Group Captain Lee Roberts

Air Mobility Deputy Force Commander Royal Air Force

Group Captain Lee Roberts was born in Plymouth in 1975. Aspiring to be an RAF pilot from an early age, he spent much of his early life in pursuit of that dream by self-funding a Private Pilot Licence at the age 16. During University, he joined the University of Wales Air Squadron in 1995 as an Officer Cadet before being offered a University bursary to join the RAF following graduation in 1998. He completed elementary flying training on the Bulldog where he was selected for Basic Fast Jet Training (BFJT) at RAF Linton On Ouse flying the Tucano. Completion of BFJT saw him posted to 208(R) Sqn to complete Advanced (FJT) on the Hawk TMK1, and then onto the Hawk TMk1 Tactical Weapons Training on 19 Sqn. A move to Scotland to undertake the Tornado GR1/4 OCU followed in 2002. A subsequent move to RAF Cranwell to undertake the multi engine cross over course on 45 Sqn, was swiftly followed by a posting to the C130K at RAF Lyneham. Within months of completing the OCU on the C130K in 2003, he was selected to join the Special Forces (SF) Flight and immediately deployed on Operation TELIC, where, as a junior co-pilot his first operational mission saw him fly into Balad (north of Baghdad) on the first few nights of combat operations. During his captain’s tour, again on 47SF, he deployed on numerous operations to Iraq and Afghanistan (Operation HERRICK) and overseas training exercises supporting Special Forces and 16 Air Assault Brigade. Promotion to the rank of Squadron Leader in 2009, offered Lee the privilege of becoming a Flight Commander on 47 Sqn as both the XO and then Flt Cdr SF, with the responsibility for SF Operational output and flying supervision covering several operational theatres and associated training lines. During this tour, he also oversaw the transition of SF tactical flying as the C130J succeeded the C130K in role. Following his command tour Lee was offered a staff tour in MOD working in the Capability Theatre Airspace area, responsible for the capability development of new Aircrew systems, including emergency locator beacon and enhanced vision system R&D. In 2014 he was promoted to Wing Commander and following a brief staff tour at RAF High Wycombe, he was offered the opportunity to attend Advanced Command and Staff College, where he graduated in 2016 with a Master’s Degree in Defence Studies. In Aug 16 he worked in 2Gp for the Senior Operator with the direct responsibility to ensure the smooth transition of the A400M into service, providing a perfect conduit for his last tour as Officer Commanding LXX Sqn (Mar 19 – May 21) and the integration of the A400M into the tactical environment. On promotion to Group Captain in May 2021 he was posted into the Air Mobility (AM) Force HQ undertaking the role of Deputy AM Force Commander. Happily married to his wife Lucy, they have 3 young children and currently live in the married quarters at RAF Brize Norton.