Air Vice-Marshal Shaun Harris CBE

Director Support and Chief Engineer Royal Air Force

Joining the Royal Air Force in 1987 as an Apprentice Technician, Shaun was later selected to become a commissioned Engineering Officer. He spent his early career supporting fast-jet operations, including leading a team designing modifications for urgent operational requirements and deploying on Operation TELIC during initial combat. On return to the UK, he served as the Senior Engineering Officer on the Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit, with responsibility for Harrier, Jaguar, Tornado GR4, Tornado F3 and guided weapons engineering. His first posting to Royal Air Force High Wycombe followed, as the Personal Staff Officer to the Air Officer Commanding Number 1 Group. As a Wing Commander, Shaun deployed to Afghanistan, where he led Harrier and C130 engineering, logistics and administration in 904 Expeditionary Air Wing. On an exchange tour to United States Cyber Command, he was the Deputy Future Operations Director, responsible for planning and executing classified cyberspace operations, and designing and building the Department of Defense’s first offensive cyber forces. Returning to the UK, he commanded the Typhoon and Tornado Engineering and Logistics Wing at Royal Air Force Lossiemouth, supporting operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and 24/7 United Kingdom and Baltic Air Defence. Promoted to Group Captain in 2015, Shaun served as the Chief Air Engineer to the Operating Duty Holder for Military Flying Training and the Red Arrows. After deploying to Baghdad as the Information Warfare Director for the multi-national coalition to defeat Da’esh in Iraq and Syria (Operation INHERENT RESOLVE), he assumed the role of Station Commander Royal Air Force High Wycombe & Group Captain United States Visiting Forces. Before assuming his current appointment as Director Support, he served as the Head of Engineering and Logistics in Headquarters Air Command. Shaun attended the United States Air Force Command and Staff Course, and the prestigious School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. He is also a graduate of the Higher Command and Staff Course. He was made a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2019 and awarded a Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the November 2019 Operational Honours List. Married to Marie, between them they have 5 daughters who range in age from 13 to 29. He enjoys running half marathons, scuba diving and playing the guitar badly.