Johnny Stringer (RAF officer)

Air Marshal John Jackson Stringer CBE (born November 1969[1]) is a senior Royal Air Force officer. Since August 2022 he has been Deputy Commander, Allied Air Command.[2]

Johnny Stringer
Stringer in 2017
Birth nameJohn Jackson Stringer
BornNovember 1969 (age 54–55)
Sale, Greater Manchester, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchRoyal Air Force
Years of servicec.1993–present
RankAir Marshal
CommandsNo. 29 Squadron RAF
RAF Coningsby
No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group
Battles / warsIraq War
Operation Shader
War in Afghanistan
AwardsCommander of the Order of the British Empire
Alma materNew College, Oxford
King's College London

Early life and education

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Stringer was born in Sale, Cheshire in November 1969.[1] He was educated at Watford Grammar School for Boys and New College, Oxford. He is a graduate of the U.K. Advanced and Higher Command and Staff Courses, the Royal College of Defence Studies and holds master's degrees from the University of Oxford and King's College London.[3]

RAF career

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Stringer was commissioned into the Royal Air Force in 1993. After officer and pilot training, he joined the Jaguar Force at RAF Coltishall. A Qualified Weapon Instructor, he flew operationally over Yugoslavia and helped enforce the Northern Iraq No Fly Zone.[3]

From 2007 to 2009, Stringer served as air officer commanding No. 29 Squadron RAF, the Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Coningsby. He spent two years as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff (DACOS) Joint Effects in the J3 Division of the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood.[3]

Between October 2012 and September 2014, he commanded RAF Coningsby and its Typhoon Wing. He was posted as Assistant Chief of Staff Operations (ACOS Ops) to Headquarters Air Command in August 2015. He went on to command No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group as the UK Air Component Commander between October 2016 and October 2017, and oversaw all air operations in Operation Shader.[4]

On 11 May 2018, in the 2018 Special Honours, Stringer was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field during the period 1 April 2017 to 30 September 2017".[5][6]

Promoted to Air Vice-Marshal, he served as Chief of Staff at Joint Forces Command (JFC) and subsequently Director of Strategy as JFC evolved into UK Strategic Command, overseeing its work on the 2021 UK Defence and Security Integrated Review.[3]

In August 2022, he was promoted to air marshal and was simultaneously appointed Deputy Commander, Allied Air Command.[7] Stringer has over 3000 flying hours, predominantly on single-seat combat aircraft.[3]

Personal life

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Johnny is married to Lisa and has two sons. His interests include history, art and literature, food and drink, and road cycling.[3] He is the President of the Royal Air Force Gliding & Soaring Association.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b "John Jackson STRINGER - Personal Appointments". Companies House. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Senior Appointments". raf.mod.uk. Royal Air Force. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Leadership: Deputy Commander". ac.nato.int. NATO Allied Air Command. August 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  4. ^ Johnny Stringer (30 August 2018). "Changing Character, Changing Context: Enhancing Operational Airpower Employment in the Royal Air Force's Second Century". The RUSI Journal. 163 (3). Taylor & Francis: 36–42. doi:10.1080/03071847.2018.1494367. S2CID 158704213. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Operational Honours and Awards List May 2018". Ministry of Defence. GOV.UK. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  6. ^ "No. 62283". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 May 2018. p. 8432.
  7. ^ "No. 63793". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 August 2022. p. 16019.
  8. ^ "Trustees". www.rafgsa.org. RAF Gliding & Soaring Association. August 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
Military offices
Preceded by
Unknown
Officer Commanding No. 1 (Fighter) Squadron
2007–2009
Succeeded by
Unknown
Preceded by Station Commander RAF Coningsby
2012–2014
Succeeded by
Jez Attridge
Air Officer Commanding No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group
2016–2017
Succeeded by
R J Dennis