Sir Michael Armitage began his career in the RAF as an aircraft apprentice, one of “Trenchard’s Brats” at Halton and he rose to serve on the Air Force Board, one of only two senior officers to do so. His early career was spent as a fighter pilot and then a flying instructor. He later commanded 17 Squadron min Germany when he flew Canberras in the photographic reconnaissance role. He served as the station commander at RAF Luqa in Malta at a time when the squadrons returned to the base after the Maltese prime minister, Dom Mintoff, had earlier expelled the RAF. Armitage had the task of re-establishing the RAF’s presence. A deep interest in the use of air power and in international affairs led to a series of appointments in the academic field before he became the chief of defence intelligence. His final appointment was as teh commandant of the Royal college of Defence Studies.

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