Battle of Britain Memorial Flight News

 

 

 

BBMF appoints future Officer Commanding for the 2026-2027 Display Seasons

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight are delighted to announce the appointment of Squadron Leader Paul Wise who will become the Officer Commanding in October 2025 ahead of the 2026 – 2027 display seasons.

Sqn Ldr Wise joined the Royal Air Force in 1999 as a SAC Weapons Technician on Jaguars. Pursuing his ambition of becoming a pilot, in 2002 he gained his commission and went on to fly the C-130K Hercules operationally. His flying career has been a variety of C-130K/J operational deployments, and instructional roles on the Grob Tutor, C-130J, and Phenom. Sqn Ldr Wise, known as Ernie, is currently employed as OC Multi-Engine Examiners at the Central Flying School Exam Wing, RAF Cranwell. Ernie has been part of BBMF since the 2017 display season, starting his journey as a Dakota captain and Lancaster co-pilot before progressing to become one of the Flight’s two Lancaster captains in 2022. Ernie also acts as a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) on both of BBMF’s bomber aircraft and has more recently also qualified as an A1 (exceptional) QFI on the Lancaster in December 2024. Ernie has had several memorable achievements during his time on BBMF so far, most notably leading the regeneration of Dakota static line parachuting in 2019, where he dispatched airborne troops over Normandy as part of the D-Day 75 commemorations.

 Speaking about his future appointment, he said:

“It is with immense pride that we, the BBMF, continue to commemorate our heroic veterans and preserve the nation’s great aviation heritage. Having been a part of The Flight for the last nine years, I feel extremely honoured to be entrusted with command of this dedicated and devoted team – Lest We Forget.”

The current Officer Commanding BBMF, Sqn Ldr Mark Sugden is now in his final year of command, however he will remain with The Flight as a fighter pilot in 2026.

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