Wing Commander John Kane has assumed Command of RAF Gibraltar. Wg Cdr Kane took up his new appointment as Station Commander in September, having taken over command from Wing Commander Liz Hutchison, who returns to the UK for her next appointment.

John joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) as an Aerospace Systems Operator in 1989. He completed tours at the Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) Buchan and Sector Operations Centre North. In 1991, he deployed to Op HAVEN in Northern Iraq attached to 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines.

Following Initial Officer Training, he qualified as a Fighter Controller in 2001 and completed tours at CRCs Buchan, Boulmer and Neatishead. In 2004, he deployed to the Combined Air and Space Operations Centre Al Udeid, Qatar, embedded within the USAF as the Senior Offensive Duty Officer in support of combat air operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. In late 2004, he was posted to the School of Fighter Control, RAF Boulmer as Officer Commanding Weapons Controller ab initio training.

Promoted Squadron Leader in 2007 he was posted to the Combined Joint Force Air Component Command Headquarters Izmir, Turkey, as SO2 A3 Strike Operations (Nuclear). On return to the United Kingdom he was posted to Headquarters Air Command as SO2 Training and Manpower Policy for the Air Battle Manager Branch.

In 2011, he deployed to Afghanistan as the No 1 Air Control Centre Detachment Commander, embedded within the US Marine Core 2^nd Marine Aircraft Wing, responsible for providing aviation support to Regional Command South West. In late 2011, he took Command of the Operations Squadron at RAF Leeming.

Promoted Wing Commander in 2013 he was posted to the NATO Training Mission Afghanistan in Command of a multi-national Police Training and Advisory Team and was the senior advisor to the Afghan National Police 2-star responsible for the generation and training of a 157,000 strong police force. He was awarded the US Army Meritorious Service Medal for his command in combat operations.

In 2014, he was posted to the Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejon, Spain, as the Air Command and Control Branch Head responsible for the planning of air operations in NATO’s Southern Area of Responsibility. In 2016, he attended the Spanish Advanced Command and Staff Course in Madrid and gained a Masters of Arts in Defence Policy and International Security.

Wing Commander Kane assumed Command of RAF Gibraltar in Sep 2017. Married to Louise, they have two children, Emma and Callum. He enjoys travel with his family and running to keep fit now that he has hung up his football boots.

Pic: Wg Cdr John Kane assumes Command from Wg Cdr Liz Hutchinson