Menu
23/08/2013
First Woman Is Promoted To Air Vice Marshal Within The RAF
Elaine West has become the first woman to be promoted to Air Vice-Marshal within the RAF.
Air Vice-Marshal West will take up the role of Director of Projects and Programme Delivery at the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. She will lead the way in programming and delivering multi-million-pound infrastructure projects to support military training, improve defence capability and oversee the draw down of Army units from Germany.
Prior to Air Vice-Marshal West's promotion, the highest rank held by a regular serving female officer in the modern day RAF was Air Commodore. The highest ranking female officer in the Navy has been Commodore and the highest rank achieved by a woman in the Army has been Brigadier.
Air Vice-Marshal West said: "It is with enormous pride that I take up my new appointment. I am privileged to have served in the RAF and to have enjoyed so many challenging roles over the years.
"To now be the first female military two-star is a truly unexpected bonus. I know so many inspirational women across all 3 Services who continue to make a substantial contribution to operations and our Armed Forces more widely.
"This is a terrific opportunity and one that I'm looking forward to immensely."
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "We need the best and the brightest talent in senior positions as we transform Defence over the next few years as we build Future Force 2020, and that means selecting people from across Defence, irrespective of gender.
"I am pleased that we are demonstrating in Defence that there are no 'glass ceilings' for female officers who have the necessary abilities to rise to the senior ranks."
(CD/IT)
Air Vice-Marshal West will take up the role of Director of Projects and Programme Delivery at the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. She will lead the way in programming and delivering multi-million-pound infrastructure projects to support military training, improve defence capability and oversee the draw down of Army units from Germany.
Prior to Air Vice-Marshal West's promotion, the highest rank held by a regular serving female officer in the modern day RAF was Air Commodore. The highest ranking female officer in the Navy has been Commodore and the highest rank achieved by a woman in the Army has been Brigadier.
Air Vice-Marshal West said: "It is with enormous pride that I take up my new appointment. I am privileged to have served in the RAF and to have enjoyed so many challenging roles over the years.
"To now be the first female military two-star is a truly unexpected bonus. I know so many inspirational women across all 3 Services who continue to make a substantial contribution to operations and our Armed Forces more widely.
"This is a terrific opportunity and one that I'm looking forward to immensely."
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "We need the best and the brightest talent in senior positions as we transform Defence over the next few years as we build Future Force 2020, and that means selecting people from across Defence, irrespective of gender.
"I am pleased that we are demonstrating in Defence that there are no 'glass ceilings' for female officers who have the necessary abilities to rise to the senior ranks."
(CD/IT)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 April 2014
MoD Names Five Service Personnel Killed In Helicopter Crash
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed the names of the five service personnel who lost their lives following the crash of a Lynx helicopter in southern Afghanistan on 26 April 2014.
MoD Names Five Service Personnel Killed In Helicopter Crash
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed the names of the five service personnel who lost their lives following the crash of a Lynx helicopter in southern Afghanistan on 26 April 2014.
28 April 2010
Local Air Traffic Control Applauded
The successfully-run British Isles-wide system of airspace control was this week held up as an example of best practice in dealing with air navigation. Ireland's Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey has called on Europe to look at how the UK and Ireland cooperate in air navigation, after the disruption caused by the volcanic ash plume.
Local Air Traffic Control Applauded
The successfully-run British Isles-wide system of airspace control was this week held up as an example of best practice in dealing with air navigation. Ireland's Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey has called on Europe to look at how the UK and Ireland cooperate in air navigation, after the disruption caused by the volcanic ash plume.
25 September 2003
Probe continues into two US soldiers at Guantanamo Bay
The US Defense Department is continuing its investigations into two servicemen associated with the confinement facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Both cases involve personnel assigned to Camp Delta on US Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, where the US is detaining suspected al-Qaeda and Taliban members.
Probe continues into two US soldiers at Guantanamo Bay
The US Defense Department is continuing its investigations into two servicemen associated with the confinement facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Both cases involve personnel assigned to Camp Delta on US Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, where the US is detaining suspected al-Qaeda and Taliban members.
16 December 2005
Royal Navy set to launch 'D' Class destoyer
The Countess of Wessex will launch the first of the Royal Navy's new 'D' Class destroyers early next year. HMS Daring, the seventh vessel to carry the name, will be the first of the Royal Navy's batch of Type 45 air defence destroyers.
Royal Navy set to launch 'D' Class destoyer
The Countess of Wessex will launch the first of the Royal Navy's new 'D' Class destroyers early next year. HMS Daring, the seventh vessel to carry the name, will be the first of the Royal Navy's batch of Type 45 air defence destroyers.
12 December 2005
Countess of Wessex to launch Type 45 destoyer
The Countess of Wessex will launch the first of the Royal Navy's new 'D' Class destroyers early next year. HMS Daring, the seventh vessel to carry the name, will be the first of the Royal Navy's batch of Type 45 air defence destroyers.
Countess of Wessex to launch Type 45 destoyer
The Countess of Wessex will launch the first of the Royal Navy's new 'D' Class destroyers early next year. HMS Daring, the seventh vessel to carry the name, will be the first of the Royal Navy's batch of Type 45 air defence destroyers.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
