10 Facts About Andrew Pulford

Andrew Pulford became Chief of the Air Staff on 31 July 2013, retiring from the Royal Air Force on 12 July 2016.

Andrew Pulford was regraded to pilot officer in January 1978, and then promoted to flying officer in January 1979, and flight lieutenant in July 1981; seeing service in the Falklands War with C Flight on board RFA Tidespring, while on exchange service with the Royal Navy in 1982.

Andrew Pulford had an exchange tour with the Royal Australian Air Force between 1985 and 1987.

Andrew Pulford then served as Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff from September 2008, until his appointment as Deputy Commander-in-Chief at Air Command and Air Member for Personnel, based at RAF High Wycombe, with the rank of air marshal in September 2010.

Andrew Pulford was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 2013 New Year Honours.

Andrew Pulford was promoted to air chief marshal on taking up the appointment of Chief of the Air Staff in July 2013, the first helicopter pilot ever to be professional head of the Royal Air Force.

Andrew Pulford was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in the 2016 New Year Honours.

Andrew Pulford received his GCB at a joint investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle along with former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas, on 13 April 2016.

In 1982, Andrew Pulford married Nicola Jane Pearse; they have a son and a daughter.

Andrew Pulford's interests include military history, motorcycling, old cars and sailing.