Ian Gale

Gale was educated at Sir Thomas Picton School, a comprehensive school in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales. He joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) after finishing school. He studied for a Master of Arts degree in defence studies and international relations at King's College London, graduating in 2006. He studied for a Master of Business Administration with the Open University, graduating in 2012.[2]

Gale joined the RAF in 1989.[2] After attending the Royal Air Force College Cranwell, he was commissioned as an acting pilot officer on 26 September 1989.[3] He served as a fast jet pilot and weapons instructor from 1989 to 2005 and,[2] in the 2004 Queen's Birthday Honours, was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire.[4]

Gale became officer commanding No. 31 Squadron in 2008,[5] and station commander at RAF Lossiemouth in 2011.[6] After obtaining operational experience as Deputy Air Component Commander for Operation Ellamy,[7] he became Assistant Chief of Staff for command, control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance programmes in 2015.[8]

In April 2019, he was promoted to air vice-marshal and became Assistant Chief of the Air Staff.[1] In April 2021, he was promoted to air marshal and appointed Director-General of Joint Force Development, Strategic Command. On 17 May 2021, Air Vice-Marshal Simon Edwards replaced him as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff following his appointment as Director-General of Joint Force Development.[1]