Air Commodore Alun Roberts

Al Roberts joined the RAF as a Navigator in 1988. His flying experience has predominantly been based on the two Tornado multi-role Squadrons at RAF Marham in Norfolk where he has amassed almost 3000 hours on the Tornado GR1/GR4, including over 500 hours on 16 separate deployments on operations in Iraq. Having completed the Qualified Weapons Instructor Course and returning the front line as a QWI, he later instructed on the course in 2001/2 before promotion to Sqn Ldr. After a tour in the CAOC in Al Kharj prior to Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation TELIC, he held the post of TT Sensors and Weapons at the Air Warfare Centre at RAF Waddington, intimately involved in urgent weapons and electronic warfare developments prior to offensive operations. Post ACSC in 2008 and promotion to Wg Cdr, he commanded the Dynamic Targeting Cell in HQ ISAF in Kabul. 2009 saw him as part of the MOD’s Strategy and Force Development team before a posting to Air RP as the desk officer responsible for all Combat Air issues during SDSR 10 and associated planning rounds. After taking command of Operations Wing at RAF Waddington, Al then assumed command of 92(R) Sqn, delivering all post-graduate QWI training and responsible for providing timely, impartial and expert advice to the commander and the frontline warfighter. On promotion to Gp Capt he completed a tour in the Al Udeid CAOC as the Battle Director coordinating coalition Air and Space effects across the SHADER AOR. After subsequent tours in Air Cmd as the 1 Group Senior Air Staff Officer and in the Ministry of Defence leading the central Air Capability Plans team, Al assumed responsibility for the UK Air to Air Missile Portfolio in Jul 2023 on promotion to Air Commodore.

After spending many years enjoying village life in Norfolk and commuting weekly, Al has settled in Warwickshire with his wife Debbie, two children Samuel and Nancy, who are both at University and his dogs, a very well behaved Irish Red and White Setter, Ruby and an utter idiot of an English Setter, Merlin. Al is Vice Chair of UKAF Rugby and Director of RAFRU Engagements; having played rugby at many levels prior to age and common sense forcing his retirement from playing, he now enjoys the more sedate responsibilities of coaching youth rugby.