Air Marshal Ian David Gale, CB, MBE is a senior officer in the Royal Air Force, serving as Director-General of Joint Force Development, Strategic Command since April 2021.[1]
Ian Gale | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Nickname(s) | Windy |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1989–present |
| Rank | Air Marshal |
| Service number | 8304212Q |
| Commands held | RAF Lossiemouth (2011–13) No. 31 Squadron (2008–10) |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War War in Afghanistan Operation Ellamy |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Member of the Order of the British Empire |
| Alma mater | King's College London Open University |
Early life and education edit
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]
RAF career edit
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 operational service 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, Gale was promoted to air vice-marshal and appointed 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.[1] Gale was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 2024 New Year Honours.[9]
References edit
- ^ a b c "2021 Senior Appointments". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ a b c "Gale, Air Vice-Marshal Ian David, Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Ministry of Defence, since 2019". Who's Who 2021. 1 December 2020.
- ^ "No. 52045". The London Gazette. 12 February 1990. p. 1974.
- ^ "No. 57315". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 2004. p. 6.
- ^ "Panavia Tornado". Simply Planes. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Community saved RAF Lossiemouth 'for thirty years'". Inside Moray. 15 August 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "RAF boss loves job". Evening Express. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "RAF Air Power 2017". 21st Century Partnerships. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "No. 64269". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 2023. p. N2.