Roger Austin


Sir Roger Mark Austin, is a retired Royal Air Force officer who became Deputy Chief of Defence Staff.

Flying career

Educated at King Alfred's Grammar School, Austin was commissioned into the Royal Air Force in 1957. He became commanding officer of No. 54 Squadron in 1969, commanding officer of No. 233 Officer Conversion Unit in 1974 and Personal Staff Officer to the Air Officer Commanding RAF Strike Command in 1977. He went on to be Station Commander at RAF Chivenor in 1980, a staff officer at RAF Strike Command in 1982 and Director of Operational Requirements at the Ministry of Defence in 1984. After that he became Air Officer in charge of the Central Tactics and Trials Organisation 1987, Director-General Aircraft in 1987 and Commandant of the Royal Air Force College Cranwell in 1989. His final appointments were as Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff in 1992, Controller Aircraft in 1994 and Deputy Chief of Defence Procurement in 1995 before retiring in 1997.
In retirement he worked as a defence consultant for various companies including Serco Defence. He also became National President of the Royal British Legion.