Born and raised in London, Andy joined the RAF in 1990. On completion of office and navigator training, he joined the Tornado GR1 force in the Strike/Attack role. His first tour was on 17(Fighter) Squadron in 1996, based at RAF Brüggen in Germany, followed by his next tour on 617 Squadron, based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. Subsequently, following graduation from the Qualified Weapons Instructor Course, he returned to 617 Squadron, responsible for operational employment and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 2003 on Operation TELIC (Iraq).
He became an aircrew instructor on the Tornado GR4 training unit before promotion to Squadron Leader (OF3) and a staff role as Military Assistant to the UK’s Chief of Joint Operations (3*). He then returned to RAF Lossiemouth as the Executive Officer on 12 (Bomber) Squadron, responsible for operational readiness, which included leading the effective introduction of Tornado into Operation HERRICK (Afghanistan).
Following completion of his Advanced Command and Staff Course, he was promoted to Wing Commander (OF4) and took command of IX (Bomber) Squadron at RAF Marham, where he led numerous operational deployments, including Operation ELLAMY (Libya, 2011) and HERRICK.
Following a staff role in the UK MOD supporting the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review, he was promoted to Group Captain (OF5) and oversaw delivery of the Saudi-British Defence Cooperation Programme, based in Riyadh. During 2017, he became the UK’s Deputy Air Component Commander on Operation SHADER (Iraq/Syria), based in Al Udeid, Qatar. On return to the UK in 2018, he returned to the MOD as the Programme Director for procurement of Complex Weapons. In 2020, he became the Station Commander at RAF Valley, responsible for the safe and effective delivery of fighter pilot training.
On completion of command, he attended Global Strategic Programme (2023) at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London and was promoted to Air Commodore (OF6). He undertook his current role of Deputy Commander / COS of the NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force at Geilenkirchen AB from November 2023.
Andy is married to Abigail and they have three teenage sons. They enjoy travelling across Europe, making full use of the opportunities for walking, skiing and diving whenever time allows.