Wing Commander honoured by US

Wing Commander Dally with his award. Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt

By LACW Simone Liebelt

A United States Legion of Merit Award arrived for Wing Commander Alistair Dally via special delivery – Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston.

WGCDR Dally, Deputy Director of Doctrine and Publications for the Aerospace Centre, received the award from the Chief on behalf of the US Department of Defense in recognition of his outstanding service at the National Defense University, Washington, from June 2000 to July 2002.

WGCDR Dally said he was honoured to receive the award but believed it was more a reflection of the Air Force’s ability to develop its officers to a high standard.

“It’s a credit to the Air Force that we are able to have an Australian officer employed at the college as there are only two foreign faculty members,” he said.

As Professor of Grand Strategy and Mobilisation at the University’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces, WGCDR Dally taught grand strategy, mobilisation, information systems and aircraft industry studies to students from all branches of the US military and government, as well as military officers from other countries, including Romania, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

WGCDR Dally described his experience at the university as rewarding. He was gratified by the acceptance he received from the students and staff of the university.

“What impressed me greatly about the job was that I was treated just like one of their own, which highlights the closeness of the defence relationship between Australia and the US,” he said. “While I personally really enjoyed the work, I think the true value of the post is that it gives us a rare opportunity to provide an Australian perspective at the most senior level of military education in the US.”

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