Sandy Wilson (RAF officer)
| Sir Andrew Wilson | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Sandy |
| Born | 27 February 1941 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1962–95 |
| Rank | Air Chief Marshal |
| Commands held |
RAF Personnel and Training Command (1994–95) Air Member for Personnel (1993–95) RAF Germany (1991–93) British Forces Arabian Peninsula (1990) No. 1 Group (1989–91) RAF Lossiemouth (1980–82) No. II (AC) Squadron (1976–78) |
| Battles/wars | Gulf War |
| Awards |
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Air Force Cross |
Air Chief Marshal Sir Ronald Andrew Fellowes Wilson, KCB, AFC, FRAeS (born 27 February 1941), often known as Sir Andrew Wilson and sometimes known informally as Sir Sandy Wilson, is a retired senior Royal Air Force officer.
RAF career
Educated at Tonbridge School, Wilson joined the Royal Air Force in 1962. From 1976 to 1978 Wilson served as the Commanding Officer of No. II (AC) Squadron.[1] During this time the Squadron took delivery of the Jaguar which Wilson oversaw, flying practice reconnaissance missions.[2] In 1980 Wilson was made Station Commander of RAF Lossiemouth.[3]
In 1990 Wilson was appointed the Commander British Forces Middle East, making him the in-theatre commander for Operation Granby, the British contribution to the Gulf War. He was knighted in 1991[4] and in 1993 he was appointed Air Member for Personnel[5] and the following year, on 1 April 1994, Wilson became the first Air Officer Commander-in-Chief of Personnel and Training Command.
Retirement
He retired prematurely on 26 August 1995.[6] He was accused of using government funds to refurbish Haymes Garth, the official residence for the Air Member for Personnel based at RAF Innsworth.[7] He argued that he used funds budgeted for this purpose, but was not supported by the then Defence Minister, Sir Malcolm Rifkind.
References
- ↑ The Commanding Officers of II(AC) Squadron
- ↑ Defence Flight International, 26 June 1976
- ↑ Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation – RAF Station Commanders – Scotland, North-East England and Northern Ireland
- ↑ "No. 52563". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 June 1991. p. 3.
- ↑ Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation – Air Council Appointments 1
- ↑ "No. 54167". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 September 1995. p. 12997.
- ↑ http://www.independent.co.uk/news/ousting-of-raf-chief-was-fair-say-officers-1572458.html
External links
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by D C Ferguson |
Commanding Officer No. II (AC) Squadron 1976–1978 |
Succeeded by R Fowler |
| Preceded by R Stuart-Paul |
Station Commander RAF Lossiemouth 1980–1982 |
Succeeded by P D Oulton |
| Preceded by John Thomson |
Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group 1989–1991 |
Succeeded by Richard Johns |
| New title Gulf War started |
Commander British Forces Arabian Peninsula In-theatre commander for Operation Granby 11 August – 30 September 1990 |
Succeeded by Peter de la Billière As Commander British Forces Middle East |
| New title Build up of allied forces |
Air Commander British Forces Middle East Also Deputy Commander British Forces Middle East 1 October – 17 November 1990 |
Succeeded by Bill Wratten |
| Preceded by Sir Roger Palin |
Commander-in-Chief RAF Germany 1991–1993 |
RAF Germany disestablished |
| Preceded by Sir Roger Palin |
Air Member for Personnel 1993–1995 |
Succeeded by Sir David Cousins |
| New title Command Established |
Commander-in-Chief Personnel and Training Command 1994–1995 | |