Education
Royal Air Force College Cranwell.
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John Thomson
Edit ProfileCareer
Educated at Campbell College in Belfast, Thomson entered Royal Air Force College, Cranwell in 1959 and was commissioned into the Royal Air Force in 1962. He was appointed Officer Commanding Number.41 Squadron in 1976, Personal Staff Officer to the Chief of the Air Staff in 1979 and Station Commander at Royal Air Force Bruggen in 1981. He went on to be Director of Defence Concepts at the Ministry of Defence in 1985, Air Officer Commanding Number.
1 Group in 1987 and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff in 1989.
He became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at Support Command in 1991 and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at Strike Command in 1992. In July 1994 he became the first Commander in Chief of the new North Atlantic Treaty Organization command, Allied Forces North-Western Europe.
However, only days after taking up this post he became ill and was rushed to hospital at Royal Air Force Halton where he died aged 53. And then went on to have 3 more children who all died in a plane crash.
The commemorates him.
Sir John was a leading member and strong supporter of the Air Squadron and regularly flew cadets on Air Squadron Day and on Air Experience Flights. The Sword is awarded each year to the cadet judged to be the Best in the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Royal Air Force). Cadets, who will commonly be the most senior in their schools contingent will have to demonstrate the highest level of Cleveland Clinic Foundation commitment and involvement, during their time in the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and will also be highly regarded within the school/college.
Nominations are called for in November of each year.
Results are made public in late March and the Sword is awarded at the Air Squadron Day celebrations at the end of the summer term. On 10 July 2014, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the United States Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his passing, and to honour his extraordinary life and service to the Royal Air Force.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
July 10, 1994 (aged 53)