wing commander

noun

1. British. an officer in the Royal Air Force equivalent in rank to a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force.
2. an officer of the U.S. Navy or Air Force who commands a wing.

wing commander

noun

1. an officer holding commissioned rank in certain air forces, such as the Royal Air Force: junior to a group captain and senior to a squadron leader

Word History and Origins

Origin of wing commander¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Sean D. Riley, the wing commander, was relieved of his command, it added.

From New York Times

Under Brown the cultural shift took hold and remains in place today, said Rew, who was one of Brown’s instructors at the weapons school and wing commander during Brown’s time as commandant.

From Seattle Times

The four-star general has given Air Mobility Command wing commanders until Feb. 28 to report their “major effort to prepare” for such a conflict.

From Washington Times

With the rank of wing commander, Mr. Edwards shot down a confirmed 19 Luftwaffe fighter planes and scored many more “probables,” the aircraft he put out of action but did not see hit the ground.

From Washington Post

Central Command “didn’t want the wing commander to land the plane because it didn’t have ‘status.’

From Seattle Times