/Combined_Task_Force_150) (2011–12)}}<br/>{{HMAS|Parramatta|FFH 154|6}} (2005–07)
| battles        = [Iraq War](/source/Iraq_War)<br/>[War in Afghanistan](/source/War_in_Afghanistan_(2001%E2%80%93present))
| awards         = [Officer of the Order of Australia](/source/Officer_of_the_Order_of_Australia)<br/>[Commendation for Distinguished Service](/source/Commendation_for_Distinguished_Service)<br/>[Commander of the Legion of Merit](/source/Legion_of_Merit) (United States)
| relations      = 
| other_work     = 
}}
[Vice Admiral](/source/Vice_admiral_(Australia)) '''Jonathan Dallas Mead''', {{postnominals|country=AUS|size=100|AO}} (born 3 November 1964) is a senior officer in the [Royal Australian Navy](/source/Royal_Australian_Navy). He joined the navy via the [Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell](/source/Royal_Australian_Naval_College%2C_HMAS_Creswell) in 1984, and spent his early career with the [Clearance Diving Branch](/source/Clearance_Diving_Branch_(RAN)) before training as a [Principal Warfare Officer](/source/Principal_Warfare_Officer). He captained {{HMAS|Parramatta|FFH 154|6}} on operations in the [Persian Gulf](/source/Persian_Gulf) from 2006 to 2007 during the [Iraq War](/source/Iraq_War) and commanded [Combined Task Force 150](/source/Combined_Task_Force_150), overseeing maritime counter-terrorism operations around the [Arabian Peninsula](/source/Arabian_Peninsula) and [Horn of Africa](/source/Horn_of_Africa), from 2011 to 2012. He served as [Head of Navy Capability](/source/Navy_Strategic_Command) from 2015 to 2017, [Commander Australian Fleet](/source/Fleet_Command_(Australia)) from 2018 to 2020, [Chief of Joint Capabilities](/source/Chief_of_Joint_Capabilities) from 2020 to 2021, and was appointed Chief of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Task Force in September 2021.

==Early life==
Jonathan Dallas Mead was born in [Melbourne](/source/Melbourne), Victoria, on 3 November 1964 to Dallas Charles Cardiff Mead and Joan Mary Reidy.<ref name="Who">{{cite web|title=Rear Adm. Dr Jonathan Mead|url=https://connectweb.com.au/view-biography.aspx?pid=46528&p=WWA|work=[Who's Who in Australia](/source/Who's_Who_in_Australia) Online|publisher=ConnectWeb|accessdate= 2 December 2019}}</ref> His father had served in the [Royal Australian Air Force](/source/Royal_Australian_Air_Force) during the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War), rising to the rank of [flight sergeant](/source/flight_sergeant), while a grandfather had fought on the [Western Front](/source/Western_Front_(World_War_I)) with the [Australian Imperial Force](/source/First_Australian_Imperial_Force) in the [First World War](/source/First_World_War).<ref name="NHSA">{{cite web|title=Portrait of the Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, AM, RAN|url=https://www.navyhistory.org.au/portrait-of-the-fleet-commander-rear-admiral-jonathan-mead-am-ran/|publisher=Naval Historical Society of Australia|date=June 2018|accessdate=2 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mead, Dallas Charles Cardiff|url=http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/Veteran.aspx?serviceId=R&veteranId=905863|work=World War II Nominal Roll|publisher=Department of Veterans' Affairs|accessdate=2 December 2019}}</ref>

Mead was educated at [St Bede's College](/source/St_Bede's_College_(Mentone)), a Catholic [secondary school](/source/secondary_school) in the inner Melbourne suburb of [Mentone](/source/Mentone%2C_Victoria). He was an active sportsman who particularly excelled at water sports. As a youth he would explore the wreck of [HMAS ''Cerberus''](/source/HMVS_Cerberus), a [breastwork monitor](/source/breastwork_monitor) sunk as a breakwater off [Half Moon Bay](/source/Half_Moon_Bay_(Victoria)) in [Port Phillip](/source/Port_Phillip).<ref name="NHSA"/>

