Welcome to Inzpire, Phil
21 Jul 21
New JoinersISR, Intelligence and Cyber OBU
21 Jul 21
New JoinersISR, Intelligence and Cyber OBU
It is our pleasure to welcome Phil Farmer to the Inzpire family.
Phil has joined our ISR division as a senior ISR expert after completing 22 years’ service in the RAF.
Originally from Belfast, Phil joined the RAF in 1999 as an aerospace systems operator. Having completed a tour at RAF Neatishead ably assisting the fighter controllers in protecting the UK air policing area, in 2002 Phil was selected for non-commissioned aircrew as an air electronics operator.
After award of his first brevet, Phil was posted to 8 Sqn as an electronic support measures operator, where within 18 months had become a Sqn EWI. Whilst on 8 Sqn, Phil experienced many joint and multi-national exercises as the airborne C2 element, gaining an insightful understanding of air C2 and its use in large force element planning considerations.
Phil commissioned as a weapons systems officer in 2008 and spent a long period in training as the RAF struggled to reshape after SDSR. Eventually, he faced a return to 8 Sqn where he continued to partake in LFE and counter narcotics operations, then a re-role as an MRA4 WSO which never materialised and finally a move to Tornado GR4. During this period Farmer spent a great deal of time working with JTACs and building his understanding of A-G weaponry.
In 2014, Phil was posted to the AWC as a trials management officer for the nascent UK Rivet Joint capability. Heading up the UK team, Phil worked between 56 Sqn and 54 SU and liaised with Greenville/Offutt. Phil spent two years running trials and generating greater capability at Digby through collaboration with counterparts at the 55th Wing. Phil also deployed to the CAOC to integrate UK RJ with CentCom on its maiden deployment to Op SHADER.
In 2016 Phil completed the QWI (ISR) course. Following this he was posted to a deployed UK SF headquarters for Op SHADER, where he was responsible for theatre-wide ISR management of multiple UK task forces. Previously this had not been the scope of the role but due to a restructure in the apportionment of ISR allocation, Phil found himself moved around the middle east at the customers behest to ensure UK SF objectives were met.
In late 2017 Phil was posted to the UK RJ OCU as a mission commander. On completion, Phil began a 3-year tour of 51 Sqn. During this period, he undertook multiple joint Exs and 2 tours of Op SHADER. He was named 'top performer' at Ex RED FLAG 19-1 for his work collaborating ISR and non-kinetic effects to achieve greater mission success. He also became the mission commander QMAI in 2020 instructing OCU students.
Later in 2020, Phil was posted on promotion to 54 Sqn to take charge of the ISR warfare school, where he was tasked to reshape the school and deliver not only QWI (ISR) and the REAPER QWIC but also look at the development of a separate P-8 QWI stream.
Phil has settled in Nottinghamshire with Sarah, their two kids and three dogs. He enjoys anything that ends in the pub, from skiing to walking and everything between.
Welcome to the team, Phil!
Phil Farmer (centre) being welcomed to Inzpire by Phil Johnston-Davies (left) and Andy Bain (right), both of Inzpire's ISR division
13.02.25
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