Major General Michael Keating CBE

Chief of Staff Allied Rapid Reaction Corps

Major General (MG) Mike Keating commissioned into the Army Air Corps (AAC) in 1993. His early career included a short period as a Platoon Commander, three years flying in Northern Ireland and two years on exchange with the Canadian Air Force from 1998 – 2000, during which he deployed to Bosnia as the Operations Officer of the first Canadian aviation contingent to support of UN operations (SFOR).

Major General Keating served as Adjutant, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, 16 Air Assault Brigade before leading the development of the ‘Attack Helicopter Conversion To Role’ course. He attended the Joint Services Advanced Command and Staff Course from 2004 – 05 and then served in the MOD as an Equipment Capability manager with responsibility for the Attack Helicopter project and Urgent Operational Requirements. He commanded 657 Squadron AAC (Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing) from 2007 – 2009, deploying to Iraq and South America before returning to the MOD for Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010.

Major General Keating assumed command of 9 Regiment AAC in 2011, training and deploying Squadrons to Afghanistan, Kenya, and the Far East. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 with the 3rd US Marine Air Wing. He then spent an informative year in the Personnel Branch, staffing Officer discipline and legal casework to The Army Board. On promotion to Colonel in 2015, he was assigned as Assistant Director Operational Plans in the Army Directorate for Operations and Contingencies. Following HCSC in 2016 he became Assistant Head Military Strategy before promotion and a return to flying duties in 2017 as Deputy Commander and Operations Director, Joint Helicopter Command. He served in The Pentagon as CDS’ Liaison Officer to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from Oct 19 – May 21 before promotion and assignment as Deputy Commanding General – Support, III (US) Armoured Corps. Keating assumed the role of COS ARRC in May 23.

To his great surprise he has accumulated three Masters degrees during his career and was honoured to be appointed Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Her Majesty The Queen in 2018.