==Naval career==
[[File:Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead and Rear Admiral AB Singh during AUSINDEX 2015.JPG|thumb|left|upright=1.32|Mead (standing, right) shaking hands with Rear Admiral [Ajendra Bahadur Singh](/source/Ajendra_Bahadur_Singh) during exercise AUSINDEX-15 in September 2015.]]Mead was [commissioned](/source/Officer_(armed_forces)) a [midshipman](/source/midshipman) and entered the [Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell](/source/Royal_Australian_Naval_College%2C_HMAS_Creswell) for junior officer training on 16 January 1984.<ref name="navy">{{cite web|title=Vice Admiral Jonathan Dallas Mead|url=https://www.navy.gov.au/biography/rear-admiral-jonathan-dallas-mead|publisher=Royal Australian Navy|accessdate=24 November 2020}}</ref><ref name="midshipman">{{cite news|title=Appointment of Officers|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/240727573/26161707|newspaper=[Commonwealth of Australia Gazette](/source/Commonwealth_of_Australia_Gazette)|date=14 February 1984|accessdate=2 December 2019}}</ref> He was classmates with fellow future admirals [Stuart Mayer](/source/Stuart_Mayer), [Michael Noonan](/source/Michael_Noonan_(admiral)), and Greg Sammut.<ref name="midshipman" /> Mead graduated from the college as a [sub-lieutenant](/source/sub-lieutenant) and with a Diploma of Applied Science in 1986 and undertook further training in bridge [watchkeeping](/source/watchkeeping) and [clearance diving](/source/Clearance_diver), specialising in Mine Warfare and Explosive Ordnance Disposal.<ref name="NHSA" /><ref name="navy" /> Mead later described his service with the [Clearance Diving Branch](/source/Clearance_Diving_Branch_(RAN)), culminating with his appointment as [executive officer](/source/executive_officer) of Clearance Diving Team One, as "some of the happiest days of my career."<ref name="NHSA" />

Seeking to enhance his future career prospects, Mead trained as a [Principal Warfare Officer](/source/Principal_Warfare_Officer) specialising in Anti-Submarine Warfare. He also read for a [Master of Arts](/source/Master_of_Arts) in International Relations at [Deakin University](/source/Deakin_University) and, later, a Master of Management at the [University of Canberra](/source/University_of_Canberra). A series of seagoing appointments followed, including as Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer aboard {{HMAS|Melbourne|FFG 05|6}} and in {{HMAS|Arunta|FFH 151|6}}, and as Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer. Mead next returned to HMAS ''Arunta'' as executive officer.<ref name="Who" /><ref name="NHSA" /><ref name="navy" /> During his time in the ship, ''Arunta'' deployed as part of [Operation Relex](/source/Operation_Relex) to turn back vessels suspected of unauthorised entry to northern Australian waters.<ref name="NHSA" />

Mead submitted the thesis for his [Doctor of Philosophy](/source/Doctor_of_Philosophy), titled "The Australia–Indonesia Security Relationship", to the School of International and Political Studies at Deakin University in 2004.<ref name="NHSA" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Mead|first=Jonathan|title=The Australia–Indonesia Security Relationship|url=http://dro.deakin.edu.au/view/DU:30023255|work=Research Repository|publisher=Deakin University|accessdate=2 December 2019}}</ref> The following year, by now a [commander](/source/commander), he was appointed commanding officer of the [''Anzac-class'' frigate](/source/Anzac-class_frigate) {{HMAS|Parramatta|FFH 154|6}}. The frigate deployed to the [Persian Gulf](/source/Persian_Gulf) as part of [Operation Catalyst](/source/Operation_Catalyst), Australia's contribution to the [Iraq War](/source/Iraq_War), in October 2005.<ref name="NHSA" /><ref name="navy" /> During the six-month deployment, ''Parramatta''{{'}}s crew carried out 186 vessel boardings and security patrols and were involved in training other coalition and Iraqi warships.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hey, Little Fella – I'm Your Daddy|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/hey-little-fella-im-your-daddy-20060414-gdnd4k.html|newspaper=[Sydney Morning Herald](/source/Sydney_Morning_Herald)|date=14 April 2006|accessdate=2 December 2019}}</ref> ''Parramatta'' returned to [Sydney](/source/Sydney) in April 2006. Mead and his crew were subsequently recognised with a [Meritorious Unit Citation](/source/Meritorious_Unit_Citation) for ''Parramatta''{{'}}s "meritorious operational service" in the Persian Gulf,<ref>{{cite news|title=Australia Day 2007 Honours|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/240614957/25810258|newspaper=Commonwealth of Australia Gazette|date=26 January 2007|page=2|accessdate=2 December 2019}}</ref> while Mead was additionally honoured with appointment as a [Member of the Order of Australia](/source/Member_of_the_Order_of_Australia) in the [2007 Australia Day Honours](/source/2007_Australia_Day_Honours) for his "exceptional service in warlike operations".<ref>{{cite news|title=Australia Day 2007 Honours|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/240614954/25810232|newspaper=Commonwealth of Australia Gazette|date=26 January 2007|page=11|accessdate=2 December 2019}}</ref>

