Tribute ‘highly respected and courageous leader’ who rose from pilot deputy chief Nato Afghanistan
The second most senior officer in the RAF died yesterday after collapsing while doing triathlon, the Ministry of Defence said last night.
The death Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Moran at age 54 was described as “huge blow” armed services. He had been running leg charity event at RAF Brize Norton Oxfordshire when taken ill; he was taken air ambulance John Radcliffe Hospital Oxford where he was pronounced dead.
He was president RAF Triathlon. The event he had been competing in was sprint, or shorter version, the swimming, cycling and running endurance event – 400m pool swim, 22km bike ride, and 5km run around the air base – with 80 competitors taking part.
“It great sadness shock that announce untimely death of Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Moran,” said Chief of Air Staff, Sir Stephen Dalton. “A highly respected courageous leader, this tragic loss comes as huge blow Royal Air Force and, indeed, defence at large.”
Moran was commander in chief Air Command, a post he had held 14 months.
He leaves wife, Elizabeth, their two daughters who at university, and son who at school.
Moran joined the RAF as university cadet after completing his degree became Harrier pilot.
He later commanded Royal Air Force Wittering and served as equerry Duke Edinburgh in early 1990s. He took part in planning and execution of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. In 2007, he became deputy commander Allied Joint Force Command at Nato’s operational level headquarters International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan. He was promoted air chief marshal and appointed lead Air Command in April 2009.
Dalton said: “Our prayers and thoughts are with his family, to whom offer my most sincere condolences on behalf of Royal Air Force, serving and retired.”
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