Andrew Turner (RAF officer)

Born in 1967, Turner was educated at Kingswood School.[1] He studied at the University of Oxford, University of Exeter, King's College London, Chennai and the Open University: he has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in oceanography and cosmology, a master's degree in international relations, and a master's degree in strategic studies.[2]

Turner joined the Royal Air Force in 1985 and was commissioned as an acting pilot officer in 1986,[3] initially training at RAF Gütersloh.[4] He was promoted to pilot officer in 1987,[5] and further promoted to flying officer in 1987,[6] flight lieutenant in 1991,[7] squadron leader in 1995,[8] and wing commander in 2000.[9] He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2003 in recognition of service in the Iraq War also referred to as Operation Telic.[10]

Turner has commanded No. 28 Squadron RAF and RAF Odiham.[1][11] In July 2014 he went on to be Air Officer Commanding No. 22 Group RAF[12] and Chief of Staff Training at RAF Air Command,[13][14] in which capacity he also oversaw safety for the Red Arrows.[15] He was Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Operations) from October 2017 to 2019.[16] Turner was promoted to air marshal and appointed as Deputy Commander Capability at RAF Air Command on 23 May 2019.[17]

Turner was appointed as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2010 New Year Honours,[18] and further appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 2019 New Year Honours.[19]

In February 2022 Turner was temporarily suspended after complaints from neighbours who told police they had seen him naked in his garden.[20][21] He was not arrested or charged.[20]

Turner retired from the Royal Air Force on 31 August 2022.[22]