Latest news with #RichKnighton
Daily Record
18-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Incredible images show British helicopters in action during major military exercise
Exercise Hades Warrior is a high-intensity, multi-service military event designed to test the UK's best helicopter pilots to the limit. Stunning photographs capture British Armed Forces helicopters in action during a significant exercise, featuring an intense air assault training mission. Exercise Hades Warrior is a high-stakes, multi-service military event designed to push the UK's top helicopter pilots to their limits. RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire is currently the hub for the UK's largest-ever tri-service rotary-wing training operation, accommodating over 200 pilots, aircrew, and ground support personnel. Spectacular scenes witnessed six Royal Air Force helicopters flying in formation; a Chinook 6, a Merlin Mk2, two Army Air Corps Apache AH-64E helicopters, and a pair of Wildcat AH. 1s from the Commando Helicopter Force. The fortnight-long rigorous evaluation aims to certify pilots across various rotary platforms as Qualified Weapons Instructors and Qualified Helicopter Tactics Instructors, reports Plymouth Live. Exercise Hades Warrior kicked off on Monday (14 July) and is set to conclude on 27 July. In other news, an air marshal who has participated in hundreds of operational missions across multiple warzones is set to be appointed as the new head of the RAF, as confirmed by the Defence Secretary. Air Marshal Harv Smyth, who joined the force in 1991 and spent 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor in conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Iraq and Afghanistan, will assume the role of Chief of the Air Staff. Air Marshal Smyth is set to take over as the new Chief of the Air Staff, succeeding Sir Rich Knighton who has been in the role since June 2023 and is now moving on to become head of the armed forces from September. Since his promotion to Air Commodore in 2015, Air Marshal Smyth has climbed the ranks with a series of command positions, including his present post as Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff for Military Strategy and Operations. He expressed his sentiments by saying: "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." Reflecting on his predecessor's contributions, he added: "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." In closing, he shared his commitment to the RAF personnel: "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 Independent
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Air Marshall Harv Smyth named as new head of the Royal Air Force
An air marshal who flew in hundreds of operational missions across a number of warzones is to be appointed as the new head of the RAF, the Defence Secretary has confirmed. 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. 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.'
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Air Marshall Harv Smyth named as new head of the Royal Air Force
An air marshal who flew in hundreds of operational missions across a number of warzones is to be appointed as the new head of the RAF, the Defence Secretary has confirmed. 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.'
The Herald Scotland
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Air Marshall Harv Smyth named as new head of the Royal Air Force
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.'
Scottish Sun
27-06-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
High-flying husband and wife are BOTH in race to be the next chief of the Royal Air Force
Both are tipped as potential successors to Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, who has been promoted to Chief of Defence Staff ROYAL PAIR FORCE High-flying husband and wife are BOTH in race to be the next chief of the Royal Air Force Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HIGH-FLYING husband and wife are in the race to be the next chief of the Royal Air Force, 'we can reveal. Air Marshal Al Marshall and Air Vice-Marshal Suraya Marshall are the most senior serving couple in UK Armed Forces' history. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Air Marshal Al Marshall is one half of the RAF's most senior serving couple in history Credit: AS1 Tomas Barnard RAF 2 Air Vice-Marshal Suraya Marshall is also in contention to become the head of the RAF Credit: RAF Both are tipped as potential successors to Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, who has been promoted to Chief of Defence Staff to lead all three Armed Forces this autumn. Al, who joined up in 1991, is Air and Space Commander responsible for all air operations in the UK and overseas. He flew Harrier jump jets in Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia. Former Tornado navigator Suraya, who joined up in 1993, is Assistant Chief of the Air Staff. She was the first female weapons instructor and first woman to command one of the RAF's two operational groups. She led No 2 Group, which included all RAF cargo squadrons, in 2021 — the same time Al led No 1 Group, with all the combat aircraft. A source said: 'Talk about a power couple. 'Between them they've commanded every plane in the Air Force. 'Al is one rank senior so it would be more of a jump for Suraya but the leap's been made before.' RAF insiders said the couple, who have two children, are up against Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff Air Marshal Harv Smyth, who is favourite to replace Sir Rich.
