Air Marshal
Encyclopedia
Air marshal is a three-star air-officer
rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force
. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure.
Officers in the rank of air marshal typically hold very senior appointments such as commander-in-chief
of an air force or a large air force formation. Officers in the ranks of air chief marshal and air vice-marshal are also referred to generically as air marshals. Occasionally, air force officers of marshal rank
are considered to be air marshals.
in the Royal Navy
or a lieutenant-general in the British Army
or the Royal Marines
.
The rank of air marshal is immediately senior to the rank of air vice-marshal
and immediately subordinate to the rank of air chief marshal
.
ranks would be based on the term "Ardian", which was derived from a combination of the Gaelic
words for "chief" (ard) and "bird" (eun), with the term "Second Ardian" or "Wing Ardian" being used specifically for the rank equivalent to a Vice-Admiral and Lieutenant-General. However, Air Marshal was preferred and was adopted on 1 August 1919. The rank of Air Marshal was first used on 11 August 1919 when Sir Hugh Trenchard
was promoted to the rank and it has been used ever since.
The Australian Air Corps adopted the RAF rank system on 9 November 1920 and this usage was continued by its successor, the Royal Australian Air Force
. However, the rank of air marshal was not used by the Australian Armed Forces until 1940 when Richard Williams, an RAAF officer, was promoted.
The command flag for an Air Marshal is defined by the single broad red band running in the centre of the flag.
The vehicle star plate for an Air Marshal depicts three white stars (Air Marshal is equivalent to a three-star rank) on an air force blue background.
, including the Bangladesh Air Force
, Indian Air Force
, Pakistan Air Force
, Royal Australian Air Force
and Royal New Zealand Air Force
. It is also used in the Egyptian Air Force
, Nigerian Air Force
, Ghana Air Force
, Hellenic Air Force
(Antipterarchos), Air Force of Zimbabwe
(including its predecessor, the Rhodesian Air Force
) and the Royal Thai Air Force
. In the Indonesian Air Force
, the equivalent rank is Marsekal Madya (literally "Vice Marshal") which is often translated as Air Marshal in English.
(VCDF), the Chief of Joint Operations
(CJOPS), and the Chief - Capability Development Group (CCDG).
, he is granted the rank of air marshal. The last air force Chief of the Defence Force was Air Marshal Sir Bruce Ferguson
who served in that appointment from 2001 to 2006.
(RCAF) used the rank until the 1968 unification of the Canadian Forces
, when army-type rank titles were adopted and an Air Marshal became a Lieutenant-General
. In official French Canadian usage, the rank title was maréchal de l'air. The Canadian Chief of the Air Staff
ordinarily held the rank of Air Marshal. The following RCAF offers held the rank (dates in rank in parentheses):
does not use air marshal ranks as an equivalent to general ranks, rather it uses a number of ranks based on the word brigadier. However, its highest rank is Marechal-do-ar which is a five-star rank and equivalent to a Brazilian Army
marshal
. Marechal-do-ar is sometimes translated as air marshal but as it is a marshal
rank, it might also be translated as marshal of the air or marshal of the air force
.
Similarly, the Royal Malaysian Air Force's five-star rank of Marshal Udara may be translated as Air Marshal or Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
Marshals of the Royal Air Force are also occasionally described as air marshals.
Air Officer
An air officer is a Royal Air Force officer of the rank of air commodore or higher. Such officers may be termed "officers of air rank". The term is also used by many Commonwealth nations who have a similar rank structure to the RAF....
rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure.
Officers in the rank of air marshal typically hold very senior appointments such as commander-in-chief
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...
of an air force or a large air force formation. Officers in the ranks of air chief marshal and air vice-marshal are also referred to generically as air marshals. Occasionally, air force officers of marshal rank
Marshal of the Air Force
Marshal of the Air Force is the English term for the most senior rank in a number of air forces. The ranks described by this term can properly be considered marshal ranks....
are considered to be air marshals.
Seniority
Air marshal is a three-star rank and has a NATO ranking code of OF-8, equivalent to a vice-admiralVice Admiral (Royal Navy)
Vice admiral is a flag officer rank of the British Royal Navy. It equates to the NATO rank code OF-8 and is immediately superior to rear admiral and is subordinate to the full admiral rank.The Royal Navy has had vice admirals since at least the 16th century...
in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
or a lieutenant-general in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
or the Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
.
