High-flying husband and wife are BOTH in race to be the next chief of the Royal Air Force
Both are tipped as potential successors to Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, who has been promoted to Chief of Defence Staff
ROYAL PAIR FORCE High-flying husband and wife are BOTH in race to be the next chief of the Royal Air Force
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A HIGH-FLYING husband and wife are in the race to be the next chief of the Royal Air Force, 'we can reveal.
Air Marshal Al Marshall and Air Vice-Marshal Suraya Marshall are the most senior serving couple in UK Armed Forces' history.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
Air Marshal Al Marshall is one half of the RAF's most senior serving couple in history
Credit: AS1 Tomas Barnard RAF
2
Air Vice-Marshal Suraya Marshall is also in contention to become the head of the RAF
Credit: RAF
Both are tipped as potential successors to Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, who has been promoted to Chief of Defence Staff to lead all three Armed Forces this autumn.
Al, who joined up in 1991, is Air and Space Commander responsible for all air operations in the UK and overseas.
He flew Harrier jump jets in Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia.
Former Tornado navigator Suraya, who joined up in 1993, is Assistant Chief of the Air Staff.
She was the first female weapons instructor and first woman to command one of the RAF's two operational groups.
She led No 2 Group, which included all RAF cargo squadrons, in 2021 — the same time Al led No 1 Group, with all the combat aircraft.
A source said: 'Talk about a power couple.
'Between them they've commanded every plane in the Air Force.
'Al is one rank senior so it would be more of a jump for Suraya but the leap's been made before.'
RAF insiders said the couple, who have two children, are up against Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff Air Marshal Harv Smyth, who is favourite to replace Sir Rich.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
15 hours ago
- Scotsman
Ministry of Defence accused of 'deceiving' Chinook crash victim families in legal fight update
The RAF Chinook ZD576 crashed in foggy weather on June 2, 1994 on the Mull of Kintyre. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The families of those killed in the 1994 Chinook helicopter crash have said they will press on with seeking a judicial review after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) dismissed their demands for a judge-led public inquiry. RAF Chinook ZD576 was carrying 25 British intelligence personnel from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to a conference at Fort George near Inverness when it crashed in foggy weather on June 2 1994 on the Mull of Kintyre. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad All 25 passengers – personnel from MI5, the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the British Army – were killed, along with the helicopter's four crew members. The wreckage of the RAF Chinook helicopter, which crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on June 2, 1994 killing all 29 on board. Picture: Chris Bacon/PA Wire The families launched legal action in a 'letter before action' to the UK government sent earlier this month on the 31st anniversary of the crash. They said they will now pursue a judicial review after the MoD responded and rejected their demands for a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the crash, and for access to files which have been sealed for 100 years. Nicola Rawcliffe, whose brother Major Christopher Dockerty was killed in the crash aged 33, said: 'I am furious and disgusted with the MoD's decision to summarily dismiss our claim. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The MoD is continuing to deceive our families and disrespect our loved ones' memories by claiming that the many previous inquiries investigated all the facts, but we now know the aircraft was not airworthy. They didn't know half of what we know now. 'The government may have sealed the files for 100 years, but we, the families of those who died, are firmly united, strong and defiant, and we will get to the truth, no matter what it takes.' Following the crash, the Chinook's pilots, Flight Lieutenants Richard Cook and Jonathan Tapper, were accused of gross negligence, but this verdict was overturned by the UK government 17 years later following a campaign by the families. A subsequent review by Lord Philip set out 'numerous concerns' raised by those who worked on the Chinooks, with the MoD's testing centre at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire declaring the Chinook Mk2 helicopters 'unairworthy' prior to the crash. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The MoD said the crash was a 'tragic accident' and while its sympathies remain with the families and friends of the victims, there have been several investigations and inquiries and it believes it is unlikely another would reach any new conclusions. Andy Tobias, who was eight when his father Lieutenant Colonel John Tobias, 41, was killed, said: 'My childhood was stolen from me because someone decided my dad and his colleagues should be put on a helicopter that was not fit for purpose.' The families, who have coalesced into the Chinook Justice Campaign, said failing to order a public inquiry is a breach of the UK Government's human rights obligations. Solicitor Mark Stephens, from law firm Howard Kennedy, said: 'This decision by the MoD to dismiss our claim is an unforgivable betrayal of service people who gave their lives for their country and an undisguised slap in the face for their long-suffering and bereaved families.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'So much for the Government's so-called commitment to duty of candour. 'We will now seek a judicial review into the Ministry of Defence's decision to deny the families truth, transparency and justice.' An MoD spokesperson said: 'The Mull of Kintyre crash was a tragic accident, and our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families, friends and colleagues of all those who died. 'We understand that the lack of certainty about the cause of the crash has added to the distress of the families. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We provided a detailed and considered response to the pre-action protocol letter stating the reasons why we cannot accept the demand for establishing a new public inquiry. 'It's unlikely that a public inquiry would identify any new evidence or reach new conclusions on the basis of existing evidence. 'The accident has already been the subject of six inquiries and investigations, including an independent judge-led review.'
