Vice Chairman

Group Captain (Ret’d) Alan Thorpe RFD

Alan Thorpe is a retired lawyer, having spent most of his legal career as a partner with one of Australia’s major law firms. He is married to Kay, and lives in Brisbane.

His involvement with the Air Force began at Brisbane State High School, where he enrolled as a cadet in No 9 Flight, Queensland Squadron, Air Training Corps. After leaving High School in 1959, Alan joined the RAAF General Reserve as an instructor of cadets. He was posted initially to No 19 Flight, and later to No 20 Flight, for part time Air Training Corps duties. In 1969 Alan was appointed to the RAAF Specialist (Legal) Reserve, and performed part time Air Force service with both the cadets and the Specialist Reserve until 1977, when he took on the role of Leader of the Brisbane RAAF Reserve Legal Panel.

He served with the RAAF Legal Branch as Brisbane Panel Leader, and later as Principal Panel Leader, until 1992 when he transferred to the RAAF Reserve Staff Group, again for part time duty connected with the Air Training Corps. He retired from the Air Force Reserve in July 2001.

Alan joined 2 Wing Regional Council in 1992, and the AAFC National Council in 2006, where he is currently Vice Chairman. He has a keen interest in aviation, and has held a Private Pilot Licence and Glider Instructor rating.