RAA Liaison Letter – 2025 / 2026 Edition 32 LIEUTENANT COLONEL ALEX MCDONALD 20th Regiment RAA Lieutenant Colonel Alex McDonald joined the Army in 2004, and is a graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy and Royal Military College – Duntroon. Her academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science, Master of Military and Defence Studies, and a Master of Project Management. A career Uncrewed Aerial Systems officer, Lieutenant Colonel McDonald took command of the 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery in December 2025. Following graduation from RMC-D in 2008, Lieutenant Colonel McDonald posted to the 20th Surveillance and Target Acquisition Regiment. She specialised as an Uncrewed Aerial Systems and Surveillance and Target Acquisition Artillery officer, and fulfilled leadership roles as Troop Commander, Battery Captain and Operations Officer. Lieutenant Colonel McDonald’s operational experience includes two tours to Afghanistan within Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Groups (Scaneagle) supporting OP SLIPPER, and as part of a UAS and ISR Mentoring and Training Team to the Philippines supporting OP AUGURY. Lieutenant Colonel McDonald’s broad experience extends beyond regimental appointments to include instructional, staff and representational postings. She fulfilled instructor roles as an Instructor in Gunnery and Acting Senior Instructor at the School of Artillery between 2013-15, and as 2IC III Class and Small Group Instructor I Class at the RMC–D in 2017. She was also posted as Aide de Camp to the Deputy Chief of Army in 2016. In 2018 Lieutenant Colonel McDonald returned to the 20th Regiment as Battery Commander 131st Surveillance and Target Acquisition Battery. During her tenure she commanded the Shadow UAS and a Small UAS detachment, and managed the provision of the Schiebel UAS capability within the Regiment, providing support to risk reduction activities. Lieutenant Colonel McDonald also prepared and deployed the first composite 6th Brigade company to Rifle Company Butterworth as Company Commander. After graduating from Australian Command and Staff College in 2020, Lieutenant Colonel McDonald was posted as Staff Officer to the Director General Career Management – Army, and in 2022 as Staff Officer Grade Two Domestic Operations within the Directorate of Land Operations. This role strengthened her strategic level planning in complex and uncertain environments during a period of increased demand for military support to Domestic operations. Following promotion, in 2023 Lieutenant Colonel McDonald was posted as Staff Officer Grade One Uncrewed Aerial Systems in the Battlefield Aviation Program. She gained valuable experience with the National Defence Strategy, Defence Strategic Review and future UAS capabilities. In 2025, Lieutenant Colonel McDonald was posted to Army Headquarters as Incident Manager – Army. This role saw her gain valuable insight into strategic priorities, government, department and service responses to sensitive and strategic incidents, and initial incident and crisis management. Lieutenant Colonel McDonald is married to Duncan, and they have two energetic Jack Russell Fox Terriers. They enjoy camping and are looking forward to exploring South East Queensland. After the loss of two daughters, Lieutenant Colonel McDonald started a not for profit organisation to support other bereaved parents in Canberra. She enjoys reading and gardening, and is looking forward to getting back on her motorbike after a long hiatus. LIEUTENANT COLONEL SCOTT CALVERT Adelaide University Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Scott Calvert joined the Army Reserve in Adelaide in May 1998, commenced officer training at Adelaide Universities Regiment, and graduated from the Royal Military College - Australia as a General Service Officer in 2000. His service to date includes equal measure Reserve/Regular time. Lieutenant Colonel Calvert is an Artillery Officer with extensive regimental, battle group and
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