A blog by Wing Commander Colin Mathieson
Wing Commander Colin Mathieson is celebrating 40 years as a Reservist in uniform, most recently having worked as Head of Media at the Permanent Joint Headquarters. His role bridges military operations and public understanding, explaining how UK forces protect national interests at home and abroad.
The Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ), a vital component of Strategic Command, provides command and control for all UK overseas military operations. It ensures that British forces can respond effectively to threats and challenges across the globe.
Strategic Command serves as the UK's defence integrator, bringing together thousands of reservists with diverse backgrounds and specialist skills to address complex security challenges worldwide. Reservists play a crucial role in defence operations, combining military training with valuable civilian expertise.
Colin shared with us how his career progressed to where he is today:
My Military Journey Begins
I always wanted to join the RAF. My father was a bomber and fighter pilot in the 1960s, and my mother served before they married, so military service runs in my family. At 18, I applied for an aircrew commission and was placed on the waiting list. I was advised to join my local Reserve unit for experience while waiting.
My military career began in 1985 with two years in the Army Reserves at a Commando Logistics unit in Southampton. I transferred to the RAF Reserves in 1987, joining the same Squadron as my mother. 4626 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron RAF Reserves then had both mother and son serving as Flight Nursing Assistants, though she outranked me at the time.
Rising Through the Ranks
I advanced from Aircraftman to Corporal, and in 1996 was commissioned as a Pilot Officer. I continued rising through the ranks, becoming Wing Commander in 2013 and Officer Commanding of the Squadron I had joined 26 years earlier. My mother had also progressed to Squadron Warrant Officer, meaning we both held the two most senior appointments on the same Squadron.
We served together during operations in the First and Second Gulf War (GRANBY and TELIC), likely making us the only British mother and son to serve alongside each other on operations. We both deployed to Afghanistan (Operation HERRICK) but two years apart—my mother in 2008 and myself in 2010, where I was shortlisted for 'Reservist of the Year.'
A Family Legacy
Our joint deployments attracted media attention—first in 1991 and again in 2003, by which time I was an Officer and she a Flight Sergeant, which in military terms meant I was her superior, and she had to address me as Sir! Despite the formal military hierarchy, we worked effectively together coordinating aeromedical evacuations.
She retired from Reserve Service after returning from Afghanistan in 2008, continuing her career as a Cabin Crew Manager with British Airways until three years ago. Now she volunteers at a Veterans Centre in Southampton and supports various military charities.
Transitioning to Full-Time Reserve Service
During my 40 years in uniform, I served for 25 years as a traditional Part-Time Reservist with a busy civilian career in Publishing and Events – but my time working with the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan changed my outlook completely. That time was incredibly challenging and equally rewarding. Returning home and resuming my previous civilian job after seven months of designing and delivering an Afghan healthcare education programme was a particularly difficult transition. This led me to explore Full-Time Reserve Service options, and I have never looked back.
The last 15 years have been the most fulfilling of my entire career, including four years with the RAF Health Directorate and Defence Primary Healthcare, four as Commanding Officer of my original Reserve Squadron, four as Head of Planning and Resourcing at Air Media and Communications, and two as Head of Media at PJHQ within Strategic Command.
New Horizons, Same Commitment
What is next? Retirement? Certainly not! I have many more years of service ahead, and I absolutely want to continue working with brilliant like-minded civil servants and military colleagues on a range of fascinating projects.
Next milestone – 45 years!
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