Group Captain Malcolm Brecht
OBE ADC MA FRAeS RAF

Plymouth and Clyde
1975 - 1983

I was born in 1965 and educated at Kingham Hill between 1975-1983 (Plymouth and Clyde). I enjoyed the camaraderie of the school, the sports and the cadets and when I left school I joined the RAF through a Cadetship in 1983, studying Operational Research and Management Sciences at Hull University before attending the RAF College Cranwell in 1986.

On completion of flying training in 1988, I flew the HS 125 from Northolt in the VIP and Communications role with 32 Squadron, then in 1990 converted to the BAe 146 with The Queen's Flight at RAF Benson. On promotion to Squadron Leader in 1995 I was posted to 216 Squadron, operating the TriStar in the Air Transport and the Air-to-Air Refuelling roles. A short tour in a HQ followed, which included a year as the Personal Staff Officer to Air Officer Commanding the HQ itself.

Following Advanced Command and Staff Training at Bracknell in 1999 - where I enjoyed gaining an MA in Defence Studies - I was promoted to Wing Commander and was involved with the team introducing the C-17 into service and re-establishing and then Commanding 99 Squadron which quickly became involved in numerous Operations and Exercises, most notably in Afghanistan and Iraq. I was then posted to the Department of Air Resources and Plans in the MOD and, on reaching Group Captain in 2005, was posted to Iraq as Commander Basrah Air Station and Commander 903 Expeditionary Air Wing. This was followed by a tour as Station Commander RAF Brize Norton, the largest base in the RAF. As a pilot, I have logged nearly 5000 flying hours, including 875 hours on the BAe 146, 1300 hours on the HS 125, 1000 hours on the Tristar, and 1300 hours on the C-17.

Away from work I still enjoy rugby, although in a more passive capacity since a knee injury in 1995. Other interests include rowing, cycling and music, and I remain a member of my local church. My family - Babs, Eddie and Tim - have patiently moved with me numerous times.

Group Captain Malcolm Brecht