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Comdt CFS - Gp Capt Higgins

Gp Capt Martin Higgins joined the RAF in 1993, enter-
ing pilot trg in ‘96. Selected to be a ‘Creamie’ QFI on
208(R) Sqn until Nov ‘99, he then moved to RAF
Leuchars, 43(F) Sqn, flying the Tornado FMk3. After
conducting ops in Iraq in ‘02 and ‘03 as well as fg ex-
ercises in North America and Europe, Martin was se-
lected to join the RAFAT where he served for 3 years
as a team pilot.

On promotion to Sqn Ldr in ‘05, he returned to RAF Leuchars in ‘08 as
Flt Cdr on 111(F) Squadron. During this tour, he was privileged to
take command of 1435 Flt at MPA, Falkland Islands. 2010 saw a staff
tour at Air Cmd as SO2 Joint Combat Aircraft, developing the nascent
Lightning II capability. Returning to the Red Arrows in 2011-12 as
Red 5, he was lucky enough to be part of the Team’s involvement to
celebrate the London Olympics and Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee.

Promoted to Wg Cdr in ‘13, Martin then returned to Air Cmd in Cap
Del where he managed the Defence Op Trg Cap (Air) and High G Cen-
trifuge programmes. In ‘14, his luck continued when he was selected
to become OC RAFAT until ‘17. During this command tour he deliv-
ered the Team’s first overseas tour to China.

After successfully completing ACSC and promotion to Gp Capt in late
2018, Martin returned to Air Cmd to become DACOS Cap Dev. Hav-
ing been a QFI since 1997, Martin was delighted to be selected for his
current role as Comdt CFS.

Martin is the Deputy Chairman of the RAF Athletics Association and
tries to remain competitive in road races. Other interests include
road cycling and trail running, as well as reading books about philoso-
phy and anything by George Orwell.