Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford KCB CBE ADC RAF a former Wessex and Chinook pilot has taken over as Chief of the Air Staff – the most senior RAF Officer and first helicopter pilot ever to be professional head of the Royal Air Force. He has taken command of the RAF from Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton GCB ADC LLD(Hon) BSc FRAeS CCMI RAF who is retiring from the Service.

Sir Andrew said:

“It is with immense pride and a great sense of history that I assume the duties of Chief of the Air Staff and command of the Royal Air Force. I do not underestimate the challenges that the post is likely to bring, particularly as we remain so heavily committed to operations, but my priority will be to ensure that the professionalism and commitment of the men and women of the Service is recognised and acknowledged. It is, after all, their magnificent contribution that makes the Royal Air Force the superb fighting force it is today. I look forward to leading the Service into a future which promises to be both exciting and rewarding.”

Air Chief Marshal Pulford joined the RAF in 1977 and has spent many of his 5,000 flying hours with 18(B) Squadron who are currently based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire operating Chinook helicopters, some of which are currently deployed in support of OPERATION HERRICK in Afghanistan. He has seen operational service in Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, Lebanon, the Balkans and the Gulf.

Sir Andrew’s most recent appointment was Deputy Commander Capability and Air Member for Personnel & Capability based at Headquarters Air Command in High Wycombe and he was appointed Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath in the 2013 New Year’s Honours List.