List of Royal Air Force air chief marshals
Encyclopedia
The following is a list of Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...

 air chief marshal
Air Chief Marshal
Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...

s
. The rank of air chief marshal is a four-star officer rank and currently the highest rank used in the RAF. It ranks above air marshal
Air Marshal
Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...

 and below marshal of the Royal Air Force
Marshal of the Royal Air Force
Marshal of the Royal Air Force is the highest rank in the Royal Air Force. In peacetime it was granted to RAF officers in the appointment of Chief of the Defence Staff, and to retired Chiefs of the Air Staff, who were promoted to it on their last day of service. Promotions to the rank have ceased...

. The rank was first used in 1922 when Sir Hugh Trenchard
Hugh Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Hugh Montague Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard GCB OM GCVO DSO was a British officer who was instrumental in establishing the Royal Air Force...

 was promoted. Since that time there have been over 130 RAF officers promoted to air chief marshal.

List of air chief marshals

Name Date rank first held Time in rank Date rank last held Posts held in rank Notes
      Air Member for Personnel
Air Member for Personnel
The Air Member for Personnel is the senior Royal Air Force officer who is responsible for personnel matters and is a member of the Air Force Board...

promoted 8 July 1976, retired 31 March 1978
      AOC-in-C Logistics Command
RAF Logistics Command
The Royal Air Force's Logistics Command was a command formed to provide logistics support for the RAF.-History:The Command was formed on 1 April 1994 and its role was to provide logistics support to the RAF...

promoted 1993, retired 25 June 1996
      AOC-in-C Logistics Command
RAF Logistics Command
The Royal Air Force's Logistics Command was a command formed to provide logistics support for the RAF.-History:The Command was formed on 1 April 1994 and its role was to provide logistics support to the RAF...


AOC-in-C, Strike Command
RAF Strike Command
The Royal Air Force's Strike Command was the military formation which controlled the majority of the United Kingdom's bomber and fighter aircraft from 1968 until 2007: it was merged with Personnel and Training Command to form the single Air Command. It latterly consisted of two formations - No. 1...

promoted 8 March 1996, retired at own request 6 September 1999
      Air Member for Supply and Organisation
Air Member for Supply and Organisation
The Air Member for Supply and Organisation was the senior Royal Air Force officer responsible for procurement matters: he was a member of the Air Force Board...


Commandant Royal College of Defence Studies
Commandant Royal College of Defence Studies
The Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies was a UK senior serving military officer between 1972 and 2001. The post rotated through the three branches of the armed forces in turn. In 1971 the old Imperial Defence College became the Royal College of Defence Studies...

promoted 1 July 1986, retired 5 April 1990
      AOC-in-C Strike Command
RAF Strike Command
The Royal Air Force's Strike Command was the military formation which controlled the majority of the United Kingdom's bomber and fighter aircraft from 1968 until 2007: it was merged with Personnel and Training Command to form the single Air Command. It latterly consisted of two formations - No. 1...


Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
promoted 11 April 2000, retired 31 October 2005
      Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
The Deputy Chief of the Air Staff was a senior appointment in the Royal Air Force. The incumbent was the deputy to the Chief of the Air Staff. The post existed from 1918 to 1968 or 1969...


Vice-Chief of the Air Staff
Vice-Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)
The British Vice-Chief of the Air Staff was the post occupied by the senior Royal Air Force officer who served as a senior assistant to the Chief of the Air Staff. The post was created during World War II on 22 April 1940 and its incumbement sat on the Air Council...


Controller of Aircraft
Controller Aircraft
Controller Aircraft or Controller of Aircraft is a senior Royal Air Force appointment which has the responsible for releasing new military aircraft types into service. This is certified by a Controller Aircraft Release or CA Release which certifies the airworthiness of the type of aircraft...

promoted 2 January 1952, retired 17 December 1956
      C-in-C
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...

 Far East Air Force
Commander Allied Air Forces Central Europe
Allied Air Forces Central Europe
Allied Air Forces Central Europe was the headquarters for NATO air forces in Central Europe from 1951 to 1967 and from 1974 to 1993.-History:It was first based at Fontainebleau , and originally activated in April 1951...

promoted 1 July 1959, retired 1 December 1963
      AOC-in-C Near East Air Force
Near East Air Force (Royal Air Force)
The former Royal Air Force Near East Air Force, more simply known as RAF Near East Air Force, was the Command organisation that controlled all Royal Air Force assets in the Western Mediterranean .-History:...


Commander British Forces Cyprus
British Forces Cyprus
British Forces Cyprus is the name given to the British Armed Forces stationed in the UK sovereign base areas of Dhekelia and Akrotiri on the island of Cyprus...


