Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox last week announced the appointment of Air Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, currently Chief of Joint Operations and a previous Chief of Defence Intelligence as the first Commander Joint Forces Command (JFC).
The creation of the Joint Forces Command was a key recommendation in Lord Levene’s Defence Reform report, which was published in June as part of a wider package of radical reform. In his new role, Air Marshal Peach will be responsible for commanding and generating allocated joint capabilities from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.
Air Marshal Peach will take up post in December 2011 on promotion to Air Chief Marshal. His focus will be establishing a small headquarters by April 2012 before delivering full capability by April 2013.
A review of organisations and structures across the Services will continue throughout autumn to identify which functions should transfer to JFC. The initial details of the composition of the JFC and the location of its headquarters are expected in October.
Air Marshal Sir Stuart Peach said: “I am honoured and delighted by this appointment. The creation of the Joint Forces Command represents a tremendous opportunity for the UK Armed Forces to deliver effective capability for the challenges that lie ahead. I look forward to working for defence to deliver, within my Command, the very best from Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.”
Making the announcement Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: “I have always been clear that I am determined to reform the way the MOD is run and bring it into the 21st century. The review carried out by Lord Levene set out a clear framework for a stronger Department through far-reaching reform. The creation of the Joint Forces Command is a key part of this reform and I am pleased to announce the appointment of Air Marshal Sir Stuart Peach as its commander.”
Welcoming Air Marshall Peach Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir David Richards enthused: “Lord Levene's recommendations focused on strategic planning and operations and the establishment of Joint Forces Command will align authority and responsibility. The JFC is a key part of this process by ensuring we continue to develop close working relationships between the three services and I warmly welcome Air Marshal Peach as its commander.”
The Lord Levene Defence Reform
1) Lord Levene’s Defence Reform report into the structure and management of the Ministry of Defence recommended the creation of a Joint Forces Command (JFC) to manage and deliver specific joint capabilities and to take the lead on joint warfare development. The Defence Secretary agreed this.
2) An Implementation Team has been established and work is ongoing to deliver the JFC at Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in April 2012, by when a small headquarters will be in place and the first tranche of organisations will have transferred to the new JFC Top Level Budget.
3) The design of the JFC is being led by VCDS, Air Marshal Peach and the Defence Reform Unit in conjunction with the wider implementation of the new Defence operating model set out by Lord Levene.
About Air Marshal Sir Stuart Peach
Air Marshal Sir Stuart Peach was born in 1956 in the West Midlands. He was educated at AldridgeGrammar School, the University of Sheffield (BA), University of Cambridge (MPhil), RAF Staff College and the Joint Services Command and Staff College (HCSC). He holds two honorary Doctorates from Kingston University and University of Sheffield.
Commissioned into the Royal Air Force in 1977, he flew Canberras in the photographic reconnaissance role prior to three successive tours on Tornado GR1 in the UK and Germany, qualifying as a weapons and electronic warfare instructor. He commanded IX (Bomber) Squadron at RAF Brüggen in Germany 1994-1996. Staff tours include personal staff officer to the Deputy Commander and Commander-in-Chief in RAF Germany, Executive Officer to Commander Second Allied Tactical Air Force and Director Defence Studies Royal Air Force.
Operational service includes Belize, Hong Kong and Germany in the 1980s, Deputy Commander British Forces in Turkey (Op Warden), UK Head Military Coordination Centre Zakho (Iraq), Detachment Commander in Saudi Arabia (Op Jural), Commander British Forces in Italy (Op Engadine), Air Commander (Forward) in HQ KFOR on Kosovo and Deputy Senior British Military Adviser in US HQ Central Command 2001-2002.
He commanded the Air Warfare Centre at RAF Waddington from 2000 to 2003, was Director General Intelligence Collection in the Ministry of Defence 2003-2006 and Chief of Defence Intelligence and Deputy Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee 2006-2009. He assumed his appointment as Chief of Joint Operations at PJHQ(UK) in March 2009.
Air Marshal Sir Stuart Peach is married with two children. He is Honorary Colonel of the Joint Service Signal Unit (Volunteers), President of IX (Bomber) Squadron Association, President of Combined Services and RAF Rugby League, senior mentor to Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron and Patron of the SectorOperationsMuseum at RAF Digby. His interests include poor skiing, worse golf, better cooking and a passion for military history.