Leon (known as Fish) joined the RAF in 2004, having completed initial flying training on Glasgow & Strathclyde University Air Squadron. He qualified as a pilot in 2006 and was posted to 18(B) Sqn, RAF Odiham flying the Chinook where he served for two operational tours. In 2011 he was selected as a Training Captain and developed junior pilots towards their goal of become fully mission qualified.

 

During his time on the Chinook, Fish completed five tours on Op HERRICK flying over 100 MERT missions and helped to extract over 150 casualties.  Fish and his crew were proudly Mentioned in Despatches in 2011 whilst flying four MERT missions. Over a fifteen-hour period, whilst being engaged by the enemy twice saving numerous lives despite flying in near-zero visibility when most other helicopters had been grounded.  Fish also completed a tour on Op BANNER in Northern Ireland.

 

Fish left the RAF in 2015 and now works in the veteran charity sector using his own personal experiences to help other veterans and their families. He lives in Edinburgh with his partner and stepson. In his spare time, he enjoys watching Glasgow Rangers play football and spending time with his family.