Air Vice-Marshal Paul Douglas Luker, CB, OBE, AFC, DL is a former Royal Air Force officer who served as Commander of Joint Helicopter Command from 2002 to 2005.
Paul Luker | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 July 1951 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1968–2006 |
| Rank | Air Vice-Marshal |
| Commands | Joint Helicopter Command RAF Odiham No. 7 Squadron |
| Battles / wars | Gulf War Bosnian War War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Officer of the Order of the British Empire Air Force Cross Bronze Star Medal (United States) |
RAF career
editLuker joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1968, trained as a support helicopter pilot and served in Hong Kong, Northern Ireland, the Persian Gulf, the Balkans and Belize.[1] He became Officer Commanding No. 7 Squadron and then Station Commander at RAF Odiham.[2] After attending the Royal College of Defence Studies, he went on to be Director of Overseas Military Activity at the Ministry of Defence in 1998[3] and then Commander of Joint Helicopter Command in 2002, and latterly served for seven months as Deputy Commanding General of the US-led coalition in Afghanistan before retiring in 2006.[1]
Other interests
editFrom 2006 to 2016 Luker served as Chief Executive of the Council of Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations,[4] Secretary General of the UK Reserve Forces Association and, for the final five years acted as Clerk to the RFCA External Scrutiny Team, drafting their annual report to Parliament.[5] He served as Chairman of Blind Veterans UK from 2017 to 2021,[6] and is a Deputy Lieutenant for Hampshire,[7] and Honorary President of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wing of the Air Training Corps.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Biography: Air Vice-Marshal Paul Douglas Luker Archived 23 April 2013 at archive.today Blind Veterans
- ^ Senior Officer becomes HIOW Wing Honorary President
- ^ Tri-Service and Ministry of Defence Senior Posts
- ^ "New Chief for Council of RFCAs – Highland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association". Hrfca.co.uk. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
- ^ "External Scrutiny Team" (PDF). Council of Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
- ^ "Patron and governing body – Blind Veterans UK". Blindveterans.org.uk. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
- ^ "Vice-Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenants". .hants.gov.uk. Retrieved 10 February 2018.