List of Royal Australian Air Force air marshals

The following is a list of Australians who have attained air marshal rank within the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF); that is, service personnel who have held the rank of air chief marshal (four-star rank), air marshal (three-star rank) or air vice marshal (two-star rank). The Royal Australian Air Force was established in 1921 as a separate branch of the Australian military forces. The service was modelled after the Royal Air Force—formed three years earlier—and adopted the same ranking system.[1][2][3] Richard Williams, regarded as the "father" of the Royal Australian Air Force, was the service's first member to obtain air-officer rank on being promoted to air commodore (one-star rank) in 1927; he went on to become the first air vice marshal (1935) and air marshal (1940).[4][5] In 1965, Sir Frederick Scherger became the first officer to be advanced to air chief marshal, one of only four members of the Royal Australian Air Force to obtain this rank as of June 2014.[6] A further twenty-one individuals have reached air marshal in the RAAF and 128 air vice marshal; seven officers have retired with the honorary rank of air vice marshal.[7][8]

Sir Richard Williams, the first officer of the Royal Australian Air Force to obtain air marshal rank.

Air chief marshals

An Australian air chief marshal's rank insignia

  This along with the * (asterisk) indicates that the air chief marshal is still a serving member of the RAAF.

A dash (—) in the "Died" column indicates that the person is still living.

The rank of air chief marshal is the most senior rank within the Royal Australian Air Force to which, excluding ceremonial appointments, any officer has ever been promoted. Only the five-star rank of Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force is higher, but it has been held in only a ceremonial capacity. As there are currently no appointments in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) at the five-star level, there is no prospect of a RAAF officer achieving the rank in a professional (i.e. non-ceremonial) capacity. Additionally, Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force is generally considered to be a marshal rank as opposed to an air marshal rank and so the only two individuals ever to hold the rank, King George VI and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, are not listed in a separate section. With the current structure of the ADF, the rank of air chief marshal is held only when an officer of the RAAF is appointed as Chief of the Defence Force. As of June 2018, only four officers have obtained the rank of air chief marshal in the RAAF, the first being Sir Frederick Scherger in 1965 who was also the first non-Army officer in the Australian military to reach four-star rank. Mark Binskin is the recently promoted of the four, having been advanced to air chief marshal in June 2014.[6][9]

Air chief marshals of the Royal Australian Air Force are as follows:[10]

Name Born Died Senior command(s) and notes
Mark Binskin1960
Chief of the Defence Force (2014–18), Vice Chief of the Defence Force (2011–14), Chief of Air Force (2008–11), Air Commander Australia (2007–08)
Sir Angus Houston1947
Chief of the Defence Force (2005–11), Chief of Air Force (2001–05)
Sir Neville McNamara19232014Chief of the Defence Force Staff (1982–84), Chief of the Air Staff (1979–82), Commander, RAAF Forces Vietnam (1971–72)
Sir Frederick Scherger19041984Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (1961–66), Chief of the Air Staff (1957–61)

Air marshals

An Australian air marshal's rank insignia

  This along with the * (asterisk) indicates that the air marshal is still a serving member of the RAAF.

A dash (—) in the "Died" column indicates that the person is still living.

Air marshal is the highest permanent rank in the Royal Australian Air Force. The rank of air marshal is always held by the Chief of Air Force, though is also held when a RAAF officer is appointed as Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Chief of Joint Operations or Chief of Joint Capabilities. Richard Williams was the officer to attain the rank of air marshal in the RAAF on promotion in 1940.[11] Regarded as the 'father' of the Royal Australian Air Force, Williams was its first and longest serving Chief, being appointed to the post during three different periods and serving for a total of thirteen years.[4][5] The current Chief of Joint Capabilities, Warren McDonald, is the most recent officer to obtain the rank of air marshal on promotion in January 2019.

Air marshals of the Royal Australian Air Force are as follows:[12]

