Simon Falla

Air Commodore Simon Owen Falla CBE DSO (born 1955) is a senior serving British Royal Air Force officer and is currently Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff Joint Helicopter Command.

Service history

 * 1979 - Joined the Royal Air Force.
 * 1980 - Selected for helicopter training.
 * 1981 - Joined the newly formed Chinook force, with 18(B) Squadron at RAF Odiham.
 * 1982 - Sailed with the Task Force during Operation Corporate, flying operational sorties over the Falklands Islands.
 * 1983 - Joined 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 Commnder 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 78 Squadron, 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 7 Squadron (until 1998).
 * 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 (until 2003).
 * 2003 - Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff (Plans), Joint Helicopter Command.
 * 2006 - Promoted to Air Commodore on appointment as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, Joint Helicopter Command.

Post RAF
He is currently the Training Director at Ascent Military Flying Training System