Born in 1959 in Wolverhampton in England. Philip joined the RAF in 1977 as an Aircraft Mechanic—Weapons (AMW or Armourer) and left as a Sergeant after a 22-year career that included tours in Germany and detachments all over the world and saw active duty in the First Gulf War. He used the RAF opportunities for higher education—earning a BSc (Hons) degree with the Open University. Philip also gained degree level Health and Safety qualifications and became a Chartered H&S Consultant. During his second career he held several director level positions working in the construction industry in the UK and Middle East.
The Royal Air Force is one of the most technologically advanced armed forces in the world, with a reputation for fighting well above its size and weight. To most people the first thought they have about the RAF is about pilots and aircrew – quite right too. But for every one of the pilots to take ...