Ex-Harrier and Tornado pilot Harv Smyth begins work as new Chief of the Air Staff leading the RAF
Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth has started work as the new head of the Royal Air Force.
He succeeds Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, who is moving on to the role of Chief of the Defence Staff, head of the UK's military.
Born and educated in Northern Ireland, ACM Smyth joined the RAF in 1991 and spent 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor, having flown hundreds of operational missions over Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He retrained as a Tornado pilot in 2013 and became Station Commander at RAF Marham, helping deliver operations in Afghanistan, West Africa, Iraq and Syria.
He has held a range of command positions since being promoted to Air Commodore in 2015 and was recently the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff for Military Strategy and Operations.
The RAF celebrated ACM Smyth's appointment in a post on X, accompanied by several images of Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton with the new Chief of Air Staff.
"Welcome Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, and thank you, Sir Rich Knighton," the RAF said.
"Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth succeeded Sir Rich Knighton, who will next week take over as the new Chief of Defence Staff for the UK's Armed Forces."
ACM Sir Rich has moved on to the role of Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) after just over two years as head of the RAF.
He said it was an "honour" to have been CAS in a post on X ahead of his elevation.
"Serving as CAS the past 2+ years [sic] has been an honour," he said.
"I've worked alongside remarkable people & been inspired by the outstanding professionalism, determination & dedication of those that defend our country, families & interests.
"I wish Harv Smyth every success – he'll be awesome."
ACM Smyth's appointment came as the RAF revealed that the service planned to purchase 12 F-35A fighter jets, giving it a nuclear capability for the first time since the 1990s.
Defence Secretary John Healey previously congratulated then-Air Marshal Symth's appointment when it was first announced.
"I warmly congratulate Air Marshal Harv Smyth on his appointment as Chief of the Air Staff. He has outstanding credentials to lead the RAF in a crucial period of transformation for the force," Mr Healey said.
"AM Smyth has led a distinguished career to date. From spending 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor, to flying hundreds of operational missions from both land bases and aircraft carriers, to holding numerous vital command positions, he has served our nation loyally.
"I would also like to recognise Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton's superb leadership of the RAF over the last two years."
He added: "I know he and AM Smyth will work together to deliver a landmark shift in our deterrence and defence."
The Chief of the Air Staff is the professional head of the Royal Air Force.
He is responsible for the RAF's fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale.
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