The rank of air marshal is immediately senior to the rank of air vice-marshal
Air Vice-Marshal
Air vice-marshal is a two-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in...
and immediately subordinate to the rank of air chief marshal
Air Chief Marshal
Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
.
Origins
Prior to the adoption of RAF-specific rank titles in 1919, it was suggested that the RAF might use the Royal Navy's officer ranks, with the word "Air" inserted before the naval rank title. For example, the rank that later became Air Marshal would have been Air Vice-Admiral. The Admiralty objected to any use of their rank titles, including this modified form, and so an alternative proposal was put forward: air-officerAir Officer
An air officer is a Royal Air Force officer of the rank of air commodore or higher. Such officers may be termed "officers of air rank". The term is also used by many Commonwealth nations who have a similar rank structure to the RAF....
ranks would be based on the term "Ardian", which was derived from a combination of the Gaelic
Goidelic languages
The Goidelic languages or Gaelic languages are one of the two branches of the Insular Celtic languages, the other consisting of the Brythonic languages. Goidelic languages historically formed a dialect continuum stretching from the south of Ireland through the Isle of Man to the north of Scotland...
words for "chief" (ard) and "bird" (eun), with the term "Second Ardian" or "Wing Ardian" being used specifically for the rank equivalent to a Vice-Admiral and Lieutenant-General. However, Air Marshal was preferred and was adopted on 1 August 1919. The rank of Air Marshal was first used on 11 August 1919 when Sir Hugh Trenchard
Hugh Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Hugh Montague Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard GCB OM GCVO DSO was a British officer who was instrumental in establishing the Royal Air Force...
was promoted to the rank and it has been used ever since.
The Australian Air Corps adopted the RAF rank system on 9 November 1920 and this usage was continued by its successor, the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
. However, the rank of air marshal was not used by the Australian Armed Forces until 1940 when Richard Williams, an RAAF officer, was promoted.
RAF Insignia, command flag and star plate
The rank insignia consists of two narrow light blue bands (each on a slightly wider black band) over a light blue band on a broad black band. This is worn on the lower sleeves of the dress uniform or on the shoulders of the flying suit or working uniform.The command flag for an Air Marshal is defined by the single broad red band running in the centre of the flag.
The vehicle star plate for an Air Marshal depicts three white stars (Air Marshal is equivalent to a three-star rank) on an air force blue background.
Other air forces
The rank of Air Marshal is also used in a number of the air forces in the CommonwealthCommonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
, including the Bangladesh Air Force
Bangladesh Air Force
The Bangladesh Air Force , is the air arm of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. Bangladesh Air Force currently employs more than 22,000 personnel including 600+ Pilots.-History:...
, Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
, Pakistan Air Force
Pakistan Air Force
The Pakistan Air Force is the leading air arm of the Pakistan Armed Forces and is primarily tasked with the aerial defence of Pakistan with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. The PAF also has a tertiary role of providing strategic air transport...
, Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
and Royal New Zealand Air Force
Royal New Zealand Air Force
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
. It is also used in the Egyptian Air Force
Egyptian Air Force
The Egyptian Air Force, or EAF , is the aviation branch of the Egyptian Armed Forces. The EAF is headed by an Air Marshal . Currently, the commander of the Egyptian Air Force is Air Marshal Reda Mahmoud Hafez Mohamed...
, Nigerian Air Force
Nigerian Air Force
The Nigerian Air Force is the air arm of the Nigerian Armed Forces.It is one of the largest in West Africa, consisting of about 15,000 personnel and aircraft including 15 Chengdu F-7s, and 24 Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jets, armed helicopters, and military transport aircraft. However in recent years...
, Ghana Air Force
Ghana Air Force
The Ghana Air Force is the air force of the African nation of Ghana. The GAF, along with the Ghanaian Army and Navy, make up the armed forces of Ghana which are controlled by that nation's Ministry of Defence....
, Hellenic Air Force
Hellenic Air Force
The Hellenic Air Force, abbreviated to HAF is the air force of Greece. The mission of the Hellenic Air Force is to guard and protect Greek airspace, provide air assistance and support to the Hellenic Army and the Hellenic Navy, as well as the provision of humanitarian aid in Greece and around the...
