Michael Teo Eng Cheng
Michael Teo Eng Cheng | |
---|---|
Born | 1948 (age 75–76) Malayan Union |
Allegiance | Singapore |
Service | Republic of Singapore Air Force |
Years of service | 1968–1992 |
Rank | Brigadier-General |
Commands | Chief of Air Force Commander, Republic of Singapore Air Force |
Awards | See awards and decorations |
Alma mater | Tufts University (MA) Auburn University (BS) |
Michael Teo Eng Cheng PPA(E) (Chinese: 张荣清; pinyin: Zhāng Róngqīng) is a Singaporean former diplomat and brigadier-general who served as Commander of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) from 1985 to 1990, and Chief of Air Force from 1990 to 1992.[1][2]
Education
[edit]Teo attended Auburn University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration in 1984. In August 1992, after stepping down as Chief of Air Force, Teo began studying at Tufts University, and graduated with a Master of Arts in international relations in 1993.[2][3][4][5]
Military career
[edit]Teo enlisted in the Singapore Armed Forces in June 1968, and served as a fighter pilot in the Republic of Singapore Air Force, operating the Northrop F-5E.[6][7] During his career in the military, Teo has also held the appointments of squadron commander and Head, Air Operations Department.[7]
Teo was promoted from the rank of colonel to brigadier-general on 1 July 1987.[7][8]
Teo was appointed as the first Commander of RSAF from 1 November 1985 to 31 April 1990, and later as the first Chief of Air Force on 1 May 1990.[1][2] Under his leadership, the RSAF acquired eight new General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, operationalised the 145 Squadron with 20 ST Aerospace A-4SU Super Skyhawk, and equipped the island with air defence systems.[1][9][10]
On 31 August 1992, Teo stepped down, and was succeeded by Bey Soo Khiang.[3][2]
Diplomacy career
[edit]In August 1993, Teo joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and was appointed as the high commissioner-designate.[4] On 12 February 1994, Teo was appointed as high commissioner to New Zealand, and stepped down in July 1996.[5][11]
From August 1996 to December 2001, he was appointed as ambassador to the Republic of Korea, and concurrently served as the ambassador to Mongolia from April 1997 to December 2001.[5][12][13]
On 21 January 2002, Teo was appointed as high commissioner to the United Kingdom, while concurrently serving as the ambassador to Ireland, before stepping down in July 2011.[14][15][16]
From September 2011 to August 2014, Teo was appointed as high commissioner to Australia.[16][17][18]
Personal life
[edit]Teo is married to Joyce Ng and has two children.[11][14]
Awards and decorations
[edit]- Public Administration Medal (Military) (Gold), in 1989.[11][19][20][21]
- Singapore Armed Forces Long Service and Good Conduct (20 Years) Medal
- Singapore Armed Forces Long Service and Good Conduct (10 Years) Medal
- Singapore Armed Forces Good Service Medal
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Thailand, in 1990.[22]
- Bintang Swa Bhuwana Paksa Utama (1st Class), in 1991.[23]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "The Citations". The Straits Times. 11 November 1989. p. 28. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d "BG Bey Soo Khiang to be next Chief of Air Force". The Straits Times. 11 July 1992. p. 2. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b "New air chief". The New Paper. 11 July 1992. p. 4. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Appointment of Singapore's High Commissioner to New Zealnd" (PDF). www.nas.gov.sg. 8 February 1994. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "Singapore's new envoy to Korea". The Straits Times. 8 August 1996. p. 45. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "S'pore air force commander BG Teo flies the SU-27". The Straits Times. 20 February 1990. p. 23. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "Two rise to rank of Brigadier-General". The Straits Times. 1 July 1987. p. 1. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Armed forces promotes 245 officers". The Business Times. 1 July 1987. p. 3. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "First five of eight planes in after five-day trip from US". The Straits Times. 10 January 1990. p. 2. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "RSAFs first Super Skyhawk squadron ready operationally". The Straits Times. 25 February 1992. p. 20. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "2 ex-military men among 3 new envoys". The Straits Times. 12 February 1994. p. 4. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Ambassador to Mongolia appointed". The Business Times. 2 April 1997. p. 2. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "BG Teo appointed envoy to Mongolia". The Straits Times. 2 April 1997. p. 23. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Appointment of Singapore's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom". www.nas.gov.sg. 4 January 2002. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Egypt, UK get new Singapore diplomats". Today. 5 January 2002. p. 2. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b "New envoy to Australia". The Straits Times. 25 August 2011. p. 7. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Australia-Singapore Relations: Towards an Enduring Partnership". Asia Society Australia. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "About the High Commission". MFA. 4 July 2014. Archived from the original on 4 July 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Orchid grower reaps a star". The Straits Times. 9 August 1989. p. 14. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Banker, judge top N-Day awards list". The Straits Times. 9 August 1989. p. 1. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "National Day honours list". The Straits Times. 12 August 1989. p. 5. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ (PDF) (in Thai). Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ Jacob, Paul (20 July 1991). "Indonesia awards medal to RSAF chief". The Straits Times. p. 17. Retrieved 20 September 2024.