Latest news with #HarvSmyth
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Lurgan: Harv Smyth to become next head of Royal Air Force
A former fighter pilot from County Armagh is to become the next professional head of the Royal Air Force (RAF).Air Marshal Harv Smyth, who was born and educated in Lurgan, is to to take up the role of chief of the air staff in Secretary John Healey confirmed on Wednesday that the King had approved the appointment. AM Smyth will succeed Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton following his promotion to chief of the defence staff.. AM Smyth joined the RAF in 1991 as a direct entrant after leaving school. He spent 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor and flew hundreds of operational missions over Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Iraq and chief of the air staff is responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of all RAF operations, people and capability. The position is accountable to the defence secretary for the fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale as well as the development and sustainment of the Smyth said he was "deeply honoured to have been selected". The appointment comes at a transformative time for the RAF as it moves to warfighting readiness following the publication of the Strategic Defence Review. "The Strategic Defence Review makes clear the need for us to rapidly evolve and modernise to meet current and future threats and I am enormously proud to lead the Service at such a crucial point in our history", he added. 'Flying the flag' Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart welcomed AM Smyth's appointment. "This is an incredible achievement and a truly proud moment for his family," the Democratic Unionist Party politician said his journey from Lurgan to the top of the RAF was a "powerful reminder of what can be achieved with determination and integrity". "He is flying the flag high for Lurgan, for Upper Bann and for Northern Ireland", she said.
North Wales Chronicle
16-07-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Air Marshall Harv Smyth named as new head of the Royal Air Force
Air Marshal Harv Smyth, who joined the force in 1991 and served 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor in conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Iraq and Afghanistan, will become Chief of the Air Staff. He succeeds Sir Rich Knighton, who has held the position since June 2023 and has been promoted to head of the armed forces, a role he will take up in September. Air Marshal Smyth's appointment follows a series of promotions to command positions since becoming an Air Commodore in 2015, including his current role of Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff for Military Strategy and Operations. The Defence Secretary John Healey has today confirmed that His Majesty The King has approved the new appointment of Air Marshal Harv Smyth as the next Chief of the Air Staff. Read more about Air Marshal Smyth's appointment here: — Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) July 16, 2025 He said: 'I am deeply honoured to have been selected as the next Chief of the Air Staff at such an important time for the Royal Air Force. 'The Strategic Defence Review makes clear the need for us to rapidly evolve and modernise to meet current and future threats and I am enormously proud to lead the service at such a crucial point in our history. 'I take over from Sir Rich Knighton, who has achieved so much over the past two years, preparing the Royal Air Force for the challenges that we currently face and developing the operational mindset that we need, should we transition to conflict. 'I share in his unwavering support for our people and am delighted to have this opportunity to lead our whole force as we deliver outstanding air and space power for the UK and Nato.' The Chief of the Air Staff is the professional head of the RAF, responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of all the force's operations, people and capability. They are accountable to the Secretary of State for Defence for the fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale, as well as the development and sustainment of the force. Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'I warmly congratulate Air Marshal Harv Smyth on his appointment as Chief of the Air Staff. He has outstanding credentials to lead the RAF in a crucial period of transformation for the force. 'Air Marshal Smyth has led a distinguished career to date. From spending 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor, to flying hundreds of operational missions from both land bases and aircraft carriers, to holding numerous vital command positions, he has served our nation loyally. 'I would also like to recognise Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton's superb leadership of the RAF over the last two years. I know he and Air Marshal Smyth will work together to deliver a landmark shift in our deterrence and defence.'
Leader Live
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Air Marshall Harv Smyth named as new head of the Royal Air Force
Air Marshal Harv Smyth, who joined the force in 1991 and served 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor in conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Iraq and Afghanistan, will become Chief of the Air Staff. He succeeds Sir Rich Knighton, who has held the position since June 2023 and has been promoted to head of the armed forces, a role he will take up in September. Air Marshal Smyth's appointment follows a series of promotions to command positions since becoming an Air Commodore in 2015, including his current role of Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff for Military Strategy and Operations. The Defence Secretary John Healey has today confirmed that His Majesty The King has approved the new appointment of Air Marshal Harv Smyth as the next Chief of the Air Staff. Read more about Air Marshal Smyth's appointment here: — Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) July 16, 2025 He said: 'I am deeply honoured to have been selected as the next Chief of the Air Staff at such an important time for the Royal Air Force. 'The Strategic Defence Review makes clear the need for us to rapidly evolve and modernise to meet current and future threats and I am enormously proud to lead the service at such a crucial point in our history. 'I take over from Sir Rich Knighton, who has achieved so much over the past two years, preparing the Royal Air Force for the challenges that we currently face and developing the operational mindset that we need, should we transition to conflict. 'I share in his unwavering support for our people and am delighted to have this opportunity to lead our whole force as we deliver outstanding air and space power for the UK and Nato.' The Chief of the Air Staff is the professional head of the RAF, responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of all the force's operations, people and capability. They are accountable to the Secretary of State for Defence for the fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale, as well as the development and sustainment of the force. Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'I warmly congratulate Air Marshal Harv Smyth on his appointment as Chief of the Air Staff. He has outstanding credentials to lead the RAF in a crucial period of transformation for the force. 'Air Marshal Smyth has led a distinguished career to date. From spending 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor, to flying hundreds of operational missions from both land bases and aircraft carriers, to holding numerous vital command positions, he has served our nation loyally. 'I would also like to recognise Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton's superb leadership of the RAF over the last two years. I know he and Air Marshal Smyth will work together to deliver a landmark shift in our deterrence and defence.'
