David Walker (RAF aircrew officer)

{{distinguish|text=David Walker (RAF administrative officer), also an RAF air marshal}}

{{Infobox military person

| name = David Walker

| image =

| image_size =

| alt =

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| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1956|10|30}}

| birth_place =

| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|2023|06|18|1956|10|30}}

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| allegiance = United Kingdom

| branch = Royal Air Force

| serviceyears = 1978–2013

| rank = Air Marshal

| servicenumber =

| unit =

| commands = No. 1 Group
RAF Cottesmore
No. 1 Squadron

| battles = Operation Veritas
Iraq War
War in Afghanistan

| awards = Companion of the Order of the Bath
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Air Force Cross

| relations =

| laterwork =

}}

Air Marshal David Walker, {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|CB|CBE|AFC}} (30 October 1956 – 18 June 2023) was a senior Royal Air Force officer. He was the Deputy Commander, Allied Joint Force Command at Brunssum in the Netherlands from 2011 to 2013, having previously served for over three years as Deputy Commander, Allied Air Component Command at Ramstein in Germany. Prior to that appointment he was Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group in the United Kingdom.

Early life and education

Walker was born on 30 October 1956 in Hertfordshire, England. He was educated at Hatfield Technical Grammar School, a state school in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. He studied geography at the University of Bristol, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree.{{cite news |title=Air Marshal David Walker, Harrier pilot with strategic vision who saw action in Bosnia and Iraq – obituary |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2023/06/25/air-marshal-david-walker-harrier-pilot-iraq-bosnia-obituary/ |access-date=26 June 2023 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=25 June 2023}}

He later took a Master of Arts (MA) degree in defence studies at King's College London, and undertook a Portal Fellowship for a Doctor of Philosophy with King's College London at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell.{{cn|date=June 2023}}

RAF career

Having joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) on the university graduate scheme, Walker was commissioned as an acting pilot officer on 1 August 1975,{{London Gazette|issue=46721|supp=y|page=13544|date=27 Oct 1975}} He was regraded as a pilot officer on graduation in 1978.{{London Gazette|issue=47632|supp=y|page=10619|date=4 Sep 1978}} He was promoted to flying officer and flight lieutenant the following year.{{London Gazette|issue=47752|supp=y|page=991|date=22 Jan 1979}}{{London Gazette|issue=48001|supp=y|page=14243|date=12 Nov 1979}} He completed flying tours in Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom, flying the Harrier and F/A-18 Hornet,{{cite web |title=Air Marshal David Walker |url=http://www.jfcbs.nato.int/jfcbrunssum/page13062316.aspx |website=www.jfcbs.nato.int |publisher=Joint Force Command Brunssum |access-date=26 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916170314/http://www.jfcbs.nato.int/jfcbrunssum/page13062316.aspx |archive-date= 16 September 2012}} He was promoted to squadron leader in 1987.{{London Gazette|issue=50986|supp=y|page=8662|date=6 Jul 1987}} He was awarded the Air Force Cross (AFC) in the 1988 New Year Honours.{{London Gazette|issue=51171|supp=y|page=24|date=30 Dec 1987}} Promoted to wing commander in 1993,{{London Gazette|issue=53363|supp=y|page=11374|date=5 Jul 1993}} Walker went on to command No. 1 Squadron, flying operational missions over Iraq and Bosnia, before becoming Military Assistant to the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, serving the Honourable Nicholas Soames and then Dr John Reid.

Walker was promoted to group captain in 1997,{{London Gazette|issue=54820|supp=y|page=7559|date=30 Jun 1997}} and attended the Higher Command and Staff Course in 1999, before taking command of RAF Cottesmore and the UK Harrier Force. In 2001 he was posted to HQ No. 3 Group, spending most of that tour deployed overseas supporting operations in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom; he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2002 New Year Honours.{{London Gazette|issue=56430|supp=y|pages=4–6|date=31 Dec 2001}} Promoted to air commodore in 2002,{{London Gazette|issue=56446|supp=y|page=179|date=8 Jan 2002}} he took up the post of Assistant Chief of Staff J3 (Operations) in the Permanent Joint Headquarters,[http://www.gulabin.com gulabin.com Tri-Service Appointments p21 (Mar 2012)] retrieved 2 Apr 2012 with responsibility for the management of all United Kingdom expeditionary operations, but with his main focus being Operation Telic, the United Kingdom's contribution to the Iraq War.

Promoted to air vice marshal and appointed Assistant Chief of the Air Staff in October 2003,{{London Gazette|issue=57076|supp=y|page=12359|date=7 Oct 2003}}[http://www.gulabin.com gulabin.com RAF Appointments p10 (Mar 2012)] retrieved 2 Apr 2012 Walker became responsible for the detailed handling of overall RAF policy, relations with NATO and other allies and the change agenda, being closely involved in the Eurofighter Typhoon programme. In April 2005 Walker took command of No. 1 Group,[http://www.gulabin.com gulabin.com RAF Appointments p83 (Mar 2012)] retrieved 2 Apr 2012 with responsibility for the RAF's fast jet forces. In April 2006 he also assumed responsibility for the RAF Support Helicopter Force contribution to the UK Joint Helicopter Command.

In June 2007 Walker was promoted to air marshal{{London Gazette|issue=58387|supp=y|page=9907|date=10 Jul 2007}} and appointed Deputy Commander, Allied Air Component Command at Ramstein.[http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafiles/5205B11E_1143_EC82_2E93F424767B8ACC.doc RAF Air Rank Appointments List 04/07 of 2 May 2007] retrieved 17 Jun 2011 In July 2010 he was appointed to co-lead the Joint US/NATO Ballistic Missile Defence Task Force, to develop Operational Concepts. Walker was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 2011 New Year Honours,{{London Gazette|issue=59647|supp=y|page=2|date=31 Dec 2010}} and in March of that year he became Deputy Commander Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum.[http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafiles/BCC47C5B_5056_A318_A83B21F59AB00B83.doc RAF Air Rank Appointments List 09/10 of 17 Nov 2010] retrieved 17 Jun 2011

Later life and death

In 2015, Walker became National President of the Royal British Legion.{{cite web |title=Our Commissioners: COMMISSIONER AIR MARSHAL DAVID WALKER CB CBE AFC |url=https://www.cwgc.org/who-we-are/our-commissioners/ |website=CWGC |access-date=26 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626130151/https://www.cwgc.org/who-we-are/our-commissioners/ |archive-date=26 June 2023 |language=en}} He also served as a commissioner of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Walker died of brain cancer on 18 June 2023, at the age of 66.{{cite news |title=Births, marriages and deaths: June 22, 2023 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/births-marriages-and-deaths-june-22-2023-8cxf02wjq |access-date=26 June 2023 |work=The Times |date=26 June 2023 |language=en |quote=WALKER Air Marshal (Retd) Dr David CB CBE AFC PhD, died peacefully at home on 18th June 2023, aged 66, after challenging cancer with characteristic courage and great dignity. Adored and devoted husband of Catherine. Beloved and loving Dad of Charles, William and Fred, proud Grandad, much-loved brother and nephew. Valued friend and inspiration to many. David will be missed immeasurably. There will be a private family funeral. details of a service to give thanks for David’s exceptional life and contribution will be announced in due course.}}{{cite news |title=Air Marshal David Walker obituary |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/air-marshal-david-walker-obituary-jzwj920nh |access-date=20 July 2023 |publisher=The Times |date=20 July 2023}}