View source for Air marshal

{{Short description|Air-officer rank}}
{{for multi|law enforcement officers who travel covertly on commercial airline flights|Sky marshal|and|Federal Air Marshal Service|the form of airport signalling|Aircraft marshalling}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{refimprove|date=October 2022}}
{{Military ranks | state=expanded}}

'''Air marshal''' ('''Air Mshl''' or '''AM''') is an [[air officer|air-officer]] rank used by some air forces, with origins from the [[Royal Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/structure/commissionedranks.cfm |title=Ranks and Badges of the Royal Air Force |year=2007 |publisher=[[Royal Air Force]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113155837/http://www.raf.mod.uk/structure/commissionedranks.cfm |archive-date=13 November 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The rank is used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence, including many [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth nations]]. The rank is usually equivalent to a [[vice admiral]] or a [[lieutenant general]].

Air marshal is immediately senior to the rank of [[air vice-marshal]] and immediately subordinate to the rank of [[air chief marshal]]. Officers in the rank of air marshal typically hold very senior appointments such as [[commander-in-chief]] of an air force or a large air force formation. Officers in the ranks of air chief marshal and air vice-marshal are also referred to generically as air marshals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.debretts.com/forms-address/professions/armed-forces/royal-air-force/air-chief-marshal-air-marshal-and-air-vice |title=Forms of Address: Air Chief Marshal, Air Marshal and Air Vice-Marshal |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Debrett's |access-date=4 December 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119043809/http://www.debretts.com/forms-address/professions/armed-forces/royal-air-force/air-chief-marshal-air-marshal-and-air-vice |archive-date=19 November 2015}}</ref> Occasionally, air force officers of [[Marshal of the air force|marshal rank]] are considered to be air marshals.

== Australia ==
{{main|Air marshal (Australia)}}
{{see also|List of Royal Australian Air Force air marshals}}
The [[Australian Air Corps]] adopted the RAF rank system on 9 November 1920<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1070474--1-.pdf |title=Chapter 1: Formation of the Royal Australian Air Force |author=Gillison, Douglas Napier |work=Royal Australian Air Force, 1939–1942 |volume=1 |edition=1st |year=1962 |format=digitised book |publisher=[[Australian War Memorial]] |pages=5–6}}</ref> and this usage was continued by its successor, the [[Royal Australian Air Force]]. However, the rank of air marshal was not used by the Australian Armed Forces until 1940 when [[Richard Williams (RAAF officer)|Richard Williams]], an RAAF officer, was promoted.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1070724--1-.pdf |title=Chapter 5: The New Command |author=Gillison, Douglas Napier |work=Royal Australian Air Force, 1939–1942 |volume=1 |edition=1st |year=1962 |format=digitised book |publisher=[[Australian War Memorial]] |pages=92–93}}</ref>

In Australia, there are four appointments available for air marshals: the [[Chief of Air Force (Australia)|Chief of Air Force]] and, at times when they are occupied by an air force officer, the [[Vice Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)|Vice Chief of Defence Force]], the [[Chief of Joint Operations (Australia)|Chief of Joint Operations]], and the [[Chief of Capability Development Group]].

== Canada ==
The [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] (RCAF) used the rank until the 1968 unification of the [[Canadian Forces]], when army-type rank titles were adopted and an air marshal became a [[Lieutenant-General (Canada)|lieutenant-general]]. In official [[Canadian French]] usage, the rank title was {{lang|fr|maréchal de l'air}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.castlearchdale.net/id37.html |title=The RCAF |website=www.castlearchdale.net |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603201652/http://www.castlearchdale.net/id37.html |archive-date=3 June 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Chief of the Air Staff (Canada)|Canadian Chief of the Air Staff]] ordinarily held the rank of air marshal. The following RCAF officers held the rank (dates in rank in parentheses):

