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.
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 | 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 |
RAF career
editEducated 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
editHe 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.[8]
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ "Ousting of RAF chief was fair, say officers". Independent.co.uk. 11 February 1995.
- ^ Evans, Michael (10 February 1995). "Rifkind forces air chief to quit over renovations". The Times. No. 65187. p. 1. ISSN 0140-0460.