RAAF Australia Day 1999 Honours List

Sixteen members of the Royal Australian Air Force have been recognised in the 1999 Australia Day Honours list including two for their contribution to last year's drought relief operation in Papua New Guinea.

Although the relief work was a combined effort by Australian Defence Force personnel and various aid agencies, Group Captain Chris Richards and Wing Commander Ken Webb were particularly acknowledged for their role in the nine month operation.

Both were awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM) for commanding the air component of the relief operation.

Group Captain Richards was initially in charge of the aerial relief drops when the operation started in October 1997 and Wing Commander Webb took over in early 1998.

Now the base commander at RAAF Base Richmond in New South wales, Group Captain Richards was also acknowledged for his role as Joint Task Force Commander during the Bougainville peace talks.

Heading the Air Force list in this year's honours and awards is Air Vice-Marshal Peter Nicholson who has been appointed an Officer in the Military Division of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the RAAF, particularly as the Air Commander Australia.

Originally from Western Australia, the former fighter pilot was also acknowledged in the 1995 honours list when he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.

Air Commodore Ray Gibson and Wing Commander Christopher Deeble of the ACT were honoured with an AM this year.

Warrant Officer Robert Paarson of Nelson Bay, NSW, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the Military Division.

Seven RAAF members were awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) including Group Captain John Fanderlinden for his work as the Australian Defence Attache to Thailand. Originally of Perth, Group Captain Fanderlinden was also awarded an Air Force Cross in the 1982 Queen's Birthday honours list and an AM in the 1992 Queen's Birthday honours.

Richard Hogan : Ph 02-62652913 or 0419621753

Issued by the Defence Public Affairs Organisation, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT, 2600

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