Air Marshal Kevin Ronald Short, is a retired

Royal New Zealand Air Force The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF; ) is the aerial warfare, aerial military service, service branch of the New Zealand Defence Force. It was formed initially in 1923 as a branch of the New Zealand Army, being known as the New Zealand Perm ...

officer. He served as Chief of Defence Force from 1 July 2018 to 6 June 2024. Short joined the Air Force in 1976. He served as Commander, Crib Rotation 9, the

Provincial Reconstruction Team A Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) was a unit introduced by the United States government, consisting of military officers, diplomats, and reconstruction subject matter experts, working to support reconstruction efforts in unstable states. PRT ...

, in the early years of New Zealand's deployment to Bamiyan, Afghanistan. In June 2011, Short was appointed Deputy Chief of Air Force, before being appointed Commander Joint Forces New Zealand from 25 February 2013. He assumed the role of Vice Chief of Defence Force on 31 March 2014. After four years in the post, Short was promoted air marshal and succeeded Lieutenant General Tim Keating as Chief of Defence Force on 1 July 2018. Short was succeeded by Air Marshal Tony Davies as Chief of Defence Force on 6 June 2024.

Honours and awards

On 6 July 2022, Short was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia for his "distinguished service in fostering the military relationship between Australia and New Zealand through exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment, strategic foresight and uncompromising professionalism". On 6 April 2024, Short was awarded the

Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a Awards and decorations of the United States military, military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievemen ...

in the degree of Commander. The award was presented by Admiral John C. Aquilino, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command. In the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours, Short was appointed a

Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit The New Zealand Order of Merit () is an order of merit in the New Zealand royal honours system. It was established by royal warrant on 30 May 1996 by Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand, "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have ...

, for services to the New Zealand Defence Force.

References

, - , - Honorary officers of the Order of Australia Living people New Zealand military personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Royal New Zealand Air Force air marshals Year of birth missing (living people) Foreign recipients of the Legion of Merit Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit 20th-century New Zealand military personnel {{NewZealand-mil-bio-stub