Group Captain Adrian Hill RAF

Group Captain Adrian Hill joined the RAF in 1983 as an Airframe/Propulsion Engineering Apprentice. After completing a 3-year apprenticeship at RAF Halton, he was posted to 1(F) Sqn at RAF Wittering working as a Junior Technician on the Harrier GR3. In 1987, he was selected for commissioning into the General Duties (Pilot) Branch. He completed flying training on the Chipmunk T Mk10 at RAF Swinderby, Jet Provost Mk3/5 at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and Hawk T1/1A at RAF Valley and Chivenor before being posted to fly the Jaguar on 54(F) Sqn at RAF Coltishall in 1990. During this tour, he completed several operational deployments to Incirlik Air base in Turkey on WARDEN, policing the Iraqi Northern No-Fly Zone.

In 1993, he was posted to 92 Sqn as a Qualified Flying Instructor and Tactics Instructor flying the Hawk TMk1A at RAF Chivenor, where the Sqn conducted ab-initio training for RAF, RN and foreign fast-jet pilots. With the closure of RAF Chivenor in 1994, he completed operational tour as the Jaguar Specialist in the Combined Air Operations Centre at HQ 5 ATAF, Vicenza, Italy during Op DENY FLIGHT. He was then posted to 74(F) Sqn at RAF Valley, where he continued to provide flying instructional training for ab-initio fast jet pilots. In 1995, he completed the Hawk Qualified Weapons Instructor Course on 19(F) Sqn before returning to 74(F) Sqn as a Flight Commander.

In 1997, he was promoted to Squadron Leader and posted back to RAF Coltishall to fly the Jaguar as a Flight Commander on 41(F) Sqn. During this tour he completed operational deployments to Incirlik Air Base as part of Op NORTHERN WATCH, policing the Northern Iraqi No-Fly Zone as well as to Gioia-del-Colle, Italy, flying CAS and Reconnaissance missions over Bosnia during Ops DELIBERATE GUARD and DELIBERATE FORGE. In 2000, he moved to HQAIRSOUTH, Naples, Italy as a Staff Officer in the Combined Joint Force Air Component Command Branch of the A5 Strategy Division, working on NATO's Combined Joint Task Force and NATO Response Force (NRF) Concepts and NATO/PfP exercises. He also completed a short tour as the deputy J1 as part of KFOR 4.

In 2003, he was promoted to Wing Commander and posted to Canada to undertake Advanced Command and Staff Training at the Canadian Forces Staff College Course in Toronto. In 2004 he returned to RAF High Wycombe as Head of the Operations Division and Chief Combat Ops/Plans in the UK Joint Force Air Component HQ (UK JFACHQ), deploying on Op MATURIN to form a Rear HQ in France as part of NATO's Earthquake Relief Effort in Pakistan under NRF 5. In 2006, he was posted to RAF Valley as Officer Commanding 19(F) Sqn, responsible for the tactics and weapons training of future RAF, RN and foreign fast jet pilots.

Promoted to Group Captain in Jan 2009, he was selected as Chief of Staff to Air Officer Commanding 22 (Training) Group based at RAF High Wycombe. From Oct 10 - Jul 11 he completed an operational deployment as Deputy Commander NATO Air Training Command – Afghanistan, responsible for the build and development of the Afghan Air Force. In Nov 2011, Group Captain Hill took Command of RAF Valley. He is married and has 2 children. His interests include mountain biking, running, and all outdoor pursuits.