Squadron Leader Fernando C González MScMESE(EW) BEng(CSE)Hons MIEAust CPEng

Fernando has served in the RAAF since 1983 in the Avionics, Technical Airworthiness and Electronic Warfare fields, holding a Bachelor of Computer Systems Engineering Honours degree and Master of Science in Electronic Warfare.

His JEWOSU service includes F111 EWSP, Ground ESM (earning an Air Commander Australia commendation for engineering excellence, creating a satellite networked Radar detecting Air Defence vehicle), EW Instructor, OIC EW Systems, Senior Design Engineer, and a key role in creating the Australian Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) operational support capability.

He served in Afghanistan during most of 2011 as ISAF Joint Command's Chief of CIED Electronic Counter Measure Operations, directing and advising on employment of CIED ground and air technologies as Capability Manager for 50 coalition nations while assisting in frontline Explosive Ordnance investigation. On his return, he led a team performing aircraft modification and data telemetry for flight test at Aerospace Systems Engineering Squadron and followed this with the post of ADF Airworthiness Standards Representative and Senior Design Engineer for Aeronautical Life Support Equipment.

As a serving military member, he seeks to ensure current operational input to Old Crows business, maintaining relevance with latest industry trends and the war fighter's needs. As President, he showed a determination to continue the drive towards greater engagement geographically and professionally, involving greater activity nationally and regionally and with the related fields of EW, IO, and Cyber. He enjoys significant involvement in AOC and other industry-related events as organiser, educator and contributing speaker.

As well as President of the Australian AOC Chapter, he ends his long-standing Presidency of Adelaide's Spanish Radio, Committee membership of the South Australian Division of Engineers Australia, command of 613 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets and regular engagement with the public in many representational roles including career sessions and ceremonial events.

As a fluent Spanish speaker and Category 4 linguist, he often provides concurrent Spanish/English translation for international visits. Fernando spends his remaining time mentoring young people in mathematics, science, leadership and the EW and Engineering professions. As Director of the STEMSEL Foundation, he engages with a range of organisations at all levels of education from primary to tertiary to provide underprivileged children with technology opportunities as part of national reconciliation and microbusiness development, with a strong focus on growing Australia's international reputation for education and innovation.

Fernando graduated from the Defence Force School of Languages with competency in both Spanish and Indonesian and will be attending Indonesian Air Force Command and Staff College in Bandung, hoping to return on graduation to a command role where he can put his full set of skills and qualifications to use.

Recent Presentations

Fernando has presented at the EW Asia 2011 Conference in Singapore, the 2012 AOC Convention and Engineering Leadership Conference, both in Adelaide, Land Warfare Conference in Melbourne, EW Asia 2012 in Kuala Lumpur and to Engineers Australia in 2013. At the International RADAR2013 conference held in Adelaide he presented Unlocking the Mysteries of Radar, a free-to-the-public lecture on radar technologies. His most recent conference presentation was at EW Asia 2014 in Kuala Lumpur in March. Since, then, he condensed and presented his radar lecture as part of the AOC's Virtual Webinar series, which can be viewed at AOC Virtual Webinar - Unlocking the Mysteries of Radar.

His most recent significant role was as Chair and presenter at Adelaide's highly successful AOC Australasia Convention in August 2014.

Fernando completed his 2014 activities as invited ADF guest presenter at EW GCC on 18/19 November 2014 in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and at the Awards Night and AGM where he passed his presidency to WGCDR Joe Bennett for the 2015/16 term.

Future Events

Fernando looks forward to enjoying his posting in Indonesia and making important, lasting friendships with our close neighbour for regional security.