Savoia
24th Jan 2013, 20:55
The Royal Air Force will be commanded by a helicopter pilot for the first time in its 95-year history, it has been announced
Air Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford will become Chief of the Air Staff in a shake-up of senior Armed Forces posts, the first non-fighter pilot to hold the job.
His appointment is part of a series of changes that pave the way for the appointment of a new Chief of the Defence Staff later this year.
As the Daily Telegraph reported earlier this month, General Sir David Richards, the current CDS, will be replaced by either General Sir Nick Houghton or General Sir Peter Wall, the current head of the Army.
Sir Andrew will take over as head of the RAF in July, on the retirement of Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton.
After qualifying as helicopter pilot in 1977, Sir Andrew flew Wessex and Chinook helicopters, and has commanded British forces in Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, Lebanon, the Balkans and the Gulf.
All of his predecessors have been fighter pilots, and his appointment will be seen as a sign of the shifting nature of the RAF’s work.
Some defence analysts say that a combination of spending cuts and technological advances mean that the age of manned fighter aircraft is drawing to a close, with unmanned drones taking their place.
The Royal Navy will also have a new chief, as Admiral Sir George Zambellas becomes First Sea Lord, a former helicopter pilot and frigate captain.
Among the other appointments announced yesterday, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach will become Vice Chief of the Defence Staff in May, replacing Sir Nick.
It is understood that either Sir Nick or Sir Peter will be appointed CDS later this year, and the the unsuccessful candidate will retire.
Whitehall insiders say that Sir Nick, a candidate for the top job in 2010, has the backing of David Cameron and Philip Hammond, the Defence Secretary.
Sir Peter, by contrast, has lost political support for opposing some of No 10’s ideas on cuts to the Army.
The coming vacancy as head of the Army is expected to be taken by General Nick Carter, currently a commander in Afghanistan. He is the architect of the controversial “Army 2020” restructuring, ordered after ministers decided to cut the regular Army by 20,000 to 80,000.
Helicopter pilot becomes RAF chief for first time in 95-year history - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9824519/Helicopter-pilot-becomes-RAF-chief-for-first-time-in-95-year-history.html)
Air Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford will become Chief of the Air Staff in a shake-up of senior Armed Forces posts, the first non-fighter pilot to hold the job.
His appointment is part of a series of changes that pave the way for the appointment of a new Chief of the Defence Staff later this year.
As the Daily Telegraph reported earlier this month, General Sir David Richards, the current CDS, will be replaced by either General Sir Nick Houghton or General Sir Peter Wall, the current head of the Army.
Sir Andrew will take over as head of the RAF in July, on the retirement of Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton.
After qualifying as helicopter pilot in 1977, Sir Andrew flew Wessex and Chinook helicopters, and has commanded British forces in Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, Lebanon, the Balkans and the Gulf.
All of his predecessors have been fighter pilots, and his appointment will be seen as a sign of the shifting nature of the RAF’s work.
Some defence analysts say that a combination of spending cuts and technological advances mean that the age of manned fighter aircraft is drawing to a close, with unmanned drones taking their place.
The Royal Navy will also have a new chief, as Admiral Sir George Zambellas becomes First Sea Lord, a former helicopter pilot and frigate captain.
Among the other appointments announced yesterday, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach will become Vice Chief of the Defence Staff in May, replacing Sir Nick.
It is understood that either Sir Nick or Sir Peter will be appointed CDS later this year, and the the unsuccessful candidate will retire.
Whitehall insiders say that Sir Nick, a candidate for the top job in 2010, has the backing of David Cameron and Philip Hammond, the Defence Secretary.
Sir Peter, by contrast, has lost political support for opposing some of No 10’s ideas on cuts to the Army.
The coming vacancy as head of the Army is expected to be taken by General Nick Carter, currently a commander in Afghanistan. He is the architect of the controversial “Army 2020” restructuring, ordered after ministers decided to cut the regular Army by 20,000 to 80,000.
Helicopter pilot becomes RAF chief for first time in 95-year history - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9824519/Helicopter-pilot-becomes-RAF-chief-for-first-time-in-95-year-history.html)