Air Chief Marshal - Royal Air Force Usage

Royal Air Force Usage

See also: List of Royal Air Force air chief marshals

In the RAF, the rank of Air Chief Marshal is held by the current Chief of the Air Staff (currently Sir Stephen Dalton). Additionally, RAF officers serving in British four-star rotational posts hold the rank of air chief marshal and currently Sir Stuart Peach, the Commander of Joint Forces Command, is the only RAF officer in such a post. Throughout the history of the RAF, 139 RAF officers have held the rank and it has also been awarded in an honorary capacity to senior members of the British Royal Family and allied foreign monarchs.

The rank insignia consists of three 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 service dress jacket or on the shoulders of the flying suit or working uniform. The command flag for an RAF Air Chief Marshal is defined by the two broad red bands running through the centre of the flag. The vehicle star plate for an RAF Air Chief Marshal depicts four white stars (Air Chief Marshal is a four-star rank) on an air force blue background.

  • An RAF air chief marshal's sleeve/shoulder insignia

  • An RAF air chief marshal's mess sleeve insignia

  • An RAF air chief marshal's shoulder board

  • An RAF Air Chief Marshal's sleeve on No. 1 Service Dress Uniform

  • An RAF air chief marshal's command flag

  • An RAF air chief marshal's star plate

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