Administrator of the Sovereign Base Areas
Sovereign Base Areas
The Sovereign Base Areas are military bases located on territory in which the United Kingdom is sovereign, but which are separated from the ordinary British territory....

promoted 1 July 1962, retired 27 November 1964
      Air Secretary
Air Secretary
The Air Secretary is the Royal Air Force appointment of which the incumbent is responsible for policy direction on personnel management for members of the RAF. From 1978 to 1983 the Air Secretary was more often referred to as Air Officer Commanding Royal Air Force Personnel Management Centre. It is...


Commandant Royal College of Defence Studies
Commandant Royal College of Defence Studies
The Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies was a UK senior serving military officer between 1972 and 2001. The post rotated through the three branches of the armed forces in turn. In 1971 the old Imperial Defence College became the Royal College of Defence Studies...

promoted 3 September 1973, retired 3 April 1976
      Inspector-General of the RAF
Inspector-General of the RAF
The Inspector-General of the RAF was a senior appointment in the Royal Air Force, responsible for the inspection of airfields. The post existed from 1918 to 1920 and from 1935 until the late 1960s....

promoted 1 January 1946, retired 27 March 1947
      DC-in-C Allied Forces Central Europe
Allied Forces Central Europe
Joint Force Command Brunssum is the NATO military command based in Brunssum, Netherlands. JFC-B reports to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe based at Casteau, Belgium. It is one of three operational level commands in the NATO command structure, the others being Joint Force Command...

acting promotion 14 March 1984, substantive promotion 1 July 1984, retired 3 January 1987
      C-in-C
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...

 RAF Germany
Chief of the Air Staff
promoted 21 May 1977, promoted marshal of the RAF 15 October 1982
      AOC-in-C Coastal Command
RAF Coastal Command
RAF Coastal Command was a formation within the Royal Air Force . Founded in 1936, it was the RAF's premier maritime arm, after the Royal Navy's secondment of the Fleet Air Arm in 1937. Naval aviation was neglected in the inter-war period, 1919–1939, and as a consequence the service did not receive...

promoted 1 October 1954, retired 3 May 1956
      Inspector-General of the RAF
Inspector-General of the RAF
The Inspector-General of the RAF was a senior appointment in the Royal Air Force, responsible for the inspection of airfields. The post existed from 1918 to 1920 and from 1935 until the late 1960s....

promoted 23 March 1947, retired 1 January 1948
      AOC-in-C Coastal Command
RAF Coastal Command
RAF Coastal Command was a formation within the Royal Air Force . Founded in 1936, it was the RAF's premier maritime arm, after the Royal Navy's secondment of the Fleet Air Arm in 1937. Naval aviation was neglected in the inter-war period, 1919–1939, and as a consequence the service did not receive...


Commander of the RAF's Ferry Organisation
AOC
Air Officer Commanding
Air Officer Commanding is a title given in the air forces of Commonwealth nations to an air officer who holds a command appointment. Thus, an air vice marshal might be the AOC 38 Group...

 Ferry Command
RAF Ferry Command
The RAF Ferry Command had a short life, but it spawned, in part, an organisation that lasted well beyond the war years during which it was formed.-History:...


AOC-in-C Transport Command
RAF Transport Command
RAF Transport Command was a Royal Air Force command that controlled all transport aircraft of the RAF. It was established on 25 March 1943 by the renaming of the RAF Ferry Command, and was subsequently renamed RAF Air Support Command in 1967.-History:...

temporary promotion 1 November 1939, acting promotion 1 July 1942, retained the rank on retirement 29 March 1945
      Chief of the Air Staff promoted 1 January 1956, promoted marshal of the RAF 1 January 1958
      AOC-in-C Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command controlled the RAF's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. During World War II the command destroyed a significant proportion of Nazi Germany's industries and many German cities, and in the 1960s stood at the peak of its postwar military power with the V bombers and a supplemental...


Commander Allied Air Forces Central Europe
Allied Air Forces Central Europe
Allied Air Forces Central Europe was the headquarters for NATO air forces in Central Europe from 1951 to 1967 and from 1974 to 1993.-History:It was first based at Fontainebleau , and originally activated in April 1951...

promoted 14 February 1957, retired 1 March 1961
      AOC-in-C, Air Defence of Great Britain
Air Defence of Great Britain
The Air Defence of Great Britain was a RAF command comprising substantial Army and RAF elements responsible for the air defence of the British Isles...


Inspector-General of the RAF
Inspector-General of the RAF
The Inspector-General of the RAF was a senior appointment in the Royal Air Force, responsible for the inspection of airfields. The post existed from 1918 to 1920 and from 1935 until the late 1960s....


AOC-in-C RAF Middle East
Head of the RAF Training Mission in Canada
Head of the RAF Training Mission in South Africa
C-in-C
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...

