Errol McCormack
Encyclopedia
Air Marshal
Errol John McCormack AO
(born 30 August 1941) is a retired senior commander in the Royal Australian Air Force
. From May 1998 to June 2001, he was Chief of Air Force.
during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation and subsequently took part in the Vietnam War
. He served as commanding officer of No. 1 Squadron RAAF
in the 1980s. He was made commanding officer of No. 82 Wing RAAF
in 1987, Director General Force Development Air at Headquarters, Australian Defence Force in Canberra
in 1989 and Air Attaché
in Washington D. C. in 1993. In 1995 he became Commander for the Integrated Air Defence System at Butterworth
in Malaysia.
He was appointed Deputy Chief of Air Force
in 1997 and Chief of Air Force in May 1998 before he retired in 2001. In retirement he became Chairman of Chemring Australia Pty Ltd
.
He became an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1998.
Air Marshal (Australia)
Air marshal is the second highest active rank of the Royal Australian Air Force and was created as a direct equivalent of the British Royal Air Force rank of air marshal, it is also considered a three-star rank...
Errol John McCormack AO
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 30 August 1941) is a retired senior commander in the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
. From May 1998 to June 2001, he was Chief of Air Force.
Service career
McCormack was commissioned in 1963 and served in Malaysia and SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation and subsequently took part in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. He served as commanding officer of No. 1 Squadron RAAF
No. 1 Squadron RAAF
No. 1 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force squadron based at RAAF Amberley. The squadron is currently being re-equipped with F/A-18F Super Hornet multi-role fighters.-World War I:...
in the 1980s. He was made commanding officer of No. 82 Wing RAAF
No. 82 Wing RAAF
No. 82 Wing is the Royal Australian Air Force's strike and reconnaissance wing. It is headquartered at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, and operates the F/A-18F Super Hornet multirole fighter and Pilatus PC-9 forward air control aircraft. The wing was formed in August 1944, flying B-24 Liberator...
in 1987, Director General Force Development Air at Headquarters, Australian Defence Force in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
in 1989 and Air Attaché
Attaché
Attaché is a French term in diplomacy referring to a person who is assigned to the diplomatic or administrative staff of a higher placed person or another service or agency...
in Washington D. C. in 1993. In 1995 he became Commander for the Integrated Air Defence System at Butterworth
Butterworth, Penang
Butterworth is the principal town of Seberang Perai in the state of Penang in Malaysia. Named after William John Butterworth, Governor of the Straits Settlements , Butterworth was established in the mid-19th century as a landing place across the channel from the capital of Penang, George Town...
in Malaysia.
He was appointed Deputy Chief of Air Force
Deputy Chief of Air Force (Australia)
Deputy Chief of Air Force is the second most senior appointment in the Royal Australian Air Force, responsible to the Chief of Air Force . The rank associated with the position is Air Vice Marshal . DCAF acts as the manager of the Air Force Headquarters , which provides oversight of activities in...
in 1997 and Chief of Air Force in May 1998 before he retired in 2001. In retirement he became Chairman of Chemring Australia Pty Ltd
Chemring Group
Chemring Group is a leading British-based producer of countermeasures for protecting air, sea and land-based platforms from threats. It is headquartered in Fareham and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.-History:...
.
He became an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1998.