Harry Atkinson

Who is Harry Atkinson?

Air Commodore Richard J Atkinson CBE, ADC, known as 'Harry' Atkinson, is a senior serving Royal Air Force officer and recently served as Head of the Media and Communications team at Headquarters Air Command, aligning leadership, strategy and communication; introducing all-new strategic narratives as part of a contemporary communications philosophy to the RAF. Previously he was Air Officer Scotland and Station Commander RAF Leuchars from March 2009 to September 2011, leading the transformation of RAF Leuchars from being a Tornado base into a Typhoon base. In Sept 13 he was selected to become a Member of the Royal College of Defence Studies; the RCDS provides the capstone education for those officers, senior officials and industry leaders with the potential for the highest levels of strategic leadership.

Atkinson has served as Deputy Director – Air Control Element, Headquarters International Security Assistance Force Kabul during 2008 – 2009 where he designed and introduced an Afghanistan-wide prioritisation system to minimise the time taken to provide critical, life-saving air support. Previously he held the appointment of Assistant Director of Strategic Planning at the Ministry of Defence where he developed and introduced a global analysis of threats and opportunities. As a wing commander, he commanded No 25 Squadron at RAF Leeming, leading tactical delivery of Quick Reaction Alert at home, in the Falklands and in the Balkans during the early days of NATO expansion.