Sir John Walker

We have just heard that John Walker of 68 Entry (B Sqn) passed away on 29 January 2025.

John first served as a pilot with 66 Sqn (Hunters) from 1957 then joined 4 Sqn, also flying Hunters, in 1959. After attending the RAF Staff College in 1966, he was an exchange officer with the 12th Air Force, USAF, from 1967 to 1969. He became OC Jaguar Conversion Team at Lossiemouth in June 1973, Station Commander Lossiemouth in August 1975 and Station Commander Bruggen in 1976.

In 1978 he was Gp Capt Offensive Operations at HQ RAF Germany then Air Officer-in-Chief, Central Tactics and Trials Organisation in December 1979.

After attending the Royal College of Defence Studies, he was Director of Forward Policy (RAF) at the MoD in December 1982. He then served as Senior Air Staff Officer at RAF Strike Command in May 1985, Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) at Headquarters Allied Air Forces Central Europe in April 1987 and Director-General Management & Support Intelligence at the Ministry of Defence in 1989.

His last appointment was as Chief of Defence Intelligence in 1991 before retirement in January 1995.