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,Australian Department of Defense – Senior Military Appointments 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.Australian Industry & Defence Network 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.Air Force News – Air Marshal Errol J. McCormack – RAAF Service 1962–2001 In retirement he became Chairman of Chemring Australia Pty Ltd.

He became an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1998.Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), 8 June 1998, It's an honour

McCormack died in Canberra on 8 April 2024.

Honours and awards

Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) 1998It's an Honour – Officer of the Order of Australia – 8 June 1998 Member of the Order of Australia (AM) 1993It's an Honour – Member of the Order of Australia – 26 January 1993 General Service Medal Vietnam Medal Australian Service Medal 1945-1975 Centenary Medal 2001It's an Honour – Centenary Medal – 1 January 2001 Defence Force Service Medal with 4 clasps for 35–39 years of service National Medal for 15 years of serviceIt's an Honour – National Medal – 15 November 1977 Australian Defence Medal 2006 Vietnam Campaign Medal (South Vietnam) Pingat Jasa Malaysia (Malaysia) 2004

References