![]() |
Stuart Mayer |
They said the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Gen. Joseph Dunford, has confirmed Mayer's appointment.
This is the first time an Australian will serve as the UNC deputy commander.
This also will be the second time in the command's 69-year history that this post has been offered to a non-American officer, following outgoing UNC deputy commander, Lt. Gen. Wayne Eyre of Canada.
No date for the change of command was given.
Mayer will be promoted to the rank of vice admiral before taking up the appointment.
"The appointment of Rear Admiral Mayer is a great opportunity for Australia to work with the Republic of Korea, the U.S. and regional partners to further contribute to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula," the embassy said in a press release, Tuesday.
Chief of the Australian Defense Force, Gen. Angus Campbell, said the confirmation of Mayer's appointment "enables Australia to pursue our shared values and mutual security interests, and further contribute to regional peace and stability."
Mayer has been serving as head of the Force Design Division since April 2018.
He has held key command, strategic and operational appointments, including commander of the Australian Fleet, chief of staff for the Navy Strategic Command and commander of the multinational International Stabilization Force in East Timor.
During his service as commander of the Australian Fleet, he was recognized in January 2017 for his distinguished service to the Royal Australian Navy and became an Officer of the Order of Australia.
He joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1984.