Air Chief Marshal
Air chief marshal (Air Chf Mshl or ACM) is a high-ranking air officer originating from the Royal Air Force. The rank is used by air forces of many countries that have historical British influence. An air chief marshal is equivalent to an Admir ...
Sir Robert James Michael Alcock, (born 11 July 1936), usually referred to as Sir Michael Alcock, is a retired senior
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...
commander and an
aerospace
Aerospace is a term used to collectively refer to the atmosphere and outer space. Aerospace activity is very diverse, with a multitude of commercial, industrial and military applications. Aerospace engineering consists of aeronautics and astrona ...
consultant.
RAF career
Educated at
Victoria College, Jersey
Victoria College is a Government of Jersey, Government-run, Independent school, fee-paying, academically selective day school , Alcock was commissioned in the Technical Branch of the
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...
in 1959.
[Support for the RAF in the Twenty-First Century](_blank)
Royal Air Force Historical Society, Journal 35, 2005
By the time of the
Gulf War
The Gulf War was a 1990–1991 armed campaign waged by a 35-country military coalition in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Spearheaded by the United States, the coalition's efforts against Iraq were carried out in two key phases: ...
, Alcock was Air Officer Engineering at Headquarters
Strike Command.
He was appointed the RAF's
Chief Engineer
A chief engineer, commonly referred to as "ChEng" or "Chief", is the most senior engine officer of an engine department on a ship, typically a merchant ship, and holds overall leadership and the responsibility of that department..Chief engineer's ...
in 1991, and promoted to air chief marshal in 1993. The following year Alcock graduated from
Cranfield University
, mottoeng = After clouds light
, established = 1946 - College of Aeronautics 1969 - Cranfield Institute of Technology (gained university status by royal charter) 1993 - Cranfield University (adopted current name)
, type = Public research uni ...
before being appointed Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief the newly established
Logistics Command on 1 April 1994. The role also carried with it a seat on the
Air Force Board
The Air Force Board of the Defence Council is responsible for the management of the Royal Air Force.
Prior to the creation of the current UK Ministry of Defence in 1964, the administration of the RAF and its personnel was undertaken by the A ...
as the Air Member for Logistics and Alcock became the first non-aircrew officer to sit on the Air Force Board.
Additionally, Alcock continued to be designated as the RAF's Chief Engineer. Alcock was succeeded by
Sir John Allison on 8 March 1996. He retired from the RAF on 25 June 1996, and subsequently worked as an aerospace consultant.
Birthdays today
The Independent, 11 July 2009
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alcock, Michael
1936 births
Living people
Royal Air Force air marshals
People educated at Victoria College, Jersey
Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering
Fellows of the Royal Aeronautical Society