In 2007, Mead completed a course of study at India's [National Defence College](/source/National_Defence_College_(India)) in [New Delhi](/source/New_Delhi) and, now a [captain](/source/Captain_(naval)), was appointed Australia's Defence Advisor to India, Sri Lanka and South Africa.<ref name="Who"/><ref name="NHSA"/><ref name="navy"/> During this time Mead authored ''Indian National Security: Misguided Men and Guided Missiles'', published with KW Publishers in 2010.<ref name="navy"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Mead|first=Jonathan|title=Indian National Security: Misguided Men and Guided Missiles|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/38689042?q&versionId=51352888|work=Trove|publisher=National Library of Australia|accessdate=2 December 2019}}</ref> Following promotion to [commodore](/source/Commodore_(rank)) in July 2011, he deployed to the Middle East from October as commander [Combined Task Force 150](/source/Combined_Task_Force_150).<ref name="navy"/> Based in Bahrain, Mead's multinational naval [task force](/source/task_force) was responsible for maritime counter-terrorism operations around the [Arabian Peninsula](/source/Arabian_Peninsula) and [Horn of Africa](/source/Horn_of_Africa).<ref>{{cite news|title=Australia Assumes Command of Combined Task Force 150|url=https://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2011/12/16/australia-assumes-command-of-combined-task-force-150-2/|publisher=Combined Maritime Forces|date=16 December 2011|accessdate=2 December 2019}}</ref> He returned to Australia in April 2012 as Commander Surface Force in [Fleet Headquarters](/source/Fleet_Command_(Australia)).<ref name="NHSA"/><ref name="navy"/><ref name="CDS">{{cite web|title=Military – Gallantry, Distinguished & Conspicuous|url=http://old.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/qb/qb2013/Military%20Media%20Notes%20-%20Gallantry_Distinguished_Conspicuous.pdf|work=Queen's Birthday 2013 Honours|publisher=Office of the Governor-General of Australia|date=10 June 2013|accessdate=2 December 2019}}</ref> For his "distinguished performance" as a "highly effective commander" in the Middle East, Mead was awarded a [Commendation for Distinguished Service](/source/Commendation_for_Distinguished_Service) in the [2013 Queen's Birthday Honours](/source/2013_Queen's_Birthday_Honours_(Australia)).<ref name="CDS"/>
thumb|Speaking at the US Naval Nuclear Power School graduation, 2023
Promoted to [rear admiral](/source/Rear_admiral_(Australia)), Mead was appointed [Head of Navy Capability](/source/Navy_Strategic_Command) in January 2015.<ref name="navy"/> In this role he was responsible for the development of present and future capability within the Royal Australian Navy, which included overseeing the lifecycle of projects and programs from initial concept through to disposal.<ref>{{cite web|last=Laird|first=Robin|url=http://www.sldinfo.com/rear-admiral-jonathan-mead-focuses-on-the-way-ahead-for-the-royal-australian-navy/|title=Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead Focused on the Way Ahead for the Royal Australian Navy|date=30 August 2016|publisher=Second Line of Defense|accessdate=2 December 2019}}</ref> After three years managing capability, Mead succeeded Rear Admiral [Stuart Mayer](/source/Stuart_Mayer) as [Commander Australian Fleet](/source/Fleet_Command_(Australia)) on 19 January 2018.<ref name="navy"/> In the [2020 Queen's Birthday Honours](/source/2020_Queen's_Birthday_Honours_(Australia)), Mead was advanced to [Officer of the Order of Australia](/source/Officer_of_the_Order_of_Australia) in recognition of his "distinguished service to the Royal Australian Navy in senior management and command roles."<ref>{{cite news|title=Queen's Birthday 2020 Honours List|url=https://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-06/QB2020%20Gazette%20-%20O%20of%20A.PDF|date=8 June 2020|newspaper=Commonwealth of Australia Gazette|accessdate=8 June 2020}}</ref> Mead handed over command of the Australian Fleet to Rear Admiral [Mark Hammond](/source/Mark_Hammond_(admiral)) on 17 November 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rear Admiral Mark Hammond|url=https://www.navy.gov.au/biography/rear-admiral-mark-hammond|publisher=Royal Australian Navy|accessdate=17 November 2020}}</ref>

