Recently, command of 19 Squadron was handed over to Wing Commander Graham Crow.
Wing Commander Misiak handed over the pennant to Wing Commander Crow in front of the Control and Reporting Centre.
19 Squadron has responsibility for radar control and surveillance within NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Air Policing Area 1 and provides tactical control for the UK’s Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) response.
Wing Commander Crow joined the Royal Air Force in 2002 and conducted his specialist training as a Fighter Controller at Boulmer in 2003. His career has included postings across the United Kingdom, multiple operational detachments overseas and several tours of duty with the UK Air Surveillance and Control System at RAF Boulmer. Promoted to Wing Commander in 2018, Crow then completed the Advanced Command and Staff Course at the UK’s Defence Academy, a high-readiness Joint Effects role in the Standing Joint Force Headquarters, and a staff tour at the Battlespace Management Operations Headquarters.
On taking Command of 19 Squadron, Wing Commander Crow said:
‘It is an incredible honour to take command of 19 Squadron and lead the talented team that is keeping our skies safe 24/7. Together with our front-line fighter squadrons, we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the UK’s air defence remains robust and poised in an increasingly unstable world, as well as preparing our personnel for operations overseas. Wg Cdr Misiak has led the Squadron through an incredibly challenging period, including maintaining unbroken operations throughout the heights of COVID. My job now is to maintain this operational focus whilst preparing for our next capability upgrade and meeting any other demands which Defence will place on us. 19 Squadron has a proud history of defending our skies from the days when it was a fighter squadron, and we will strive to continue to do justice to that rich heritage.’