Air Marshal Walker had a major influence on the use of the Harrier vertical take off and landing aircraft, initially as a squadron pilot in Germany, when he was awarded an AFC, and later as the commanding officer of No 1 Squadron. He flew on operations over Northern Iraq protecting the Kurdish settlements, and later in Bosnia. During his time in command of RAF Cottesmore, he was instrumental in the establishment of Joint Force Harrier when the RAF and Royal Navy Harrier squadrons began operations together as a wing and in the development of Expeditionary Air Wing. His station also hosted two consecutive Royal International Air Tattoos. He served on the operations staff during the Iraq War and the early stages of the conflict in Afghanistan. He went on to serve in two key air appointments with NATO. An inspirational leader, who led from the front, he died of brain cancer at the age of 66.

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