Wiggy hands over to ACM Rich Knighton in June.
First non pilot to lead the RAF. First engineer to hold the position
2 Likes
We all know how well engineers taking over goes…
Having said that, he seems to have a pretty good rep, the news is going down well. But everyone said that about Wigston.
3 Likes
To be fair after watching that parliament inquiry/select committee, it seemed to be the case that CAS would turn to Rich for more in depth answers and being able to provide important figures.
From what little I’ve seen of him so far, he looks like a positive step. But a pinch of salt should come with everything 
1 Like
Reviving this.
CAS is now CDS!
Does this mean the RAF will get a new CAS or does the CDS do both roles?
Get a new CAS recommended by CDS
Harv Smyth would be a good choice. Lots of ops experience, set up space command, and is a nice chap. Not sure who the other candidates may be - one of the Air Marshal Marshalls?
1 Like
So considering in the new structure he now actually Commands the 3 service heads is it time to revive 5 Star rank for CDS?
1 Like
Is it not across NATO that 5* ranks are only awarded during war.
Probably a big shuffle round of VSOs as a number are due to tourex.
1 Like
It would be 2 jumps in rank, but it has happened before.
Looking at the data on the RAF website there are at 2* rank some who have a more rounded experience level.
Maybe AM Smyth but he was IIRC caught up in the Go Cot Nicholls case about discrimination and another case regarding an RAF Wing Commander legal officer when he was AOC 1 Group.
Maybe AM A Marshall would be a good bet,
Nice to see that Rich has made it to the top of the pile; I thought 20+ years ago that he’d do well.
2 Likes
I’ve had similar thoughts, but that single Service chiefs might be relegated to 3* commands.
With the current size of them that would make sense, but doesn’t send the message of 5% GDP
It’s a thought that occurred to me when SecDef announced the restructure (with the sS chiefs being brought under CDS and no longer being TLBs), which was before the 5% commitment.
The 5% thing alone — especially when considering it’s really 3.5% (the ‘additional’ 1.5% will be stuff that would’ve been spent anyway) — doesn’t necessarily indicate an increased establishment (it’s all about capabilities now), but committing two deployable divisions to the ARRC probably does.
Huh, when did this happen?
I think it formally kicks in with the change of command.
I more meant like where/was there a public announcement or something on defence connect? (not that I look there more than once in a blue moon…!)
Just curious to see what the new structure is going to be like, and whether it aims to make everyone a little more purple 
Military strategic HQ was announced in SDR. CDS will command the service chiefs and MOD will split into a department of state and a HQ