Air Marshal Suraya Marshall CBE
Biography
Air Marshal Suraya Marshall, CBE was appointed Deputy Commander, Cyber & Specialist Operations (CSOC) on 28 November 2025.
AM Marshall grew up in York, graduating from the University of Nottingham with a Law degree and becoming a member of East Midlands University Air Squadron before joining the Royal Air Force as a Navigator in 1994. During three tours flying on the Tornado F3, she participated in numerous operational deployments in Iraq, conducted Quick Reaction Alert in defence of the UK and the Falkland Islands, qualified as a Weapons Instructor and deployed on many overseas, multi-national training exercises.
Command appointments include Fast Jet Weapons System Officer Training, Officer Commanding No. 92(R) Squadron in the Air Warfare Centre responsible for operational Tactics & Training, Officer Commanding No. 55(R) Squadron delivering Rear Crew Flying Training, Deputy Commander of the Royal Air Force’s Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Force, Commandant of the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, Air Officer Commanding of No. 2 Group and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff.
In operational command and control, she has worked with coalition partners in the Middle East Combined Air Operations Centre, where she was involved in the design and execution for the second Gulf War in 2003 and then in 2019 as the Director of Coalition Air Operations in Iraq, Syria, the Arabian Gulf, Afghanistan, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
Staff appointments include three years working in defence procurement, time in the Typhoon Force Headquarters delivering training transformation and defence sales, and five years spent working in the joint strategic environment, initially in the Operations Directorate of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and also as Military Assistant to the Vice Chief of Defence Staff.
A graduate of Advanced Command and Staff Course (2009) and Higher Command and Staff Course (2019), she holds a Masters in Defence Studies. Suraya is married to Air Marshal Al Marshall. They have two university-age children and in between work and studies the family enjoys spending as much time as possible together, travelling overseas and trying most outdoor activities, especially skiing, hiking, cycling and diving.
Deputy Commander Cyber & Specialist Operations Command
The Deputy Commander’s responsibilities include:
- Developing and delivering the Command Strategy and Command Plan and supporting portfolio, including Command’s transformation programme.
- Cohering the Command’s leadership of the Cyber & Electromagnetic Domain, including formation of the Defence Cyber & EM Force alongside the National Cyber Force, and developing Defence’s Cyber and Digital workforce
- Building the Integrated Global Defence Network including the UK’s overseas bases, Defence Attaches and Loan Service personnel across the globe.
- Overseeing delivery of key Strategic Defence Review and Defence Reform outcomes – including the Digital Targeting Web and Digital Warfighter Group
- Oversight of the UK Defence Academy and Royal College of Defence Studies, as well as the Integrated Warfare Centre and Defence Wargaming Hub
- As the Principal Personnel Officer, representing the Command on all aspects of the Defence People Programme, as well as championing the Command’s Health, Safety and Environment Protection activity.