Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation


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Air Vice-Marshal J F G Howe (503984)


 John Frederick George           b:  6 Mar 1930                        r:  30 Nov 1985                          d: 27 Jan 2016

CB - 1985, CBE – 30 Dec 1978, AFC – 2 Jun 1962, DFC (US) - 1951, Air Medal (US) – 1951, QCVSA – xx xxx 1957, QCVSA – 13 Jun 1959.

(SAAF): 2 Lt: xx xxx 1951

(RAF): Fg Off:   4 Oct 1954 [31 May 1951], Flt Lt:  10 Nov 1955, Sqn Ldr: 1 Jul 1960, Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1966, Act Gp Capt:  8 May 1970, Gp Capt:  1 Jan 1971, A/Cdre:  1 Jul 1977, AVM:  1 Jul 1980:

xx xxx 1950:       U/T Pilot, SAAF

xx xxx 1951:        Pilot, No 2 Sqn SAAF.

xx xxx xxxx:         Forward Air Controller, SAAF (Korea)

 4 Oct 1954:       Appointed to a Direct Commission in the General Duties Branch (12 + 4) in the rank of Flying Officer

xx xxx 1954:       Hunter Conversion Course?

xx Apr 1956:      Pilot, No  222 Sqn. (Hunter F1/4)

xx xxx 1956:       Forward Air Controller, No 40 Commando RM.

xx xxx 1956:       Pilot, No  222 Sqn. (Hunter F1/4)

xx xxx 1957:       'B' Flight Commander, No 43 Sqn. (Hunter F4/6)

 1 Oct 1957:       Appointed to a Permanent Commission (General List) in the rank of Flight Lieutenant.

xx Feb 1960:      Officer Commanding, No 74 Sqn. (Hunter F6/Lightning F1)

xx xxx 1962:       Air Staff, HQ Fighter Command.

xx Jan 1964:       Attended RAF Staff College.

xx xxx 1965:       Exchange posting, HQ Air Defence Command, USAF.

xx xxx 1967:       Officer Commanding, No 229 OCU. (Chivenor)

xx Aug 1968:      Officer Commanding, No 228 OCU. (Coningsby)

xx xxx 1969:       Staff, Central Tactics and Trials Organisation.

 8 May 1970:      Deputy Director of Operational Research (1).

20 Jan 1973:       Officer Commanding, RAF Gutersloh.

xx Jan 1975:       Attended Royal College of Defence Studies.

27 Oct 1975:      Group Captain - Operations/Training, HQ No 11 Group.

23 Apr 1977:      Commandant, Royal Observer Corps.

14 May 1980:     Commander, HQ Southern Maritime Air Region.

 4 Aug 1983:       Director-General of Security/Commandant-General of the RAF Regiment.

Educated at St Andrew’s College, Grahamstown, he joined the South African Air Force in 1950 and flew Mustangs with No 2 Squadron in Korea.  During one mission he made a forced landing but was rescued by helicopter and when he completed his flying tour, for which he was awarded the American DFC and Air Medal, he undertook an exchange posting with the US 19th Infantry Regiment in Korea as a forward air controller.  After returning to South Africa he applied for a transfer to the RAF and was accepted, joining No 222 Sqn in 1956, he took part in the Suez operations seconded to 40 Commando Royal Marines (air observation duties? ).

Having taken over command of No 74 Squadron in February 1960 equipped with Hunters, he was soon tasked with introducing the RAF's first supersonic fighter into squadron service, the English Electric Lightning, a task resulting in the award of the AFC in 1961.  He also established "The Tigers" aerobatic team in 74 Sqn.

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