as part of the half yearly promotions, he was promoted to squadron leader on 1 july 1996. he then returned to raf odiham to become officer commanding of the puma operational conversion unit flight, part of no. 27 (reserve) squadron. in 1998, the end of this posting, saw the pumas of no. 27 (reserve) squadron leave to join no. 33 squadron raf at raf benson. in 1999, he was posted to raf strike command as the rotary desk officer; this post soon moved to the newly formed joint helicopter command. from august 2001 to 2003, he was attached to the kuwait air force as an advisor and helicopter instructor, and was based at ali al salem air base.