19 Facts About Richard Johns

Richard Johns was a fighter pilot in the 1960s, commanding officer of a squadron during the 1970s and a station commander in the 1980s.

Richard Johns was promoted to flying officer on 15 December 1960, flight lieutenant on 15 August 1962 and to squadron leader on 1 January 1969.

Richard Johns was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order in the 1972 New Year Honours.

Richard Johns attended Staff College in 1972 and then undertook a tour as Personal Staff Officer to the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Near East Air Force in Cyprus.

Richard Johns was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1978 New Year Honours.

Richard Johns was promoted to group captain on 1 July 1979 and became Director of Air Staff Briefing that year.

In 1982 Richard Johns became Station Commander and Harrier Force Commander at RAF Gutersloh and was made Aide-de-Camp to the Queen on 10 December 1982.

Richard Johns was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1991 Birthday Honours.

Advanced to Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1994 New Year Honours and promoted to air chief marshal on 30 June 1994, Richard Johns was appointed Commander-in-Chief Strike Command on 30 June 1994.

However, on 10 July 1994, Sir John Thomson who had just been appointed Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces North West Europe died and Richard Johns was transferred from Strike Command to the NATO command.

Richard Johns became Honorary Colonel of 73 Engineer Regiment on 29 November 1994.

Richard Johns became Chief of the Air Staff in 1997 and was advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in the 1997 Birthday Honours.

Richard Johns was appointed Air Aide-de-Camp to The Queen on 9 April 1997.

Richard Johns was succeeded by Sir Peter Squire as Chief of the Air Staff and Johns retired from the RAF in 2000.

Richard Johns became Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle in 2000: he was advanced to Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order on relinquishing that appointment on 17 December 2007.

Richard Johns became honorary air commodore of the Royal Air Force Regiment on 22 April 2000.

Richard Johns was Chairman of the Trustees of the RAF Museum from 2000 to 2006 and has been President of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People since 2005.

In 1965, Richard Johns married Elizabeth Naomi Anne Manning; they have one son and two daughters.

Richard Johns's interests include military history, rugby, cricket and equitation.