Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, AC, AFC, (Ret’d)

Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston AC , AFC (Ret’d) was announced as Chair of the Anzac Centenary Advisory Board in July this year shortly after his retirement from 41 years service in the Australian Defence Force. Angus was the Chief of the Defence Force from 4 July 2005 until 4 July 2011. Prior to that he was Chief of Air Force for four years. Angus joined the RAAF as a cadet pilot in 1970. He spent the early part of his career flying Iroquois helicopters in various parts of Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Angus became a qualified Flight Instructor and completed several instructional tours on Macchi, BAC Strikemaster and Iroquois aircraft in the late 1970s. He also served on exchange with the Republic of Singapore Air Force and the US Air Force helicopter unit. In 1980, Angus was awarded the Air Force Cross. His principal command appointments included: Number 9 Squadron in 1987, during the introduction of the Blackhawk, the relocation of the unit from Amberley to Townsville and its transfer to Army; 5th Aviation Regiment in 1989 and Number 86 Wing from 1994-1995. Angus was Commander Integrated Air Defence System from 1999-2000 in Malaysia. He also served on the Joint Operations staff at Headquarters Australian Defence during the Gulf crisis of 1990-1991. Angus was the Director Air Force Policy during 1992-1993 and served at Headquarters Australian Theatre from 1997-1999 as Chief of Staff, and Head Strategic Command from 2000-2001. He is married to Liz and they have three sons. Recently, Angus was named 2011 Father of the Year and ACT Australian of the Year 2012.