 Far East Command
British Far East Command
The Far East Command was a British military command which had 2 distinct periods. These were firstly, 18 November 1940 – 7 January 1942 succeeded by the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command , and secondly, 1963 – 1971 succeeded by Australia, New Zealand, and United Kingdom Force...

promoted 1 January 1935, retired 6 March 1937, restored to active service in 1939, final retirement May 1942
      C-in-C
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...

 Air Command
RAF Air Command
Air Command is the only Command currently active in the Royal Air Force. It was formed by the merger of Royal Air Force Strike and Personnel and Training Commands on 1 April 2007, and has its headquarters at RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire....

promoted 18 June 2010
      Air Secretary
Air Secretary
The Air Secretary is the Royal Air Force appointment of which the incumbent is responsible for policy direction on personnel management for members of the RAF. From 1978 to 1983 the Air Secretary was more often referred to as Air Officer Commanding Royal Air Force Personnel Management Centre. It is...


C-in-C
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...

 Far East Command
British Far East Command
The Far East Command was a British military command which had 2 distinct periods. These were firstly, 18 November 1940 – 7 January 1942 succeeded by the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command , and secondly, 1963 – 1971 succeeded by Australia, New Zealand, and United Kingdom Force...

promoted 7 October 1967, retired 11 March 1972
      Chief of the Australian Air Staff acting promotion 1 January 1940, retired June 1942
      AOC-in-C Strike Command
RAF Strike Command
The Royal Air Force's Strike Command was the military formation which controlled the majority of the United Kingdom's bomber and fighter aircraft from 1968 until 2007: it was merged with Personnel and Training Command to form the single Air Command. It latterly consisted of two formations - No. 1...

promoted 31 July 2003, retired 18 January 2006
      Air Member for Personnel
Air Member for Personnel
The Air Member for Personnel is the senior Royal Air Force officer who is responsible for personnel matters and is a member of the Air Force Board...


Chief of the Air Staff
promoted 1 November 1975, promoted marshal of the RAF 31 July 1977
      C-in-C
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...

 Allied Forces North West Europe
promoted 11 March 1997, retired 2000
      Air Member for Personnel
Air Member for Personnel
The Air Member for Personnel is the senior Royal Air Force officer who is responsible for personnel matters and is a member of the Air Force Board...

promoted 19 November 1962, retired 6 April 1965
      AOC-in-C Flying Training Command
RAF Flying Training Command
Flying Training Command was an organization within the Royal Air Force which controlled units responsible for delivering flying training. The command's headquarters were at Shinfield Park, Reading in Berkshire.-History:...


Vice Chief of the Air Staff
promoted 1 March 1949, retired 29 November 1952
      Commandant of the Imperial Defence College promoted 12 September 1961, retired 30 May 1964
      Chief Executive Guided Weapons at the Ministry of Supply
Ministry of Supply
The Ministry of Supply was a department of the UK Government formed in 1939 to co-ordinate the supply of equipment to all three British armed forces, headed by the Minister of Supply. There was, however, a separate ministry responsible for aircraft production and the Admiralty retained...

promoted 15 May 1950, retired 15 May 1951
      Air Member for Supply and Organisation
Air Member for Supply and Organisation
The Air Member for Supply and Organisation was the senior Royal Air Force officer responsible for procurement matters: he was a member of the Air Force Board...

temporary promotion 1 January 1942, permanent promotion 1 June 1943, retired 9 November 1945
      AOC-in-C Personnel and Training Command
RAF Personnel and Training Command
Personnel and Training Command was one of two commands of the Royal Air Force that were merged to form Air Command on 1 April 2007.- Formation :...

promoted 1 August 1997, retired 11 November 1998
      AOC-in-C Strike Command
RAF Strike Command
The Royal Air Force's Strike Command was the military formation which controlled the majority of the United Kingdom's bomber and fighter aircraft from 1968 until 2007: it was merged with Personnel and Training Command to form the single Air Command. It latterly consisted of two formations - No. 1...


Chief of the Air Staff
acting promotion 20 September 1982, substantive promotion 1 July 1983, promoted marshal of the RAF 14 November 1988
      AOC-in-C Transport Command
RAF Transport Command
RAF Transport Command was a Royal Air Force command that controlled all transport aircraft of the RAF. It was established on 25 March 1943 by the renaming of the RAF Ferry Command, and was subsequently renamed RAF Air Support Command in 1967.-History:...

promoted 1 October 1965, retired 24 February 1967
      Chief of the Air Staff promoted 31 July 2009
      AOC-in-C Flying Training Command
RAF Flying Training Command
Flying Training Command was an organization within the Royal Air Force which controlled units responsible for delivering flying training. The command's headquarters were at Shinfield Park, Reading in Berkshire.-History:...


