Commander William Veale

Commander William Veale joined the RAN in 1987 as a helicopter electrician and served in 817 and 816 Squadrons, progressing to the rank of Petty Officer before Commissioning to a Pilot in 1999. Post Pilot training and AS350 conversion he deployed as an AS350 Flight Commander for Operation RELEX II in 2002 before completing S-70B-2 Operational Flying Training in 2003.

Subsequent embarked flight postings included three MEAO deployments (Operations CATALYST and SLIPPER) and numerous international and domestic engagements as a Pilot and Flight Commander in HMA Ships Parramatta, Newcastle and Stuart.

Commander Veale completed Qualified Flying Instructor training in 2006 and instructed ab-initio Pilot training at 723 Squadron and OFT at 816 Squadron before embarking as a Flight Commander in 2010.

Commander Veale was appointed Executive Officer of 723 Squadron in 2014. Headquarters Fleet Air Arm positions have included Fleet Aviation Safety Officer and SO1 Compliance and Assurance managing the FAA Safety and Quality management systems.

Commander Veale assumed Command of 822X Squadron in December 2021.