South Wales Guardian
16-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Air Marshall Harv Smyth named as new head of the Royal Air Force
Air Marshal Harv Smyth, who joined the force in 1991 and served 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor in conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Iraq and Afghanistan, will become Chief of the Air Staff. He succeeds Sir Rich Knighton, who has held the position since June 2023 and has been promoted to head of the armed forces, a role he will take up in September. Air Marshal Smyth's appointment follows a series of promotions to command positions since becoming an Air Commodore in 2015, including his current role of Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff for Military Strategy and Operations. The Defence Secretary John Healey has today confirmed that His Majesty The King has approved the new appointment of Air Marshal Harv Smyth as the next Chief of the Air Staff. Read more about Air Marshal Smyth's appointment here: — Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) July 16, 2025 He said: 'I am deeply honoured to have been selected as the next Chief of the Air Staff at such an important time for the Royal Air Force. 'The Strategic Defence Review makes clear the need for us to rapidly evolve and modernise to meet current and future threats and I am enormously proud to lead the service at such a crucial point in our history. 'I take over from Sir Rich Knighton, who has achieved so much over the past two years, preparing the Royal Air Force for the challenges that we currently face and developing the operational mindset that we need, should we transition to conflict. 'I share in his unwavering support for our people and am delighted to have this opportunity to lead our whole force as we deliver outstanding air and space power for the UK and Nato.' The Chief of the Air Staff is the professional head of the RAF, responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of all the force's operations, people and capability. They are accountable to the Secretary of State for Defence for the fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale, as well as the development and sustainment of the force. Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'I warmly congratulate Air Marshal Harv Smyth on his appointment as Chief of the Air Staff. He has outstanding credentials to lead the RAF in a crucial period of transformation for the force. 'Air Marshal Smyth has led a distinguished career to date. From spending 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor, to flying hundreds of operational missions from both land bases and aircraft carriers, to holding numerous vital command positions, he has served our nation loyally. 'I would also like to recognise Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton's superb leadership of the RAF over the last two years. I know he and Air Marshal Smyth will work together to deliver a landmark shift in our deterrence and defence.'
Glasgow Times
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Air Marshall Harv Smyth named as new head of the Royal Air Force
Air Marshal Harv Smyth, who joined the force in 1991 and served 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor in conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Iraq and Afghanistan, will become Chief of the Air Staff. He succeeds Sir Rich Knighton, who has held the position since June 2023 and has been promoted to head of the armed forces, a role he will take up in September. Air Marshal Smyth's appointment follows a series of promotions to command positions since becoming an Air Commodore in 2015, including his current role of Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff for Military Strategy and Operations. The Defence Secretary John Healey has today confirmed that His Majesty The King has approved the new appointment of Air Marshal Harv Smyth as the next Chief of the Air Staff. Read more about Air Marshal Smyth's appointment here: — Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) July 16, 2025 He said: 'I am deeply honoured to have been selected as the next Chief of the Air Staff at such an important time for the Royal Air Force. 'The Strategic Defence Review makes clear the need for us to rapidly evolve and modernise to meet current and future threats and I am enormously proud to lead the service at such a crucial point in our history. 'I take over from Sir Rich Knighton, who has achieved so much over the past two years, preparing the Royal Air Force for the challenges that we currently face and developing the operational mindset that we need, should we transition to conflict. 'I share in his unwavering support for our people and am delighted to have this opportunity to lead our whole force as we deliver outstanding air and space power for the UK and Nato.' The Chief of the Air Staff is the professional head of the RAF, responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of all the force's operations, people and capability. They are accountable to the Secretary of State for Defence for the fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale, as well as the development and sustainment of the force. Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'I warmly congratulate Air Marshal Harv Smyth on his appointment as Chief of the Air Staff. He has outstanding credentials to lead the RAF in a crucial period of transformation for the force. 'Air Marshal Smyth has led a distinguished career to date. From spending 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor, to flying hundreds of operational missions from both land bases and aircraft carriers, to holding numerous vital command positions, he has served our nation loyally. 'I would also like to recognise Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton's superb leadership of the RAF over the last two years. I know he and Air Marshal Smyth will work together to deliver a landmark shift in our deterrence and defence.'
