Davies returned to Australia in 1993 as Operations Flight Commander for No. 1 Squadron. A posting as Operations Officer with No. 82 Wing RAAF followed, before he returned to No. 1 Squadron as executive officer from 1997 to 1998. He graduated from the RAAF Staff Course at RAAF Fairbairn in 1999 and, from 2000 to 2002, served in the Capability Systems division at Australian Defence Force Headquarters in Canberra. Davies was again posted to RAAF Base Amberley from 2002, serving as commanding officer of No. 1 Squadron. During his period in command, Davies achieved the milestone of 2000 hours flying the F-111. He served as Staff Officer to the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Angus Houston, in 2004, was posted as officer commanding No. 82 Wing at RAAF Base Amberley from 2004 to 2005, and was Director Combat Capability at RAAF Headquarters from 2006 to 2007. He deployed for service with the Combined Air Operations Centre later that year, working in support of operations in Iraq.[1][2][3]
Davies' "distinguished service" in senior command and staff positions was recognised with his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2014 Australia Day Honours. The citation described Davies as "the epitome of professionalism who has distinguished himself through exceptional leadership in shaping the Royal Australian Air Force of the future".[5] The following year, he was selected as the next Chief of Air Force (CAF); the professional head of the RAAF. He was promoted air marshal and succeeded Air Marshal Geoff Brown as CAF on 4 July 2015.[2] Davies was awarded Singapore's Meritorious Service Medal in October 2016 and,[6] in September 2018, he was appointed an Officer of the Legion of Honour by the French government.[7]
Davies handed over as Chief of Air Force to Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld on 3 July 2019, and retired from the RAAF after a 40-year career.[8][9]
Personal life
Davies is married to Rhonda. They have two children, a son and a daughter.[2]