Society Patron

Air Marshal I B Gration AO AFC (Retd)

 Air Marshal Gration enlisted in the RAAF in 1953 and graduated with distinction from RAAF College, Point Cook in 1956 as a Pilot Officer, General Duties Branch. Between 1957 and 1970 he served in a variety of flying and staff appointments, including a tour as flying instructor. In June 1970, Squadron Leader Gration was awarded the Air Force Cross for his services to 34 Squadron as training officer and VIP captain.  
Air Marshal Gration became an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1988. He also holds the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air in recognition of his role in flying training and air transport. 

Other appointments held by Air Marshal Gration include Officer Commanding RAAF Base Fairbairn, ACT; Director of Operations – Air Force; Officer Commanding RAAF Base Richmond, NSW; and Director General Joint Operations and Plans, Australian Defence Force Headquarters, Canberra. Air Marshal Gration was posted as Head, Australian Defence Staff and Defence Attaché at the Australian Embassy in Washington. He was appointed Air Commander Australia in February 1990 and became Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) in October 1992. 

As CAS, he guided the RAAF through a period of significant structural change, surmounting the challenges of structural reviews to make the RAAF a more effective and capable force as it moved into a new era of regional defence cooperation. He retired from the RAAF in 1994 after 41 years of service. 

In March 1996, Air Marshal Gration graciously accepted the Society’s invitation to become Patron for an initial term of three years as has served continuously as Patron since.

Page last updated on: 19/03/08

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