User:Tkellah

David Willcox' 'Australian Fighter Pilot

David John Willcox AM, CSC

December 18, 1957 (age 56)

Place of birth	Sydney, New South Wales

Allegiance	 Commonwealth of Australia

Service/branch	 Royal Australian Air Force

Years of service	1976 – 2008

Rank	Group Captain (Ret’d)

Commands held	No 42 Wing, No. 76 Squadron Honours & Awards	Member of the Order of Australia, Conspicuous Service Cross

Group Captain David John Willcox AM, CSC (ret’d) (b. 18 December 1957) is a former Royal Australian Air Force Fighter Pilot and retired senior officer.

Contents[hide]·	1 Early life ·	2 Service history ·	3 Personal life ·	4 Honours and Awards ·	5 References ·	6 External links

Early Life

Willcox was born in Sydney and grew up there. He attended St Ives Public School. He completed secondary schooling at Sydney Grammar School, where he was a Prefect and Air Training Corps Cadet Under Officer in his final year. There, he played rugby, captained the 4th XV, and was awarded the Sherwood, Coogan and Smiths Instruments’ trophy’s. At the age of 15, he received a gliding scholarship, and flew Blanik gliders at Camden airfield. After matriculation, he deferred a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of New South Wales when he joined the Royal Australian Air Force to become a pilot.

Service History

Willcox joined the RAAF in April 1976 and on completion of flying training in 1977, was posted to fly DHC-4 Caribou aircraft at No. 38 Squadron, RAAF Base Richmond. He subsequently flew these aircraft with No. 35 Squadron at RAAF Base Townsville  until 1980, when he was selected to convert to the Mirage III fighter, which he flew with No. 77 Squadron  at RAAF Base Williamtown and No. 3 Squadron  at RAAF Butterworth, Malaysia. Following these tours, Willcox completed a posting as a qualified flying instructor on the Macchi MB-326H at No. 2 Flying Training School, RAAF Base Pearce. He was awarded an Air Officer Commanding Commendation for his exemplary performance in this role.

In 1987, following conversion to the F/A-18 Hornet, Willcox was appointed the ‘A’ Flight Commander at No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, where he was the Course Director responsible for the planning and execution of the first two F/A-18 Fighter Combat Instructor courses. In 1991 he was the Standardisation Officer (STANDO) at Headquarters No 81 Wing.

In 1992 he was appointed the Executive Officer No 3 Squadron, for which he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in 1995 in recognition of his "exceptional" leadership. Following this tour, he briefly served as the Fighter Operations instructor and specialist at the Australian Defence Warfare Centre, before promotion to Wing Commander and appointment as the Senior Operations Officer at, and Commanding Officer of, Headquarters No 81 Wing.

Willcox was selected to be Commanding Officer of No. 76 Squadron at Williamtown during the period 2000 to 2002, where he retired the MB 326-H Macchi jet from service and introduced the BAE Hawk 127 Lead-In-Fighter. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia on Australia Day 2003 for his exceptional service in fighter operations, capability management, and training in this and previous roles.

Willcox's flying qualifications include Forward Air Controller, Qualified Flying Instructor, Tactical Reconnaissance Pilot, and Category ‘A’ ‘exceptional’ F/A-18 fighter pilot. He has 5000 hours flying more than a dozen different aircraft types over 3 continents.

During Australia's 2003 contribution to the war in Iraq, he served as Staff Officer to the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Angus Houston. At this time, all Australian fighter pilots serving on operations were his former students. Following this, on promotion to Group Captain in 2004 he served as Chief of Staff, Air Force Training Command. In 2005 he was appointed Director, Airborne Early Warning & Control Project in the Defence Materiel Organisation, and qualified on conversion with a command rating on the B737 BBJ & NG, 400-800 series aircraft.

Willcox was appointed Officer Commanding No 42 Wing on 01 January 2006, to reform this Wing in preparation for the delivery of the Boeing 737 AEW&C ‘Wedgetail’  aircraft. He retired from the Air Force in May 2008 to pursue his private business interests. Personal Life

Willcox is married to Chyna. They have six sons, a daughter, and several grand-children. His interests include sailing, snow skiing, painting, reading, and travel. He is a practising company director, business owner, and management consultant with widespread experience in Australia and internationally.

Willcox has post-graduate qualifications in Audit, Defence Studies, Government (management), Company Directorship, Operations & Personnel, and Aviation. He holds an Australian Commercial Pilots license. He is a Life Member of the Old Sydniens Union, was a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), and a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute (MAHRI). He is a Life Member of ghe No 76 Squadron Association.

Honours and Awards

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)[1 ]	(26 January 2003) Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)[2 ]	(26 January 1995) Australian Service Medal	with clasp "SE ASIA" Defence Force Service Medal with 3 clasps	30–34 years service Australian Defence Medal

References

External Links

[1] /honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1042282&search_type=quick&showInd=true

[2] http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1033079&search_type=quick&showInd=true --Tkellah (talk) 03:21, 14 May 2010 (UTC)