air vice-marshal

An air vice-marshal inspects a row of aircraft on the tarmac.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • High-ranking air force officer: "air vice-marshal" is a senior rank in the Royal Air Force and several other Commonwealth air forces, equivalent to a major general in the army or a rear admiral in the navy. It is the third-highest rank, above air commodore and below air marshal.

Usage Examples

• (A high-ranking officer reviewed the unit's equipment.)
• (She achieved the rank of senior air force commander.)

Advanced Usage

• "Air vice-marshal" in command roles: This rank typically commands a group (a large formation of wings and squadrons) or serves as a senior staff officer at the Air Ministry or Ministry of Defence.

  • The air vice-marshal took command of the air group responsible for the region's defence. (The senior officer led the major air force formation.)

• "Acting air vice-marshal": A temporary promotion to this rank for a specific appointment or period.

  • He served as acting air vice-marshal during the joint exercise. (He held the rank temporarily for the operation.)

Variants and Related Words

• Air vice-marshal (abbreviated): Often abbreviated as "AVM" in official documents and correspondence.

  • AVM Smith attended the strategic planning meeting. (The air vice-marshal participated in the high-level discussion.)

• Air commodore: The rank immediately below air vice-marshal.

  • The air commodore was promoted to air vice-marshal last month. (The lower-ranking officer advanced to the higher rank.)

• Air marshal: The rank immediately above air vice-marshal.

  • An air marshal outranks an air vice-marshal. (The higher rank has more authority.)

Synonyms

• Major general (army equivalent): The army rank equivalent to air vice-marshal.

  • A major general in the army corresponds to an air vice-marshal in the air force. (They hold the same level of command.)

• Rear admiral (navy equivalent): The naval rank equivalent to air vice-marshal.

  • A rear admiral and an air vice-marshal share the same NATO rank code. (They are of equal seniority.)

Related Idioms

• "To be of air vice-marshal rank": To hold the specific seniority of this officer grade.

  • All officers of air vice-marshal rank are entitled to a personal staff. (Those at this level have certain privileges.)

• "Promotion to air vice-marshal": The process of advancing to this rank, often based on merit and time in service.

  • His promotion to air vice-marshal was announced in the official gazette. (His advancement was made public.)