Name Born Died Senior command(s) and notes
Geoff Brown1958
Chief of Air Force (2011–15), Deputy Chief of Air Force (2008–11)
Leo Davies1960
Chief of Air Force (2015–19), Deputy Chief of the Air Force (2012–15)
David Evans1925
2020
Chief of the Air Staff (1982–85)
Les Fisher1941
Chief of Air Force (1994–98)
Ray Funnell1935
Chief of the Air Staff (1987–92), Vice Chief of the Defence Force (1986–87)
Barry Gration1936
Chief of Air Force (1992–94), Air Commander Australia (1990–92). Brother of General Peter Gration
Sir Valston Hancock19071998Chief of the Air Staff (1961–65), Air Officer Commanding Operational Command (1959–61)
Sir Colin Hannah19141978Governor of Queensland (1972–77), Chief of the Air Staff (1970–72), Air Officer Commanding Operational Command (1965–67)
John Harvey1954
Chief of Capability Development Group (2010–12), Program Manager, New Air Combat Capability (2006–10)
Mel Hupfeld*1962
Chief of Air Force (2019–), Chief of Joint Operations (2018–19), Head Force Design (2016–18), Head Capability Systems (2014–15), Air Commander Australia (2012–14), Commander Air Combat Group (2008–11)
Sir George Jones18961992Director of Coordination, Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (1952–57), Chief of the Air Staff (1942–52)
Sir John McCauley18991989Chief of the Air Staff (1954–57), Air Officer Commanding Home Command (1949–54)
Warren McDonald*1963
Chief of Joint Capabilities (2017–20), Deputy Chief of Air Force (2015–17)
Errol McCormack1941
Chief of Air Force (1998–01)
Sir Alister Murdoch19121984Chief of the Air Staff (1965–69), Air Officer Commanding Operational Command (1962–65)
John Newham1930
Chief of the Air Staff (1985–87)
Sir Charles Read19182014Chief of the Air Staff (1972–75)
Douglas Riding1943
Vice Chief of the Defence Force (1998–00)
Sir James Rowland19221999Governor of New South Wales (1981–89), Chief of the Air Staff (1975–79)
Geoff Shepherd1952
Chief of Air Force (2005–08), Air Commander Australia (2003–05)
Sir Richard Williams18901980Director-General of Civil Aviation (1946–55), Air Officer Commanding Overseas Headquarters (1941–42), Chief of the Air Staff (1922; 1925–32; 1934–39)

Air vice marshals

An Australian air vice marshal's rank insignia

  This along with the * (asterisk) indicates that the air vice marshal is still a serving member of the RAAF.
  This along with the + (plus) indicates that the officer retired with the hononary rank of air vice marshal.

A dash (—) in the "Died" column indicates that the person is still living.

The first Royal Australian Air Force air vice marshal was Richard Williams in 1935;[4] he was followed by Stanley Goble—Williams' successor all three times he held the position of Chief of the Air Staff—two years later.[13] Frank McNamara, the first Australian aviator to be decorated with the Victoria Cross, also resides among the ranks of RAAF air vice marshals. McNamara was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1917 during the First World War while serving with the Australian Flying Corps, the Australian Army's air branch and predecessor of the RAAF; he was made an air vice marshal in 1942.[3][14] As of February 2017, four women have reached air vice marshal rank: Julie Hammer, the first female to obtain one-star rank in the ADF on promotion to air commodore in 1999, was the first to achieve two-star rank when advanced to air vice marshal in 2003;[15][16] Margaret Staib was promoted on appointment as Commander Joint Logistics in 2010;[17] Tracy Smart made air vice marshal on appointment as Commander Joint Health in 2015; and Cath Roberts was promoted on being made Head Aerospace Systems Division in 2016.

Air vice marshals of the Royal Australian Air Force are as follows:[18][19]

