Errol McCormack explained

Errol John McCormack
Birth Date:30 August 1941
Birth Place:Bundaberg, Queensland
Death Place:Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Allegiance:Australia
Branch:Royal Australian Air Force
Serviceyears:1962–2001
Rank:Air Marshal
Commands:Chief of Air Force (1998–01)
Deputy Chief of Air Force (1997–98)
Integrated Air Defence System (1995–97)
No. 82 Wing (1986–88)
No. 1 Squadron (1977–79)
Battles:Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
Vietnam War
Awards:Officer of the Order of Australia

Air Marshal Errol John McCormack, AO (30 August 1941 – 8 April 2024) was a senior commander in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), who served as Chief of Air Force from May 1998 to June 2001.

Early life

McCormack was born in Bundaberg, Queensland, on 30 August 1941 to Horace McCormack and his wife Ida (née Wooldridge). He was educated at Bundaberg State High School.[1]

Service career

McCormack was commissioned in 1963 and served in Malaysia and Singapore during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation,[2] and subsequently took part in the Vietnam War.[3] He served as commanding officer of No. 1 Squadron RAAF in the 1980s.[2] He was made commanding officer of No. 82 Wing RAAF in 1987, Director General Force Development Air at Headquarters, Australian Defence Force in Canberra in 1989 and Air Attaché in Washington D. C. in 1993.[4] In 1995 he became Commander for the Integrated Air Defence System at Butterworth in Malaysia.[4]

He was appointed Deputy Chief of Air Force in 1997 and Chief of Air Force in May 1998 before he retired in 2001.[5] In retirement he became Chairman of Chemring Australia Pty Ltd.[4]

He became an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1998.[6]

McCormack died in Canberra on 8 April 2024.[7]

Honours and awards

Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) 1998[8]
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) 1993[9]
2001[10]
Defence Force Service Medal with 4 clasps for 35–39 years of service
for 15 years of service[11]
2006
Vietnam Campaign Medal (South Vietnam)
Pingat Jasa Malaysia (Malaysia) 2004

References

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Air Marshal Errol John McCormack. 14 August 2014. Who's Who in Australia Online. ConnectWeb.
  2. http://www.defence.gov.au/minister/mooretpl.cfm?currentid=249#caf Australian Department of Defense – Senior Military Appointments
  3. Web site: DVA's Nominal Rolls. 21 Genge Street. scheme=AGLSTERMS. AglsAgent; corporateName=Department of Veterans' Affairs; address=Gnabra Building. nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au.
  4. http://www.aidn.com.au/board_cvs.htm Australian Industry & Defence Network
  5. http://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/editions/2001/4306/story02.htm Air Force News – Air Marshal Errol J. McCormack – RAAF Service 1962–2001
  6. https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/879564 Officer of the Order of Australia
  7. Web site: Errol John MCCORMACK . Canberra Times Tributes . 22 April 2024 . 13 April 2024.
  8. https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/879564 It's an Honour
  9. https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/879066 It's an Honour
  10. https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1127211 It's an Honour
  11. https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1030579 It's an Honour