MARK NORTHOVER
Mark joined the RAF in 1987 after Sixth Form and University sponsorship. His Service career initially took him to RAF St Athan in South Wales and then to 3(F) Squadron, operating Harrier GR7 aircraft based in Germany at RAF Gütersloh and then, subsequently, RAF Laarbruch.
In 1993, Mark joined the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, as Officer Commanding 1st Line Engineering Flight. During this tour he deployed extensively to South Africa, the Far East and Australasia in support of UK export campaigns and was awarded the MBE for his services to the Red Arrows in 1997. Following several staff appointments, Mark returned to the Red Arrows in 2000 to become the Senior Engineering Officer. He was the Project Officer for the Team’s relocation from RAF Cranwell to RAF Scampton.
After advanced command and staff course with the German armed forces in Hamburg, Mark became Officer Commanding Engineering and Logistics Wing at RAF Leuchars, Scotland, during the station’s transition from operating Tornado F3 to Typhoon aircraft. Subsequent appointments with the MOD Saudi Armed Forces Project (MODSAP), at HQ Air Command, RAF High Wycombe and with the MOD in Whitehall followed after which Mark took up what was to be his final assignment in 2020, returning to MODSAP, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He retired from the RAF as an Air Commodore in 2022.
