RAF’s ACM Stringer to become NATO’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe

Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Sir John Stringer of the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has been appointed as NATO’s next Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR), the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 22 January 2026.

In doing so ACM Stringer will be become the most senior UK military officer in NATO, the first RAF officer to serve as DSACEUR since 1984 and only the third RAF officer in history to serve as DSACEUR. The role is always held by a British officer, reflecting the UK’s central position in the alliance and NATO-first approach, the UK MoD noted.

DSACEUR serves as the second in command to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and concurrently as the deputy head of Allied Command Operations.

ACM Stringer, who since August 2022 has been the deputy commander of NATO’s Allied Air Command (AAC) in the rank of air marshal, will take up his post as DSACEUR in March 2026, replacing Admiral Sir Keith Blount, who has held the position since July 2023.

Commissioned into the RAF in 1993, ACM Stringer’s early career saw him serve as a fighter pilot, during which time he flew operational missions during the Balkan conflict and the enforcement of the Northern Iraq No-Fly Zone over Iraq (enforced from 1991 until 2003).

From 2007 to 2009 Stringer served as the air officer commanding No 29 Squadron at RAF Coningsby (the RAF’s Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit), while between October 2012 and September 2014 he commanded RAF Coningsby and its Typhoon Wing.

Between October 2016 and October 2017, commanding No 83 Expeditionary Air Group as the UK Air Component Commander, Stringer oversaw all air operations during Operation ‘Shader’: the UK contribution to the military campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

On being promoted to an air vice marshal, Stringer also served as the chief of staff of Joint Forces Command (JFC), and then director of strategy as JFC evolved into UK Strategic Command, before taking on his role as the deputy commander of AAC.

The UK MoD quoted UK Defence Secretary John Healey as saying of the appointment, “I congratulate Air Chief Marshal John Stringer on his appointment as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe. Air Chief Marshal Johnny’s deep experience in NATO, including commanding the Allied Air Command, makes him the right person to help lead the alliance.

“We need to meet this era of increasing threats with hard power, strong alliances and sure diplomacy and that is exactly what NATO represents. This is the UK’s NATO-first approach in action.

“I am grateful to Admiral Keith Blount for his dedication and commitment, not just as DSACEUR but throughout his distinguished career in the armed forces,” Healey added. “He has contributed much to UK and international security through his work, and I wish him all the best for the future.”

ACM Stringer himself was quoted as saying, “It is a great privilege to have been appointed as NATO’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and to follow the superb example set by Sir Keith and his UK predecessors over 76 years.

“This is a critical time for the defence and security of Europe and the North Atlantic, deterring those who would do us harm and keeping the one billion citizens of NATO nations safe. I look forward to playing my fullest possible part with our vital allies and partners in maintaining our national and collective security as DSACEUR.”