This is a very well deserved honour for a truly selfless man.
I first met Sir Ian in 2001 when he was Lieutenant Governer in the Isle of Man, and I attended an Air Power lecture he delivered at the Manx Museum. So inspiring was the topic and his anecdotes that I ended up on IOT the following year.
Such was the mark of the man, whilst I was off-island, that akin to being a nominated individual when OOA he called Mrs manxcat to check on her and my young son's welfare. Unbeknownst to me Sir Ian also called DIOT to determine my progress in training which led to much eyebrow raising by the DS that an AM would be asking after me while on FLC.
I later came across Sir Ian several years later during one of his many charitable ventures when I was involved with the RAF Disabled Holiday Trust and he was in attendance on behalf of the RAFBF. Even then he remembered me - the mark of great leader of men.
From what I've read, he was one of the best CAS we never had. Very many congratulations Sir Ian on your Knighthood.