Air Commodore (Retired) John Samulski joined the RAAF in 1981 as a Navigator and has over 7000 flying hours. He has commanded at Squadron and Wing level, being a Squadron Commander during the initial phases of both the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. He has also seen operations in the first Gulf war, Somalia and Cambodia.

In early 2005, he was appointed as the Australian Deputy Force Commander for Operation Sumatra Assist following Indian Ocean Tsunami. At the same time, he was appointed as the inaugural Director of the RAAF Air Mobility Control Centre, responsible for the planning and execution of all ADF air mobility operations.

Air Commodore Samulski has served as the Chief of Staff to the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, and as Deputy Director of Coalition Coordination at Headquarters U.S. Central Command.  Upon return from the U.S. in January 2011, he was appointed as the Deputy Air Commander Australia.

Air Commodore Samulski is a graduate of the Canadian Forces Command and Staff Course and the RAAF Weapons Systems Course. He is the recipient of the Conspicuous Service Cross, the United States Legion of Merit and the Bronze Medal of Polish Armed Forces.

Before retiring from the permanent Air Force in January 2016, Air Commodore Samulski was the Director General Support to Military Operations at the Australian Signals Directorate in Canberra.

‘Mr’ Samulski has just commenced his next phase of life, partnering with his wife Maree in a small business, as well as establishing a new leadership and mentoring consultancy.

A leader in management and senior leadership mentoring. Stratosphere Consulting was established in 2016, and harnesses extensive real-world leadership experience in both Australia and abroad.

Core Competencies

Expertise in the following:

Strategic and operational planning
Operations management
Contingency planning
Government and stakeholder consultation and engagement
Business development and improvement
Change management
Corporate governance
Organisational review

Values

Courage, Integrity and Professionalism

Previous experience

Department of Defence – Air Force

1981 – 2016

Extensive combat and peacetime operational experience within Australia and abroad. The Owner/Director has held senior leadership roles at all levels of command, in both the RAAF and other government departments. Also held a senior position at the United States Central Command Headquarters, responsible for the coordinated support to over 60 nations.