AOC-in-C Training Command
RAF Training Command
Training Command was the RAF's command responsible for flying and ground training from 1936 to 1940 and again from 1968 to 1977.-History:Training Command was formed from Inland Area on 1 May 1936 and absorbed into RAF Support Command on 13 June 1977...

promoted 1 January 1967, retired 21 June 1969
      Inspector-General of the RAF
Inspector-General of the RAF
The Inspector-General of the RAF was a senior appointment in the Royal Air Force, responsible for the inspection of airfields. The post existed from 1918 to 1920 and from 1935 until the late 1960s....


Air Member for Supply and Organisation
Air Member for Supply and Organisation
The Air Member for Supply and Organisation was the senior Royal Air Force officer responsible for procurement matters: he was a member of the Air Force Board...

promoted 1 June 1956, retired 6 May 1960
      AOC-in-C Strike Command
RAF Strike Command
The Royal Air Force's Strike Command was the military formation which controlled the majority of the United Kingdom's bomber and fighter aircraft from 1968 until 2007: it was merged with Personnel and Training Command to form the single Air Command. It latterly consisted of two formations - No. 1...

promoted 10 April 2001, retired 1 September 2003
      Air Member for Supply and Organisation
Air Member for Supply and Organisation
The Air Member for Supply and Organisation was the senior Royal Air Force officer responsible for procurement matters: he was a member of the Air Force Board...


Chief of the Air Staff
promoted 18 January 1951, promoted marshal of the RAF 1 June 1954
      C-in-C
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...

 British Forces of Occupation, Germany
promoted 6 June 1945, promoted marshal of the RAF 1 January 1946
      AOC-in-C, Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command was one of three functional commands of the Royal Air Force. It was formed in 1936 to allow more specialised control of fighter aircraft. It served throughout the Second World War, gaining recognition in the Battle of Britain. The Command continued until 17 November 1943, when...


Head of British Air Commission, Washington
promoted 1 January 1937, last day of paid service 14 July 1942, retired 15 July 1942
      Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
The Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff is the deputy to the Chief of the Defence Staff, the professional head of the British Armed Forces.-List of Vice Chiefs of the Defence Staff:*1964 to 1966 - Air Chief Marshal Sir Alfred Earle...

promoted 1 April 1964, retired 6 June 1966
      Air Member for Personnel
Air Member for Personnel
The Air Member for Personnel is the senior Royal Air Force officer who is responsible for personnel matters and is a member of the Air Force Board...


Chief of the Air Staff
promoted 1 January 1933, promoted marshal of the RAF 1 January 1937
      Chairman of the British Joint Services Mission in Washington promoted 1 April 1951, retired 18 April 1954
      C-in-C
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...

 Middle East Command
British Forces Aden
British Forces Aden was the name given to the British Armed Forces stationed in the Aden Protectorate during part of the 20th century. Their purpose was to preserve the security of the Protectorate from both internal threats and external aggression.-History:...


Chief of the Air Staff
promoted 1 September 1962, promoted marshal of the RAF 1 April 1967
      acting promotion 16 July 1953, substantive promotion 1 December 1953, retired 26 February 1956
      AOC-in-C, Strike Command
RAF Strike Command
The Royal Air Force's Strike Command was the military formation which controlled the majority of the United Kingdom's bomber and fighter aircraft from 1968 until 2007: it was merged with Personnel and Training Command to form the single Air Command. It latterly consisted of two formations - No. 1...


Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
acting promotion 26 March 1977, substantive promotion 31 March 1978, retired 9 August 1983
      promoted 1 March 1967, retired 28 February 1970
      promoted 1 January 1946, retired 15 January 1947
      promoted 1 May 1971, retired 30 July 1973
      promoted 1 November 1953, retired 29 January 1957
      promoted 28 January 1953, retired 1 February 1954
      promoted 1 December 1970, retired 22 April 1974
      temporary promotion 27 May 1940, substantive promotion 14 April 1942 (with seniority backdated to 27 May 1940), retired 19 October 1942
      promoted 1 January 1980, retired 3 April 1982
      AOC-in-C Strike Command
RAF Strike Command
The Royal Air Force's Strike Command was the military formation which controlled the majority of the United Kingdom's bomber and fighter aircraft from 1968 until 2007: it was merged with Personnel and Training Command to form the single Air Command. It latterly consisted of two formations - No. 1...

promoted 13 January 2006, retired 2007
      promoted 1 January 1946, retired 9 October 1948
      promoted 1 January 1987, retired 9 August 1989
      acting promotion 7 April 1981, substantive promotion 1 January 1982 retired 22 June 1984
      C-in-C
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...

