Sandy Wilson (RAF officer)

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 (1941-02-27) 27 February 1941
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Air Force
Years of service1962–95
RankAir Chief Marshal
Commands heldRAF 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/warsGulf War
AwardsKnight Commander of the Order of the Bath
Air Force Cross

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.[8]

References
  1. The Commanding Officers of II(AC) Squadron Archived 2 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Defence Flight International, 26 June 1976
  3. Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation – RAF Station Commanders – Scotland, North-East England and Northern Ireland
  4. "No. 52563". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 June 1991. p. 3.
  5. Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation – Air Council Appointments 1 Archived 1 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "No. 54167". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 September 1995. p. 12997.
  7. "Ousting of RAF chief was fair, say officers". Independent.co.uk. 11 February 1995.
  8. Evans, Michael (10 February 1995). "Rifkind forces air chief to quit over renovations". The Times. No. 65187. p. 1. ISSN 0140-0460.
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