Scotsman
15 hours ago
- Scotsman
Ministry of Defence accused of 'deceiving' Chinook crash victim families in legal fight update
The RAF Chinook ZD576 crashed in foggy weather on June 2, 1994 on the Mull of Kintyre. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The families of those killed in the 1994 Chinook helicopter crash have said they will press on with seeking a judicial review after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) dismissed their demands for a judge-led public inquiry. RAF Chinook ZD576 was carrying 25 British intelligence personnel from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to a conference at Fort George near Inverness when it crashed in foggy weather on June 2 1994 on the Mull of Kintyre. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad All 25 passengers – personnel from MI5, the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the British Army – were killed, along with the helicopter's four crew members. The wreckage of the RAF Chinook helicopter, which crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on June 2, 1994 killing all 29 on board. Picture: Chris Bacon/PA Wire The families launched legal action in a 'letter before action' to the UK government sent earlier this month on the 31st anniversary of the crash. They said they will now pursue a judicial review after the MoD responded and rejected their demands for a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the crash, and for access to files which have been sealed for 100 years. Nicola Rawcliffe, whose brother Major Christopher Dockerty was killed in the crash aged 33, said: 'I am furious and disgusted with the MoD's decision to summarily dismiss our claim. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The MoD is continuing to deceive our families and disrespect our loved ones' memories by claiming that the many previous inquiries investigated all the facts, but we now know the aircraft was not airworthy. They didn't know half of what we know now. 'The government may have sealed the files for 100 years, but we, the families of those who died, are firmly united, strong and defiant, and we will get to the truth, no matter what it takes.' Following the crash, the Chinook's pilots, Flight Lieutenants Richard Cook and Jonathan Tapper, were accused of gross negligence, but this verdict was overturned by the UK government 17 years later following a campaign by the families. A subsequent review by Lord Philip set out 'numerous concerns' raised by those who worked on the Chinooks, with the MoD's testing centre at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire declaring the Chinook Mk2 helicopters 'unairworthy' prior to the crash. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The MoD said the crash was a 'tragic accident' and while its sympathies remain with the families and friends of the victims, there have been several investigations and inquiries and it believes it is unlikely another would reach any new conclusions. Andy Tobias, who was eight when his father Lieutenant Colonel John Tobias, 41, was killed, said: 'My childhood was stolen from me because someone decided my dad and his colleagues should be put on a helicopter that was not fit for purpose.' The families, who have coalesced into the Chinook Justice Campaign, said failing to order a public inquiry is a breach of the UK Government's human rights obligations. Solicitor Mark Stephens, from law firm Howard Kennedy, said: 'This decision by the MoD to dismiss our claim is an unforgivable betrayal of service people who gave their lives for their country and an undisguised slap in the face for their long-suffering and bereaved families.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'So much for the Government's so-called commitment to duty of candour. 'We will now seek a judicial review into the Ministry of Defence's decision to deny the families truth, transparency and justice.' An MoD spokesperson said: 'The Mull of Kintyre crash was a tragic accident, and our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families, friends and colleagues of all those who died. 'We understand that the lack of certainty about the cause of the crash has added to the distress of the families. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We provided a detailed and considered response to the pre-action protocol letter stating the reasons why we cannot accept the demand for establishing a new public inquiry. 'It's unlikely that a public inquiry would identify any new evidence or reach new conclusions on the basis of existing evidence. 'The accident has already been the subject of six inquiries and investigations, including an independent judge-led review.'
Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
High-flying husband and wife are BOTH in race to be the next chief of the Royal Air Force
Both are tipped as potential successors to Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, who has been promoted to Chief of Defence Staff ROYAL PAIR FORCE High-flying husband and wife are BOTH in race to be the next chief of the Royal Air Force Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HIGH-FLYING husband and wife are in the race to be the next chief of the Royal Air Force, 'we can reveal. Air Marshal Al Marshall and Air Vice-Marshal Suraya Marshall are the most senior serving couple in UK Armed Forces' history. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Air Marshal Al Marshall is one half of the RAF's most senior serving couple in history Credit: AS1 Tomas Barnard RAF 2 Air Vice-Marshal Suraya Marshall is also in contention to become the head of the RAF Credit: RAF Both are tipped as potential successors to Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, who has been promoted to Chief of Defence Staff to lead all three Armed Forces this autumn. Al, who joined up in 1991, is Air and Space Commander responsible for all air operations in the UK and overseas. He flew Harrier jump jets in Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia. Former Tornado navigator Suraya, who joined up in 1993, is Assistant Chief of the Air Staff. She was the first female weapons instructor and first woman to command one of the RAF's two operational groups. She led No 2 Group, which included all RAF cargo squadrons, in 2021 — the same time Al led No 1 Group, with all the combat aircraft. A source said: 'Talk about a power couple. 'Between them they've commanded every plane in the Air Force. 'Al is one rank senior so it would be more of a jump for Suraya but the leap's been made before.' RAF insiders said the couple, who have two children, are up against Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff Air Marshal Harv Smyth, who is favourite to replace Sir Rich.
