Ian Gale
Nickname(s)Windy
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Air Force
Years of service1989–present
RankAir Marshal
Service number8304212Q
Commands heldRAF Lossiemouth (2011–13)
No. 31 Squadron (2008–10)
Battles/warsWar in Afghanistan
Operation Ellamy
AwardsMember of the Order of the British Empire
Alma materKing's College London
Open University

Air Marshal Ian David Gale, MBE is a senior officer in the Royal Air Force. He is currently serving as Director-General of Joint Force Development, Strategic Command.[1]

Early life and education

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

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]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "2021 Senior Appointments". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "Gale, Air Vice-Marshal Ian David, Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Ministry of Defence, since 2019". Who's Who 2021. 1 December 2020.
  3. ↑ "No. 52045". The London Gazette. 12 February 1990. p. 1974.
  4. ↑ "No. 57315". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 2004. p. 6.
  5. ↑ "Panavia Tornado". Simply Planes. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  6. ↑ "Community saved RAF Lossiemouth 'for thirty years'". Inside Moray. 15 August 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  7. ↑ "RAF boss loves job". Evening Express. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  8. ↑ "RAF Air Power 2017". 21st Century Partnerships. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
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