Chiefs of Air Force: Leadership and Achievement in the Royal Australian Air Force—RAAF (AI STUDY GUIDES)

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This section outlines the professional achievements of the Chiefs of Air Force who have shaped the Royal Australian Air Force across more than a century. It highlights their leadership in building capability, guiding operational employment, advancing professional standards, and adapting Australian air power to changing strategic, technological, and alliance demands, reflecting the enduring importance of senior air leadership in national defence. 

Sir Richard Williams (Oct 1922–Dec 1922 | Feb 1925–Dec 1932 | Jun 1934–Feb 1939)

Founded and secured the independence of the Royal Australian Air Force; established permanent command, training, and officer education systems at Point Cook; embedded air power doctrine within national defence planning; oversaw early standardisation of training, reconnaissance, and utility aircraft suited to Australian conditions.

Stanley Goble (Dec 1922–Feb 1925 | Dec 1932–Jun 1934 | Feb 1939–Jan 1940)

Demonstrated long-range air power across Australia including the 1924 circumnavigation; championed maritime reconnaissance and flying-boat operations; reinforced air power’s relevance to continental and maritime defence.

William Anderson (Jan 1940–Feb 1940)

Provided continuity of command at the outbreak of global war; maintained professional and operational standards during rapid transition to wartime expansion.

Sir Charles Burnett (Feb 1940–May 1942)

Implemented the Empire Air Training Scheme at scale; oversaw massive expansion of RAAF manpower, bases, and flying schools; integrated Australia into the Allied air war in Europe and the Middle East, supporting trade security and strategic communications including the Suez route.

Sir George Jones (May 1942–Jan 1952)

Preserved RAAF institutional independence during coalition war; oversaw major Pacific combat operations; managed post-war demobilisation; introduced jet aircraft including the Meteor and Vampire; his conflict with Air Vice-Marshal William Bostock produced divided command arrangements that harmed operational effectiveness during WWII.

See this post: 1942-45: WW2—Bostock and Jones: a Study in Political and Military Incompetence (AI Study Guide)

Sir James Hardman (Jan 1952–Jan 1954)

Re-aligned the RAAF with RAF and USAF Cold War doctrine; strengthened alliance interoperability; supported transition to jet-era force structures.

Sir John McCauley (Jan 1954–Mar 1957)

Consolidated Cold War command and training systems; supported operational introduction of jet aircraft including the Canberra; reinforced professional standards and alliance readiness.

Sir Frederick Scherger (Mar 1957–May 1961 | later Chief of the Defence Force Staff)

Championed jet air power and strategic planning; supported introduction of Mirage III; strengthened joint command arrangements; reshaped senior defence leadership and integrated national defence planning.

Sir Valston Hancock (May 1961–May 1965)

Strengthened regional engagement and air mobility; supported Southeast Asian operations; reinforced professional education and transport capability.

Sir Alister Murdoch (Jun 1965–Jan 1970)

Supported sustained Vietnam-era operations; strengthened logistics, sustainment, and force management; oversaw prolonged expeditionary air operations.

Sir Colin Hannah (Jan 1970–Mar 1972)

Reinforced organisational discipline and command effectiveness; sustained Mirage III operations during institutional change.

Sir Charles Read (Mar 1972–Mar 1975)

Maintained operational readiness and training standards under fiscal constraint; supported planning for future strike and transport capabilities.

Sir James Rowland (Mar 1975–Mar 1979)

Strengthened professional military education and strategic awareness; oversaw maturation of F-111 operations; later served as Governor-General of Australia.

Sir Neville McNamara (Mar 1979–Apr 1982)

Advanced Defence integration and capability planning; oversaw introduction of the F/A-18 Hornet; strengthened joint governance.

Sir Selwyn Evans (Apr 1982–May 1985)

Maintained alliance readiness and operational credibility; consolidated Hornet introduction and modern fighter capability.

John Newham (May 1985–Jul 1987)

Strengthened systems modernisation and training reform; reinforced airworthiness and technical governance during fleet transition.

Sir Raymond Funnell (Jul 1987–Oct 1992)

Established the Air Power Studies Centre; embedded air power doctrine and professional education; supported introduction of the Hawk lead-in fighter.

Sir Ian Gration (Oct 1992–Nov 1994)

Managed post–Cold War transition; maintained readiness during force reduction; oversaw initial implementation within the RAAF of government policy removing discrimination against gay and lesbian personnel.

Sir Leslie Fisher (Nov 1994–May 1998)

Enhanced joint interoperability and systems integration; embedded updated personnel and career frameworks following policy change; continued Hornet capability development.

Sir Errol McCormack (May 1998–Jun 2001)

Strengthened long-term capability planning; consolidated inclusive personnel policy within standard administrative and command systems.

Sir Angus Houston (Jun 2001–Jul 2005 | later Chief of the Defence Force)

Led the RAAF through post-9/11 operations; strengthened joint and coalition air operations; demonstrated civil–military integrity by providing frank professional advice to government during contentious border protection and asylum-seeker operations.

Geoff Shepherd (Aug 2005–Jul 2008)

Instrumental in the rapid acquisition of the C-17 Globemaster III to meet urgent operational airlift requirements; strengthened expeditionary readiness and deployability.

Mark Binskin (Jul 2008–Jul 2011 | later Chief of the Defence Force)

Oversaw advanced air combat capability development including JSF transition planning; strengthened joint integration and operational readiness.

Geoff Brown (Jul 2011–Jul 2015)

Guided continued force transformation; brought KC-30A and E-7A Wedgetail into effective operational service; reinforced coalition integration.

Leo Davies (Jul 2015–Jul 2019)

Led introduction of fifth-generation air combat capability with F-35A; strengthened safety culture and innovation; oversaw expansion of women in operational aircrew and command roles.

Mel Hupfeld (Jul 2019–Jul 2022)

Integrated air and space power; strengthened workforce resilience and safety; oversaw alignment of RAAF personnel policy with contemporary Defence and Commonwealth legislation including post-2017 service conditions changes.

Robert Chipman (Jul 2022–Jul 2024)

Maintained operational readiness and capability sustainment; prepared the force for future strategic demands amid accelerating regional uncertainty.