Finest Hour – July 2019

A

ir Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon served

in the Royal Air Force for forty years, culmi-

nating with his time as Chief of the Air Staff

in 1992–97. His career started in 1957, when he en-

tered the Royal Air Force College Cranwell. There-

after he served a tour as a flying instructor with the

Fleet Air Arm, tours as a fighter pilot in the United

Kingdom and overseas, posts in NATO, and headed

the two RAF Commands in the UK before leading the

service through the major military draw-downs at the

end of the Cold War. Since retiring from the RAF, he

has been a business consultant and a leader of many

charities, including President of the Battle of Britain

Memorial Trust. He has written on defence and associ-

ated matters for the UK National Defence Association

and is a regular contributor to radio and television pro-

grammes.

Right

Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon

GCB CBE FRAeS

Below

The Air Chief Marshal on review

A

ir Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon served
in the Royal Air Force for forty years, culmi-
nating with his time as Chief of the Air Staff
in 1992–97. His career started in 1957, when he en-

tered the Royal Air Force College Cranwell. There-
after he served a tour as a flying instructor with the

Fleet Air Arm, tours as a fighter pilot in the United
Kingdom and overseas, posts in NATO, and headed

the two RAF Commands in the UK before leading the
service through the major military draw-downs at the
end of the Cold War. Since retiring from the RAF, he

has been a business consultant and a leader of many
charities, including President of the Battle of Britain

Memorial Trust. He has written on defence and associ-
ated matters for the UK National Defence Association

and is a regular contributor to radio and television pro-
grammes.

Right

Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon

GCB CBE FRAeS

Below

The Air Chief Marshal on review