Name Born Died Senior command(s) and notes
Henry Acton19021971Air Member for Supply and Equipment (1956–60)
John Adams19221990Air Officer Commanding Operational Command (1978–80)
William Anderson+18911975Air Officer Commanding Eastern Area (1942–43), Air Officer Commanding Central Area (1940–41), Chief of the Air Staff (1940)
Tony Austin1953
Head Defence Health Services (2005–08), Director-General Defence Health Services (2002–05)
Frederick Barnes19242018Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1979–81)
Hugh Bartholomeusz*1953
Surgeon General Australian Defence Force Reserves (2011–)
Gary Beck1942
Commandant, Australian Defence Force Academy (1996–97), Air Commander Australia (1992–96)
John Blackburn1956
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (2005–08)
Frank Bladin18981978Air Officer Commanding Eastern Area (1947–48), Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1944–46), Air Officer Commanding North-Western Area (1942–43)
Richard Bomball1937
Commandant, Australian Defence Force Academy (1990–93)
William Bostock18921968Federal Member for Indi (1949–58), Air Officer Commanding RAAF Command (1942–45), Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1939–42)
Richard Bradford19362001Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1987–90)
Glen Braz*19??
First Assistant Director-General Expeditionary and Transnational Intelligence Division (2020–)
Douglas Cameron1930
Director-General Policy and Plans (1981–84)
Douglas Candy19121985Air Officer Commanding Home Command (1958–59), Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1956–58)
Ernest Carroll19252010Chief of Supply (1980–82)
Alan Charlesworth+19031978Air Officer Commanding Overseas Headquarters (1954–55), Air Officer Commanding North-Western Area (1944–46), Air Officer Commanding Eastern Area (1943–44)
Robert Chipman*19??
Australian Military Representative to NATO and the European Union (2019–)
Kerry Clarke1948
Head, Capability Systems Division (2002–05), Commander Five Power Defence Arrangements (2000–02)
Colin Cleary19131995Air Member for Supply and Equipment (1968–73)
Alan Clements*19??
Head of Australian Defence Staff, Washington, D.C. (2017–20)
Adrian Cole+18951966Air Member for Personnel (1944–45), Air Officer Commanding North-Western Area (1943–44), Air Officer Commanding Southern Area (1940–41)
Billie Collings1932
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1985–87)
William Collins1939
Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command (1990–93)
Lyndon Crompton19222004Chief of Air Force Technical Services (1975–1979)
Raymond Conroy1947
Head Aerospace Systems Division (1990–91)
John Cornish1922
Chief of Air Force Materiel (1975–79)
Franklin Cox1941
Assistant Chief of the Defence Force (Personnel) (1994–97)
Denis Creal19031993Air Member for Supply and Equipment (1960–64)
Peter Criss1949
Air Commander Australia (1999–00)
Edward Daley19011985Director-General RAAF Medical Services (1945–61), Director Medical Services (1943–45)
Chris Deeble1957
Program Manager for the Joint Strike Fighter Division (2014–16), Program Manager, Airborne Early Warning and Control (2006–14)
Joseph Dietz19291985Chief of Air Force Technical Services (1981–85)
Desmond Douglas19171980Australian Defence Representative in Washington D.C. (1970–74)
Andrew Dowse1963
Head of ICT Operations and Strategic J6 (2014–17)
David Dunlop1949
Director-General Defence Force Cadets (2003–05), Director-General Reserves (2002–03)
Brian Eaton19161982Air Officer Commanding Operational Command (1973), Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1966–67)
Brenton Espeland19482017Advisor to Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics Coordination Task Force (1999–01), Deputy Chief of Air Force (1998–99), Air Officer Commanding Training Command (1995–98)
Greg Evans1957
Deputy Chief of Joint Operations (2008–09), Commander Joint Task Force 633 (2004–05)
James Flemming19262015Director, Australian War Memorial (1982–87)
Roy Frost19302001Chief of Air Force Materiel (1982–83)
William Gibson+19151982Senior Air Staff Officer Operational Command (1963–64, 1966–67), Senior Air Staff Officer Far East Air Force (1964–66)
Stanley Goble18911948Chief of the Air Staff (1922–25; 1932–34; 1939–40)
Leigh Gordon*19??
Head Joint Strike Fighter (2016–), Head Aerospace Systems (2013–16)
Brian Graf1937
Director-General Technical Plans (1987–88)
Norman Gray1952
Chief Executive Officer, Defence Materiel Organisation (2004–05)
Julie Hammer1955
National President, Engineers Australia (2007–08), Commandant, Australian Defence Force Academy (2001–03). First female to be promoted air commodore and air vice marshal in RAAF; first female promoted to two-star rank in ADF.
Neil Hart1963
Head One Defence Implementation (2015–17), Head Force Structure Review (2014–16), Head Joint Capability Coordination (2012–13), Deputy Chief of Air Force (2011)
Geoffrey Harland*
Commander Integrated Area Defence System, Malaysia (2020–)
Geoffrey Hartnell19161981Director Joint Service Plans (1966–68)
Frank Headlam19141976Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1965–66)
Alan Heggen1932
Chief of Logistics Development (1988–89)
Michael Helsham19212002Judge Advocate-General RAAF (1969–84)
William Hely19091970Air Officer Commanding Training Command (1956–57), Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1953–55), Air Officer Commanding Western Area (1951–53)
William Henman
Commander Integrated Area Defence System, Malaysia (2014–17)
Keith Hennock19181999Air Officer Commanding Operational Command (1967–69)
Joe Hewitt19011985No. 9 Operational Group RAAF (1943)
Ernest Hey19122006Air Member for Technical Services (1960–72)
Colin Hingston1949
Head Business Information Systems (2000–02)
Leslie Holten19162006Air Member for Supply and Equipment (1973–75)
Henry Hughes19282005Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1981–83)
Douglas Hurditch19212018Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1974–75)
Sir Victor Hurley18881958Director-General Medical Services RAAF (1942–45)
Tim Innes1960
Commander Integrated Area Defence System (2017–20), Commander Joint Task Force 633 (2016–17)
Joe Iervasi*
Air Commander Australia (2019–), Commander Joint Task Force 633 (2019)
John Jordan1923
Air Member for Personnel (1975–76)
John Kindler1946