* [[Billy Bishop]] (1938 to 1944), rank retained on retirement
* [[George Croil]] (c. 1940 to 1944), rank retained on retirement
* [[Lloyd Samuel Breadner]] (1941 to 1945), subsequently promoted to air chief marshal
* [[Gus Edwards (RCAF officer)|Gus Edwards]] (1942 to 1944), rank retained on retirement
* [[Albert Cuffe]] (1942 to 1944), rank retained on retirement
* [[Robert Leckie (RCAF officer)|Robert Leckie]] (1944 to 1947), rank retained on retirement
* [[George Owen Johnson]] (to 1947), rank retained on retirement
* [[Wilfred Curtis]] (c. 1947 to 1953), rank retained on retirement
* [[Roy Slemon]] (c. 1953 to 1964), rank retained on retirement
* [[Frank Robert Miller]] (1955 to 1961), subsequently promoted to air chief marshal
* [[Hugh Lester Campbell|Hugh Campbell]] (1957 to 1962), rank retained on retirement
* [[Clare Annis]] (1962 to 1966), rank retained on retirement<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/CFAWC/Dedication_Ceremony_e.asp |title=Air Marshal Clare L. Annis, OBE, CD |access-date=20 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211184650/http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/CFAWC/Dedication_Ceremony_e.asp |archive-date=11 February 2013}}</ref>
* [[Clarence Dunlap]] (1962 to 1968), rank retained on retirement
* [[William Ross MacBrien]] (1958 to 1968), rank retained on retirement
* [[Edwin Reyno]] (1966 to 1968), later regraded to lieutenant-general

== India ==
{{main|Air Marshal (India)}}
The rank of air marshal was the highest in the Indian Air Force (IAF), held by the [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]] (CAS), from 1947 to 1966. In 1966, the rank of CAS was upgraded to [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|air chief marshal]] and ACM [[Arjan Singh]] became the first CAS to hold the [[four-star rank]].

== Namibia ==
The Namibian Air Force adopted the RAF rank system in 2010 previously having been using army ranks and insignia. However the rank of air marshal was not used until 1 April 2020 when [[Martin Pinehas]] was promoted to that rank and appointed as Chief of the [[Namibian Defence Force]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://neweralive.na/posts/geingob-appoints-pinehas-as-cdf |title=Geingob appoints Pinehas as CDF |website=New Era Live}}</ref>

== New Zealand ==
In New Zealand, the head of the air force holds the lower rank of air vice-marshal. However, when an air force officer holds the country's senior military appointment, [[Chief of Defence Force (New Zealand)|Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force]], he is granted the rank of air marshal. The current Chief of Defence Force is an RNZAF officer, Air Marshal Tony Davies.

Other officers to hold the air marshal rank in New Zealand are:

* Sir [[Richard Bolt (RNZAF officer)|Richard Bolt]], promoted 1976, retired 1980
* Sir [[Ewan Jamieson]], promoted 1983
* [[David Crooks (RNZAF officer)|David Crooks]], promoted 1986
* [[Carey Adamson]]
* Sir [[Bruce Ferguson (RNZAF officer)|Bruce Ferguson]], promoted 2001

== Pakistan ==
{{main|Air marshal (Pakistan)}}

== United Kingdom ==
{{see also|RAF officer ranks}}
{{Infobox military rank
| name           = Air Marshal
| native_name    = 
| image          = UK-Air-OF8-Flag.svg
| image_size     = 100px
| alt            =
| caption        = Command flag
| image2         = United Kingdom-Air force-OF-8-collected.svg
| image_size2    = 100px
| alt2           =
| caption2       = Shoulder and sleeve insignia
| image3         = Air Marshal star plate.svg
| image_size3    = 75px
| alt3           =
| caption3       = Star plate
| country        = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| service branch = {{air force|United Kingdom}}
| abbreviation   = Air Mshl / AM
| rank group     =
| rank           = [[three-star rank|three-stars]]
| NATO rank      = OF-8
| Non-NATO rank  = 
| pay grade      = 
| formation      = {{start date|1919|08|01|df=y}}
| abolished      = 
| higher rank    = [[Air chief marshal]]
| lower rank     = [[Air vice-marshal]]
| equivalents    = {{unbulleted list|{{nowrap|[[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant-general]] ([[British Army|Army]]; [[Royal Marines|Marines]])}}|[[Vice-admiral (Royal Navy)|Vice-admiral]] ([[Royal Navy|Navy]])}}
| history        = 
}}