 Far East Command
British Far East Command
The Far East Command was a British military command which had 2 distinct periods. These were firstly, 18 November 1940 – 7 January 1942 succeeded by the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command , and secondly, 1963 – 1971 succeeded by Australia, New Zealand, and United Kingdom Force...


Chief of the Air Staff
promoted 1 April 1965, promoted marshal of the RAF 1 April 1971
      AOC-in-C, RAF Support Command
RAF Support Command
-History:It was formed on 31 August 1973 by the renaming of Maintenance Command, with No. 90 Group being added to it. Its responsibilities included all logistical and maintenance support requirements of the RAF...


AOC-in-C, Strike Command
RAF Strike Command
The Royal Air Force's Strike Command was the military formation which controlled the majority of the United Kingdom's bomber and fighter aircraft from 1968 until 2007: it was merged with Personnel and Training Command to form the single Air Command. It latterly consisted of two formations - No. 1...


Chief of the Air Staff
promoted 31 May 1990, retired 9 August 1997
      promoted 1 January 1987, retired 20 May 1989
      AOC-in-C Strike Command
RAF Strike Command
The Royal Air Force's Strike Command was the military formation which controlled the majority of the United Kingdom's bomber and fighter aircraft from 1968 until 2007: it was merged with Personnel and Training Command to form the single Air Command. It latterly consisted of two formations - No. 1...


Chief of the Air Staff
Chief of the Defence Staff
Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)
The Chief of the Defence Staff is the professional head of the British Armed Forces, a senior official within the Ministry of Defence, and the most senior uniformed military adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Prime Minister...

promoted 1 January 1985, promoted marshal of the RAF 6 November 1992
      promoted 1 April 1955, retired 29 January 1958
      acting promotion 18 March 1943, temporary promotion 16 August 1944, promoted marshal of the RAF 1 January 1946
      promoted 29 April 1974, retired 30 June 1976
      promoted 16 January 1947, retired 1 July 1948
      Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
Air Member for Supply and Organisation
Air Member for Supply and Organisation
The Air Member for Supply and Organisation was the senior Royal Air Force officer responsible for procurement matters: he was a member of the Air Force Board...


AOC-in-C Strike Command
RAF Strike Command
The Royal Air Force's Strike Command was the military formation which controlled the majority of the United Kingdom's bomber and fighter aircraft from 1968 until 2007: it was merged with Personnel and Training Command to form the single Air Command. It latterly consisted of two formations - No. 1...

promoted 1 July 1985, retired 1 September 1991
      Air Member for Personnel
Air Member for Personnel
The Air Member for Personnel is the senior Royal Air Force officer who is responsible for personnel matters and is a member of the Air Force Board...


Deputy C-in-C
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...

 HQ Allied Forces Central Europe
promoted 1 May 1971, retired 2 May 1976
      Air Secretary
Air Secretary
The Air Secretary is the Royal Air Force appointment of which the incumbent is responsible for policy direction on personnel management for members of the RAF. From 1978 to 1983 the Air Secretary was more often referred to as Air Officer Commanding Royal Air Force Personnel Management Centre. It is...

promoted 22 April 1974, retired 8 May 1976
      promoted 15 May 1950, retired 27 December 1952
      AOC-in-C Transport Command
RAF Transport Command
RAF Transport Command was a Royal Air Force command that controlled all transport aircraft of the RAF. It was established on 25 March 1943 by the renaming of the RAF Ferry Command, and was subsequently renamed RAF Air Support Command in 1967.-History:...


Commander Allied Air Forces Central Europe
Allied Air Forces Central Europe
Allied Air Forces Central Europe was the headquarters for NATO air forces in Central Europe from 1951 to 1967 and from 1974 to 1993.-History:It was first based at Fontainebleau , and originally activated in April 1951...


Deputy C-in-C
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...

 Allied Forces Central Europe
Allied Forces Central Europe
Joint Force Command Brunssum is the NATO military command based in Brunssum, Netherlands. JFC-B reports to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe based at Casteau, Belgium. It is one of three operational level commands in the NATO command structure, the others being Joint Force Command...

promoted 1 March 1961, retired 5 June 1967
      AOC-in-C Strike Command
RAF Strike Command
The Royal Air Force's Strike Command was the military formation which controlled the majority of the United Kingdom's bomber and fighter aircraft from 1968 until 2007: it was merged with Personnel and Training Command to form the single Air Command. It latterly consisted of two formations - No. 1...


Chief of the Air Staff
promoted 1 December 1970, promoted marshal of the RAF 6 August 1976
      promoted 1 November 1953, retired 29 October 1957
      promoted 1 January 1990, retired 5 November 1993
      C-in-C
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...

