Career
Steedman joined the Royal Air Force in 1942 and served as a pilot during World World War World War II He was appointed Officer Commanding Number. 39 Squadron in 1948 and Officer Commanding Number. 8 Squadron in 1949. He went on to be Station Commander at Royal Ceylon Air Force Base Katanayake in 1957 and after a tour on the Directing Staff at the Joint Services Staff College from 1960 he became Station Commander at Royal Air Force Lyneham in 1962.
From 1965 to 1967 he was Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
He was made Director of Defence Plans (Air) in 1967, Director of the Defence Operations Staff in 1968 and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Policy) in 1969. He went on to be Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Royal Air Force Strike Command in 1971, Commandant of the Royal Air Force Staff College, Bracknell, in 1972 and Air Member for Supply and Organisation in 1976.
In October 1977, on promotion to air chief marshal, Steedman took up his last appointment as the United Kingdom Military Representative to North Atlantic Treaty Organization. After retiring in 1981, Steedman took up position as the Controller of the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund until 1988. He was also Chairman of the Royal International Air Tattoo between 1981 and 1988.
