Simon Falla
Air Commodore Simon Owen Falla, is a retired senior Royal Air Force officer. He was Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff Joint Helicopter Command from December 2006 until his retirement in June 2010.
Service history
- 1979 – Joined the Royal Air Force.
- 1980 – Selected for helicopter training.
- 1981 – Joined the newly formed Chinook (UK variants)|Chinook] force, with No. 18(B) Squadron at RAF Odiham.
- 1982 – Sailed with the Task Force during Operation Corporate, flying operational sorties over the Falklands Islands.
- 1983 – Joined No. 7 Squadron's new Chinook Special Forces Flight, flying operationally in Lebanon.
- 1986 – Qualified as a helicopter instructor at RAF Shawbury. Service followed with the Chinook Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Odiham, gaining A2 instructional category and qualified as a helicopter tactics instructor.
- 1989 – Promoted to squadron leader, appointed deputy commander No. 7 Squadron.
- 1990 – Assumed command of Special Forces Flight.
- 1991 – Led Special Forces Flight during Operation Granby over Iraq. Made Companion of the Distinguished Service Order for his command of the 6-Chinook SF Flight.
- 1992 – Spent six months as officer commanding No. 78 Squadron RAF, RAF Mount Pleasant.
- 1993 – Appointed the helicopter tactics and trials officer at the RAF Air Warfare Centre.
- 1995 – Following numerous short tours and courses, promoted to wing commander.
- 1996 – Officer commanding No. 7 Squadron RAF.
- 1999 – Appointed UK air/joint advisor to the United Arab Emirates Command and Staff College, Abu Dhabi.
- 2001 – Promoted to group captain.
- 2002 – Station commander RAF St Mawgan / Commander RAF Search and Rescue Force.
- 2003 – Deputy assistant chief of staff, Joint Helicopter Command.
- 2006 – Promoted to air commodore on appointment as deputy commander and chief of staff, Joint Helicopter Command.