Glenn Torpy

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Sir Glenn Torpy
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Distinguished Service Order
Officer of the Legion of Merit
(United States)

Operation Telic (British operations in Iraq) 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.

Early life

The son of Gordon Torpy and Susan Torpy (née Lindsey),[1] Torpy obtained a BSc degree in aeronautical engineering from Imperial College London.[2]

Military career

Torpy joined the

Hawk aircraft.[2] He was promoted to flying officer on 8 March 1975, with seniority backdated to 8 June 1973,[4] flight lieutenant on 8 December 1975,[5] and squadron leader on 1 July 1983.[6]

Tornado, a type flown by Torpy in the 1980s

Torpy's early commands included a tour as a squadron leader in

Air Officer Commanding RAF Strike Command in 1992.[1]

Promoted to

Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2000 New Year Honours[12] and became Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Operations) at the Ministry of Defence in 2000.[1]

From 2001 to 2003 Torpy was Air Officer Commanding

air vice marshal on 1 January 2001,[15] and to air marshal on 18 July 2003.[16]

From 2003 to 2004 Torpy was deputy commander-in-chief at

Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 2005 New Year Honours.[18]

With promotion to

Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in the 2008 Birthday Honours.[20] In July 2008, Torpy hosted the RAF's biggest air display in two decades, as a 35-mile-long (56 km) procession of aircraft flew past the queen to commemorate the service's 90th anniversary.[21] Controversially, in June 2009, he argued for consolidation of all British air power in the hands of the RAF, effectively questioning the future of the Royal Navy's jet aircraft.[22]

Torpy retired from the RAF in July 2009, and became senior military advisor to

Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School.[23]

Personal life

Torpy married Christine Jackson in 1977. His interests include golf, hill walking, military history and cabinet making.[1]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4081-1414-8
  2. ^ a b c "Brief biographical details of the senior UK commanders involved in Operation Telic". Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 25 May 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  3. ^ "No. 46440". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 December 1974. p. 13199.
  4. ^ "No. 46513". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 March 1975. p. 3291.
  5. ^ "No. 46757". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 December 1975. p. 15648.
  6. ^ "No. 49406". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 July 1983. p. 8833.
  7. ^ "No. 51799". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 July 1989. p. 7803.
  8. ^ "No. 52588". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 June 1991. p. 16.
  9. ^ "No. 53363". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 July 1993. p. 11374.
  10. ^ "RAF Station Commanders – 2 TAF, BAFO & RAF Germany". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  11. ^ "No. 54642". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 January 1997. p. 217.
  12. ^ "No. 55711". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1999. p. 42.
  13. ^ "Group No's 1 – 9". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Archived from the original on 13 June 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  14. ^ "No. 57100". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 October 2003. p. 12.
  15. ^ "No. 56078". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 January 2001. p. 14622.
  16. ^ "No. 57018". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 August 2003. p. 9733.
  17. ^ "Joint Defence Commands". Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation. Archived from the original on 13 June 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  18. ^ "No. 57509". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2004. p. 2.
  19. ^ a b "No. 57965". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 April 2006. p. 5686.
  20. ^ "No. 58729". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 June 2008. p. 2.
  21. ^ "Queen watches biggest RAF display for two decades". The Telegraph. London. 11 July 2008. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  22. ^ "RAF chief predicts controversial takeover of Royal Naval air power". The Telegraph. London. 7 June 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  23. ^ a b "Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy". Human Systems. Retrieved 20 May 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Glenn Torpy.
Military offices
Preceded by
R.A. Wright
 Station Commander RAF Bruggen
1995–1996 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
P.V. Harris
Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group

2001–2003 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Commander-in-Chief Strike Command
2003–2004 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Chief of Joint Operations

2004–2006 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief of the Air Staff
2006–2009 		Succeeded by
Honorary titles
Preceded by
Sir Jock Stirrup
 Honorary Colonel of 73 Engineer Regiment (Volunteers)
30 July 2008 – present 		Incumbent
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