Ash Power facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brian Ashley Power
Power c. 2007
Born	(1957-01-20) 20 January 1957 (age 68) Wangaratta, Victoria
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Australian Army
Years of service	1975–2014
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands held	Chief of Joint Operations Training Command 1st Division 1st Brigade 4th Field Regiment
Battles/wars	International Force East Timor War in Afghanistan Operation Slipper Iraq War Operation Catalyst
Awards	Officer of the Order of Australia Conspicuous Service Cross Officer of the Legion of Merit (United States) Meritorious Service Medal (United States)

Lieutenant General Brian Ashley "Ash" Power (born 20 January 1957) is a retired senior officer from the Australian Army. He was a very important leader, serving as the Chief of Joint Operations from 2011 until he retired in May 2014.

Ash Power's Army Career

Ash Power started his military journey in January 1975 at the Royal Military College, Duntroon. This is a special school for future army leaders. He finished his studies in December 1978. After graduating, he joined the Royal Australian Artillery, which uses big guns and missiles.

Early Roles and Training

He worked with the 4th Field Regiment. Here, he learned how to lead small groups of soldiers. He also helped manage the guns and assist the main officer. Later, he returned to lead this same Regiment. For his excellent work, he received the Conspicuous Service Cross in 1998.

Power also taught at several military schools. These included the School of Artillery and the Royal Military College, Duntroon. He even taught at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom. He also attended a special college in Bangkok, Thailand, to further his skills.

Important Missions and Leadership

In November 1998, Power went to Bougainville Island for an operation called Belisi. He was the Chief of Staff, helping to manage everything. In September 1999, he joined the International Force East Timor (INTERFET). He was the Colonel Operations, helping to plan and carry out missions.

In January 2000, he became the Defence Attaché in Thailand. This means he represented Australia's military in that country. When he returned in January 2002, he studied at the Australian Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies in Canberra.

On November 22, 2002, Power was promoted to brigadier. Soon after, on December 6, 2002, he took command of the 1st Brigade. This is a large group of soldiers.

In 2005, he was promoted again to major general. On July 2, 2005, he became the commander of the 1st Division. This is an even larger part of the army.

Later Leadership Roles

In June 2006, he was recognized as a Member of the Order of Australia. In November 2006, he became the Commander of Joint Task Force 636.

Power led the Australian forces during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2007 (TS07). This was a big training exercise with other countries. After this, on July 6, 2007, he took command of Training Command, Army. This role meant he was in charge of training all soldiers.

In May 2011, Power reached the rank of lieutenant general. He was then appointed Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS). This made him the head of all joint military operations. He also commanded the Headquarters, Joint Operations Command (HQJOC). For his outstanding service, he was upgraded to an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2012.

Ash Power served in many important places. These include Iraq, Afghanistan, East Timor, and Bougainville.

Family Life

In 1978, Ash Power married Narelle. They have two daughters together.

Awards and Recognition

	Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)	26 January 2012
	Member of the Order of Australia (AM)	(12 June 2006)
	Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)	26 January 1998
	Australian Active Service Medal	with EAST TIMOR, ICAT clasps
	INTERFET medal
	Afghanistan Medal
	Australian Service Medal	with BOUGAINVILLE clasp
	Defence Force Service Medal with 4 clasps	(35–39 years of service)
	Australian Defence Medal
	ISAF	NATO ISAF medal – 'International Security Assistance Force' medal
	Officer of the Legion of Merit (United States)	c. March 2006
	Meritorious Service Medal (United States)