New station Commander for RAF Lossiemouth
Group Captain Jim
Walls DSO RAF took command of RAF Lossiemouth from Group Captain Paul Godfrey
OBE on 29th September 2017.
Group Captain Godfrey
took command of the Moray base at the end of November 2015. His two years in charge of the Moray Typhoon
main operating base saw significant support to oprations over Iraq, Syria and
in Nigeria as well as the announcement of RAF Lossiemouth as the future base of
the UK’s Maritime Patrol Aircraft. On
leaving RAF Lossiemouth Group Captain Godfrey said:
“It has been an honour to have been the Station Commander at RAF
Lossiemouth. Being in command of a Royal
Air Force base that is charged with directly protecting the United Kingdom’s
airspace and is involved with current operations around the Globe was both
challenging and inspiring. The work we
do can sometimes put a great deal of pressure on our people and their families,
but the Whole Force here continually demonstrate excellence and a can-do
attitude that is humbling; it is undoubtedly the people I will miss.
“My family and I will be sad to leave Moray, we’ve made many good
friends in the local community and have made the most of the opportunities and
amazing quality of life available here.
We will definitely be back to visit soon.
“As RAF Lossiemouth moves into its next chapter, I’m delighted to hand
command over to Group Captain Jim Walls.
He has been a Typhoon squadron commander at RAF Lossiemouth so is well
aware of the challenges and opportunities the Station faces as it develops to
become a MPA as well as QRA base. I’m
sure he will enjoy what is undoubtedly the very best job in the Royal Air
Force.“
Group Captain Jim Walls was born in Australia but educated in the UK,
attending Aberdeen University. He has
flown Jaguar and Typhoon aircraft both as an instructor and operationally. He was also the Typhoon Display Pilot in
2007, and famously raced a Bugatti Veyron in a Typhoon. He has held roles in the Typhoon development
programme, and was Officer Commanding 6 Sqn at RAF Lossiemouth between June
2014 and November 2016. Group Captain
Walls is excited to be in command of RAF Lossiemouth as the Station moves
towards welcoming the Poseidon P-8 to RAF Lossiemouth, he said:
“It’s an immense privilege to be taking
command of RAF Lossiemouth. Group
Captain Godfrey has led the Station exceptionally through a significant, and
busy, few years. I would like to thank him for his dedicated service and
congratulate him on his promotion.
“It is an exciting time to be commanding the
station with such huge investment over the coming years. This includes the
introduction of the Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft and another Typhoon
Squadron. We will be reinvigorating RAF
Coastal Command’s heritage with cutting edge technology while continuing to
deliver QRA and global operations. I am particularly
looking forward to working closely with the local community as we grow the
station. It will undoubtedly be a challenging role but it is a real honour and
I am ready.”
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