Bluntend
What is meant by airmen/airwomen?
Does it mean the non-commissioned members of the RAF or does it mean people whose profession involves flying (ie the airmen bit in NOTAM)?
If it is the latter then
AVM Don Bennett is a good case study. The RAF's youngest ever AVM (at 33) and commaner of the Pathfinder Force. He ran the group with a rod of iron but he got results and his aircrew liked and respected him.