The
Houston years
On the road to the top
By
PTE John Wellfare
Appointed as Air Force chief in 2001, Air Marshal Angus Houston
has been a key figure in the ADF’s busiest period since
Vietnam.
He moves on to the Chief of Defence Force post after four years
leading the Air Force through war, peacekeeping and humanitarian
relief. This edition, we look at his time at the top, from serving
as Head Strategic Command in 2000 through to the present day.
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Looking
out over the border region of Timor-Leste from a Black Hawk
helicopter.
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Examining
the devastation in Nias during Operation Sumatra Assist
part II.
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Inspecting
the No. 2 Squadron memorial plaque in London.
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Drawing
the raffle at a Directorate of Personnel Airmen morning
tea in Canberra.
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Talking
to members of the F/A-18 Armaments Preparation Area during
Operation Falconer.
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Timor-Leste
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Checking
up on operations in Timor-Leste – October 2000.
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Solomon
Islands
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VIsiting
troops in the Solomon Islands – October 2003.
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Meao
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Addressing
Air Force personnel in Iraq – April 2004.
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Aceh
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Flying
over devastated regions in Aceh – January 2005.
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2
Flying Training School
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9
Squadron
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86
Wing Headquarters
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AIR
Marshal Angus Houston joined the Air Force as a cadet pilot in
1970 and spent the early part of his career flying Iroquois helicopters
in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
After graduating from the flying instructors course in 1975, he
completed several instructional tours on Macchi, BAC Strikemaster
and Iroquois aircraft. He served on exchange to the Republic of
Singapore Air Force (RSAF) from 1976 to 1978.
On return to Australia, he spent two years with No. 9 Squadron
at RAAF Base Amberley. In late 1979, he was posted to Hill Air
Force Base, Utah, for exchange duties with a United States Air
Force helicopter unit.
After another stint with 9SQN as the executive officer of staff
training at RAAF Staff College, AVM Houston was posted to Department
of Air Development Division, where he was involved in determining
helicopter operational requirements before joining the Black Hawk
Project Team.
In 1987, he assumed command of 9SQN, where he was responsible
for the introduction of the Black Hawk, relocation of the unit
from Amberley to Townsville and its transfer to Army.
In 1989, he served for one year with the Army’s 5 Aviation
Regiment as a squadron commander.
From 1990 to 1991, he served as a wing commander as part of the
joint operations staff at ADF Headquarters. He was promoted to
group captain in 1992 and, as Director Air Force Policy, negotiated
the establishment of the RSAF flying school at RAAF Base Pearce.
As an air commodore from 1994 to 2000, AIRMSHL Houston commanded
No. 86 Wing, was the executive officer of HQ Airlift Group, Chief
of Staff at HQ Australian Theatre and Commander Integrated Air
Defence System.
He was promoted to air vice-marshal in 2000 as Head Strategic
Command. Then in June 2001, AIRMSHL Houston was promoted and appointed
Chief of Air Force.
He was recently announced as the next Chief of Defence Force,
a position he will take up on July 4, on promotion to air chief
marshal.
