Group Captain Crookes is an Air Battle Manager with over 25 years of experience in the ADF. Since graduating from initial training in 1996. Group Captain Crookes has undertaken a range of postings across 41WG, including: 3 Control and Reporting Unit; two postings to the Surveillance and Control Training Unit as an instructor and Executive Officer; and three postings to 1 Remote Sensat Unit as Crew Commander and Training Officer, Executive Officer and Commanding Officer.
Group Captain Crookes has held Staff positions in the AIR2025 (JORN) Project Team, as the AOC Planner at Headquarters Air Command, the Navigation Warfare Project Manager at (the now defunct)
Capability Development Group, and Deputy Director for Space Control capabilities at Air Force Headquarters. He has twice been posted to the Air and Space Operations Centre at Headquarters Joint Operations Command: in Strategy Division, and as Chief of the Australian Space Operations Centre.
Group Captain Crookes was appointed Commanding Officer of 1 Remote Sensor Unit in December 2021. During his tenure 1RSU was the recipient of the Markowski Cup, awarded to the Air Force’s most proficient specialist support unit. Additionally, WGCDR Crookes was responsible for the transition of tactical space systems from 1RSU to Space Command. Group Captain Crookes briefly held the position of Director Counter Advanced Missile Threat in VCDF Group, before commencing his current role as Director Force Generation in Space Command.
Group Captain Crookes deployed in 2010-11 under OP SLIPPER as a Senior Director at the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, responsible for tactical command and control of air assets in Afghanistan. Group Captain Crookes is married to Janine, and has two sons and a daughter. Group Captain Crookes holds a Masters of Military and Defence Studies from the Australian National University; additionally, he was awarded an Air Commander’s Silver Commendation for his role of AOC Lead Planner during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2007.