Sandy Wilson (RAF officer)
Sir Andrew Wilson | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Sandy |
Born | 27 February 1941 |
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | 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 £387,000 in government funds to refurbish Haymes Garth, the official residence for the Air Member for Personnel based at RAF Innsworth.[7] He argued that funds had been approved for this purpose, but was not supported by the then Defence Minister, Sir Malcolm Rifkind.
References[]
- ^ The Commanding Officers of II(AC) Squadron Archived 2 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 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 Archived 1 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "No. 54167". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 September 1995. p. 12997.
- ^ https://www.independent.co.uk/news/ousting-of-raf-chief-was-fair-say-officers-1572458.html
External links[]
- Living people
- 1941 births
- People educated at Tonbridge School
- Royal Air Force air marshals
- Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
- Fellows of the Royal Aeronautical Society
- Royal Air Force air marshals of the Gulf War