Roberton grew up on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, where he was an active surfer.[3] He studied a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Mathematics at the University of Queensland, graduating in 1988. He had originally intended to pursue graduate studies in medicine, but after joining the university glider club he gained a passion for flying and decided to embark on a career in aviation.[1]
Roberton led the RAAF's transition from the F-111C (left) to the F/A-18F (right) from 2006 to 2010.
Towards the end of his three years of squadron command, Roberton thought he may have reached his ceiling in the RAAF and was again contemplating studies in medicine at the University of Queensland.[1] He was instead head-hunted to lead the RAAF's A$6.5 billion transition from the General Dynamics F-111C to the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet,[1][4] serving as Head Air Combat Transition Office from November 2006.[2] Roberton was posted to RAAF Base Amberley in command of No. 82 Wing RAAF in April 2010,[2][4] having overseen the introduction of the Super Hornet into Australian service ahead of schedule and below budget. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2012 Australia Day Honours, the award recognising his "exceptional capability, capacity and devotion" to "effective Air Combat Group capability" in both his command appointments and during the introduction of the Super Hornet.[6] Roberton next completed the Higher Command and Staff Course in the United Kingdom in early 2012, before returning to Australia in April as Director General Aerospace Development in the Capability Development Group.[2][4][5]
In September 2014, Roberton was selected as the inaugural commander of Air Task Group 630 on Operation Okra. The air task group deployed to Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates as part of the coalition to combat Islamic State forces in Iraq.[7] Consisting of 400 RAAF personnel and eight aircraft,[7][8] it was the largest air task group to deploy from Australia since the Vietnam War.[3][8] Under Roberton's command, Air Task Group 630 conducted airstrikes, flew in support of Iraqi and Kurdish ground forces, and assisted in freeing Yezidi people trapped in the Sinjar Mountains.[9][10] Roberton handed over command of the air task group to Air Commodore Glen Braz on 5 January 2015,[11] by which time the Australian aircraft were flying approximately 13 percent of coalition airstrikes in Iraq.[12] In recognition of his "tireless devotion and exceptional personal skills" in the establishment, deployment and initial operations of Air Task Group 630, Roberton was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in the 2016 Australia Day Honours.[13]
Roberton was appointed commander Air Combat Group at RAAF Base Williamtown in January 2015, with responsibility for the administration of the RAAF's fast-jet combat aircraft and command of Australia's air combat operations.[2] Following promotion to air vice marshal, he succeeded Air Vice Marshal Gavin Turnbull as Air Commander Australia—responsible for the operational capability of the RAAF—on 1 May 2017.[4][5] Roberton became Head Force Design within the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group in June 2019.[5]
Personal life
Roberton is married to Libby, with whom he has three children.[4][5] He has logged more than 3,500 hours flying fighter aircraft, mostly in the F/A-18.[14]
