Message from the out-going Chief of Air Force

THIS will be my last message to you as the outgoing Chief of Air Force.

I would like to express my appreciation for the very special evening on Saturday in the Great Hall at Parliament House.

It certainly was an honour to be farewelled by so many Air Force people. I understand that we had a very good spread of representation across the ranks and across the units.

Thank you to the people of the Air Force as I move on after four years as your chief. When I am talking about the people of the Air Force I mean the 13,500 permanent, 880 civilians, 2000 reservists, 7000 cadets and 1000 staff, and of course our very supportive families.

I would like to thank my personal staff. I know that over the years my personal staff have worked incredibly hard in supporting me, often in very time-driven circumstances. I could not have done the job without their efforts.

To the members of the Senior Leadership Team, I appreciate your loyalty. We have worked together and done some very good work in creating and maintaining the right culture in the Air Force.

I acknowledge the efforts of my two very hard working deputy chiefs. During my time I have had the pleasure of working with Air Vice-Marshals Chris Spence and Roxley McLennan, ably supported by the hard working, committed headquarters staff.

For our biggest command, Air Command, with the Air Commanders Air Vice-Marshal John Kindler followed by Geoff Shepherd, and the great people of Force Element Groups that come under them, I thank you all for your professionalism and commitment.

From Training Command – Air Commodores Chris Beatty, Rod Luke and Group Captain Pete Norford and the people of Training Command – thank you as well for your valuable contribution to the training of our people keeping our force at the leading edge.

I also thank Air Force people from other agencies, which include DMO, CSIG and all the joint agencies. We have a huge number of Air Force people in DMO under Air Vice-Marshals Clive Rossiter, John Monaghan and Ray Conroy earlier on.

Our people in the joint and defence agencies have also done a great job. Indeed, some of our people have performed superbly in the JOC, JLC, DPE, CIO, Intelligence Strategy and Capability Development. I have been very pleased with the substantial contribution from our capability development people that will ensure Air Force’s future.

And finally, none of this could have been done without the wonderful support of our families. And speaking of families, I could not have done my job without the support of my wife Liz and my boys Sandy, Gordon and Robert.

When asked about the high point in my time as CAF, my answer is the people of the Air Force. It does not matter where I have been – I have always been uplifted during my engagement with the people of the Air Force.

You are all a magnificent bunch of people. No matter what you have been asked to do on operations or back home and in support, you always deliver the required outcomes in a very professional and dedicated way and have worked so well in teams. Thank you for enhancing the reputation of the Air Force.

A low point in my time as CAF would be something that has been with us for the last four years, the F-111 Deseal/Reseal. I feel very deeply for those who have been afflicted by that process and I hope that I have been able to assist them through very difficult times.

The low point was the loss of the crew on board the recent Sea King accident and the loss of Paul McCarthy, Wendy Jones and Lynne Rowbottom. Three highly compassionate people who were lost in the business of saving lives. I am also sad about all others who have died while serving.

I leave the Air Force in all of your hands and I move on to new and difficult challenges as CDF. Thank you for four years of operational excellence in war and peace. Thank you for your great professional dedication and teamwork.
Together we in the Air Force have achieved much.

I wish Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd all the very best. I know you will support him as well as you supported me and I know the Air Force is in good hands.

Thank you and I look forward to your support in my new role.

A.G. Houston
Air Chief Marshal
Chief of Defence Force, July 4, 2005

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