IX (B) Squadron
IX (B) Squadron
Officer Commanding IX (Bomber) Squadron
Wing Commander A D Turk DFC MA RAF
Born in Hillingdon, Middlesex and educated at Northwood School, Wing Commander Andy Turk joined the Royal Air Force directly from school in 1990. On completion of his fast-jet Navigator training, he converted to the Tornado GR1 and, in 1996, was posted to his first operational tour on 17(Fighter) Squadron based at RAF Brüggen, Germany, in the Strike/Attack role. Following the disbandment of 17(Fighter) Squadron, he was posted to 617 Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth in 1999. He was subsequently selected to undertake the Qualified Weapons Instructor (QWI) Course and, on completion, was returned to 617 Squadron in the role of QWI Navigator. During this tour, he deployed as part of the UK Air Component on Operation TELIC in March 2003 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He later moved across the airfield to the Tornado GR4 Operational Conversion Unit on XV(Reserve) Squadron as an instructor.
Promoted to Squadron Leader in July 2004, he was posted to the Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) as a Military Assistant to the Chief of Joint Operations (CJO). On completion of this staff tour, he returned to RAF Lossiemouth as a Flight Commander on 12(Bomber) Squadron. He was responsible for supervision of aircrew tactical training and became the Executive Officer. In 2009, he oversaw the Tornado GR4 force (TGRF) preparations for air operations in Afghanistan and the subsequent transition between Joint Force Harrier to the TGRF on Operation HERRICK.
On return from Kandahar, he attended the Advanced Command and Staff Course in 2009-10 at the Joint Services Command and Staff College at Shrivenham. Having gained promotion to Wing Commander and an MA in Defence Studies from King’s College London, he assumed command of IX(Bomber) Squadron at RAF Marham on 12th November 2010.
Wing Commander Turk has over 2000 hours on the Tornado including over 150 operational missions over both Iraq and Afghanistan. Married, with 3 young children, his interests include scuba diving, walking and skiing, although currently any free time is mainly occupied with nappy changing.