Harry Atkinson (RAF officer)
| R J Atkinson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Worcester |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
 Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Air Commodore[1] |
| Commands held |
25(Fighter)Squadron RAF Leuchars Air Officer Scotland |
| Awards | CBE (appointed Feb 2012) |
Air Commodore Richard J Atkinson CBE, ADC, known as 'Harry' Atkinson, is a senior serving Royal Air Force officer and is currently appointed as the RAF's Corporate Development Officer. In this role he is leading the transformation programme - 'Thinking to Win' - to re-ignite the RAF's innovation culture. Previously, he attended the Royal College of Defence Studies for a year-long intervention regarding international relations and strategy. The RCDS provides the capstone education for those officers, senior officials and industry leaders with the potential for the highest levels of strategic leadership. Prior to this he served as Head of the RAF Media and Communications team at Headquarters Air Command, aligning leadership, strategy and communication. He introduced all-new strategic narratives as part of a contemporary communications philosophy to the RAF. Previously he was Air Officer Scotland and Station Commander RAF Leuchars from March 2009 to September 2011, leading the transformation of RAF Leuchars from being a Tornado base into a Typhoon base. [2]
Atkinson has served as Deputy Director – Air Control Element, Headquarters International Security Assistance Force Kabul during 2008 – 2009 where he designed and introduced an Afghanistan-wide prioritisation system to minimise the time taken to provide critical, life-saving air support. Previously he held the appointment of Assistant Director of Strategic Planning at the Ministry of Defence where he developed and introduced a global analysis of threats and opportunities. As a wing commander, he commanded No 25 (Fighter) Squadron at RAF Leeming, leading tactical delivery of Quick Reaction Alert at home, in the Falklands and in the Balkans during the early days of NATO expansion.
References
- ↑ Station Commander. raf.mod.uk
- ↑ Royal Air Force Air Rank Appointments List 09/09 retrieved 19 December 2008
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ian Morrison |
Deputy Director – Air Control Element International Security Assistance Force Kabul 2008–2009 |
Succeeded by I D Teakle |
| Preceded by C A Bairsto |
Station Commander RAF Leuchars 2009 – |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by C A Bairsto |
Officer Commanding No. 125 Expeditionary Air Wing 2009 – |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by C A Bairsto |
Air Officer Scotland 2009 – |
Succeeded by Incumbent |