| Clive Robert Loader | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 September 1953 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1973–2009 |
| Rank | Air Chief Marshal |
| Commands held | No. 3 (Fighter) Squadron RAF Laarbruch Air Command |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Officer of the Order of the British Empire |
Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Robert Loader KCB OBE ADC FRAeS RAF (born 24 September 1953) is a retired Royal Air Force Officer and was the first Commander-in-Chief Air Command (CinC AIR).
Educated at The Judd School Tonbridge and the University of Southampton, Loader joined the RAF in 1973.[1] As a junior officer, he was posted to No 1 (F) Squadron at RAF Wittering and then IV (Army Cooperation) Squadron at RAF Gütersloh, Germany flying Harriers.[1] Promoted to Squadron Leader in 1984 he became a Flight Commander in Germany.[1] Promoted to Wing Commander in 1989, he went briefly to Rheindahlen, before being made Personal Staff Officer to the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Strike Command.[1]
He was given command of No. 3 (F) Squadron, at RAF Laarbruch in 1993[2] in which role he took part in operations over Northern Iraq and Bosnia.[2] Promoted to Group Captain in 1995, he attended the Higher Command and Staff College and then became Station Commander at RAF Laarbruch in 1996.[2]
Promoted to Air Commodore in 1999 he became Air Commodore for the Harriers in 2000.[1] Promoted again, this time to Air Vice-Marshal, he was appointed as Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Operations) in 2002 and Deputy Commander-in-Chief RAF Strike Command, in the rank of Air Marshal, in 2004.[2] Promoted to Air Chief Marshal in 2007 he became the first Commander-in-Chief of Air Command on 1 April 2007.[2] He retired in 2009.
In 1976 he married Alison Leith.[2] They have three sons who were all educated at Bedford School, of which he is a school governor.[2] He is a keen military historian.[2]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by R M Thomas |
Officer Commanding No 3(F) Squadron 1993 – 1995 |
Succeeded by A F P Dezonie |
| Preceded by M G F White |
Station Commander RAF Laarbruch 1996 – 1999 |
Post disestablished - Station Closed May 1999 |
| Preceded by Unknown |
Air Commodore Harrier 2000 – 2001 |
Succeeded by Unknown |
| Preceded by Unknown |
Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Operations) 2002 – 2004 |
Succeeded by Nick Houghton |
| Preceded by Sir Glenn Torpy |
Deputy Commander-in-Chief RAF Strike Command 2004–2007 |
Succeeded by Command Disbanded |
| New title Command established by merging:
Strike Command (C-in-C Joe French) Personnel and Training Command (C-in-C Barry Thornton) |
Commander-in-Chief Air Command 2007–2009 |
Succeeded by Sir Chris Moran |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by Sir Joe French |
Air Aide de Camp to Her Majesty The Queen 2007–2009 |
Succeeded by Sir Chris Moran |