Elaine West
| Air Vice-Marshal Elaine West CBE | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Margaret Elaine Brindle |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
 Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1978 - present |
| Rank |
 Air Vice-Marshal |
| Awards | Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) |
Air Vice-Marshal Margaret Elaine West, CBE (née Brindle; born 1961 or 1962) is a British Royal Air Force officer. She is the most senior female officer in the British Armed Forces, the first to hold a non-honorary Air Vice-Marshal or equivalent rank since the Second World War, and the first to achieve that rank in the regular forces.
Early life
West was born in 1961 or 1962.[1][2] She was brought up in the Lake District.[3]
Military career
West joined the Women's Royal Air Force as an aircraftwoman in 1978 at the age of 17.[4] She ended her service in the other ranks as a senior aircraftwoman. She was commissioned on 25 February 1982 in the rank of pilot officer with seniority from 8 December 1980.[1] She was promoted to flying officer on 8 December 1982.[5] On 21 March 1983, she transferred from the General Duties (Ground) Branch to the Administrative Branch of the RAF.[6] She was promoted to flight lieutenant on 8 December 1986.[7] On 26 October 1990, she transferred from a Short Service Commission to a Permanent Commission.[8] As a part of the half-yearly promotions, she was promoted to squadron leader on 1 January 1991,[9] and to wing commander on 1 January 1997.[10]
She was promoted to air commodore on 1 July 2008.[11] She served as Head of the Defence Estates' Operations Housing, thereby being in charge of the renovation of service accommodation.[12] With her promotion to air vice-marshal on 1 August 2013,[13] she is the highest ranking female in the British Armed Forces and the first to hold a two-star rank.[14][4] She has been appointed Director of Projects and Programme Delivery at the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.[13][15]
Personal life
West married an RAF Tornado navigator. He has since retired. Together they have one son.[2]
Honours and decorations
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In the 2013 New Year Honours, West was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).[16] She is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
References
- 1 2 The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 48947. p. 4968. 8 April 1982. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- 1 2 "Woman RAF officer joins top military brass". BBC News. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
- ↑ Richard, Smith (23 August 2013). "Elaine West becomes highest ranked female in British armed forces ever". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
- 1 2 "Page 3 Profile: Elaine West, Air Vice-Marshal". The i. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 49237. p. 764. 17 January 1983. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 49336. p. 5974. 29 April 1983. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 50799. p. 457. 12 January 1987. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 52427. p. 1063. 21 January 1991. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 52414. pp. 303–305. 7 January 1991. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 54642. pp. 217–219. 6 January 1997. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 58752. p. 9841. 1 July 2008. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- ↑ "Halton RAF families get upgraded homes". GOV.UK. 17 June 2010. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
- 1 2 The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 60643. p. 19286. 1 October 2013. Retrieved 08 February 2015.
- ↑ "Officer flies up ranks to make history". The Times. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
- ↑ "Armed forces' first female two-star officer appointed". 22 August 2013. ITV. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 60367. p. 6. 29 December 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2013.