Air Marshal who’s the most senior woman ever to serve in UK forces
BRITAIN has appointed its first woman three-star military officer.
Sue Gray became the most senior woman in the Armed Forces after the RAF promoted her to the rank of Air Marshal.
Under the star ranking system used by Nato, she has the same seniority as a vice admiral in the Navy or a Lieutenant General in the Army.
Air Marshal Gray, 56, will take up the role of director general of the Defence Safety Authority in March.
‘I am incredibly proud to be the most senior female military officer in the british Armed Forces,’ she said yesterday.
‘Throughout my career I have been fortunate to have a job that was more of a way of life, working with like-minded people in an exciting and rewarding environment.’
Air Marshal Gray joined the RAF in 1985. She has worked in a variety of roles as an RAF engineer, including on VC10 transport aircraft, and also took part in both Gulf wars with the Joint Helicopter Force. In June 2016 she was appointed Air Officer Commanding Number 38 Group, with responsibility for more than 3,000 personnel across disciplines including engineering, logistics, aviation medicine and catering.
before her promotion, the highest rank held by a serving woman officer in the RAF was Air Vice-Marshal, which is a two-star post.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: ‘This is an historic moment ... Air Marshal Gray’s career shows that with hard work, skill and determination, gender is no obstacle.
‘I hope young girls will look up to Air Marshal Gray and see that a career in the Armed Forces will offer them every opportunity to succeed, irrespective of their gender and background.’
The head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said: ‘Her promotion is proper recognition of her outstanding contribution to the RAF and defence, as an engineer, as a leader and as a superb role model.’ Air Marshal Gray will be responsible for the regulation of health, safety and environmental protection across the MoD.
‘This is an historic moment’