Gary Waterfall

Gary Waterfall retired from The Royal Air Force after 34 years’ service in 2019. As a pilot, he served the majority of his flying career with the Harrier Force, but also flew with The Red Arrows for three seasons. His last flying appointment was in command of Joint Force Harrier Force and Royal Air Force Cottesmore, where he led the iconic aircraft into retirement on 15th December 2010. In higher command, he was the Air Commander of the UK air contribution to Op ELLAMY (UK involvement in the NATO led campaign in Libya), was the deputy commander of Air Security for the 2012 Olympic Games, and was the first Typhoon Force Commander, before promotion to Air Vice Marshal. On promotion, he was selected as Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group, responsible for the training, generation and sustainment of the RAF’s Combat Air, ISTAR and Air Command and Control; this included serving as the National Air Defence Commander, responsible for the security and integrity of UK airspace. His last role was as the Chief of Staff (Operations) at the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters, responsible for the planning and execution of UK Joint global operations. On leaving the Royal Air Force, he set up and continues to run his own Company, Pegasus Potential Ltd, advising and mentoring across the Aerospace, Defence and Leadership sectors. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant to the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire in March 2020, is President of 2248 (Rutland) Air Training Corps, Chair of The Red Arrows Trust, and an Ambassador for The Royal Air Forces Association.