Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire
RAF pilot who was hit by enemy fire in the Falklands and later became Chief of the Air Staff
AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR PETER SQUIRE, who has died aged 72, led his squadron of Harrier jets on ground-attack operations during the Falklands war for which he was awarded a DFC; during his later career he filled some of the RAF’S most important command and air staff appointments, becoming Chief of the Air Staff in April 2000.
In March 1981 Squire assumed command of No 1 Squadron based at RAF Wittering. A year later he and his pilots had just flown some Harriers to Canada, using in-flight refuelling for the Atlantic crossing, when the squadron was put on standby to reinforce the Task Force in the South Atlantic.
Over the next three weeks the Harriers were modified to operate from aircraft carriers, air-to-air missiles were fitted and the pilots flew practice combat missions at Wittering against French air force Mirage and Etendard aircraft; two types that equipped the Argentinian air force.
At the beginning of May 1982, eight Harriers, led by Squire, took off for the eight-hour, non-stop flight to Ascension Island using in-flight refuelling. Two days later, six of the Harriers were loaded on to the requisitioned container ship, the Atlantic Conveyor, which sailed to join the Task Force off the Falklands.
On May 18, Squire and five of his pilots took off from Atlantic Conveyor and landed on HMS Hermes, where they joined a Fleet Air Arm squadron of Sea Harriers already heavily engaged in intensive operations. The following day, Squire took off on the squadron’s first operational mission, which was also the first time that RAF aircraft had flown in combat from an aircraft carrier since the Second World War.
Over the next three weeks Squire flew 23 bombing, rocketing and reconnaissance operations, some in support of the Battle of Goose Green. On one occasion he and his wingman attacked Stanley airfield with rockets flying at low level against intense anti-aircraft fire. Both aircraft were hit but managed to return to Hermes.
On June 8, he was preparing to land at a forward strip at San Carlos when his engine failed and he made a crash landing. He was flying again the next day. Later he was bombing an enemy headquarters on Mount Tumbledown when a bullet passed through the cockpit close to his head.
He flew his final sortie on June 13 when he dropped a laser-guided bomb on enemy positions, the first such attack by an RAF aircraft. The following day the Argentinian forces surrendered.
Squire proved to be an outstanding leader, with the citation for his DFC mentioning his “great courage” and concluding: “He has shown outstanding valour and steadiness under enemy fire and has led by brave example.”
Peter Ted Squire was born on October 7 1945, the son of Wing Commander Frank Squire DSO, DFC, a wartime Coastal Command pilot, and educated at King’s School, Bruton. He entered the RAF College Cranwell as a flight cadet in 1963, graduating three years later when he was commissioned.
After completing his training as a pilot he was posted to Singapore, where he joined No 20 Squadron, flying the Hunter in the day fighter/ ground attack role, quickly establishing himself as a superb pilot.
A further tour on Hunters followed when he was a flying instructor at RAF Valley in Anglesey. He was selected to be the station’s display pilot, won the annual RAF Wright Jubilee Competition in 1972 and was awarded a Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air.
In 1975 he converted to the Harrier before becoming a flight commander on No 3 (F) Squadron based at Wildenrath in North Germany. The squadron regularly operated from remote, dispersed sites in all weathers and this gave him an excellent insight into the activities, initiative and ideas of all ranks. On completion of his tour he was awarded the AFC.
At the end of the Falklands war, the Harriers remained to provide the air defence for the island. Squire returned to Stanley in October for two months and on his first sortie he was forced to eject after an engine failure. He landed in the harbour and was picked up by a Sea King helicopter.
In November 1986 he was promoted to command RAF Cottesmore, the home of the Tri-national Tornado Training Establishment. The unit trained RAF, German and Italian aircrew to fly the new Tornado aircraft.
Identified as an officer likely to rise to the top of the RAF, he filled a succession of high-profile operational appointments in the MOD and at the headquarters of RAF Strike Command. The RAF was restructuring following the end of the Cold War and operational squadrons were being deployed to police the United Nations no-fly zones over Iraq and to support ground operations in the escalating conflicts in the former Yugoslavia.
In the space of 11 years he rose from wing commander to air marshal and returned to the MOD in February 1996 in the key appointment of Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Programmes and Personnel). All three services had to adjust to a series of reviews and spending cuts at a time when they had to meet increasing operational commitments. Squire’s calm nature and steady hand proved to be a great asset.
In March 1999 he was appointed as Commander-in-chief, RAF Strike Command and Commander Allied Air Forces North-western Europe. With command of all the RAF’S air and ground operational forces, he had the additional responsibility of providing air defence for the United Kingdom and surrounding Nato areas.
Although a Cold War veteran, Squire’s activities in “out of area” operations in the Falklands, and his experience of working with Allied partners, gave him a clear insight into the need for new doctrines and tactics in the employment of air power. His squadrons were heavily involved in the Kosovo War. He recognised the complexity of these operations and the need to integrate numerous aircraft roles and capabilities within a coalition air battle plan.
After the conflict he presented his findings to senior military and political staffs to illustrate how air operations were changing and to express his recommendations on the way forward.
On April 21 2000, Squire was appointed Chief of the Air Staff. His operational knowledge was invaluable when he advised the government on the British air contribution to the Us-led military action in Afghanistan and then, in 2003, during the RAF’S significant role with coalition partners engaged in the Iraq War.
People were always at the forefront of his thinking. He focused on the professional development of the air and ground crews. He was concerned about the delays in the pilot training organisation and fought hard to rectify the issue while confronted by a Treasury requirement to find cost savings.
Squire was a compassionate and thoughtful commander who had a deep interest in and concern for the welfare of all ranks and their families. An excellent listener, he had a sharp antenna for their issues and sought regular briefings to gain an insight into people’s worries, aspirations and their motivation.
In December 2002, Squire paid an official visit to Argentina and met General Walter Barbero, the Argentine Air Force Chief, who flew Boeing reconnaissance aircraft in the Falklands. Squire told the general: “We had great respect for the Argentine Air Force. They flew with great courage and skill.” Before leaving the country, he flew an Argentine aircraft of the kind he might have encountered in 1982 and, in a spirit of reconciliation, laid a wreath on the Argentine war memorial.
Squire was highly professional, personable and much admired, and there was a steadiness and reliability about his manner that gave great confidence to those who worked with and for him.
He was appointed KCB in 1997, advanced to GCB in 2001 and made Air Aide-de-comp to the Queen in 1999.
In retirement Squire led a busy life. He was chairman of the board of trustees at the Imperial War Museum from 2006 to 2011, was vice-chairman of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission from 2005 to 2008 and the serving president of the RAF Club.
He also supported his local community and was a Deputy Lieutenant for Devon. A fine cricketer and squash player in his younger days, in later life he enjoyed golf and time with his family in Devon.
Peter Squire married Carolyn Joynson in 1970. She and their three sons survive him.
ACM Sir Peter Squire, born October 7 1945, died February 19 2018