The joint operations commands of Australia and New Zealand have swapped their top officials to expand their defense partnership.
Under the arrangement, New Zealand Defence Force Maj. Gen. Hugh McAslan joins the Australian Defence Force as deputy chief of joint operations, while Australian Army Brig. Michael Bassingthwaighte was appointed deputy commander at Joint Forces New Zealand.
The Australian government said in a press release Tuesday that the swap continues the longstanding history of collaboration between the two countries and aligns with an effort to further deepen relations between their defense forces.
Royal Australian Navy Vice Adm. Justin Jones, Australia’s chief of joint operations, said McAslan’s appointment was formalized in a ceremony at the Joint Operations Command base.
“Integrating Australian and New Zealand senior military officers into each other’s defense forces is a key step to enhanced interoperability and increasing our ability to deploy together,” the vice admiral said.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins welcomed the high-level exchange on the sidelines of the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Auckland on Wednesday.
The two nations recently participated in Exercise Diamond Run, a three-week event that allowed Australian and New Zealand forces to enhance interoperability.