Errol McCormack

Errol John McCormack
Born(1941-08-30)30 August 1941
Bundaberg, Queensland
Died8 April 2024(2024-04-08) (aged 82)
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Military career
AllegianceAustralia
Branch
Royal Australian Air Force
Service years
1962–2001
Rank
Air Marshal
CommandsChief 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)
Conflicts
Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
Vietnam War
AwardsOfficer 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.

Service career

McCormack was commissioned in 1963 and served in Malaysia and Singapore during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, and subsequently took part in the Vietnam War. He served as commanding officer of No. 1 Squadron RAAF in the 1980s. 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. In 1995 he became Commander for the Integrated Air Defence System at Butterworth in Malaysia.

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

He became an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1998.

McCormack died in Canberra on 8 April 2024.

Honours and awards

Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)1998
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)1993
General Service Medal
Vietnam Medal
Australian Service Medal 1945-1975
Centenary Medal2001
Defence Force Service Medal with 4 claspsfor 35–39 years of service
National Medalfor 15 years of service
Australian Defence Medal2006
Vietnam Campaign Medal (South Vietnam)
Pingat Jasa Malaysia (Malaysia)2004

References

  1. ↑ "Air Marshal Errol John McCormack". Who's Who in Australia Online. ConnectWeb. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  2. 1 2 Australian Department of Defense – Senior Military Appointments
  3. ↑ "DVA's Nominal Rolls: Vietnam War Service". nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au. Department of Veterans' Affairs. Retrieved 15 October 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 Australian Industry & Defence Network Archived 3 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ Air Force News – Air Marshal Errol J. McCormack – RAAF Service 1962–2001
  6. ↑ Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), 8 June 1998, It's an honour
  7. ↑ "MCCORMACK, Errol John | Tributes & Funerals | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT". www.canberratimes.com.au. Retrieved 15 October 2026.
  8. ↑ Galappatthy, Shan (6 May 2024). "Farewell to a distinguished Air Force leader". Department of Defence. Retrieved 15 October 2026.
  9. ↑ It's an Honour – Officer of the Order of Australia – 8 June 1998
  10. ↑ It's an Honour – Member of the Order of Australia – 26 January 1993
  11. ↑ It's an Honour – Centenary Medal – 1 January 2001
  12. ↑ It's an Honour – National Medal – 15 November 1977