Deputy Chief of Air Force

Air Commodore Kevin Short currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Air Force.

Throughout his early career Air Commodore Short was mainly employed on No. 5 Squadron, completing duties as a Navigator, Tactical Coordinator, and aircraft Captain.  He has accumulated over 5 000 flying hours primarily on the Orion aircraft.  While on No. 5 Squadron he held the positions of Navigator Leader, Deployment Commander, and Operations Flight Commander.
 
Air Commodore Short has attended several professional military courses.  In August 1987 he attended the year- long General Duties Aero Systems Course at Royal Air Force Cranwell.  In June 1991 Air Commodore Short attended No. 32 Staff Course at RNZAF Command and Staff College, and in mid-1999 completed the year- long USAF Air War College in Alabama, USA.

At a senior level Air Commodore Short has been employed in project, plans and development related appointments.  These included Operational Requirements (Air Staff), Deputy Director Command and Control Information Systems (JCIS) at the start of Project Fusion, Director of Air Force Plans and Development (Air Staff), and Assistant Chief of Air Staff Development.  In this latter position he initiated several major projects including the Hercules and Orion upgrades, and the purchase of the B757.

More recently Air Commodore Short has filled a number of command and representational appointments.  In early 2002, for a period of six months, he served as the NZDF Senior National Officer in USCENTCOM as part of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF), at the representational rank of Air Commodore.  In December 2003 he took up the position of Officer Commanding No. 485 Wing, RNZAF Base Auckland.  This position was responsible for the command, conduct, supervision and management of RNZAF Operational Force Elements; including operational capability management, and RNZAF flight safety.  In July 2006 he served as Senior National Officer and Commander of the NZ Provincial Reconstruction Team (Rotation 9), Bamyan, Afghanistan.

In June 2007 he took up the post of Assistant Chief Development (AC Dev) in HQ NZDF, and promoted to the rank of Air Commodore.  He was responsible for the NZDF Long Term Development Planning mechanisms, including Business Case Development for Major Capital Projects.  In December 2009 Air Commodore Short was posted to Assistant Chief Strategic Commitments and Intelligence (AC SCI).  This position was responsible for: the strategic planning and monitoring of NZDF Operations; advice to CDF and the Government in respect to operations; the Mutual Assistance Programme; support to Defence Attaches/Advisors; the provision of military intelligence; and for advice on security matters.  In June 2011 Air Commodore Short took up his current post of Deputy Chief of Air Force (DCAF).

Air Commodore Short is a keen golfer, keeps fit, and also enjoys being the home handyman.  He is married to Sherryll and has two adult children; Matthew and Stephanie (both working in Wellington).