We were delighted to welcome member ACM Sir Dick Johns GCB, KCVO, CBE to the Club as a keynote speaker last week, addressing members and guests in the Sovereigns’ Room. As Chief of the Air Staff, Sir Richard advised the British Government on the air force aspects of the Strategic Defence Review and NATO's air campaign in Kosovo. He spoke candidly about how the RAF was affected by the search for the so called 'Peace Dividend' at the end of the Cold War. The reality of a deeply politicised defence agenda in the 1990s and beyond led to a cuts in military budget, loss of personnel and inevitable RAF station closures. It is in the context that conflicts such as Kosovo, the First Gulf War and Sierra Leone were subsequently played out and today, the air force is smaller than at any time since its creation. It was a pleasure to welcome Sir Richard, who was particularly delighted to be joined by many of his RAF friends on the evening along with Club member and former Mosquito Pilot, 98 year old Flt Lt Colin Bell (pictured with Sir Richard). Copies of Sir Richard’s book ‘Bolts from the Blue’ are available to purchase from the Club Shop https://bit.ly/2vXOjUc.

The next Club Dinner sees us hosting members of 617 Squadron for a ‘Dam Buster to F-35’ black-tie event on March 19th.