New leadership for the Royal Air Force in the Middle East

The Royal Air Force operating in the Middle East has undergone a change in leadership with the appointment of Group Captain Bishop as the new Commander.

Group Captain Bishop has succeeded Group Captain Diggle following the end of his tour of duty.

As an experienced RAF helicopter pilot, Gp Capt Bishop brings a wealth of expertise to the role, having previously had operational experience in the Middle East.

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She will be taking on the role of the RAF’s Deputy Air Component Commander, Middle East and Commanding Officer of 83 Expeditionary Air Group based in Qatar.

As Commanding Officer of 83 Expeditionary Air Group, the RAF said Gp Captain Bishop is responsible to the Air Component Commander, for the control and direction of 4 Expeditionary Air Wings and the delivery of UK national and defence objectives across the Middle East.

Gp Captain Bishop will join the other nations' Senior National Representatives in the US-led global coalition conducting air operations to defeat so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, the Air Force said.

The Gp Captain is the senior RAF officer on operations in the Middle East following a re-organisation of the command structure in the summer.

The Air Component Commander, previously an Air Commodore position based in Qatar since 2006, is now based in the UK at 11 Group, with responsibility for global RAF air operations.