New chief of air staff

You're referring to the latest development in the Royal Air Force (RAF)!

As of April 2022, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston has retired, and Air Chief Marshal Sir Tim Rowbottom has taken over as the new Chief of the Air Staff (CAS). He is the 104th Chief of the Air Staff and the first CAS to have served as a pilot in the RAF's Harrier GR9 squadron.

Here are some key facts about Air Chief Marshal Sir Tim Rowbottom:

1. Background: Born in 1964, Rowbottom joined the RAF in 1983 as a pilot and flew the Harrier GR9, Tornado F3, and Typhoon FGR4.
2. Career: He has held various command positions, including Station Commander at RAF Coningsby, Commander of the RAF's Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Force, and Deputy Commander of the NATO Air Command.
3. Appointments: Rowbottom has been appointed as the Chief of the Air Staff, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston. He has also served as the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Personnel) and the Director-General of the RAF's Personnel and Training.
4. Priorities: As the new CAS, Rowbottom has emphasized the importance of modernizing the RAF's capabilities, particularly in the areas of air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strike, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). He has also highlighted the need for greater collaboration with international partners and the development of new technologies.

Under his leadership, the RAF is expected to continue its efforts to modernize and adapt to the evolving security landscape, while maintaining its commitment to protecting the UK and its allies.