Andrew Hine , Tornado Pilot

[slogen51]

What a life

Andrew Hine, born May 25 1966, died April 15 2025​

From the Daily Telegraph Obituaries ( I hope this has copied intact)

Andrew Hine, Tornado pilot who led a daylight raid against Iraqi surface-to-air missiles
As ‘the best pilot on the squadron’, he flew some of their most taxing missions and pioneered the use of precision-guided weapons

​Air Commodore Andrew Hine, who has died of cancer aged 58, was a Tornado pilot who, over a period of 12 years, was deployed to the Persian Gulf region on nine occasions to fly operations and patrols over Iraq in support of United Nations Resolutions, and in the aftermath of the 2003 Iraq War; in later appointments, he oversaw operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.

In 1997, relations with Iraq had begun to deteriorate as it increased its efforts to breach the United Nation’s imposed no-fly zones in northern and southern Iraq. Saddam Hussein’s regime was also becoming increasingly uncooperative with the UN Special Commission established to supervise the elimination of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction (UNSCOM) and longer-range missiles in the aftermath of the first Gulf War.

Britain decided to reinforce the forces already deployed to the theatre, and in July 1999 Andy Hine, newly appointed flight commander on 13 Squadron, was deployed to Ali Al Salem air base in Kuwait, commanding a detachment of six Tornados

Assessed by his squadron commander as “the best pilot on the squadron”, he was also the squadron’s weapons specialist. He pioneered the use of precision guided weapons and went on to fly some of the most taxing missions in the very high threat environment, including planning and leading a daylight offensive against Iraqi surface-to-air missiles (SAM) and anti-aircraft artillery that was routinely interfering with other RAF Tornados patrolling the southern no-fly zone. On another occasion, his painstaking attention to detail was invaluable during the planning phase of a joint operation with USAF forces, which culminated in the largest single coalition raid against Iraq since the Gulf War.

After two staff appointments in the Ministry of Defence, Hine was appointed in November 2005 to command No. II (Army Co-operation) Squadron, which was equipped with the upgraded Tornado GR 4, a highly capable attack and reconnaissance aircraft with an all-weather capability.

In the aftermath of the Iraq War in 2003 (Operation Telic), the RAF maintained squadrons in the area to police Iraqi airspace. Hine flew 28 such sorties from an air base in Qatar, most involving air-to-air refuelling, and lasting six to seven hours.

At the end of his ninth detachment to Iraq, he had flown 158 combat patrols involving over 500 hours of flying. When his period in command of the squadron came to an end, his station commander commented: “An exceptional tour, as both a squadron pilot and squadron commander.” Hine was appointed OBE.

The son of Air Chief Marshal Sir Patrick Hine, the former Commander-in-Chief of RAF Strike Command and the Commander of British Forces during the First Gulf War, Andrew Charles Hine was born on May 25 1966 in Harrogate. He was educated at Haileybury School before reading history at St Andrews University.

He joined the RAF in 1989, trained as a pilot and, after converting to the Tornado, he joined 17 Squadron at RAF Bruggen on the Dutch-German border where, 22 years earlier, his father, then a wing commander, had commanded the squadron when it was equipped with the Phantom.

The squadron was required to maintain one aircraft on a 15-minute alert state at all times, ready to launch armed with a nuclear weapon. During his time on the squadron, he deployed to Kuwait twice and patrolled over Iraq in support of a United Nations Resolution forbidding Iraq from flying over the southern part of Iraq. During his three years on the squadron, the enthusiasm and professionalism that were to underpin all his future appointments were already apparent


In January 1996 he headed for Lossiemouth in Scotland to join 12 Squadron. The RAF had continued to maintain detachments of Tornado aircraft in the Gulf region for patrols and reconnaissance operations over Iraq, and over the next 15 months Hine returned to the region twice to fly these missions.

When promoted to group captain in 2008, he was posted to the Permanent Joint Headquarters to run the operational plans division. The precision of his analysis and planning for the UK’s drawdown in Iraq reflected his depth of awareness, practical intelligence and his meticulous nature and drew high praise from his superiors.

His close association with the Tornado was to continue when, in September 2009, he was appointed to command Lossiemouth, the RAF’s largest and busiest operational base and home to three squadrons of Tornados and an RAF Regiment Wing headquarters.

During his period in command, he prepared his squadrons to deploy to Kandahar in Afghanistan to fly operations where they provided vital reconnaissance, close support and strike capabilities to support ground troops and deter enemy forces.


On top of these demanding operational commitments, Hine had to oversee a major construction programme to prepare the base for the replacement of the Tornado by the Typhoon fighter. He still managed to fly regularly to retain his combat-ready status.

After his departure from Lossiemouth in May 2012 he spent four months as the Director of the Combined Air and Space Centre at Al Udeid in Qatar. Air operations were still being conducted over Afghanistan, and he played a key role in the deployment of an unmanned wide-area sensor system to provide a day/night surveillance capability in support of ground forces. In June 2012, his support for the rescue of British aid workers kidnapped in a remote area in Badakshan province in Afghanistan, and his interaction with the embassy in Tajikstan, drew plaudits from the UK Special Forces.

He was promoted to air commodore and took up a new post on the air staff in MoD where he was responsible for forward planning.

In 2015, Hine decided to leave the RAF and begin a second career as a schoolteacher. Always a keen historian, he had pursued a postgraduate doctorate examining the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles upon the German army, focusing mainly on the Nazi period and the Nuremberg Trials.

He quickly established himself at Oundle School as an unforgettable teacher. His knowledge and clarity brought his subject to life, but it was the time he dedicated to his pupils, and the high expectations he had for them, that set him apart.

Outside the classroom, Hine was involved in Educational Support, the CCF, cross-country running and rowing. As a deputy housemaster, he was much respected by the students. He also founded the School’s Leadership Society.

Hine, a fitness fanatic, enjoyed hiking, golf and running, which included a few marathons and “iron man” triathlons.

Quiet and private by nature, he was a highly intelligent thinker, and a man of great integrity and loyalty.

He married his second wife Alison (an ex-director of legal services for the RAF) in 2018. She survives him with his two sons and a daughter from his first marriage, to Jacqui.

[Blackcat1]

Such a sad loss at such a young age. My condolences to his family & friends .

Per Ardua Ad Astra

[Malcy]

Such a sad loss at such a young age. My condolences to his family & friends .

Per Ardua Ad Astra

seconded

thank you for your service Hiney from everyone in Lossie

rest in peace Sir

per noctem lux

[Condor68]

With a record like that not a lot you can say short of condolences to all his familiy for their loss They should be able to take solace that his knowledge has given an advantage to his proteges who will follow.

RIP /Thank you

Keith