25 Facts About Angus Houston

Angus Houston served as Chief of Air Force from 20 June 2001 and then as the Chief of the Defence Force from 4 July 2005.

Angus Houston retired from the military on 3 July 2011.

Since then Houston has been appointed to a number of positions, including chairman of Airservices Australia.

Angus Houston was born on 9 June 1947 in Ayrshire, Scotland and educated at Strathallan School in Forgandenny, Perthshire.

Angus Houston emigrated to Australia in 1968 to work as a jackaroo on a sheep and wheat farm near the town of Mukinbudin in the North Eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia.

Angus Houston spent the early part of his career flying UH-1 Iroquois helicopters in various parts of Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

In late 1979, Angus Houston was posted to Hill Air Force Base, Utah USA for exchange flying duties with a United States Air Force helicopter unit.

Angus Houston was promoted to squadron leader on 1 January 1982.

Angus Houston was admitted as a Member of the Order of Australia in 1990 for his work in the transfer of responsibility for Blackhawk operations.

Angus Houston attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in London in 1996.

Angus Houston was Chief of Staff, Headquarters Australian Theatre from 1997 to 1999, Commander Integrated Air Defence System from 1999 to 2000 and Head Strategic Command from 17 August 2000.

Angus Houston was appointed as Chief of Air Force on 20 June 2001 and, in the 2003 Australia Day Honours, advanced to Officer of the Order of Australia.

At a Senate inquiry in February 2002, Angus Houston challenged the then government's claim made during the 2001 election campaign, that seafaring asylum seekers had thrown children overboard in a presumed ploy to secure rescue and passage to Australia.

In March 2008, Angus Houston's appointment was extended to 3 July 2011.

In February 2014, Angus Houston was appointed chair of the Defence SA Advisory Board.

On 26 January 2015, Angus Houston was appointed a Knight of the Order of Australia for his service to Australia and commitment to the MH17 and MH 370 disasters.

On 1 June 2015, Angus Houston was announced as the new special envoy for South Australia.

Angus Houston was elected to the role of chancellor of the University of the Sunshine Coast and took office from 1 April 2017.

Angus Houston was appointed to the board of Virgin Australia in December 2018, replacing Mark Vaile.

Angus Houston is an Honorary Patron of the ACT Veterans Rugby Club, the Bomber Command Association in Australia, Sunnyfield Disability Services and the Australian American Association Canberra Division.

Angus Houston is the chair of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra.

Angus Houston is a member of the senior advisory group of the Indonesia-Australia Defence Alumni Association.

Angus Houston is chair of Murray-Darling Basin Authority since August 2020.

Angus Houston and his wife Liz, who is a teacher, have three sons.

In July 2010, while CDF, Angus Houston took medical leave to deal with prostate issues.