Born: February 17, 1955 (Brisbane, Australia)
Biography:
Air Vice Marshal Julie Hammer, AM, CSC, FTSE, FRAeS, is an Australian engineer and a retired senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking achievements and contributions to the military and aerospace industry. Hammer held numerous significant leadership positions throughout her career, paving the way for women in the Australian Defence Force.
Born on February 17, 1955, in Brisbane, Julie Margaret Hammer spent her formative years in Queensland. She pursued her education at Brisbane Girls Grammar School before graduating in 1971. Hammer’s exceptional academic performance earned her the eighth position in the State of Queensland in the Senior Public Matriculation Examination. Her passion for science led her to the University of Queensland, where she majored in Physics and obtained a Bachelor of Science with Honours degree.
Hammer embarked on her military career in 1977 when she joined the RAAF as an Education Officer. Initially serving in the engineer cadet squadron at Frognall, Melbourne, she later became an instructor at the RAAF School of Radio in Laverton. In 1981, she transferred to the Electronics Category when the Engineer Branch opened its doors to women. Her expertise and dedication to her work saw her manage deep-level maintenance on various aircraft, including the F-111, UH-1 Iroquois, CH-47 Chinook, and Canberra, at No. 3 Aircraft Depot in RAAF Base Amberley. Later, she took on a role at Headquarters Support Command, overseeing the engineering management of avionics equipment for the RAAF fleet.
Hammer’s exceptional skills and knowledge earned her promotions and recognition within the RAAF. In June 1985, she achieved the rank of squadron leader, becoming Sub-Section Head in the Aircraft Equipment Engineering Division at Headquarters Support Command. Following 16 months of study at the prestigious No. 5 Advanced Systems Engineering Course at RAF Cranwell, she served as a liaison officer in the Directorate of Scientific and Technical Intelligence at the Ministry of Defence in London. In 1987, she completed her Master of Science thesis in Aerosystems Engineering, further solidifying her expertise in the field.
Continuing her trailblazing career, Hammer became a technical intelligence analyst and worked on the P-3 Orion ESM Project. She notably held the positions of project engineer and project manager, contributing significantly to the development of advanced electronic warfare capabilities for the RAAF. In 1992, she made history by assuming command of the Electronic Warfare Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh, becoming the first woman to command an operational unit in the RAAF. Her exceptional leadership and achievements were acknowledged with the award of the Conspicuous Service Cross on the Australia Day list in 1997. Additionally, she received the prestigious Association of Old Crows (Australian Chapter) Award for Distinguished Service to Electronic Warfare in 1996.
Returning to Canberra in 1996, Hammer took on the role of Project Director of Joint Project 2030 (JP2030) in the Command and Support Systems Branch of the Defence Acquisition Organisation (DAO). JP2030 played a vital role in developing the Australian Defence Force’s Joint Command Support Environment (JCSE). Through her strategic vision and project management skills, she contributed to strengthening the military’s command and support capabilities.
Throughout her career, Hammer demonstrated not only exceptional technical skills but also a strong commitment to promoting gender equality and diversity in the armed forces. Her unwavering dedication and groundbreaking achievements have left an indelible mark on women’s history in Australia. Hammer’s accomplishments in the male-dominated field of engineering and the military have inspired countless women to pursue careers in STEM and the armed forces.
Awards:
– Conspicuous Service Cross (1997)
– Association of Old Crows (Australian Chapter) Award for Distinguished Service to Electronic Warfare (1996)