=== Origins ===
Prior to the adoption of RAF-specific rank titles in 1919, it was suggested that the RAF might use the Royal Navy's officer ranks, with the word "air" inserted before the naval rank title. For example, the rank that later became air marshal would have been air vice-admiral. The Admiralty objected to any use of their rank titles, including this modified form, and so an alternative proposal was put forward: [[air officer|air-officer]] ranks would be based on the term "ardian", which was derived from a combination of the [[Goidelic languages|Gaelic]] words for "chief" ({{lang|gd|ard}}) and "bird" ({{lang|gd|eun}}), with the term "second ardian" or "wing ardian" being used specifically for the rank equivalent to a vice-admiral and lieutenant-general. However, air marshal was preferred and has been used since its adoption in August 1919.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hobart |first=Malcolm C |date=2000 |title=Badges and Uniforms of the Royal Air Force |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ATMDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT29 |publisher=Leo Cooper |page=26 |isbn=0-85052-739-2 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> [[Hugh Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard|Sir Hugh Trenchard]], the incumbent [[Chief of the Air Staff (United_Kingdom)|Chief of the Air Staff]] when the rank was introduced, became the first air marshal on 11 August 1919.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Trenchard.htm |title=Marshal of the RAF The Viscount Trenchard of Wolfeton |website=Air of Authority &ndash; A History of RAF Organisation |access-date=November 15, 2020 |date=July 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Probert |first=Henry |author-link=Henry Probert |title=High Commanders of the Royal Air Force |chapter=The Viscount Trenchard |year=1991 |publisher=[[Her Majesty's Stationery Office]] |location=London |isbn=9780117726352}}</ref>

=== RAF insignia, command flag and star plate ===
The rank insignia consists of two narrow light blue bands (each on a slightly wider black band) over a light blue band on a broad black band. This is worn on the lower sleeves of the dress uniform or on shoulders of the flying suit or working uniform.

The command flag for an air marshal is defined by the single broad red band running in the centre of the flag.<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Kingdom: Royal Air Force rank flags |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/gb-rafrk.html |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=www.crwflags.com}}</ref>

The vehicle star plate for an air marshal depicts three white stars (air marshal is equivalent to a three-star rank) on an air force blue background.

==Other language variants==
In the [[Brazilian Air Force]], the highest rank is {{lang|pt-BR|[[Marshal (Brazil)|Marechal-do-ar]]}}, a five-star officer, which can be translated as "air marshal" or "marshal of the air". The rank is equivalent to {{lang|pt-BR|marshal}} in the [[Brazilian Army]]<ref name="Brazil_AirForcee">{{cite web |title=Postos e Graduações |trans-title=Ranks and Graduations |url=https://www.fab.mil.br/postosegraduacoes |website=fab.mil.br |publisher=Brazilian Air Force |access-date=7 May 2021 |language=pt}}</ref> or [[marshal of the air force]] elsewhere.

