Cadets at the Royal Air Force College training to be pilots were required to write a thesis, and my study was titled, ‘The History of Strategic Thought’. On my graduation in April 1953, I was award...visualizza altroCadets at the Royal Air Force College training to be pilots were required to write a thesis, and my study was titled, ‘The History of Strategic Thought’. On my graduation in April 1953, I was awarded the Royal United Service Institute Award for the thesis.
I was trained to fly on piston-engined aircraft and on graduation was trained to fly jet aircraft, specifically the Meteor, the first RAF jet-powered aircraft. I then flew the Canberra followed by the first ‘V’ bomber, the Valiant. Following a period as a staff officer returned to flying and commanded 27 Squadron flying the Vulcan Mk 2. I was seconded to the US Air Force and served at the Headquarters of Strategic Air Command, where the Western world nuclear deterrent was planned. I returned to the United Kingdom and served at the Headquarters of Strike Command with responsibility for producing the RAF nuclear plans.visualizza meno