Nickname(s) Sandy Name Sandy Wilson Rank Air chief marshal | Years of service 1962–1995 Allegiance United Kingdom Role RAF officer | |
Born 27 February 1941 (age 83) ( 1941-02-27 ) Commands held No. II (AC) SquadronRAF LossiemouthBritish Forces Middle EastRAF Personnel and Training Command Awards Order of the Bath, Air Force Cross Similar People Colin Powell, Saddam Hussein, Ali Hassan al‑Majid, Chuck Horner, Saleh Al‑Muhaya | ||
Air Chief Marshal Sir Ronald Andrew Fellowes Wilson, (born 27 February 1941), often known as Sir Andrew Wilson and sometimes known informally as Sir Sandy Wilson, is a retired senior Royal Air Force officer.
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RAF career
Educated at Tonbridge School, Wilson joined the Royal Air Force in 1962. From 1976 to 1978 Wilson served as the Commanding Officer of No. II (AC) Squadron. During this time the Squadron took delivery of the Jaguar which Wilson oversaw, flying practice reconnaissance missions. In 1980 Wilson was made Station Commander of RAF Lossiemouth.
In 1990 Wilson was appointed the Commander British Forces Middle East, making him the in-theatre commander for Operation Granby, the British contribution to the Gulf War. He was knighted in 1991 and in 1993 he was appointed Air Member for Personnel and the following year, on 1 April 1994, Wilson became the first Air Officer Commander-in-Chief of Personnel and Training Command.
Retirement
He retired prematurely on 26 August 1995. He was accused of using government funds to refurbish Haymes Garth, the official residence for the Air Member for Personnel based at RAF Innsworth. He argued that he used funds budgeted for this purpose, but was not supported by the then Defence Minister, Sir Malcolm Rifkind.