Air Commander Australia (2000–03)
Russell Law1928
Air Officer Commanding Operational Command (1981–84)
John Lessels19301999Director-General Natural Disasters Organisation (1984–87)
Warren Ludwig1960
Commander Integrated Area Defence System, Malaysia (2010–14)
John Lush+19151977Air Officer Commanding Support Command (1969–70), Commander, RAAF Forces Vietnam (1967–68)
George Mackinolty18951951Air Member for Supply and Equipment (1942–51)
Ian McLachlan19111991Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1959–61), Air Officer Commanding Training Command (1957–59)
Roxley McLennan1950
Deputy Chief of Air Force (2004–05), Commander Integrated Area Defence System, Malaysia (2002–04), Commander Air Lift Group (1998–00)
Frank McNamara+18941961Air Officer Commanding British Forces Aden (1942–45), Air Officer Commanding Overseas Headquarters (1942). First Australian aviator to receive the Victoria Cross.
Anthony Marsh19151994Director-General Medical Services RAAF (1967–71)
Stephen Meredith*
Deputy Chief of Air Force (2019–), Head Force Integration (2017–19), Commander Air Warfare Centre (2016–17)
Michael Miller19352016Surgeon-General Australian Defence Force (1990–92), Director General Air Force Health Services (1987–90)
Graeme Moller1943
Surgeon-General Australian Defence Force (1996–98), Director General Air Force Health Services (1990–93)
John Monaghan1954
Head, Aerospace Systems Division (2002–04)
David Morgan19201995Director-General RAAF Medical Services (1971–80)
Graham Neil1937
Assistant Chief of the Defence Force (Personnel) (1990–92), Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Personnel) (1989–90)
Geoffrey Newstead19202004Air Officer Commanding Support Command (1973–77), Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1972–73), Commander, RAAF Forces Vietnam (1968–69)
Alastair Nicholson1938
Judge Advocate-General Australian Defence Force (1987–92), Judge Advocate General RAAF (1983–85)
Peter Nicholson1946
Air Commander Australia (1996–98)
Rodney Noble19211995Chief of Air Force Technical Services (1979–81)
Thomas O'Brien1939
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1990–93)
Brendan O'Loghlin1944
Air Officer Commanding Training Command (1994–95)
Stephen Osborne
Commander Operation Sovereign Borders (2017–18)
Kym Osley1959
Program Manager, New Air Combat Capability (2011–14), Head of Australian Defence Staff, Washington D.C. (2008–11), Commander Air Combat Group (2007–08)
Harold Parker19242006Director-General Air Force Operations and PLans (1976–77)
Ian Parker19231985Chief of Air Force Personnel (1976–79)
John Paule1932
Director-General Air Force Manpower (1985–87)
Kevin Paule1959
Head of Military Strategic Commitments (2010–13), Commander Air Force Training Group (2006–07)
Jack Plenty1956
Head Capability Systems (2008–12), Commander Air Lift Group (2007–08)
John Quaife1955
Head Capability Systems (2007–08), Air Commander Australia (2005–07), Commander Air Combat Group (2002–04)
Edward Radford1935
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1990), Air Commander Australia (1985–1990)
Alan Reed1933
Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command (1987–90)
Glen Reed19372016Director-General Air Force Health Services (1984–87)
Bernard Reynolds19311986Air Officer Commanding Operational Command (1984–85)
Robert Richardson1941
Deputy Chief of Air Force (1997), Air Officer Commanding Training Command (1992–93)
Trevor Richardson1938
Commander Tactical Fighter Group (1988–90)
Michael Ridgway19282011Air Officer Commanding Operational Command (1980–81)
Steve Roberton*
Head Force Design (2019–), Air Commander Australia (2017–19)
Catherine Roberts*
Head of Air Force Capability (2019–), Head Aerospace Systems Division (2016–19)
Frederick Robey19211995Air Officer Commanding Operational Command (1974–78), Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1973–74), Commander, RAAF Forces Vietnam (1969–70)
David Rogers1943
Head of Capability Development (1997–98), Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1994–97)
Hansjorg Roser1937
Director-General RAAF Tactical Fighter Project (1992–96)
Clive Rossiter1955
Head Aerospace Systems Division (2005–08)
Peter Scully1934
Air Officer Commanding Support Command (1983–86)
Bruce Short1942
Surgeon-General Australian Defence Force (2001–05)
William Simmonds1930
Chief of Air Force Operations and Plans (1985–87)
Mark Skidmore1959
Air Commander Australia (2008–12)
Tracy Smart
Commander Joint Health (2015–19)
Neil Smith1945
Air Officer Commanding Support Command (1997–00)
Ian Smith1953
Head Strategic Reform and Governance (2010–??)
Christopher Spence1951
Commander Joint Logistics (2004–06), Deputy Chief of Air Force (2001–04)
Margaret Staib1962
CEO of Airservices Australia (2012–2015), Commander Joint Logistics (2010–12), Commandant, Australian Defence Force Academy (2009)
Eric Stephenson19222017Director-General Air Force Health Services (1980–84)
Ronald Susans19171992Director-General Operational Requirements (1966–69)
Ian Sutherland1931
Chief of Air Force Technical Services (1985–89)
Colin Thorne1963
Head Aerospace Systems (2008–13)
Donald Tidd1939
Assistant Chief of the Defence Force (Logistics) (1993–95)
Alan Titheridge1946
Deputy Chief of Air Force (1999–01), Air Commander Australia (1998–99)
William Townsend19161987Air Officer Commanding Operational Command (1969–73), Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (1967–69)
Raymond Trebilco19261998Air Officer Commanding Support Command (1979–80)
Robert Treloar1946
Commander Australian Theatre (1999–01)
Lawrence Trudinger19151985Director-General Medical Services RAAF (1963–67)
Kenneth Tuckwell1935
Director-General Air Force Operations (1981–82; 1987–88)
Gavin Turnbull
Deputy Chief of the Air Force (2017–19), Air Commander Australia (2014–17)
Ellis Wackett19011984Air Member for Technical Services (1942–59)
Allan Walters19051968Air Officer Commanding Support Command (1959–62), Air Officer Commanding Home Command (1954–57)
Kenneth Watson
Commander Northern Command (2011–13)
Elliott Weller1941
Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command (1995–97)
Brian Weston1945
Assistant Chief of the Defence Force (Operations) (1995–97)
Robert White19261998Chief of Supply (1975–80)
Henry Wrigley+18921987Air Officer Commanding Overseas Headquarters (1942–46)

