Air Marshal Iain Walter McNicoll, CB, CBE, FRAeS (born 3 May 1953) is a retired Royal Air Force officer. He was formerly Deputy Commander-in-Chief Operations, RAF Air Command.
Iain McNicoll | |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 May 1953 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1975–2010 |
| Rank | Air Marshal |
| Commands | No. 2 Group (2005–07) RAF Brüggen (1998–00) No. 17 Squadron (1992–95) |
| Battles / wars | Operation Allied Force |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air |
RAF career
editEducated at the High School of Dundee and the University of Edinburgh, where he gained a Bachelor of Science, and having been in the East Lowlands Universities Air Squadron McNicoll joined the Royal Air Force Flying Branch in 1975.[1]
He was appointed Officer Commanding No. 17(F) Squadron in 1992[1] and assistant director of Operational Capability at the Ministry of Defence in 1996. He went on to be Personal Staff Officer to the Chief of the Defence Staff in 1997[1] and Station Commander RAF Brüggen in 1998 in which role had operational control of the base's Tornado aircraft during 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia.[1]
He became Director of Force Development in 2000,[1] Director-General of Joint Doctrine and Concepts in 2002[1] and Air Officer Commanding No. 2 Group in 2005.[1] His last appointment was as Deputy Commander-in-Chief (Operations) at Air Command in 2007,[1] in which role he had to defend the airworthiness of his ageing aircraft,[2] before he retired in April 2010.
Personal life
editHe married Wendelien van den Biggelaar, a Dutch citizen, in 1980: they have one son and two daughters.[1]