17 Facts About Glenn Torpy

Glenn Torpy was a fast jet pilot in the late 1970s and 1980s, saw active service during the Gulf War and then went on to higher command.

Glenn Torpy was the air component commander on Operation Telic and served as Chief of the Air Staff, the professional head of the RAF, from 2006 to 2009.

In that role Torpy hosted the RAF's biggest air display in two decades, and argued for consolidation of all British air power in the hands of the RAF.

Glenn Torpy joined the Royal Air Force as a pilot officer on 8 September 1974, and spent his early career, after he left the RAF College Cranwell, undertaking flying duties in Jaguar aircraft before qualifying as a weapons instructor on Hawk aircraft.

Glenn Torpy was promoted to flying officer on 8 March 1975, with seniority backdated to 8 June 1973, flight lieutenant on 8 December 1975, and squadron leader on 1 July 1983.

Glenn Torpy was made personal staff officer to the Air Officer Commanding RAF Strike Command in 1992.

Glenn Torpy was appointed Assistant Chief of Staff at Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood in 1998 and director of air operations at the Ministry of Defence in 1999.

Glenn Torpy was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2000 New Year Honours and became Assistant Chief of Defence Staff at the Ministry of Defence in 2000.

Glenn Torpy was awarded the Legion of Merit from the United States in "recognition of gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations in Iraq" in 2003.

Glenn Torpy was promoted to air vice marshal on 1 January 2001, and to air marshal on 18 July 2003.

From 2003 to 2004 Glenn Torpy was deputy commander-in-chief at RAF Strike Command.

Glenn Torpy was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 2005 New Year Honours.

Glenn Torpy was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in the 2008 Birthday Honours.

In July 2008, Glenn Torpy hosted the RAF's biggest air display in two decades, as a 35-mile-long procession of aircraft flew past the queen to commemorate the service's 90th anniversary.

Glenn Torpy retired from the RAF in July 2009, and became senior military advisor to BAE Systems.

Glenn Torpy was Chairman of the Trustees of the RAF Museum and a governor of Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School.

Glenn Torpy's interests include golf, hill walking, military history and cabinet making.