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Belfast Telegraph

King approves appointment of former NI fighter pilot as new head of Royal Air Force

Air Marshal Harv Smyth from Lurgan will succeed Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton when he becomes the next Chief of the Air Staff in August. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed on Wednesday that the promotion has been approved by His Majesty King Charles III. Air Marshal Smyth said he is 'deeply honoured' to have been selected for the job 'at such an important time'. "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,' he said. '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.' Defence Secretary John Healey said the move comes at a transformative time for the Royal Air Force as it transitions to 'warfighting readiness' following the publication of the Strategic Defence Review. It also follows the a recent announcement that the UK will purchase 12 F-35A fighter jets and join NATO's nuclear mission as the government delivers greater security for working people through its Plan for Change. "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,' Mr Healey said. '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.' The pilot's ascent began when he was just 14-years-old when he attended a careers day in Lurgan College and his English teacher, Miss Molly Edgar, overheard him talking about his interest in the RAF and took an 'immediate interest'. "She was a big encouragement. In fact, she helped set up my very first interview with the RAF when I was 15, which led to me being awarded the RAF Sixth Form and Flying Scholarships,' he previously told the Belfast Telegraph. "Very quickly I found myself at Woodgate Aviation at Aldergrove, where at the age of 16, I was taught to fly." Air Marshal Smyth joined the RAF in 1991 as a direct entrant and spent 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor flying hundreds of operational missions over Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2015 he was promoted to Air Commodore and has held a range of command positions. The current Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff for Military Strategy and Operations opened up about having the 'coolest job in the world' back in 2021 a year after he became the UK's first space defender. He expressed excitement at taking up the position of Director Space UK which required him to work alongside the UK Space Agency and the UK Government to develop the National Space Strategy and shape the future space programme for decades to come – he even had a hotline to Downing Street. "Meeting with Number 10, taking directions straight from the top in the Cabinet with the National Space Council, it's an exciting time. You feel right at the heart of something really important, and it is," he said at the time. 'We're at a time in history when big things are just starting to happen. I'm always happy to get out of bed in the morning to do what I do. It's all I hoped it would be and more.' Watch: King and Queen meet The Causeway Shantymen during visit to famous Belfast street As of next month, Air Marshal Smyth will be responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of all Royal Air Force operations, people and capability to ensure fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale as well as the development and sustainment of the RAF. The RAF in Northern Ireland offered a 'huge congratulations… to a local aviator' on its official X account. 'We are incredibly proud to celebrate the promotion of a Northern Ireland native,' it added. 'Well done Sir!!". The position is accountable to the Secretary of State for Defence. Mr Healey MP also recognised Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton's 'superb leadership' 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,' he added. 'The RAF is always globally deployed and ready to defend the nation. "RAF pilots and aircrew are currently deployed on Operation SHADER to combat Daesh terrorists in Iraq and Syria, in Qatar as part of our joint Typhoon squadron, and in Eastern Europe as part of the NATO Enhanced Air Policing mission to deter Russia.' Red Arrows in Newtownards for Armed Forces Day Meanwhile, the incoming Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, said: 'I am absolutely delighted that Air Marshal Harv Smyth has been selected as the next Chief of the Air Staff, and I have every confidence that he will lead the Royal Air Force brilliantly and make sure we are ready to fly and fight. 'As I hand over to Air Marshal Smyth, I know that under his command the Royal Air Force will go from strength to strength to ensure that we are always ready to protect and promote our national interests on the world stage. "I wish him every success and look forward to working with him in leadership of our Armed Forces.'