 Allied Forces North West Europe
Chief of the Air Staff
promoted 30 June 1994, retired April 2000
      temporary promotion 1 July 1941, substantive promotion 14 April 1942 (with seniority backdated to 1 July 1941), rank relinquished 23 November 1943, rank retained on retirement 14 November 1945
      promoted 1 July 1983, retired 10 May 1986
      promoted 1 July 1986, retired 18 November 1989
      Vice-Chief of the Air Staff
Vice-Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom)
The British Vice-Chief of the Air Staff was the post occupied by the senior Royal Air Force officer who served as a senior assistant to the Chief of the Air Staff. The post was created during World War II on 22 April 1940 and its incumbement sat on the Air Council...


AOC-in-C Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command controlled the RAF's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. During World War II the command destroyed a significant proportion of Nazi Germany's industries and many German cities, and in the 1960s stood at the peak of its postwar military power with the V bombers and a supplemental...


AOC-in-C Strike Command
RAF Strike Command
The Royal Air Force's Strike Command was the military formation which controlled the majority of the United Kingdom's bomber and fighter aircraft from 1968 until 2007: it was merged with Personnel and Training Command to form the single Air Command. It latterly consisted of two formations - No. 1...

promoted 1 January 1964, retired 9 November 1968
      promoted 2 February 1976, retired 27 August 1979
      promoted 7 October 1967, retired 19 March 1971
      C-in-C
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...

 Allied Expeditionary Air Force
Allied Expeditionary Air Force
The Allied Expeditionary Air Force was a component of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force which controlled the tactical air power of the Allied forces during Operation Overlord.Its effectiveness was less than optimal on two counts...

acting promotion 15 December 1943, substantive temporary promotion 16 August 1944, died on active service 14 November 1944
      AOC-in-C Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command controlled the RAF's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. During World War II the command destroyed a significant proportion of Nazi Germany's industries and many German cities, and in the 1960s stood at the peak of its postwar military power with the V bombers and a supplemental...

promoted 15 May 1951 (seniority dated from 1 April 1951), retired 4 June 1953
      C-in-C
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...

 Air Command
RAF Air Command
Air Command is the only Command currently active in the Royal Air Force. It was formed by the merger of Royal Air Force Strike and Personnel and Training Commands on 1 April 2007, and has its headquarters at RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire....

promoted 30 March 2007, retired 1 August 2009
      temporary promotion 1 November 1939, rank retained on retirement 1 March 1942, recalled to active service in the rank of air vice-marshal on 1 August 1943, resumed the rank of air chief marshal on final retirement 1 June 1944
      Controller of Aircraft
Chief of Defence Procurement
Chief of Defence Procurement
The Chief of Defence Procurement was a senior post in the British Ministry of Defence. The post-holder was Chief Executive of the MoD Procurement Executive from 1971 until 1999 and then Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency until 2007...

promoted 3 November 1975, retired 22 August 1983
      AOC-in-C Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command controlled the RAF's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. During World War II the command destroyed a significant proportion of Nazi Germany's industries and many German cities, and in the 1960s stood at the peak of its postwar military power with the V bombers and a supplemental...


Inspector-General of the RAF
Inspector-General of the RAF
The Inspector-General of the RAF was a senior appointment in the Royal Air Force, responsible for the inspection of airfields. The post existed from 1918 to 1920 and from 1935 until the late 1960s....

promoted 1 July 1937, retired 19 November 1945
      promoted 1 September 1963, retired 11 August 1966
      promoted 8 May 1976, retired at own request 21 May 1977
      promoted 1 November 1958, retired 19 November 1962
      promoted 1 May 1948, retired 19 April 1950
      promoted 1 June 1961, retired 29 August 1963
      Commander of Allied Air Forces Central Europe
Allied Air Forces Central Europe
Allied Air Forces Central Europe was the headquarters for NATO air forces in Central Europe from 1951 to 1967 and from 1974 to 1993.-History:It was first based at Fontainebleau , and originally activated in April 1951...


Chairman of the NATO Standing Group
acting promotion 1 January 1956, substantive promotion 1 June 1956, retired 18 September 1962
      AOC-in-C RAF Middle East
RAF Middle East Command
Middle East Command was a command of the Royal Air Force formed on December 29, 1941 by renaming Headquarters RAF Middle East. During the early part of the Second World War the Command was one of the three major British service commands in the Middle East, the others being the British Army's...


Inspector-General of the RAF
Inspector-General of the RAF
The Inspector-General of the RAF was a senior appointment in the Royal Air Force, responsible for the inspection of airfields. The post existed from 1918 to 1920 and from 1935 until the late 1960s....

acting promotion 9 September 1939, rank relinquished 13 May 1940, retained the rank on retirement 1 October 1941
      C-in-C
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...

