MRAF Sir Keith Williamson - Obituary

[Chris Scott]

A heads-up for you RAF types. Williamson died on May 2nd, aged 90.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2018/05/06/marshal-royal-air-force-sir-keith-williamson-obituary/

Regret to say that you may need to be a subscriber to read the whole of the obituary, as it's a "Premium" article.

[air pig]

Copied from the Telegraph.

Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Keith Williamson, who has died aged 90, joined the RAF as an aircraft apprentice during the Second World War and rose to become Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) in October 1982, a few months after the end of the Falklands War (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/falklands-war/).The conflict in the South Atlantic continued to dominate the defence scene. As CAS, Williamson took an early opportunity to visit the islands when he recognised the need for an effective air defence force to counter any further Argentine air attack.He confirmed the need to maintain the recently arrived force of eight Phantom fighters and the requirement for modern radars. He also appreciated the limitations of the airfield at Stanley, although it took another year to persuade the government to build the modern airfield at Mount Pleasant.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/obituaries/2018/05/06/williamson-2_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqESpD_DW1gemqJWh9e72gcVkIhtIL2QT13uheo0B9 HtA.jpg?imwidth=480Williamson, third from left, paying his respects at San Carlos cemetery during his visit to the Falkland Islands in October 1982Much of his time as CAS was spent on longer-term issues. The negotiations to sell the Tornado to Saudi Arabia depended heavily on RAF backing. Williamson was keen to capitalise on the aircraft’s success and he totally supported the project.The RAF was having doubts about the future of the Nimrod airborne early warning project, but the most important future development concerned the European Fighter Aircraft (EFA) project.Potential European partners included the French, whose position created difficulties for the multinational working parties. Williamson joined other air force chiefs in an attempt to resolve the issues, but the French decided to withdraw from the project.The remaining countries, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Spain, decided to proceed and the EFA was developed into the highly successful Typhoon multirole fighter, which is currently the RAF’s main combat aircraft.During Williamson’s busy period as CAS he had to contend with proposals by the Defence Secretary, Michael Heseltine, to reorganise the Ministry of Defence. This involved the single services losing their policy and operational requirements staffs to a centralised defence organisation, a measure that Williamson felt was unwise and ill conceived.Keith Alec Williamson was born at Leytonstone on February 25 1928 and was educated at Bancroft’s School. As a boy he witnessed aerial combat during the Battle of Britain.After his school was bombed he was evacuated to Leicestershire, where he continued his education at Market Harborough Grammar School and joined the Air Training Corps.In February 1945 he enlisted as an aircraft apprentice and spent three years as one of “Trenchard’s Brats” at Cranwell training to be an air radio fitter.Graduating as one of the top apprentices, he was given a cadetship at the RAF College Cranwell, where he trained as a pilot and gained his colours at cricket and soccer. He was commissioned as a pilot officer in December 1950.The next few years were dominated by his time as a fighter pilot. His first tour was in Germany at RAF Fassberg, where he flew Vampires with No 112 Squadron.After a course as a pilot attack instructor he volunteered for service in Korea and was attached to the Royal Australian Air Force when he joined No 77 Squadron to fly the Meteor. The twin-engined fighter was outclassed by the MiG-15 and had been relegated to the ground attack role and Williamson flew several operational sorties.In April 1956 he converted to the Hunter fighter and returned to his old squadron, now based at Brüggen near the Dutch border.Shortly afterwards, the Defence White Paper prepared by Duncan Sandys resulted in the decimation of the RAF’s fighter force, including the disbandment of the Brüggen Wing. Williamson was fortunate and was made a flight commander of one of the few remaining squadrons in Germany, No 20, based at Oldenburg.Returning from Germany in 1958, he embarked on a series of appointments as a flying instructor, which culminated in his time as an examiner at the Central Flying School. After a year at the RAF Staff College he spent two years managing the careers and appointments of aircrew officers.He returned to operational flying in May 1966, when he assumed command of No 23 Squadron flying the supersonic Lightning fighter from RAF Leuchars in Scotland. He always recognised this period as one of the most