Wing Commander J H Hunter
MA BSc RAF
19 June 2008 - 3 January 2010
Wing Commander Hunter joined the Royal Air Force in 1984 on a University Cadetship. After completing his degree in Civil Engineering at Nottingham University, he undertook flying training in Texas, USA, as part of the Euro-NATO Joint Jet-Pilot Training programme. After his return to the UK in 1989 and completion of Advanced Flying Training at RAF Valley, Wing Commander Hunter was selected to undertake instructor training at the Central Flying School and thereafter became a Qualified Flying Instructor on the Hawk back at RAF Valley on No 2 Squadron.
Wing Commander Hunter completed Tactical Weapons training at RAF Brawdy on No 234 Squadron in 1992 before being posted to the Tornado GR1. Following conversion training at RAF Cottesmore and RAF Honington, he was posted to 31 Squadron at RAF Bruggen, Germany. In 1996, Wing Commander Hunter crossed over to the Harrier GR7 and after OCU training, he was posted to No 1(F) Squadron at RAF Wittering, where he became the Sqn Qualified Flying Instructor. On promotion to Squadron Leader and a brief detachment to the NATO HQ in Vicenza as the UK air-asset tasker for the Balkans, he was posted to No IV(AC) Squadron as a squadron flight commander and squadron executive officer. During this 9 year period, Wing Commander Hunter undertook operational flying in the Middle East and the Balkans.
In 2003, Wing Commander Hunter was posted to the Ministry of Defence where he was responsible for Harrier and Jaguar procurement, as well as leading the Kill Chain Development Initiative to improve Time-Sensitive Targeting in the Joint environment. On promotion to Wing Commander in 2004, he remained in the MOD where he joined the Directorate of Operational Capability, writing the first phase-4 report on operations in Iraq. ln 2005, he undertook advanced staff training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, at the USAF Air Command and Staff College, and thereafter remained on the faculty instructing in leadership and strategy for 2 further years. On his return to the UK in April 2008, Wing Commander Hunter regained his instructional qualifications on the Hawk prior to taking command of 208 Squadron in June 2008.
Wing Commander Hunter is married to Jessica and has 3 sons, George, Douglas and Alexander.
