Air Commodore Howard Edwards

DCOS Force Preparedness HQ AIRCOM - NATO

Air Commodore Howie Edwards currently serves as DCOS Force Preparedness at NATO AIRCOM, responsible for directing, coordinating and managing A7 and Evaluation functions across AIRCOM. He provides policy guidance and advice to the Chief of Staff and, during crises, acts as COM AIRCOM's deputy to SHAPE.

Joining the RAF in 1991, Air Cdre Edwards qualified on the Tornado GR1 and served with IX(B) Squadron at RAF Brüggen in strike, attack and SEAD roles, including operations during the Kosovo Air Campaign in 1999. He later became a Tornado GR4 instructor and Qualified Weapons Instructor (QWI), deploying on operations during Op TELIC in Iraq in 2003.

Following promotion to Squadron Leader, he served in training and career management roles before attending the Australian Defence Force's Advanced Staff and Command Course, graduating with distinction and receiving the Chief of Air Force Prize. As Commanding Officer of XIII Squadron, he deployed to Afghanistan on Op HERRICK and led early Storm Shadow missions over Libya in 2011.

His subsequent appointments included PSO to the Chief of the Air Staff, senior operational roles at CENTCOM and NATO, Combat Air Strategist in the MOD, and command of No. 6 Flying Training School. Promoted Air Commodore, he became Combat Air Force Commander, responsible for the UK's Typhoon and F-35 forces, the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

He has flown over 3,500 hours and completed more than 100 combat missions across multiple operational theatres.