Commodore Michael Turner

Commodore Turner joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1989, graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1992 with an Electrical Engineering Degree. He conducted a number of sea postings in PERTH Class Destroyers and ANZAC Class Frigates, as a Seaman Officer, Principal Warfare Officer (Air Warfare) and a Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer, including Command of the ANZAC Class Frigate HMAS Warramunga. 

After command, Commodore Turner was the capability support manager for the ANZAC Class Frigate, before becoming the Surface Combatant Group Capability Manager’s Representative responsible for the ADELAIDE and ANZAC Class Frigates and HOBART Class Destroyers.

Commodore Turner has extensive operational experience, serving onboard HMAS ANZAC during OPERATIONS DAMASK and SLIPPER, and then multiple staff appointments at the US-led Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain as Plans Officer, Commander Task Force 150 staff and Director of Operations respectively supporting OPERATIONS CATALYST, SLIPPER and MANITOU. He also conducted an exchange posting with the US Navy in Norfolk, Virginia at the Surface Warfare Development Group.

Commodore Turner is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff Course and the UK Royal College of Defence Studies.

On promotion to Commodore in 2020 he took up the role of Director General Force Exploration in Force Design Division at Australian Defence Force Headquarters. In December 2023 he commenced his present role as Director General Maritime Integrated Capabilities in Navy Capability Division at Navy Headquarters.He is married to Alexandra, and has two sons, Nicholas and Christopher.