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

in 1959.Support for the RAF in the Twenty-First Century
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