Introducing Group Captain Paul McLeod, Intelligence Officer.

Paul was born in Melbourne into an Air Force family. After attending a number of schools across Australia and overseas, he completed his secondary education at Erina High School and later attended Sydney University, where he studied economics, philosophy, and a little Japanese.

After a short time as an infantryman in the Sydney University Regiment, Paul joined the RAAF in1978 for training on 105 Pilot’s Course.

Paul was later commissioned into the Intelligence category. In 1981 he completed basic Chinese language training at the ADF School of Languages and was later posted for advanced language study at Hong Kong University.

During his career, Paul was seconded to the British garrison in Hong Kong where he worked with British and PLA forces to support the reversion of sovereignty to China.

He also served as Australia’s Defence Attache in Vietnam and Laos (2003-05), and China (2008 to 2010).

Since retiring from the RAAF, Paul moved to Coffs Harbour, where he keeps busy with volunteer work as a boat crew member and radio operator with Marine Rescue. He is also President at a local Rotary Club, Vice-President of the local RAAF Association, and he is President at the Veterans’ Centre Mid-North Coast.