fulfilling of his career as a fighter pilot.After two years he was awarded the AFC and was promoted to return to Germany, this time to command Güterlsoh, the most forward of the RAF airfields in the Second Tactical Air Force and the home of two Lightning squadrons and two Hunter fighter reconnaissance squadrons.After a year at the Royal College of Defence Studies he filled the key appointment of Director of Air Plans in the MoD, responsible for the future size and shape of the RAF. When he arrived in September 1972, the RAF was undergoing a major restructuring following the withdrawal from east of Suez.With an impending defence review there was much to do to protect the RAF’s key requirements. At the centre of the RAF’s re-equipment programme was the new Tornado multirole aircraft and this had to be defended, which turned out to be a successful exercise.On promotion to Air Vice-Marshal, Williamson was appointed as Commandant of the RAF Staff College in August 1975. He was unhappy that the course had been reduced to six months and he fought successfully for the longer period to be restored.After two years he left to be Assistant Chief of Staff Policy and Plans at Supreme Headquarters Allied Forces Europe (Shape). The opportunity to work closely with European allies and those from the US at a time when Nato defence ministers were reviewing the increasing threat posed by the Soviet Union proved to be particularly valuable during his later senior appointments.Williamson returned to the UK in August 1978 to become the Commander-in-Chief of RAF Support Command which, apart from flying training, was a new world for him.Recruitment and retention were key issues and he recognised the value of a new scheme to give junior airmen appropriate training for promotion to NCO rank. He also oversaw the introduction of the Hawk jet training aircraft, which has continued to give outstanding service for forty years.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/obituaries/2018/05/06/williamson-1_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqRyujx91_R0fAKmrxXxzoxZhsEcZsXl_smFai5eFh xMI.jpg?imwidth=480Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Keith WilliamsonIn September 1980, Williamson became Commander-in-Chief of RAF Strike Command. It was a time of modernisation and he paid close attention to the significant improvements being made to the UK’s air defence ground environment involving new sensors, communications and computerisation. The appointment also carried Nato responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief UK Air.During the Falklands War his aircraft from Strike Command played important roles in the conflict, although he felt that some of his contemporaries in the other services showed insufficient understanding of the importance of air power.He also felt that the significant contribution made by his aircraft, such as the Vulcan, Victor, Nimrod and Hercules among others, were not fully appreciated by the public.When his three-year tenure as Chief of the Air Staff ended in October 1985 he retired from the RAF but continued to support his Service as president of the Royal Air Forces Association. He was also president of the Officers’ Association and a vice-president of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. He was appointed KCB in 1979 and advanced to GCB in 1982.Always smart and correct, Williamson’s somewhat formal and cool manner often masked his appreciation for individuals’ efforts and abilities and his gentle humour. In his younger days he was an excellent squash player, and later a keen golfer.Keith Williamson married Patricia Watts in 1953. She survives him with their two sons and a daughter; a second daughter predeceased him.Sir Keith Williamson, born February 25 1928, died May 2 2018

[Wander00]

Good guy to work for, even well down the tree. Known to some as "Couth Keith", he allegedly decreed that no divorced officer would reach Air rank, that in the 80s. Mind you, must have given hope to some.

[Bill Macgillivray]

My boss for a while (a long trime ago!).. A real gentleman, and you knew exactly where you stood with him. No nosense, he would back you up 100% against "outsiders" but woe betide you later if you were in the wrong!!

A great loss, fly wellSir !!

Bill

[Tankertrashnav]

Never met Sir Keith but was with his son Mike on 214 in the 70s. Nice chap.

[CADF]

My Stn cdr at Gutersloh- ditto Bill Macgillivray's remarks.

[langleybaston]

Mine too.
On quiet evenings, the Met forecaster and the observer, plus any third party in the league, played Office Cricket. The ball was a golf practice ball, the rules were simple. One such evening I was batting, and Williamson and OC Ops came through the door at about Gully.
OCOps caught my slash one handed low down, Staish congratulated him, and your Metman went into humble ingratiating mode.

Thank you sir.

[Davef68]

Outside Honorary ranks, only two surviving MRAFs (one if you take into consideration Sir Peter Harding resigned his commission)