Air Commodore James Beck joined the RAF in 1997. Initially flying Tornado GR4, he graduated as a QWI 2004 and throughout his career served on operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria. During Gulf War 2, he flew the highest number of sorties of any RAF Combat Air pilot during the war.

In 2012 he converted to F35. The following year he Commanded 17(R) Sqn which become the first non-US unit to operate the F-35 under total sovereign jurisdiction for which he was made an OBE. In Jul 19, Beck took Command of RAF Marham – the UK’s sole F-35 Main Operating Base. Finally, following completion of the Higher Command and Staff Course, Beck was promoted to Air Commodore and appointed to be ACOS Cap Strat.