New RAF head makes history
A former pupil of the Magnus School, Newark, has made history by becoming the first non-fighter pilot to be appointed head of the RAF.
Air Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford will be promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal and take over the post of Chief of the Air Staff in July.
He trained as a helicopter pilot.
Defence Secretary Mr Philip Hammond confirmed that the Queen had approved the appointment.
The Chief of the Air Staff is the professional head of the RAF and a member of both the Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Air Force Board.
Sir Andrew’s parents, Mr Doug Pulford, 74, and Mrs Jean Pulford, 75, of Woodlands Close, Newark, said they were very proud of his achievements.
Mr Pulford said: “He wanted to fly when he was six and joined the RAF when he was 18.
“It is great for the town and great for his school.
“It shows that someone from a working class background can get to the top if they want to. He always wanted to fly and he has worked very hard to achieve it.
“He is very modest about it but we are very proud of him.”
Sir Andrew, 54, was commissioned into the RAF in 1977 and accumulated over 5,000 hours on both Wessex and Chinook helicopters, serving primarily in Germany, but also completing exchange tours with the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force and the Royal Australian Air Force.
He has commanded in every rank and served in Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, Lebanon, the Balkans and the Gulf.
He was Officer Commanding Royal Air Force Odiham for two years from December 2001, a period which included large scale deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.
He was promoted to Air Vice-Marshal in 2007 and assumed the post of Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Operations) in the Ministry of Defence in October 2008.
He took up his current role as Deputy Commander Capability and Air Member for Personnel and Capability in August 2010, on promotion to Air Marshal.
He was appointed Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath in the New Year Honours’ List.
