AIR FIN MONAHAN OBE DFC PhD RAF

Air Commodore Fin Monahan joined the as a cadet pilot at East Lowlands Universities Air Squadron in Edinburgh whilst studying for a degree in French and Business Studies at the University of Stirling. Commissioned in 1992 at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell, he completed flying training on the Tucano and Hawk aircraft. In 1993 he attended the University of Nottingham to study for a Masters in International Relations.

In 1996 he was posted to the Harrier Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Wittering. On graduation, he joined IV (Army Co-operation) Squadron at Royal Air Force Laarbruch in Germany and flew on numerous operational tours over the Balkans. In 2000 Fin was posted to Royal New Zealand Air Force Ohakea as an exchange officer flying the A4K Skyhawk in Maritime Strike, Air to Air and Air to Ground roles on 2 and 75 Squadrons. Whilst with the RNZAF, Fin flew extensively across Australia and Asia Pacific. He also instructed on and displayed the CT4 Air Trainer whilst in New Zealand.

In 2003 Fin was posted to the Tactical Leadership Programme in Florennes, Belgium. As Air-to-Ground leader, he specialised in Close Air Support, Combat Survival and Rescue and Tactical Support to Maritime Operations. In 2005 Fin was appointed as Executive Officer on 1 (Fighter) Squadron. He completed tours of Afghanistan in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross following an interesting scramble to support embattled ground forces in 2006.

In 2007 Fin assumed command of Cambridge University Air Squadron running a busy flying, leadership, sport and adventure training programme. On promotion to wing in 2008, Fin was appointed as Chief of , Joint Air Maritime Organisation working on Harrier, F35, Invincible and Queen Elizabeth Class projects. In 2010 Fin and his family moved to Wellington, Southern where he gained a Masters in Defence and Strategic Studies at the Defence Services Staff College. He also learned to ride horses and travelled extensively across India. In 2011 he assumed command of Operations Wing RAF Leeming and led the establishment of the NRF 13 Rapid Reaction Expeditionary Air Wing. In that role, he deployed on Op NEWCOMBE as the Sentinel DOB Commander supporting operations in Mali. He was appointed to the Order of the British Empire for his service on Op NEWCOMBE and NRF 13. In 2013, Fin was posted to the Directorate of Defence Studies at Shrivenham as Deputy Director where he wrote speeches for the Chief of Air Staff, edited Air Power Review and conducted research projects. In 2014, Fin was promoted to Group and served as a PJHQ Liaison Officer at US European Command Headquarters in Stuttgart. From 2016 to 2018 Fin was appointed Commandant of the Central Flying School. In that role, he oversaw instructor training for the three services, conducted R&D into instructional techniques, examined squadrons and instructors across the world and commanded the Red Arrows. Fin completed RCDS in 2019 and in January 2020 was appointed as Head Doctrine (Air, Space and Cyber) at the Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre at Shrivenham.

Married to Jane and with three children, Fin enjoys skiing, mountaineering, sailing, diving, fly fishing and has a PhD in military history and organisational culture.