Group Captain Julian Weekes

Assistant Head Operations Joint Counter-Uncrewed Air Systems Office, RAF

Following state school education in Wiltshire, Group Captain Jules Weekes joined the RAF as a direct entrant in 1998. As a junior officer he served on 2 and 3 Squadron RAF Regiment, the Jt Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment, the Operational Training and Advisory Group, and spent time as an ADC to Air Officer Commanding Number 2 Group. Jules has deployed on numerous operations to Northern Ireland, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq, including being attached to 40 Commando Royal Marines for the assault on to the Al Faw Peninsular in Iraq in March 2003. For his duties in Afghanistan, Jules received a Joint Commander’s Commendation and the US Navy and Marine Corps Medal of Achievement. His staff experience includes roles at the Standing Jt Force HQ, Air Capability Development, Security, Policy and Operations within MOD and as the Senior Air Staff Officer in 2 Group at Air Command. These roles exposed him to Operational-level planning, air operations, finance, capability, and international relations working closely with the UK’s allies and partners. Jules also spent 2 years on exchange with Commando Parachutist de l’Air of the French Air Force as Deputy Chief of Operations. In command roles, Jules has commanded 2 Squadron RAF Regiment, the RAF’s Force Protection Centre and latterly the fighting echelon of the RAF Regiment, known as the Combat Readiness Force. Jules studied Leadership and Change at Exeter University and for advanced staff training attended the Defence Services Staff College in India, writing his dissertation on Russia in the 21st Century: the impacts of the (2014) crisis in Ukraine on East-West Relations. Despite a keen desire for adventure, Jules’ expeditions have mostly been cut short by mother nature. His attempt to reach the North Pole unsupported in 2011 came to an end with a climatic injury sustained in minus 50 degrees and he was forced to end his trek to Everest Base Camp in 2015 due to a significant earthquake.