 Air Command
RAF Air Command
Air Command is the only Command currently active in the Royal Air Force. It was formed by the merger of Royal Air Force Strike and Personnel and Training Commands on 1 April 2007, and has its headquarters at RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire....

promoted 3 April 2009, died suddenly while serving 26 May 2010
      Air Member for Supply and Organisation
Air Member for Supply and Organisation
The Air Member for Supply and Organisation was the senior Royal Air Force officer responsible for procurement matters: he was a member of the Air Force Board...


Chief of the Air Staff
promoted 1 April 1937, promoted marshal of the RAF 4 October 1940
      promoted 22 April 1991, retired 1 July 1993
      acting promotion 1 August 1945, rank retained on retirement 20 December 1946
      promoted 1 July 1989, retired 29 February 1992
      promoted 1 April 1959, retired 29 May 1961
      temporary promotion 1 July 1942, retained the rank on retirement 6 May 1945
      promoted 14 February 1957, retired 13 November 1959
      promoted 1 November 1957, promoted marshal of the RAF 6 April 1962
      promoted 1 March 1949, retired 15 October 1951
      Chief of Defence Logistics
Chief of Defence Logistics
The Chief of Defence Logistics was a senior post in the British armed forces. As of 1 April 2007 the Defence Logistics Organisation was merged with the Defence Procurement Agency to form a new organisation called Defence Equipment and Support...

promoted 2 September 2002, retired 18 April 2005
      promoted 14 April 1942, promoted marshal of the RAF 1 June 1944
      promoted 1 May 1969, retired at own request 1 October 1970
      promoted 1 October 1948, medically retired 26 November 1951
      promoted 1 December 1978, retired at own request 1 August 1981
      promoted 1 January 1984, retired 31 March 1986
      promoted 1 March 1970, retired 3 September 1973
      AOC-in-C, Air Defence of Great Britain
Air Defence of Great Britain
The Air Defence of Great Britain was a RAF command comprising substantial Army and RAF elements responsible for the air defence of the British Isles...


Chief of the Air Staff
promoted 1 January 1933, died of natural causes while serving 27 April 1933
      Air Member for Personnel
Air Member for Personnel
The Air Member for Personnel is the senior Royal Air Force officer who is responsible for personnel matters and is a member of the Air Force Board...


Chief of the Air Staff
promoted 1 January 1929, promoted marshal of the RAF 1 January 1933
      promoted 16 October 1951, retired 29 January 1956
      promoted 15 May 1950, retired 22 September 1953
      promoted 1 May 1989, retired 31 December 1992
      promoted 1 January 1946, promoted marshal of the RAF 8 June 1950
      promoted 30 July 1973, retired 30 June 1976
      AOC-in-C, Strike Command
RAF Strike Command
The Royal Air Force's Strike Command was the military formation which controlled the majority of the United Kingdom's bomber and fighter aircraft from 1968 until 2007: it was merged with Personnel and Training Command to form the single Air Command. It latterly consisted of two formations - No. 1...


Chief of the Air Staff
promoted 1 November 1968, promoted marshal of the RAF 31 March 1974
      AOC-in-C Strike Command
RAF Strike Command
The Royal Air Force's Strike Command was the military formation which controlled the majority of the United Kingdom's bomber and fighter aircraft from 1968 until 2007: it was merged with Personnel and Training Command to form the single Air Command. It latterly consisted of two formations - No. 1...


Chief of the Air Staff
promoted 29 March 1999, retired 5 December 2003
      promoted 1 June 1979, died suddenly while serving 1 January 1981
      promoted 2 May 1976, retired at own request 11 February 1978
      promoted 27 August 1992, retired 11 October 1996
      promoted 26 October 1977, retired 24 January 1981
      AOC-in-C, Air Defence of Great Britain
Air Defence of Great Britain
The Air Defence of Great Britain was a RAF command comprising substantial Army and RAF elements responsible for the air defence of the British Isles...


AOC-in-C, Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command
RAF Bomber Command controlled the RAF's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. During World War II the command destroyed a significant proportion of Nazi Germany's industries and many German cities, and in the 1960s stood at the peak of its postwar military power with the V bombers and a supplemental...

promoted 1 July 1936, retired 12 September 1937, recalled to active service in the rank of air vice-marshal for periods 28 August 1939 to 27 May 1940 and 15 April 1941 to 26 September 1945, resumed the rank of air chief marshal on final retirement (with seniority backdated to 1 July 1936) 26 September 1945
      Chief of the Air Staff
Chief of the Defence Staff
Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)
The Chief of the Defence Staff is the professional head of the British Armed Forces, a senior official within the Ministry of Defence, and the most senior uniformed military adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Prime Minister...

