Group Captain John Lawlor RAFR
ACO - Chief of Staff
Group Captain John Lawlor was commissioned in February 1979 and following a first tour on the Canberra, spent the majority of his flying on the Tornado GR1; first as a squadron navigator, then as a Qualified Weapons Instructor and Flight Commander.
In August 1990 he was on the first RAF Tornado GR1 deployment to Bahrain in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. In addition to his operational flying, from 1998 to 2000, Group Captain Lawlor commanded the Navigator and Airman Aircrew School where he was responsible for the training of all the RAF's non- pilot aircrew.
Group Captain Lawlor's staff time has been primarily in the Air Warfare Centre where he has held tactics, doctrine, training and management appointments, including Chief of staff and Group Captain of Operations.
In October 2000, he spent 4 months as the deputy commander British Forces/ Deputy Combined Forces Air Component Commander at Incirlik in Turkey.
In February 2003 he was detached to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia as part of the coalition forces for the 2003 war with Iraq where he was the Air Warfare Center's senior representative in theatre.
Group Captain Lawlor is married and has 2 teenage children. His hobbies and interests include Athletics and Cross- Country Running, both at which he has represented the RAF.
Commenting on the appointment, Group Captain Lawlor said: "I am delighted to take up the Chief Of Staff post and am looking forward to a long and productive working relationship with the cadets, volunteers and permanent staff in this dynamic youth organisation".