'Incredibly proud' RAF engineer, 56, becomes most senior woman to have ever served in Britain's armed forces Royal Air Force engineer Sue Gray has been promoted to the rank of Air Marshal Joined the RAF in August 1985 and served in two Gulf Wars and two tours of Iraq 'Historic moment' as she becomes the first ever female three-star commanderBy Amie Gordon For Mailonline Published: 12:40 GMT, 20 February 2019 | Updated: 13:04 GMT, 20 February 2019 Viewcomments An RAF engineer has become the most senior female military officer in the British Armed Forces in an 'historic moment' today. Royal Air Force engineer Sue Gray has been promoted to the rank of Air Marshal, and will take up the role of director general of the Defence Safety Authority in March. The 56-year-old said she was 'incredibly proud' to become the most senior woman in the UK armed forces and the first ever female three-star commander. Sue Gray, a Royal Air Force engineer, who has been promoted to the rank of Air Marshal, making her the most senior female military officer in the British Armed Forces Then-Air Vice Marshall Sue Gray with Air Marshall Sir David Walker, and Group Captain Mark Heffron accompanying the Queen on her visit to the Royal Air Force Club in London to mark its centenary year in October 2018 The university graduate who joined the RAF and went on to become most senior female military officer in British Armed Forces Air Marshal Gray joined the RAF in 1985 after gaining a degree in electronics from Newcastle Upon Tyne Polytechnic. Commissioned as an engineer, she has climbed through the ranks during a 28-year career. She has twice served on the frontline in Iraq, in the First Gulf War in 1991 and again in 2003 as chief engineer for the Joint Helicopter Force. More recently she lead the department delivering engineering and logistics support for fighter, training and Remotely Piloted aircraft for all of the Armed Services. In June 2016 she was appointed Air Officer Commanding Number 38 Group, with responsibility for more than 3,000 personnel across disciplines including engineering, logistics, aviation medicine and catering. Air Marshal Gray takes up her new appointment in March. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson welcomed the appointment of Air Mshl Gray, who joined the RAF in August 1985, as 'an historic moment'. Air Mshl Gray said: 'I am incredibly proud to be the most senior female military officer in the British armed forces. 'Throughout my career I have been fortunate to have a job that was more of a way of life, working with like-minded people in an exciting and rewarding environment.' She added that she has been 'privileged to lead highly successful teams in military and civil service, through some challenging situations on operations and back at home'. Before her promotion, the highest rank held by a serving female officer in the modern day RAF was Air Vice-Marshal, which is a two-star post. Welcoming the appointment, Mr Williamson said: 'This is an historic moment as we see the most senior female appointment in the British military. 'Air Mshl Gray's career shows that with hard work, skill and determination, gender is no obstacle to achieving the top ranks in the armed forces. 'Having served in Iraq as the chief engineer for the Joint Helicopter Force, I hope that young girls will look up to Air Mshl Gray and see that a career in the armed forces will offer them every opportunity to succeed, irrespective of their gender and background.' Air Mshl Gray pictured with the Queen at the Royal Air Force Club in London last October, said she was 'incredibly proud' The head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, offered his congratulations and said he wishes her 'success in her important new role leading the Defence Safety Authority'. 'Her promotion is proper recognition of her outstanding contribution to the RAF and defence, as an engineer, as a leader and as a superb role model,' he added. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility