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A Sleaford Freemason who spent almost forty years defending the UK from a range of threats has been awarded the CBE in recognition of his significant contributions to the RAF.
Philip Lester of Daedalus Lodge, who has just retired after almost 40 years with the rank of Air Vice-Marshal, learned of the honour in a phone call from the Chief of the Air Staff only a matter of days before the list was published.
He said he was incredibly humbled and proud to have been given the award, which he’ll receive at one of up to 30 investiture ceremonies during the coming year.
Philip is described as a highly respected, forward-thinking leader who shaped modern RAF doctrine and strategy, focusing on future warfare domains like space and cyber before moving to strategic consultancy and defence education.
His career includes being the Station Commander at RAF High Wycombe as well as a number of high-ranking roles in the RAF and the Ministry of Defence, such as Research Fellow at the Centre for Public Understanding of Defence and Security, Director of the Multi-Agency Fusion Group (COVID Response) for Norfolk County Council, Chief of Staff Joint Force Development for the UK Ministry of Defence, and Head of Doctrine, Air, Space, and Cyber for the UK Development, Concepts, and Doctrine Centre.
He said: “I joined the RAF in 1986, and I well remember sitting at RAF Cranwell in my first lecture about geo-strategy. It was all about Russia. I don’t think I would have believed it if someone had told me that in the forty years after that we would were to see the end of the Cold War, of the troubles in Northern Ireland, Yugoslavia, two wars in Iraq and then Afghanistan, and now war in Europe.
“I now intend to forge a new career path with new consultancy work.”
Defence Secretary John Healey congratulated all the award winners and said: “Everyone receiving an honour is thoroughly deserving of recognition. Whether serving in the most demanding environments overseas in the specialist roles that, although they rarely make the headlines, nevertheless keep us safe 24/7, or in the essential work that keeps our military ready, their courage and excellence represents the very best of the United Kingdom.
“These honours reflect their remarkable individual achievements and the collective strength of our armed forces. We thank them for their service; we are deeply proud of them.”
