Sue Gray (RAF officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Air Marshal
Dame Sue Gray
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Gray in 2019
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| Birth name | Susan Catherine Jessop |
| Born | 21 October 1963 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1985–2022 |
| Rank | Air Marshal |
| Commands held | No. 38 Group (2016–2018) |
| Battles/wars | Gulf War Iraq War |
| Awards | Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire Companion of the Order of the Bath |
Dame Susan Catherine Gray, born on October 21, 1963, is a very important former officer in the Royal Air Force (RAF). She is known for being the highest-ranking female officer ever in the RAF. She held several key roles during her career. These included leading the team for combat aircraft and overseeing safety for the military.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Susan Catherine Jessop was born on October 21, 1963. She went to Newcastle Polytechnic, which is now called Northumbria University. There, she studied electronics and earned a science degree.
Military Career Journey
Susan Gray joined the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) in 1985. She started in the Engineer Branch. She quickly moved up in rank. On February 18, 1986, she became a flying officer. Three years later, she became a flight lieutenant.
In 1991, she went to Iraq to help with the Gulf War. She worked with the Support Helicopter Force. In 1992, she decided to make her service permanent. This meant she would stay in the RAF until retirement.
Joining the Royal Air Force
In 1994, the Women's Royal Air Force joined with the main Royal Air Force. Before this, the RAF was only for men. Since then, Susan Gray served in the RAF. She was promoted to squadron leader on July 1, 1994.
On January 1, 2001, she became a wing commander. In 2003, she went to Iraq again for the Iraq War. She was the Chief Engineer for the Joint Helicopter Force.
Becoming a Senior Officer
Susan Gray received an award called the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2005. On January 1, she was promoted to air commodore. This is a very senior rank.
On January 29, 2014, she became an air vice marshal. She was put in charge of Combat Air at the Ministry of Defence. In this role, she was responsible for buying and maintaining all combat aircraft. This included training planes and drones for the armed forces.
She was the second woman to reach this high rank in the British Armed Forces. In February 2016, she was chosen to lead No. 38 Group. She started this role on June 16, 2016.
Gray received another award, the Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB), in 2017. She also became a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. She is also a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. She finished her command of No. 38 Group in December 2018.
On February 20, 2019, Susan Gray was promoted to air marshal. This made her Britain's first ever female three-star officer. She became the most senior female officer in the British Armed Forces. From March 2019 to January 2022, she was the Director General of the Defence Safety Authority. She received the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) award in 2022. Dame Susan Gray retired from the RAF in May 2022.
Awards and Medals
Dame Susan Gray has received several important medals. These include the General Service Medal, the Gulf Medal, and the Iraq Medal. She also has the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
