The new Commander of Australian Special Forces Brigadier Mike Hindmarsh was promoted to Major General at a ceremony in Sydney, Defence Minister Robert Hill announced today.

"Australian Special Forces are world-renowned for their professionalism and flexibility in modern complex military operations," Senator Hill said.

"I am confident MAJGEN Hindmarsh will continue to lead Australia’s Special Forces with distinction as they strive to maintain their capability edge.

"Australians can look to the future with confidence knowing they have a highly capable and effective Special Forces capability that is well equipped, well trained and well led."

Special Operations Command provides the command and control for the ADF’s domestic and international terrorism response.

MAJGEN Hindmarsh has replaced MAJGEN Duncan Lewis who commanded SOCOMD since its launch in 2002. MAJGEN Lewis is now taking up a new position with the National Security Division in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

After the formal promotion at Garden Island Naval Base MAJGEN Hindmarsh expressed his thanks to family and friends for sharing in this significant occasion.

"I’m humbled and privileged to be given the opportunity to command Australian Special Forces. I have been Deputy Special Operations Commander for the past two years, which has made my promotion to Special Operations Commander a seamless transition," MAJGEN Hindmarsh said.

"Looking ahead, I will work to ensure Australian Special Forces remain ready and highly capable, maintaining the edge to combat any threat in an increasingly complex and difficult operational environment."

MAJGEN Hindmarsh graduated from the Royal Military College - Duntroon into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps in 1978. MAJGEN Hindmarsh saw regimental service as a Platoon Commander with 2/4 Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment and as a troop commander, squadron commander and Commanding Officer with the Special Air Service Regiment.

As Commanding Officer of the Special Air Service Regiment, MAJGEN Hindmarsh commanded the ANZAC Special Operations Force detachment on OPERATION POLLARD in Kuwait in 1998, and more recently commanded the Special Forces Task Group on OPERATION FALCONER in the Middle East.