Johnny Stringer

Air Chief Marshal Sir John Jackson "Johnny" Stringer, (born November 1969) is a senior Royal Air Force officer, who has served as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe since March 2026. Previously, he served as Deputy Commander of the Allied Air Command from August 2022 to March 2026.

Early life and education Stringer was born in Sale, Cheshire, England, in November 1969. He was educated at Watford Grammar School for Boys, then a partially-selective school in Watford, Hertfordshire. He studied at New College, Oxford. He is a graduate of the UK Advanced and Higher Command and Staff Courses, the Royal College of Defence Studies and holds master's degrees from the University of Oxford and King's College London.

RAF career

Stringer was commissioned into the Royal Air Force in 1993. After officer and pilot training, he joined the Jaguar Force at RAF Coltishall. A Qualified Weapon Instructor, he flew operationally over Yugoslavia and helped enforce the Northern Iraq No Fly Zone.

On 11 May 2018, in the 2018 Special Honours, Stringer was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field during the period 1 April 2017 to 30 September 2017".

Promoted to air vice-marshal, he served as Chief of Staff at Joint Forces Command (JFC) and subsequently Director of Strategy as JFC evolved into UK Strategic Command, overseeing its work on the 2021 UK Defence and Security Integrated Review. Stringer has over 3,000 flying hours, predominantly on single-seat combat aircraft.

In January 2026, it was announced that Stringer would be promoted to air chief marshal and appointed Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe in March 2026. He subsequently took up the position on 5 March 2026.