Mel Hupfeld

Melvin Ernest Glanville Hupfeld
Hupfeld at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam in 2013
Born	(1962-03-07) 7 March 1962 (age 55) Sydney, New South Wales
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Royal Australian Air Force
Years of service	1980 – present
Rank	Air Vice Marshal
Commands held	Head ADF Force Design (2016- Chief Capability Development Group (2015–2016) Air Commander Australia (2012–14) Air Combat Group RAAF (2010–11) No. 81 Wing RAAF (2006–07) No. 75 Squadron RAAF (2001–04)
Battles/wars	Iraq War
Awards	Officer of the Order of Australia Distinguished Service Cross Bronze Star (United States)

Air Vice Marshal Melvin Ernest Glanville "Mel" Hupfeld AO, DSC (born 7 March 1962) is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), currently in the post of Head Force Design in the Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group. He was the final and Acting Chief Capability Development Group and previously served as Air Commander Australia from 2012 to 2014.

Hupfeld was born in Sydney, New South Wales, on 7 March 1962, and joined the Royal Australian Air Force as an Officer Cadet in 1980. He finished his training in 1983, won the 'Flying Prize' and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. He completed a Master of Arts degree in Defence Studies at King's College London in 1997.

During Hupfeld's career he has flown the Dassault Mirage III and McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet flying mainly with No. 3 Squadron RAAF.

Hupfeld was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on 27 November 2003 for his command of No. 75 Squadron RAAF during Operation Falconer, and the squadron was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation.

Hupfeld has commanded several RAAF units during his career, including No. 75 Squadron RAAF, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit RAAF, No. 81 Wing RAAF, and Air Combat Group RAAF. Hupfeld was promoted to air vice marshal and appointed as Air Commander Australia on 3 February 2012. He moved to the Capability Development Group, as Head Capability Systems, in September 2014.