Tony Mason became one for the country’s most influential thinkers on defence and air power issues. He began his RAF career in the Education Branch but soon developed a keen interest in the application of air power. He was appointed the service’s first Director of Defence Studies, a post which he developed over five years into one of influence and original thought. The author of numerous books, and a regular guest on radio and TV channels, he pioneered the way for future officers to study the historical aspects of air power and to think at the philosophical level and how air power fitted into the wider political and strategic arena. His legacy is the Mason Fellowship established earlier this year and open to all ranks in the RAF who spend a year in academia studying topics related to air power.

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