In 1927, the rank of {{lang|da|Luftmarsk}} ({{translation|air marshal}}) was proposed by [[Christian Førslev]] as a rank for the potential [[Chief of the Royal Danish Air Force]]. The rank would have been equivalent to a [[major general]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kongstad |first1=Jan O. |title=Den militære flyvnings udvikling i Danmark 1910-1932 |language=da |trans-title=The development of military aviation in Denmark 1910-1932 |date=2008 |isbn=978-87-7674-175-4 |page=83}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<!-- In alphabetic order of country name please -->
<gallery class="center">
File:United Kingdom-AirForce-OF-8 Sleeve.svg|([[Royal Australian Air Force]])<ref name="Australia">{{cite web |title=Badges of rank |url=https://www.defence.gov.au/images/Badges_of_rank.pdf |website=defence.gov.au |publisher=[[Department of Defence (Australia)]] |access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref>
File:British RAF OF-8.svg|([[Bangladesh Air Force]])<ref>{{cite web |title=OFFICER'S RANKS |url=http://www.joinbangladeshairforce.mil.bd/index.php/main_controll/ranks_structure_baf?1=1&pagemenu=ranks_structure_baf&submenu=1&leafsub=0 |website=joinbangladeshairforce.mil.bd |access-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219212643/http://www.joinbangladeshairforce.mil.bd/index.php/main_controll/ranks_structure_baf?1=1&pagemenu=ranks_structure_baf&submenu=1&leafsub=0 |archive-date=19 February 2020}}</ref>
File:Brazilian Air Force marshal of the air rank insignia.svg|{{lang|pt-BR|Marechal-do-ar}}<br />([[Brazilian Air Force]])<ref name="Brazil_AirForcee" />
File:15.Ghana Air Force-LG.svg|([[Ghana Air Force]])<ref name="Ghana_AirForce">{{cite web |title=Rank Structure |url=http://gafonline.mil.gh/airforce/index.php/subhome/rank-structure |website=gafonline.mil.gh |publisher=Ghana Air Force |access-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121080703/http://gafonline.mil.gh/airforce/index.php/subhome/rank-structure |archive-date=21 January 2018 |date=2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
File:United Kingdom-AirForce-OF-8 Sleeve.svg|([[Indian Air Force]])<ref>{{cite web |title=For Officers |url=http://www.careerairforce.nic.in/life_airforce/lifeair_cargraph_officers.html |website=careerairforce.nic.in |publisher=Indian Air Force |access-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225210317/http://www.careerairforce.nic.in/life_airforce/lifeair_cargraph_officers.html |archive-date=25 February 2012}}</ref>
File:15-Namibia Air Force-AIRMSHL.svg|([[Namibian Air Force]])<ref name="Namibia">{{cite magazine |title=Government Notice |magazine=Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia |date=20 August 2010 |volume=4547 |pages=99–102 |url=http://www.lac.org.na/laws/2010/4547.pdf |access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref>
File:Nigeria-AirForce-OF-8.svg|([[Nigerian Air Force]])<ref name="Nigeria">{{cite book |last1=Smaldone |first1=Joseph P. |editor1-last=Metz |editor1-first=Helen Chapin |editor-link=Helen Chapin Metz |title=Nigeria: a country study |series=Area Handbook |date=1992 |publisher=Library of Congress |location=Washington, D.C. |lccn=92009026 |pages=296–297 |edition=5th |url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/frdcstdy.nigeriacountryst00metz_0/?sp=340 |access-date=21 October 2021 |chapter=National Security}}</ref>
File:Pak-air-force-OF-8.svg|([[Pakistan Air Force]])
File:United Kingdom-AirForce-OF-8 Sleeve.svg|([[Sri Lanka Air Force]])<ref>{{cite web |title=Commissioned Officers |url=http://www.airforce.lk/ranks.php |website=airforce.lk |publisher=Sri Lanka Air Force |access-date=24 September 2021}}</ref><br />
File:United Kingdom-AirForce-OF-8 Sleeve.svg|([[Royal Air Force]])<ref name="UK_AirForce">{{cite web |title=RAF Ranks |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/raf-ranks/ |website=raf.mod.uk/ |publisher=[[Royal Air Force]] |access-date=21 September 2021}}</ref>
File:Canadian_RCAF_Mess_Dress_Of-08.png|([[Air Force of Zimbabwe]])<ref name="Zimbabwe_AirForce">{{cite web |title=Ranks and Badges in the AFZ |url=http://www.afz.gov.zw/?page_id=1115 |website=afz.gov.zw |publisher=[[Air Force of Zimbabwe]] |access-date=29 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609134525/http://www.afz.gov.zw/?page_id=1115 |archive-date=9 June 2022}}</ref>
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{stack|{{Portal|United Kingdom|Aviation}}}}
* [[Air force officer rank insignia]]
* [[British and U.S. military ranks compared]]
* [[Comparative military ranks]]
* [[RAF officer ranks]]
* [[Ranks of the RAAF]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{wiktionary|Air Marshal}}
{{commons category|Air marshals}}
*[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/air%20marshal Air Marshal] – ''[[Merriam-Webster]]''

{{UK officer ranks}}
{{Military ranks by country}}
{{Star officer ranks}}
{{Highest Military Ranks}}

[[Category:Air force ranks]]
[[Category:Air marshals]]
[[Category:Military ranks of Australia]]
[[Category:Former military ranks of Canada]]
[[Category:Military ranks of the Commonwealth]]
[[Category:Military ranks of the Royal Air Force]]
[[Category:Military ranks of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Military ranks of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:1919 introductions]]