From Sophy Gardner's web-page, I will now add my own suggested spin [
in italics]:
I grew up in South London. I joined the Royal Air Force after completing a degree in Geography, becoming an air operations officer [isn't it Flight Ops Officer?]. My first posting was in the South West at RAF Lyneham during which time I also deployed to the Congo.
Subsequently I was posted as the sole RAF officer of the Ship’s Company of HMS Invincible which included a deployment to the Balkans in 2000. I was in charge of all RAF transport and refuelling assets worldwide at the time of 9/11 [Really?] and was subsequently awarded the MBE for my Service during this period, when I also oversaw tasking of UK assets in Afghanistan 2001 [along with many others, I hasten to add!] and the transfer of Milosevic to the Hague [did she personally oversee this or was she just 'there']. I became personal staff officer to Commander UK Forces Iraq 2003, visiting most Arab countries in the region. Subsequently, I worked on US-UK Air Force liaison working with the Pentagon.
Later, I deployed to Helmand province, Afghanistan, to assist the arrival of the UK forces in 2006 and then went on to military staff college where I wrote my thesis on military intervention and the US-UK relationship, following on from an MPhil in European Studies in 1994. I then worked in the MOD in Media and Communications before taking command of operations as a Wing Commander at RAF Valley, Anglesey. During my RAF career, I was promoted at the earliest opportunity at every rank, was the first woman in every job I was posted to [is this something to brag about? I thought we were all equal these days?], and worked hard to ensure that I left the opportunities for those coming up behind me in a better state than when I found them. My best experiences have been working with my teams and colleagues, women and men from all backgrounds and of all ages [likely below 55, I would suggest?]. I am a graduate of the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Programme.
Frustrated with military life [that must be a different one that you have just 'crowed' on about then!] and the restrictions that imposed on my political views and ability to participate actively in politics [thems the rules since the English Civil War!], I left the RAF in 2011 and set up my own business working with Service charities [is that supposed to be noble? most people give their time to charities for free!]. I worked as the Event Director and Media Lead for the unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park in 2012 which was a demanding brief working with many stakeholders from all over the world. I now work with a variety of charities and also volunteer at a foodbank.
Since becoming politically ‘free’ I have campaigned actively and continuously for the Labour Party [because like all other 'champagne socialists' the other parties won't have me?], including campaigning during the Bristol Mayoral Election and working with the Shadow Defence team on Forces issues [how's that gone then?]. I was selected on 20th April 2013 to be Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Gloucester, 38th on the list of Labour’s target seats.
I’ve moved over 35 times since I left school and so I am very much looking forward to making Gloucester my permanent home [what was wrong with your native South London then?]. I am a member of the Cooperative Party and of Unite [sucking up those lovely Union votes, thank you], and an active supporter of the Labour Women’s Network
I agree with Salad-Dodger's assessment. I would suggest that she appears to be just another incarnate of the current political crop. If only Farage's gang could deliver something more than a gurning, beer supping, nice bloke you'd feel at home with chatting down the pub; then they might get another vote!
iRaven
PS. It is Flight Ops Officer - maybe she can't remember!
https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/r...tions-officer/