Ray Funnell
Encyclopedia
Air Marshal
Raymond George "Ray" Funnell AC (born 1 March 1935) is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Air Force
, serving as its Chief of the Air Staff from 1987 until 1992. He was born in Brisbane
and educated at Brisbane State High School
.
. He then joined the RAAF College
in January 1953 and graduated as a pilot in 1956. He then went on to fly CAC Sabre
fighters at RAAF Base Williamtown, Butterworth and Luban in Malaysia and Ubon, Thailand.
Funnell made his mark as a competent pilot and flight leader while instructing on the Vampires
at No 1 Applied Flying Training School at RAAF Base Pearce. While maintaining his flying role, Funnell also demonstrated an interest in strategic studies and history. In 1971 Funnell became the first RAAF Officer to attend the USAF Air War College.
In 1966 he was appointed Commanding Officer of No. 79 Squadron
, and from 1972-1975 was Commanding Officer of No. 6 Squadron
. While in command of No. 6 Squadron, Funnell flew one of the first F-111C aircraft to Australia arriving in Amberley on 1 June 1973 having flown from McClellan AFB in the United States.
Funnell was appointed Chief of Air Force Operations and Plans from 1983 to 1985 and then Assistant Chief Defence Force (Policy) until 1986. In 1986 Air Marshal Funnell was appointed the first Vice Chief of the Defence Force
and then in 1987 took up the role of Chief of the Air Staff serving until 1992.
Air Marshal Ray Funnell focused on turning the RAAF into the "air power element of a cohesive, integrated defence force". His service also saw the publication of The Air Power Manual, the RAAF's first self-produced treatise on aerial war fighting.
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...
Raymond George "Ray" Funnell AC (born 1 March 1935) is a retired senior officer of 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...
, serving as its Chief of the Air Staff from 1987 until 1992. He was born in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
and educated at Brisbane State High School
Brisbane State High School
Brisbane State High School is a partially selective, co-educational, state secondary school, located in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is a member of the Great Public Schools' Association of Queensland, and the Queensland Girls' Secondary Schools Sports Association...
.
Service career
Funnell began his association with the Royal Australian Air Force after being awarded a flying training scholarship with the Air Training CorpsAustralian Air Force Cadets
The Australian Air Force Cadets , known as the Air Training Corps until 2001, is a Federal Government funded youth organisation. The parent force of the AAFC is the Royal Australian Air Force...
. He then joined the RAAF College
RAAF College
The Royal Australian Air Force College is the Royal Australian Air Force training and education academy which is responsible for all the Air Force's initial, career development, promotion and leadership training...
in January 1953 and graduated as a pilot in 1956. He then went on to fly CAC Sabre
CAC Sabre
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Allward, Maurice. F-86 Sabre. London: Ian Allen, 1978. ISBN 0-71100-860-4.* Curtis, Duncan. North American F-86 Sabre. Ramsbury, UK: Crowood, 2000. ISBN 1-86126-358-9....
fighters at RAAF Base Williamtown, Butterworth and Luban in Malaysia and Ubon, Thailand.
Funnell made his mark as a competent pilot and flight leader while instructing on the Vampires
De Havilland Vampire
The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served...
at No 1 Applied Flying Training School at RAAF Base Pearce. While maintaining his flying role, Funnell also demonstrated an interest in strategic studies and history. In 1971 Funnell became the first RAAF Officer to attend the USAF Air War College.
In 1966 he was appointed Commanding Officer of No. 79 Squadron
No. 79 Squadron RAAF
No. 79 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force flight training unit which has been formed on four occasions since 1943. The squadron was established in May 1943 as a fighter unit equipped with Supermarine Spitfires, and subsequently saw combat in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II...
, and from 1972-1975 was Commanding Officer of No. 6 Squadron
No. 6 Squadron RAAF
No. 6 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force training and bomber squadron. The squadron was first formed in 1917 and served as a training unit based in England during World War I. It was disbanded in 1919 but re-formed at the start of 1939...
. While in command of No. 6 Squadron, Funnell flew one of the first F-111C aircraft to Australia arriving in Amberley on 1 June 1973 having flown from McClellan AFB in the United States.
Funnell was appointed Chief of Air Force Operations and Plans from 1983 to 1985 and then Assistant Chief Defence Force (Policy) until 1986. In 1986 Air Marshal Funnell was appointed the first Vice Chief of the Defence Force
Vice Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)
The Vice Chief of the Defence Force is the military deputy to the Chief of the Defence Force of Australia, and acts as the CDF in his absence under standing acting arrangements....
and then in 1987 took up the role of Chief of the Air Staff serving until 1992.
Air Marshal Ray Funnell focused on turning the RAAF into the "air power element of a cohesive, integrated defence force". His service also saw the publication of The Air Power Manual, the RAAF's first self-produced treatise on aerial war fighting.
Later career
Funnell was the Principal of the Australian College of Defence and Strategic studies from 1994 until 1998. He has also served as a member of the Immigration and Detention Advisory Group. He contributes widely to Defence and Strategic Policy including contributions to the Centre for Policy Development.Personal life
Funnell married his wife Suzanne in 1958 and has two sons. His recreational activities include motorcycling, photography, walking and bicycling.Honours and awards
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In 1985 Funnell was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of service to the RAAF as Chief of the Air Staff and was promoted to Companion of the Order of Australia in 1989.
In 1991 he was appointed a Commander of the American Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
.
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In 2003 he was awarded the Centenary MedalCentenary MedalThe Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the Centenary of Federation of Australia and to honour people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government...
for humanitarian and defence services.