Barry Gration
Encyclopedia
Air Marshal
Ian Barrington "Barry" Gration AO
, AFC
(born 30 June 1936) is a former senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force
, whose career culminated with his appointment as Chief of the Air Staff between 1992 and 1994.
(RAAF) in 1953, graduating with distinction from RAAF College
, Point Cook in 1956 as a Pilot Officer, General Duties Branch.
He served in a variety of flying and staff appointments from 1957 including a tour as flying instructor. In 1965, Gration graduated from the University of Queensland
with a Bachelor of Commerce
degree. In June 1970, Squadron Leader Gration was awarded the Air Force Cross
for his services to 34 Squadron as training officer and VIP captain.
He was subsequenly appointed Station Commander at RAAF Base Fairbairn
in the Australian Capital Territory
, Director of Operations for the Air Force and then Station Commander at RAAF Base Richmond
in New South Wales
. He went on to be Director General Joint Operations and Plans at Australian Defence Force Headquarters in Canberra
and then Head of the Australian Defence Staff and Defence Attaché
at the Australian Embassy in Washington D. C.
He was appointed Air Commander Australia
in 1990 and Chief of the Air Staff in 1992 before he retired from the RAAF in 1994.
He 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.
His brother General Peter Gration
was Chief of the Australian Defence Force
.
Air Marshal (Australia)
Air marshal is the second highest active rank of the Royal Australian Air Force and was created as a direct equivalent of the British Royal Air Force rank of air marshal, it is also considered a three-star rank...
Ian Barrington "Barry" Gration AO
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, AFC
Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
(born 30 June 1936) is a former senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
, whose career culminated with his appointment as Chief of the Air Staff between 1992 and 1994.
Service career
Gration was educated at Scotch College Melbourne and joined the Royal Australian Air ForceRoyal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
(RAAF) in 1953, graduating with distinction from RAAF College
RAAF College
The Royal Australian Air Force College is the Royal Australian Air Force training and education academy which is responsible for all the Air Force's initial, career development, promotion and leadership training...
, Point Cook in 1956 as a Pilot Officer, General Duties Branch.
He served in a variety of flying and staff appointments from 1957 including a tour as flying instructor. In 1965, Gration graduated from the University of Queensland
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
with a Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Commerce
A Bachelor of Commerce is an undergraduate degree in commerce and related subjects. The degree is also known as the Bachelor of Commerce and Administration, or BCA...
degree. In June 1970, Squadron Leader Gration was awarded the Air Force Cross
Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
for his services to 34 Squadron as training officer and VIP captain.
He was subsequenly appointed Station Commander at RAAF Base Fairbairn
Fairbairn, Canberra
Fairbairn was a base of the Royal Australian Air Force located in Australia's national capital, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Over the years the name of the establishment, and the use of the land, has changed...
in the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
, Director of Operations for the Air Force and then Station Commander at RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond is one of Australia's oldest and largest air force bases. It is located within the City of Hawkesbury in the north-western fringe of Sydney, New South Wales, between the towns of Windsor and Richmond. The base is home to the Royal Australian Air Force's transport headquarters,...
in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. He went on to be Director General Joint Operations and Plans at Australian Defence Force Headquarters in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
and then Head of the Australian Defence Staff and Defence Attaché
Attaché
Attaché is a French term in diplomacy referring to a person who is assigned to the diplomatic or administrative staff of a higher placed person or another service or agency...
at the Australian Embassy in Washington D. C.
He was appointed Air Commander Australia
RAAF Air Command
Air Command is the operational arm of the Royal Australian Air Force . It is headed by the Air Commander Australia, whose role is to manage and command the RAAF's Force Element Groups , which contain the operational capability of the Air Force...
in 1990 and Chief of the Air Staff in 1992 before he retired from the RAAF in 1994.
He 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.
His brother General Peter Gration
Peter Gration
General Peter Courtney Gration AC, OBE is an Australian general who served in the positions of Chief of the General Staff and Chief of the Defence Force; the professional head of the Australian Army and Australian Defence Force respectively.-Early life:Gration was born in Richmond, Victoria, on 6...
was Chief of the Australian Defence Force
Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)
Chief of the Defence Force is the most senior appointment in the Australian Defence Force . The CDF commands the ADF under the direction of the Minister of Defence, in a coequal arrangement with the Secretary of Defence, the most senior public servant in the Department of Defence.The position is a...
.