Angus Houston

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Allan Grant Houston

Angus Houston, Chief of the Defence Force (Australia) at the 2008 National Anzac Day service, Australian War Memorial, Canberra.
Nickname Angus
Allegiance Flag of Australia Commonwealth of Australia
Service/branch Flag of the Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Air Force
Years of service 1970-present
Rank Air Chief Marshal
Commands held Australian Defence Force
Royal Australian Air Force
No. 86 Wing
5th Aviation Regiment
No. 9 Squadron
Awards Companion of the Order of Australia
Air Force Cross

Air Chief Marshal Allan Grant "Angus" Houston AC, AFC is the Chief of the Australian Defence Force, as of 4 July 2005. At the time of his appointment he was Australia's Chief of Air Force, a position he had held since 20 June 2001.

Contents

[edit] Service career

"Angus" Houston joined the RAAF as a cadet pilot in 1970 and spent the early part of his career flying UH-1 Iroquois helicopters in various parts of Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

After graduation from Flying Instructors Course in 1975, Houston completed several instructional tours on Macchi MB-326H, British Aircraft Corporation Strikemaster and Iroquois aircraft. A posting to the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) from 1976-1978 was followed by two years at No. 9 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley. In late 1979, Houston was posted to Hill Air Force Base, Utah U.S.A. for exchange flying duties with a United States Air Force helicopter unit.

In 1980 he was awarded the Air Force Cross (AFC) for an open sea rescue in gale force winds the previous year off the coast of Western Australia.[1]

After a further posting to No. 9 Squadron as the Executive Officer, and staff training at RAAF Staff College, Houston was posted to the Department of Air (Development Division) where he was involved in the Black Hawk helicopter Project. In 1987, Houston assumed command of No. 9 Squadron to introduce the Black Hawk helicopter, to relocate the unit from Amberley to Townsville, Queensland, and to transfer the capability to the Australian Army. In 1989 he served one year as a Squadron Commander with the 5th Aviation Regiment. Houston was admitted as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1990 for his work in the transfer of responsibility for Blackhawk operations.[2]

Following graduation from Joint Services Staff College, Houston was posted to the Joint Operations staff at Headquarters Australian Defence Force and was involved in strategic planning during the Persian Gulf War of 1990/91.

On promotion to Group Captain in July 1992, he assumed the post of Director Air Force Policy and negotiated the establishment of the RSAF Flying School at RAAF Base Pearce. After completing a C-130H Hercules conversion in 1993, Houston commanded No. 86 Wing from 1994-95.

Houston attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in London in 1996. He was Chief of Staff, Headquarters Australian Theatre in 1997-99, Commander Integrated Air Defence System from 1999-2000 and Head Strategic Command from 17 August 2000.

Air Marshal Houston was appointed as Chief of Air Force (CAF) on 20 June 2001, and in the 2003 Australia Day Honours, advanced to Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).[3]

On 4 July 2005 he became Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) and was promoted to Air Chief Marshal. In the Australia Day Honour's List of 2008, Houston was advanced to a Companion of the Order of Australia.[4] On 19 March 2008, it was announced that ACM Houston's appointment had been extended to 3 July 2011.[5]

In attendance at the 2008 Anzac Day National Service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra are Angus Houston, Chief of the Defence Force (Australia) (left) Jon Stanhope, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory (centre), Peter Cosgrove, immediate past Chief of the Defence Force (Australia) (second from right), and Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia (right).
In attendance at the 2008 Anzac Day National Service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra are Angus Houston, Chief of the Defence Force (Australia) (left) Jon Stanhope, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory (centre), Peter Cosgrove, immediate past Chief of the Defence Force (Australia) (second from right), and Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia (right).

[edit] Personal life

Angus Houston and his wife Liz, who is a teacher, have three sons.[6]

[edit] Honours and awards

Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) (2008)[4]
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) (2003)[3]
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) (1990)[2]
Air Force Cross (AFC) (awarded 1980)[1]
Australian Service Medal 1945-1975
Centenary Medal (awarded 2001)[7]
Defence Force Service Medal with 4 clasps (35-39 years of service)
Australian Defence Medal
Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) (Singapore) (Meritorious Service Medal - Military) 1 August 2003[8]
Panglima Gagah Angkatan Tentera (Malaysia) (Order of Military Service, Knight Grand Commander)
Commandeur Légion d'honneur (Commander of the Legion of Honour) (France)
Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) (Singapore) (Distinguished Service Order - Military) 24 August 2007[9]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b It's an Honour - Air Force Cross - 14 June 1980
    Citation: 9 Sqn RAAF - Helicopter rescue off Evans Head - For devotion to duty as a pilot of No9 Sqn RAAF
  2. ^ a b It's an Honour - Member of the Order of Australia - 26 January 1990
    Citation: For service to the RAAF as CO No9 Sqn and subsequently Officer Commanding 5th Aviation Regiment
  3. ^ a b It's an Honour - Officer of the Order of Australia - 26 January 2003
    Citation: For distinguished service to the Australian Defence Force and the Royal Australian Air Force in senior command appointments.
  4. ^ a b It's an Honour - Companion of the Order of Australia - 26 January 2008
    Citation: For eminent service to the Australian Defence Force as Chief of the Defence Force.
  5. ^ New Defence leadership team announced
  6. ^ Official Biography - Department of Defence
  7. ^ It's an Honour - Centenary Medal - 01 January 2001
    Citation: For outstanding service as Chief of Air Force
  8. ^ MINDEF Singapore, Australian Chief of Air Force Receives Prestigious Military Medal, 1 August 2003, retrieved 10 July 2007.
  9. ^ MINDEF Singapore, President Nathan Confers Top Military Award on Chief of the Australian Defence Force, 24 August 2007, retrieved 24 September 2007.

[edit] External links

Military offices
Preceded by
General Peter Cosgrove AC MC		 Chief of Defence Force
2005-		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Air Marshal Errol McCormack AO		 Chief of Air Force
2001-2005		 Succeeded by
Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd AO
Persondata
NAME Houston, Allan Grant
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Houston, Angus
SHORT DESCRIPTION Australian Chief of Defence Force
DATE OF BIRTH
PLACE OF BIRTH
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH
v • d • e
Leadership of the Australian Defence Force