Paul Godfrey (RAF officer)

Air Vice-Marshal Paul Alexander Godfrey, OBE is a senior Royal Air Force officer, who serves as the first commander of the United Kingdom Space Command.[1]

Paul Godfrey
Official 2022 portrait
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Air Force
Years of service1991 –
RankAir Vice-Marshal
Commands heldUnited Kingdom Space Command
Battles/warsWar in Afghanistan
AwardsOfficer of the Order of the British Empire

Early life and education

Godfrey grew up in RAF Kenley, south of London. He was educated at Trinity School of John Whitgift, then an all-boys private school in the London Borough of Croydon. While at school, he was a member of the Combined Cadet Force, and gained his private pilot licence at 17.[2]

Military career

Godfrey was commissioned into the Royal Air Force on 9 May 1991.[3] After serving as a Harrier jump jet pilot,[4] he became station commander at RAF Lossiemouth in November 2015.[5] In February 2021 it was announced that he would become the first Commander, United Kingdom Space Command. In taking up the post he will be promoted to the rank of Air Vice-Marshal.[1]

Godfrey was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours.[6]

References
  1. "Air Commodore Paul Godfrey announced as Commander United Kingdom Space Command". Ministry of Defence. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  2. "From Croydon to Space Command: Air Vice-Marshal Godfrey on the final frontier". RAF Benevolent Fund. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  3. "No. 52609". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 July 1991. p. 11211.
  4. "First Experience of Flying". RAF Stories. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  5. "Command of RAF Lossie handed over". Northern Scot. 27 November 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  6. "No. 60895". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 June 2014. p. b8.
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