Chris Harper (RAF officer)
| Sir Christopher Harper | |
|---|---|
Air Marshal Harper in Kabul, November 2009
|
|
| Born | 25 March 1957 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1976 – present |
| Rank | Air Marshal |
| Commands held |
No. 1 Group (2007–09) RAF Coltishall (1999–01) No. 41(F) Squadron (1994–97) |
| Battles/wars | Operation Deny Flight |
| Awards |
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Mentioned in Despatches |
Air Marshal Sir Christopher Nigel Harper, KBE (born 25 March 1957) is a senior Royal Air Force officer, who served as the UK Military Representative to NATO and the European Union from 2011 to 2013. He was previously Deputy Commander Allied Joint Force Command at Brunssum in the Netherlands (2009–11), and Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group in the UK (2007–09).
Harper was educated at Alleyn's School in Dulwich and King's College London (MA, Defence Studies) and is married with one son. He enjoys flying, shooting, running, riding motorcycles and gastronomy.
Harper was commissioned in 1976, and then regraded to pilot officer the following year after Initial Officer Training, and promoted to flying officer in 1978; being posted in 1979 to 41(F) Squadron for his first tour on the SEPECAT Jaguar. He was promoted to flight lieutenant in 1982 and Squadron Leader in 1986, serving as a Qualified Weapons Instructor on the Jaguar with No. 31 and No. 14 Squadrons before an exchange tour in Canada flying the McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet. Promoted to wing commander in 1993, he returned to command No. 41(F) Squadron between 1994 and 1997, and was actively involved in operations over Bosnia during this period. Having been promoted to group captain at the end of this tour, he maintained his connection with the Jaguar force when he returned to RAF Coltishall in 1999 as Station Commander, while its aircraft were involved in operations over Iraq, serving until 2001. He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2002 New Year Honours List and was Mentioned in Despatches for actions in the Gulf.
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