New CDF

I must admit to an Infantryman’s bias here. I have always thought that RAAF officers were more into commanding aeroplanes than men and thus had less understanding of the Army and Navy with their troops-before-equipment emphasis. That of course, is a generalization and doesn’t take into account a lot of other factors. The RAAF are a very professional force and have provided support to Infantrymen in trouble over many campaigns and wars. I owe them and can only respect any man that rose to the highest levels of command within the RAAF. The thing that matters most to us lower ranks is a 3, 4 or 5 Star rank’s ability to stick up for the troops of their service. We would want them to tell the Politicians the truth even when they don’t wan’t to hear it and never, never contemplate a career in politics whilst serving – it contaminates decisions. I was once told by a Colonel that after promotion above regimental command too many officers became political. That is to say their decisions were couched in political outcomes and paid less and less attention to the needs of the troops and the requirement to be able to meet the respective forces prime aim of closing with and destroying the enemy Cosgrove always maintained his integrity as an Army officer and pushed for outcomes that would look after the troops while enhancing their ability to wage war. I served with Cosgrove when he commanded the 1st Battalion and can vouch from personal experience that whereas we worked hard under his command it was very apparent that loyalty had a downward perspective. If we did right by him, he would do right by us. We were even on first name terms as in he would call me Kevin and I would call him Sir. I see no evidence to suggest that Houston isn’t of the same mould. Albeit with a RAAF background and therefore unknown to me, he has already shown an ability to defend the troops and tell politicians what they might not have wanted to hear. It’s a good start and I wish him well. The future promises to be even more demanding for the ADF and it will take a strong hand to keep moving forward. The media release of the Prime Minsiters announcement is here and go here for a biography of Air Marshal Allan (Angus) Grant Houston, AO, AFC as Chief of the Air Force (CAF) UPDATE: I have just read AM Houston’s biography in detail and note;

In 1989 he enjoyed one year as a Squadron Commander with the 5th Aviation Regiment.

The 5th Aviation Regiment is an Army unit. He’ll do.