See also

Notes

  1. Gillison 1962, p. 16
  2. MacDougall 2007, p. 158
  3. Newton 1996, p. 15
  4. "Air Marshal Richard Williams, KBE, CB, DSO". People profiles. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  5. "Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams". History. Royal Australian Air Force. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  6. Clark, Chris (19 May 2005). "Air Force Defence chiefs of the past". Air Force News. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  7. "Air Marshals of the RAAF". Royal Australian Air Force Air Power Development Centre. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  8. "Hononary Air Vice Marshals". Air Marshals of the RAAF. Royal Australian Air Force Air Power Development Centre. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  9. Rayner 1992, pp. 298–299
  10. "Air Chief Marshals". Air Marshals of the RAAF. Royal Australian Air Force Air Power Development Centre. Archived from the original on 25 May 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  11. Gillison 1962, p. 93
  12. "Air Marshals". Air Marshals of the RAAF. Royal Australian Air Force Air Power Development Centre. Archived from the original on 1 June 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  13. McCarthy, John (1983). "Goble, Stanley James (1891–1948)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Melbourne University Press. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 14 July 2010 via National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
  14. Staunton 2005, pp. 47–49
  15. "Chief of the Defence Force Announces Two Air Force Promotions". Defence Media Release (4 July 2003). Department of Defence. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  16. "Women in Air Force". History. Royal Australia Air Force. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  17. "Commander Joint Logistics". Defence Leaders. Department of Defence. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  18. "Air Vice Marshals A–K". Air Marshals of the RAAF. Royal Australian Air Force Air Power Development Centre. Archived from the original on 6 July 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  19. "Air Vice Marshals L–Z". Air Marshals of the RAAF. Royal Australian Air Force Air Power Development Centre. Archived from the original on 1 June 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2010.

References

  • Gillison, Douglas (1962). Volume I – Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 3 – Air. Canberra, Australia: Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • MacDougall, A.K. (2007). Australians at War: A Pictorial History. Rowville, Victoria, Australia: Five Mile Press. ISBN 978-1-74178-957-7.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Newton, Dennis (1996). Australian Air Aces: Australian Fighter Pilots in Combat. Fyshwyck, Australian Capital Territory: Aerospace Publications. ISBN 1-875671-25-0.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Staunton, Anthony (2005). Victoria Cross: Australia's Finest and the Battles They Fought. Prahan, Victoria, Australia: Hardie Grant Books. ISBN 1-74066-288-1.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Rayner, Harry (1992). "Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Scherger". In Horner, David (ed.). The Commanders: Australian Military Leadership in the Twentieth Century. Sydney, Australia: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86373-190-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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