Air Vice Marshal Richard Maddison OBE MA

Air Officer Commanding 22 Group Royal Air Force

Thanks to the Air Training Corps, Rich Maddison joined the Royal Air Force direct from comprehensive school in Hartlepool. Commissioned in 1988, his early career was as a Puma helicopter pilot in a variety of locations and roles, including instructing. As his career progressed, he commanded both a helicopter training squadron and an operational Puma squadron. He converted to the Chinook prior to fulfilling the role of UK Chinook Force Commander and Station Commander RAF Odiham. More recently, he served as the Deputy Commander of NATO Air Command in Afghanistan. He assumed his current appointment as AOC 22 Group in August 2020.

Maddison’s staff experience includes roles related to personnel, current operations (PJHQ) and Finance & Military Capability. He is a graduate of both the Higher Command and Staff Course and the Royal College of Defence Studies.

A volunteer pilot with 6 Air Experience Flight at RAF Benson, Maddison has introduced over 1100 air cadets from the CCF and ATC to the joy of flying. He is an RAF senior advocate for Social Mobility and the Defence Champion for non-religious and humanist personnel in Defence.