Mead was promoted [vice admiral](/source/Vice_admiral_(Australia)) and appointed [Chief of Joint Capabilities](/source/Chief_of_Joint_Capabilities) in November 2020.<ref name="navy"/> He handed over Joint Capabilities to Lieutenant General [John Frewen](/source/John_Frewen_(general)) in September 2021 and was subsequently appointed Chief of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Task Force, responsible for overseeing Australia's acquisition of submarines with nuclear propulsion.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chief Nuclear-Powered Submarine Task Force: Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, AO|url=https://www.defence.gov.au/about/leaders/chief-nuclear-powered-submarine-task-force|publisher=Department of Defence|access-date=4 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Greene|first=Andrew|title=Scott Morrison's Hand-picked General Given New Military Challenge following COVID Vaccine Rollout|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-21/general-frewen-given-new-challenge-after-covid-vaccine-rollout/100478274|publisher=ABC News|date=21 September 2021|access-date=4 December 2021}}</ref> On 1 July 2023 the task force was replaced by the [Australian Submarine Agency](/source/Australian_Submarine_Agency) and Mead was appointed the inaugural director-general.<ref name="Launch announcement">Department of Defence. [https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2023-07-01/launch-australian-submarine-agency ''Launch of the Australian Submarine Agency''].</ref>

Mead was appointed a [Commander of the Legion of Merit](/source/Commander_of_the_Legion_of_Merit) by the United States on 8 February 2024 for his "service as the Chief of the Royal Australian Navy Nuclear Powered Submarine Task Force and his leadership role in the AUKUS trilateral security partnership."<ref>{{cite web |title=Vice Admiral Mead receives US Legion of Merit |url=https://navalinstitute.com.au/vice-admiral-mead-receives-us-legion-of-merit/#:~:text=Vice%20Admiral%20Mead%20is%20awarded,of%20Heroes%20in%20the%20Pentagon. |publisher=Australian Naval Institute |access-date=13 July 2024}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Mead has been married to Frances since 23 May 1992. The couple have two sons.<ref name="Who"/> Mead is a board member of the [Australian National Maritime Museum](/source/Australian_National_Maritime_Museum) and the [Young Endeavour Youth Scheme](/source/Young_Endeavour_Youth_Scheme).<ref>{{cite web|title=Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead AM RAN|url=https://www.directory.gov.au/people/jonathan-mead|work=Directory|publisher=Australian Government|accessdate=2 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Museum Council|url=https://www.sea.museum/about/about-the-museum/our-people/museum-council|publisher=Australian National Maritime Museum|accessdate=2 December 2019}}</ref>

==References==
{{commonscat|Jonathan Mead}}
{{reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=Air Marshal [Warren McDonald](/source/Warren_McDonald_(RAAF_officer))}}
{{s-ttl|title=[Chief of Joint Capabilities](/source/Chief_of_Joint_Capabilities)|years=2020–2021}}
{{s-aft|after=Lieutenant General [John Frewen](/source/John_Frewen_(general))}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Rear Admiral [Stuart Mayer](/source/Stuart_Mayer)}}
{{s-ttl|title=[Commander Australian Fleet](/source/Fleet_Command_(Australia))|years=2018–2020}}
{{s-aft|after=Rear Admiral [Mark Hammond](/source/Mark_Hammond_(admiral))}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Rear Admiral [Mark Campbell](/source/Mark_Campbell_(admiral))}}
{{s-ttl|title=[Head of Navy Capability](/source/Navy_Strategic_Command)|years=2015–2017}}
{{s-aft|after=Rear Admiral [Peter Quinn](/source/Peter_Quinn_(admiral))}}
{{s-end}}

{{Fleet Commander of the Royal Australian Navy}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mead, Jonathan}}
Category:1964 births
Category:21st-century Australian male writers
Category:Australian military personnel of the Iraq War
Category:Australian military personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Category:Australian non-fiction writers
Category:Deakin University alumni
Category:Graduates of the Royal Australian Naval College
Category:International relations scholars
Category:Living people
Category:Australian male non-fiction writers
Category:Military personnel from Melbourne
Category:Officers of the Order of Australia
Category:University of Canberra alumni
Category:University of New South Wales alumni
Category:Recipients of the Commendation for Distinguished Service
Category:Royal Australian Navy admirals
Category:National Defence College, India alumni
Category:People educated at St Bede's College (Mentone)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jonathan Mead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Mead) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Mead?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.