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From Cold War Warrior to Chief of the Air Staff: The Extraordinary Journey of Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Beetham

Dean Cox

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Published in Bolts From The Blue: From Cold War Warrior To Chief Of The Air Staff

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Bolts from the Blue: From Cold War Warrior to Chief of the Air Staff

by Guy Sajer

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11094 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	447 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Beetham was one of the most distinguished and respected officers in the history of the Royal Air Force. His career spanned from the Cold War to the Falklands War, and he rose to become Chief of the Air Staff, the professional head of the RAF. In this book, Sir Michael tells the story of his extraordinary journey, from his early days as a fighter pilot to his time at the top of the service.

Sir Michael was born in 1934 and joined the RAF in 1953. He was a fast jet pilot and flew the Gloster Javelin and the English Electric Lightning. In 1969, he was posted to the Ministry of Defence, where he worked on a variety of projects, including the development of the Harrier jump jet. In 1974, he returned to flying duties and commanded the RAF's Strike Command, which was responsible for the RAF's nuclear deterrent.

In 1982, Sir Michael was appointed Chief of the Air Staff. He held this post for five years, a period which saw the RAF engaged in the Falklands War. Sir Michael played a key role in the planning and execution of the Falklands campaign, and he was widely praised for his leadership during this difficult time.

Sir Michael retired from the RAF in 1987. Since then, he has been actively involved in a number of charitable and business ventures. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a member of the Air League Council. He is also a patron of the RAF Benevolent Fund and the RAF Museum. He was made a Knight Commander of the Free Download of the British Empire (KBE) in 1982 for his services to the RAF.

Sir Michael's book is a fascinating and inspiring account of his life and career. It is a must-read for anyone interested in military history, aviation, or leadership.

Reviews

"A gripping and inspiring account of a life dedicated to service and leadership." - General Sir Peter de la Billière

"A fascinating and insightful book from one of the most distinguished officers in the history of the RAF." - Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton

"A must-read for anyone interested in military history, aviation, or leadership." - Air Marshal Sir Richard Johns

About the Author

Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Beetham was born in 1934 and joined the RAF in 1953. He was a fast jet pilot and flew the Gloster Javelin and the English Electric Lightning. In 1974, he commanded the RAF's Strike Command, which was responsible for the RAF's nuclear deterrent. In 1982, he was appointed Chief of the Air Staff, a post he held for five years. He retired from the RAF in 1987 and has since been actively involved in a number of charitable and business ventures. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a member of the Air League Council. He is also a patron of the RAF Benevolent Fund and the RAF Museum. He was made a Knight Commander of the Free Download of the British Empire (KBE) in 1982 for his services to the RAF.