Born in Lincoln in 1970, Captain Griffin was educated in Nottingham before joining the RN direct from school in 1988. After BRNC Dartmouth and a holdover on the Dartmouth Training Squadron in HMS Bristol, he completed flying training at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, RNAS Culdrose and 707 Squadron, RNAS Yeovilton. Joining 846 Squadron for his first front-line tour in November 1991, he detached on various exercises around the UK and Europe, including Norway, before deploying on Op GRAPPLE in HMS ARK ROYAL in the Adriatic. His final deployment on this tour was to Northern Ireland on Op BANNER. Moving to 845 Squadron in June 1994 he saw 4 deployments to Bosnia and completed the Instrument Rating Instructor Course at RAF Shawbury. Completing the Qualified Helicopter Instructor course in May 1996 he moved to 848 Squadron for 2 years, gaining his A2 Instructor category in March 1998. Returning to 846 Squadron in June 1998 as the Training Officer, he completed more UK and European exercises, but the tour was dominated by further operations in Northern Ireland. Promoted to Lt Cdr in 2001 he moved to Northern Ireland for his first Staff appointment as SO2 J3 Ops in the HQ Joint Helicopter Force (Northern Ireland), responsible for the Operational Capability of the tri-service multi-type helicopter force and the promotion of Joint flying practices. On completion he spent a short stint as SO2 Avn in the National Contingent Headquarters in Qatar during Op TELIC. Returning to the CHF in Apr 2003, he joined 846 Squadron once again, as the Executive Officer / Senior Pilot. This tour saw 4 deployments to Iraq on Op TELIC, a short spell as OC Clockwork in Norway, and an amphibious exercise to the USA embarked in HMS OCEAN. After 6 months in the CHF HQ as Assistant Chief of Staff, he was appointed to the Directorate of Naval Career Management, responsible for the Joint Force Harrier and CHF pilots and all RN ATC Officers’ career management. Awarded the MBE, promoted Commander and selected for Command in 2007, he joined 846 Squadron as Commanding Officer in April 2008. His command was dominated by operations in Afghanistan, including a tour flying and a further period in command of the JHF(A). On completion of ACSC in 2011 he began his first tour in the MOD, responsible for tri-Service Rotary Wing, Air Manoeuvre and Littoral Manoeuvre Policy in Joint Capability. On promotion, Captain Griffin moved to the Joint Helicopter Command in October 2012 as Assistant Director Commitments, responsible for delivering operationally capable battlefield helicopter and 16 Air Assault brigade assets. He assumed command of the Commando Helicopter Force in November 2013. Captain Griffin lives with his partner Claire in Merriott, Somerset, and has 2 children, Jack (13) and Lucy (11). He is an eager supporter of the Leicester Tigers rugby team, recently took up riding and polo and plays golf particularly poorly! .