John Howe (RAF officer)
John Frederick George Howe | |
---|---|
Born | Commander of the Order of the British Empire (United States)Air Force Cross Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Air Medal | 26 March 1930
Early life and education
Howe was born in
Flying history
South African Air Force
Howe began his military flying career in the post-Second World War
During his first tour of duty in Korea he flew the
Royal Air Force
When the political situation in South Africa became more difficult and extreme in 1954 he decided to resign from the SAAF and moved to England where he transferred to the Royal Air Force in the rank of flying officer (Service No. 503984) to fly early types of jet fighters. He became a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) on Vampires, later converting to the Hawker Hunter, and serving the front line North Sea interceptors of No. 222 Squadron RAF at RAF Leuchars in October 1957 as a flight commander on promotion to flight lieutenant.
During the
Howe was selected by the RAF to undertake several overseas demonstration tours where he showcased the remarkable capabilities of the new fighter in numerous air displays and demonstrations. He was awarded the
After a 1965 exchange tour posting to the United States where he flew most of the
On his return from Germany in 1975 he attended the Royal College of Defence Studies for ten months and was posted to RAF Bentley Priory as 'Operations Staff Officer (Training)' at Headquarters 11 Group, Strike Command.
Royal Observer Corps
Following a tour of duty as an Operations Staff Officer, in 1977 Howe moved across the road on promotion to air commodore and took up the appointment as Commandant of the Royal Observer Corps who were also located at Bentley Priory.[6]
Howe applied the same exacting standards and tight discipline to the ROC as he did to his flying. He found an organisation that was superficially sound but with an underlying air of relaxed complacency. His first action was to insist that all wholetime ROC officers, both newly appointed and those already in service, must qualify through the
The operation evaluations were a two-day "No Notice" assessment of the group's operational performance similar to RAF station TACEVALs, from
Howe also spearheaded the rapid improvement of inter-group communications over the coming years with the introduction of computerised message switching and modern integrated,
During his time with the ROC Howe additionally oversaw the Corps' contributions to the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II celebrations and events and ensured that every advantage was taken to publicise the unsung work of the Corps. On 30 June 1977 Howe led an ROC contingent that took part in the Royal Review of Reserve and Cadet Forces at Wembley Stadium. On 29 July 1977 he attended when the ROC was represented in the indoor exhibition at the Royal Review of the Royal Air Force at RAF Finningley.
Appointed a
Later RAF service
Following his time in charge of the ROC he was promoted to
Retirement
In retirement, Howe remained an active member of the No. 74 Squadron RAF's Association.
Family life
Howe had married and had three daughters, he died on 27 January 2016.[1]
References
- ^ a b "Air Vice-Marshal John Howe – obituary". The Telegraph. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
- ^ South African military history
- ^ "No. 41727". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 June 1959. p. 3733.
- ^ 74 Squadron history
- ^ "No. 42683". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 June 1962. p. 4340.
- ^ "Units directly responsible to Ministry level". rafweb.org. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
- ^ "No. 47723". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1978. p. 7.
Further reading
- Cossey, Bob (2008). Upward & Onward: Life of Air Vice Marshal John Howe. Pen & Sword Aviation. OCLC 463630861.