Congratulations to ARNO member Rear Admiral Richard (Rick) Thompson who will be joining DE&S in September, on promotion to Vice Admiral, as the new Director General Air. Rick will lead the Air Domain, which comprises more than 2,200 staff across two operating centres, and will be responsible for delivering the Air portfolio of equipment acquisition, support and services for Front-Line Command customers.

Rick joined the Royal Navy in 1985, graduating from the Royal Naval Engineering College in 1989. His last appointment at sea was as the Senior Air Engineer of HMS Ark Royal, responsible for the airworthiness and maintenance of all embarked squadrons, air launched weapons and workshop support.

His most recent Programme Management role was with DE&S, as the Team Leader responsible for the procurement and integration of the Lightning II aircraft (F-35B) into the UK.

Rick also procured the support infrastructure and contracted logistics for RAF Marham, the UK’s Main Operating Base for the aircraft. His design work included integrating the aircraft with the Queen Elizabeth Class Carrier for the short take-off and vertical landing aircraft (STOVL) and carrier variants of the F-35.