Andy Jones

We are sad to have just found out that Andy Jones of 80 Entry (C Sqn) passed away on the 22nd July 2024.

At only 17, Andy was the youngest of his Entry. His early training was on the Piston Provost and then the Vampire. However, after suffering from a medical problem which set back his training, he was re-coursed to 81 Entry which was the first Entry to train on the Jet Provost. He transferred to D Squadron when it was formed and graduated in July 1962.

Vampire and Gnat Advanced Training at Valley preceded 9 Sqn (Vulcans) at Cottesmore. Following a QFI Course he returned to Valley as a Flying Instructor on Gnats, was part of the aerobatic team and on stand-by for the Red Arrows. In 1971, promotion to Sqn Ldr saw him posted as Squadron Commander on the Apprentice Wing at Cosford. 1974 to 1977 saw Andy back on Vulcans (44 Sqn, Waddington) where he was also a display pilot/Instructor flying the Vulcan to its limits in displays world-wide for two years, the last display being at Carswell AFB in the USA.and he was instrumental in changing the UK Low Flying System.

Sqn Ldr Operations at TTTE Cottesmore was followed by Sqn Ldr Operations at RAF Bruggen during the changeover from Jaguar to Tornado. In 1987, promotion to Wg Cdr led to recruit training at Swinderby and from 1988 -1990, he was head of the RAF Kuwait Liaison Team and Air Attache Kuwait.

During August 1990 Iraq invaded of Kuwait, initiating the First Gulf War. Andy and his eldest son were captured and, together with ten Japanese, two French, a German, two Americans and five other Brits, they were kept in captivity in Basra (as Andy said “as guests of Saddam Hussein”). Andy’s wife and younger son were taken to Baghdad and returned home in September. Andy and the eldest son were released and returned two weeks before Christmas1990. Most of the family belongings were left behind in their flat in Kuwait City and Andy lost 40 lbs in weight whilst in captivity.

In 1991 he was appointed Deputy Head of the Air Board at the OASC Biggin Hill. He left RAF prematurely in 1992 to join BAe in Saudi Arabia for four years as Tornado Operations Manager at Khamis Mushayt and then ten years as General Manager at Taif and Jeddah.

In 2006 he retired to the USA having remarried.