promoted 1 August 2003, retired late 2010
      temporary promotion 1 July 1942, substantive promotion 6 June 1945, promoted marshal of the RAF 12 September 1945
      promoted 1 March 1981, retired 18 October 1984
      promoted 4 November 1992, died of natural causes while serving 10 July 1994
      Chief of the Air Staff promoted 13 April 2006, retired 31 July 2009
      Chief of the Air Staff promoted 1 April 1922, promoted marshal of the RAF 1 January 1927
      promoted 31 March 1976, retired at own request 31 March 1978
      promoted 1 March 1967, retired 7 July 1970
      promoted 11 March 1972, retired 3 January 1976
      promoted 28 January 1953, retired 29 May 1954
      AOC-in-C Strike Command
RAF Strike Command
The Royal Air Force's Strike Command was the military formation which controlled the majority of the United Kingdom's bomber and fighter aircraft from 1968 until 2007: it was merged with Personnel and Training Command to form the single Air Command. It latterly consisted of two formations - No. 1...


Chief of the Air Staff
promoted 1 March 1981, promoted marshal of the RAF 15 October 1985
      Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff promoted 4 April 1995, retired 10 January 1998
      Air Member for Personnel
Air Member for Personnel
The Air Member for Personnel is the senior Royal Air Force officer who is responsible for personnel matters and is a member of the Air Force Board...


AOC-in-C Personnel and Training Command
RAF Personnel and Training Command
Personnel and Training Command was one of two commands of the Royal Air Force that were merged to form Air Command on 1 April 2007.- Formation :...

promoted 16 April 1993, retired prematurely 26 August 1995
      AOC-in-C, Strike Command
RAF Strike Command
The Royal Air Force's Strike Command was the military formation which controlled the majority of the United Kingdom's bomber and fighter aircraft from 1968 until 2007: it was merged with Personnel and Training Command to form the single Air Command. It latterly consisted of two formations - No. 1...

promoted 1 September 1994, retired 5 November 1997

Honorary air chief marshals

  • HM The Sultan of Brunei
    Hassanal Bolkiah
    General Haji Sir Hassan al-Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah GCB GCMG is the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the 29th Sultan of Brunei and the first Prime Minister of Brunei Darussalam...

    , promoted 5 November 1992
  • HRH The Prince of Wales
    Charles, Prince of Wales
    Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...

    , promoted 14 November 2006
  • HRH The Prince Edward
    Edward VIII of the United Kingdom
    Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...

    , promoted 1 January 1935, assumed the rank of Marshal of the Royal Air Force on 21 January 1936
  • HM King Olav V of Norway
    Olav V of Norway
    Olav V was the king of Norway from 1957 until his death. A member of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, Olav was born in the United Kingdom as the son of King Haakon VII of Norway and Queen Maud of Norway...

    , promoted 15 September 1959
  • HRH The Duke of Kent
    Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
    The Duke of Kent graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 29 July 1955 as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Scots Greys, the beginning of a military career that would last over 20 years. He was promoted to captain on 29 July 1961. The Duke of Kent saw service in Hong Kong from 1962–63...

    , promoted 1 July 1996
  • HM King Olav V of Norway
    Olav V of Norway
    Olav V was the king of Norway from 1957 until his death. A member of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, Olav was born in the United Kingdom as the son of King Haakon VII of Norway and Queen Maud of Norway...

    , promoted 15 September 1959
  • HM Frederick IX of Denmark
    Frederick IX of Denmark
    Frederick IX was King of Denmark from 20 April 1947 until his death on 14 January 1972....

    , promoted 15 September 1959
  • HM Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden
    Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden
    Gustaf VI Adolf - Oscar Fredrik Wilhelm Olaf Gustaf Adolf - was King of Sweden from October 29, 1950 until his death. His official title was King of Sweden, of the Goths and of the Wends. He was the eldest son of King Gustaf V and his wife Victoria of Baden...

    , promoted 15 September 1959
  • HM King Hussein of Jordan
    Hussein of Jordan
    Hussein bin Talal was the third King of Jordan from the abdication of his father, King Talal, in 1952, until his death. Hussein's rule extended through the Cold War and four decades of Arab-Israeli conflict...

    , promoted 19 July 1966
  • HIM The Shah of Iran
    Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
    Mohammad Rezā Shāh Pahlavi, Shah of Iran, Shah of Persia , ruled Iran from 16 September 1941 until his overthrow by the Iranian Revolution on 11 February 1979...

    , promoted 5 May 1959
  • HRH Prince Henry
    Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester
    The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester was a soldier and member of the British Royal Family, the third son of George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary....

    , promoted 27 October 1944
  • HRH Princess Alice
    Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester
    Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester was a member of the British Royal Family, the wife and then widow of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, the third son of George V and Queen Mary.The daughter of the 7th Duke of Buccleuch & Queensberry, Scotland’s largest landowner, her brothers Walter and...

    , promoted 23 February 1990

See also


External links

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