Air Commodore (Retd) Colin Basnett CBE joined the RAF in 1979 following his upbringing in Manchester. Having completed 3 tours as an airman, including one in Hong Kong, he was selected for commissioned aircrew service. During his flying career, Colin undertook front-line duties on the Tornado GR1 and GR4, including combat operations over Iraq and Afghanistan, and as a Qualified Weapons Instructor at the Tornado Weapons Conversion Unit.

Colin went on to command No 14 Squadron and RAF Marham before, as an Air Commodore, he undertook his eighth operational tour as the Director of the Combined Air and Space Operations Centre, Al Udeid, Qatar where he was responsible for the delivery of all Coalition airpower in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Colin’s ground appointments included acting as the Personal Staff Officer to the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff; the Director of Air Resources and Plans; and Director of the Capability Equipment Plan. His career achievements were recognised by the award of a CBE in the 2010 New Years Honours List, and the US Legion of Merit, which is one of the highest meritorious service medals bestowed upon non-US personnel.

Upon leaving the RAF, Colin joined MBDA as the Military Adviser (Air) and, latterly, became the Head of Typhoon and Future Combat Air System before joining QinetiQ in 2018 as the Group Director of Strategic Engagement. Colin retired from full-time work in August 2024, although he has retained his positions as a Non-Executive Director of the RAF Charitable Trust Enterprise (which delivers the Royal International Air Tattoo - the world’s largest military airshow) and as a Board member of the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium.