Susan Gray

Air Marshal Dame Susan Catherine Gray, ( Jessop; born 21 October 1963) is a former senior Royal Air Force officer. She served as Director of Combat Air at Defence Equipment and Support in the Ministry of Defence (2014–16), as Air Officer Commanding No. 38 Group (2016–18), and as Director-General of the Defence Safety Authority (2019–22). She is one of the most senior female officers ever to serve in the Royal Air Force.

Early life and education Gray was born on 21 October 1963. She studied electronics at Newcastle Polytechnic (now the Northumbria University), graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Military career Gray joined the Engineer Branch of the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) in 1985. and to flight lieutenant on 18 February 1989. In 1991, she was deployed with the Support Helicopter Force to Iraq as part of the Gulf War. On 15 June 1992, she moved from a Short Service Commission to a Permanent Commission, and therefore extended her service time to retirement age.

In 1994, the Women's Royal Air Force merged into the previously all-male Royal Air Force (RAF). Since then, Gray served in the RAF. On 1 July 1994, as part of the half-yearly promotions, she was promoted to squadron leader. On 1 January 2001, as part of the half-yearly promotions, she was promoted to wing commander. In 2003, she was once more deployed to Iraq, this time as part of Operation Telic (the Iraq War) and served as Chief Engineer for the Joint Helicopter Force. on 1 January, as part of the half-yearly promotions, she was promoted to air commodore.

On 29 January 2014, Gray was promoted to air vice-marshal and appointed Director of Combat Air at Defence Equipment and Support in the Ministry of Defence.

In that role she was "responsible for the procurement and maintenance of all combat aircraft, training aircraft and remotely-piloted air systems for the armed forces".

Gray was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 2017 New Year Honours, and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. She has also been made a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. She handed over command of No. 38 Group to Air Commodore Simon Ellard in December 2018.

On 20 February 2019, it was announced that Gray had been promoted to air marshal, and thus became Britain's first ever female three-star officer; she thereby became the most senior female officer in the British Armed Forces. Between March 2019, and January 2022, she was the Director General of the Defence Safety Authority. She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours. Gray retired in May 2022.

Gray is a recipient of three campaign medals; the General Service Medal, the Gulf Medal, and the Iraq Medal. She is also a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.