Wing commander
Wing commander (Wg Cdr in the RAF, the IAF, and the PAF, WGCDR in the RNZAF and RAAF, formerly sometimes W/C in all services) is a senior commissioned rank in the British Royal Air Force and air forces of many countries which have historical British influence, including many Commonwealth countries but not including Canada (since Unification) and South Africa. It is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. It ranks immediately above squadron leader and immediately below group captain.
| Wing Commander | |
|---|---|
An RAF wing commander's command pennant | |
A wing commander's sleeve/shoulder insignia from the Royal Air Force | |
| Service branch | Air forces |
| Abbreviation | Wg Cdr / WGCDR / W/C |
| NATO rank code | OF-4 |
| Non-NATO rank | O-5 |
| Next higher rank | Group captain |
| Next lower rank | Squadron leader |
| Equivalent ranks | |
| Related articles | |
| History | Royal Naval Air Service |
It has a NATO ranking code of OF-4. It is equivalent to commander in the Royal and United States Navies, as well as to lieutenant colonel in the British Army, the Royal Marines, and the United States Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. The equivalent rank in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force and the Women's Royal Air Force (until 1968) and in Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service (until 1980) was wing officer. The equivalent rank in the Royal Observer Corps (until 1995) was observer commander, which had a similar rank insignia.