(Antipterarchos), Air Force of Zimbabwe
Air Force of Zimbabwe
The Air Force of Zimbabwe is the air force of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. It was known as the Rhodesian Air Force until 1980. The Air Force of Zimbabwe saw service in the Mozambican Civil War in 1985 and the Second Congo War of 1998–2001....
(including its predecessor, the Rhodesian Air Force
Royal Rhodesian Air Force
The Rhodesian Air Force was the air arm of the British colonial state of Rhodesia. It existed between 1935 and 1980 under various names, and is now the Air Force of Zimbabwe.-History:...
) and the Royal Thai Air Force
Royal Thai Air Force
The Royal Thai Air Force or RTAF is the air force of the Kingdom of Thailand. Since its establishment in 1913, as one of the earliest air forces of Asia, the Royal Thai Air Force had engaged in many major and minor battles. During the Vietnam war era, the air force has been developed with USAF-aid...
. In the Indonesian Air Force
Indonesian Air Force
The Indonesian Air Force is the air force branch of the Indonesian National Armed Forces.The Indonesian Air Force has 34,930 personnel equipped with 110 combat aircraft including Su-27 and Su-30.-Before Indonesian independence :...
, the equivalent rank is Marsekal Madya (literally "Vice Marshal") which is often translated as Air Marshal in English.
Royal Australian Air Force
In Australia, there are four appointments available for Air Marshals: the Chief of Air Force (CAF) and, at times when they are occupied by an air force officer, the Vice Chief of Defence ForceVice Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)
The Vice Chief of the Defence Force is the military deputy to the Chief of the Defence Force of Australia, and acts as the CDF in his absence under standing acting arrangements....
(VCDF), the Chief of Joint Operations
Chief of Joint Operations (Australia)
Until September 2007, the Vice Chief of the Defence Force was "double hatted" as the Chief of Joint Operations . In this role he commanded Australian Defence Force operations on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Force...
(CJOPS), and the Chief - Capability Development Group (CCDG).
Royal New Zealand Air Force
In New Zealand, the head of the air force holds the lower rank of air vice-marshal. However, when an air force officer holds the country's senior military appointment, Chief of the New Zealand Defence ForceChief of Defence Force (New Zealand)
The Chief of Defence Force is the appointment held by the professional head of the New Zealand Defence Force. The post has existed under its present name since 1991. From 1963 to 1991 the head of the New Zealand Defence Force was known as the Chief of Defence Staff...
, he is granted the rank of air marshal. The last air force Chief of the Defence Force was Air Marshal Sir Bruce Ferguson
Bruce Ferguson
Air Marshal Sir Bruce Reid Ferguson KNZM, OBE, AFC is the former Chief of New Zealand Defence Force and Director of Government Communications Security Bureau. He took up the appointment when the previous Director Dr. Warren Tucker, took up his new role as Director of Security Intelligence Service...
who served in that appointment from 2001 to 2006.
Royal Canadian Air Force
The Royal Canadian Air ForceRoyal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
(RCAF) used the rank until the 1968 unification of the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
, when army-type rank titles were adopted and an Air Marshal became a Lieutenant-General
Lieutenant-General (Canada)
In the Canadian Forces, the rank of lieutenant-general is an Army or Air Force rank equal to a vice-admiral of the Navy. A lieutenant-general is a general officer, the equivalent of a Naval flag officer. A lieutenant-general is senior to a major general or rear-admiral, and junior to a general or...
. In official French Canadian usage, the rank title was maréchal de l'air. The Canadian Chief of the Air Staff
Chief of the Air Staff (Canada)
The Chief of the Air Staff is the commander and institutional head of the Royal Canadian Air Force...
ordinarily held the rank of Air Marshal. The following RCAF offers held the rank (dates in rank in parentheses):
- Billy BishopBilly BishopAir Marshal William Avery "Billy" Bishop VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC, ED was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 72 victories, making him the top Canadian ace, and according to some sources, the top ace of the British Empire.-Early life:Bishop was born in Owen Sound,...
(1938 to 1944), rank retained on retirement - George CroilGeorge CroilAir Marshal George Mitchell Croil CBE, AFC was a Royal Flying Corps pilot during World War I who went on to become the first Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Canadian Air Force...
