Visit by Air Chief
Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, GCB AFC ADC DSc FRAeS FCMI RAF
Air Chief Marshal Stirrup
will be visiting the SAAF over the period 10 to 15 September
2005. To see more of his visit program follow
this link.
Biography: Chief Marshal
Sir Jock Stirrup, GCB AFC ADC DSc FRAeS FCMI RAF
Air Chief Marshal Stirrup
was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood, and the
Royal Air Force College Cranwell, and was commissioned in
1970.
After a tour as a Qualified Flying Instructor he served on
loan with the Sultan of Oman's Air Force, operating
Strikemasters in the Dhofar War. Returning to the United
Kingdom in 1975 he was posted to No 41(F) Squadron, flying
Jaguars in the Fighter Reconnaissance role, before taking up
an exchange appointment on RF-4C Phantoms in the United
States.
He then spent two years at Lossiemouth as a flight commander
on the Jaguar Operational Conversion Unit, and subsequently
attended the Joint Service Defence College in 1984. He
commanded No II(AC) Squadron, flying Fighter Reconnaissance
Jaguars from Royal Air Force Laarbruch, until 1987, when he
took up the post of Personal Staff Officer to the Chief of
the Air Staff.
He assumed command of Royal Air Force Marham in 1990, just
in time for Operation GRANBY, and then attended the 1993
Course at the Royal College of Defence Studies. He completed
No 7 Higher Command and Staff Course at Camberley prior to
becoming the Director of Air Force Plans and Programmes in
1994.
He became Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group in April 1997
and was appointed Assistant Chief of the Air Staff in August
1998. He took up the appointment of Deputy
Commander-in-Chief Strike Command in 2000.
At the same time he assumed the additional roles of
Commander of NATO's Combined Air Operations Centre 9 and
Director of the European Air Group. He spent the last few
months of his tour, from September 2001 to January 2002, as
UK National Contingent Commander and Senior British Military
Advisor to CINCUSCENTCOM for Operation VERITAS, the UK's
contribution to the United States led Operation ENDURING
FREEDOM in Afghanistan.
Air Chief Marshal Stirrup was appointed KCB in the New Year
Honours List 2002 and became Deputy Chief of the Defence
Staff (Equipment Capability) in March 2002. He was appointed
Chief of the Air Staff, on promotion, on 1 August 2003. In
May 2006 he will become Chief of the Defence Staff, and was
appointed GCB in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2005.
Air Chief Marshal Stirrup is married with one son and enjoys
golf, music, theatre and history. |