(c. 1940 to 1944), rank retained on retirement - Lloyd Samuel BreadnerLloyd Samuel BreadnerAir Chief MarshalThis rank was used during the existence of the Royal Canadian Air Force and replaced with the rank of General in 1968 with the unification of the Canadian Forces. See :Category:Canadian Forces Air Command generals for such officers. Breadner was one of only two Canadian Air Chief...
(1941 to 1945), subsequently promoted to air chief marshal - Robert Leckie (1944 to 1947), rank retained on retirement
- George Owen JohnsonGeorge Owen JohnsonAir Marshal George Owen Johnson CB, MC was a Canadian aviator.-World War I service:Born in Woodstock, Ontario in 1896, George Owen Johnson initially served as a subaltern with the Corps of School Cadet Instructors from 1913 to 1916...
(to 1947), rank retained on retirement - Wilfred CurtisWilfred CurtisAir Marshal Wilfred Austin "Wilf" Curtis, OC, CB, CBE, DSC & Bar, ED, CD was a Canadian airman and Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1947 until 1953.-Early years:...
(c. 1947 to 1953), rank retained on retirement - Roy SlemonRoy SlemonAir Marshal Charles Roy Slemon, CB, CBE, CD , known as Roy Slemon, was the Royal Canadian Air Force's Chief of the Air Staff from 1953 to 1957. Slemon then served as the first deputy commander in chief of NORAD...
(c. 1953 to 1964), rank retained on retirement - Frank Robert MillerFrank Robert MillerAir Chief Marshal Frank Robert Miller, CC, CBE, CD was a Canadian airman, the last Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff in 1964, the first Chief of the Defence Staff from 1964 until 1966, and Deputy Minister of National Defence.-Military career:Frank Robert Miller was born in Kamloops, British Columbia...
(1955 to 1961), subsequently promoted to air chief marshal - Hugh Campbell (to 1962), rank retained on retirement
- Clarence DunlapClarence DunlapAir Marshal Clarence Rupert Dunlap CBE, CD, was a Canadian airman who, from 1962 to 1964, served as the last Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Canadian Air Force. From 1964 to 1967 he was the deputy commander-in-chief of NORAD...
(to 1968), rank retained on retirement - William Ross MacBrienWilliam Ross MacBrienAir Marshal William Ross MacBrien, OBE, CD, RCAF , commonly known as Bill MacBrien or Iron Bill, was a senior Royal Canadian Air Force officer during World War II and a senior commander in the 1950s and 60s....
(to 1968), rank retained on retirement - Edwin ReynoEdwin ReynoEdwin Michael Reyno AFC, CD was an Air Marshal in the Royal Canadian Air Force and a Lieutenant-General in the integrated Canadian Forces.-Biography:...
(1966 to 1968), later regraded to Lieutenant-General
Marshal ranks
The Brazilian Air ForceBrazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
does not use air marshal ranks as an equivalent to general ranks, rather it uses a number of ranks based on the word brigadier. However, its highest rank is Marechal-do-ar which is a five-star rank and equivalent to a Brazilian Army
Brazilian Army
The Brazilian Army is the land arm of the Brazilian Military. The Brazilian Army has fought in several international conflicts, mostly in South America and during the 19th century, such as the Brazilian War of Independence , Argentina-Brazil War , War of the Farrapos , Platine War , Uruguayan War ...
marshal
Marshal (Brazil)
Marshal is the highest rank in both the Brazilian Army and the Brazilian Air Force, although the latter is titled Marechal-do-Ar . These ranks are equivalent to that of Admiral in the Navy...
. Marechal-do-ar is sometimes translated as air marshal but as it is a marshal
Marshal
Marshal , is a word used in several official titles of various branches of society. The word is an ancient loan word from Old French, cf...
rank, it might also be translated as marshal of the air or marshal of the air force
Marshal of the Air Force
Marshal of the Air Force is the English term for the most senior rank in a number of air forces. The ranks described by this term can properly be considered marshal ranks....
.
Similarly, the Royal Malaysian Air Force's five-star rank of Marshal Udara may be translated as Air Marshal or Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
Marshals of the Royal Air Force are also occasionally described as air marshals.
See also
- Comparative military ranksComparative military ranksThis article is a list of various states' armed forces ranking designations. Comparisons are made between the different systems used by nations to categorize the hierarchy of an armed force compared to another. Several of these lists mention NATO reference codes. These are the NATO rank reference...