Royal Air Force Career
Terry joined the Royal Air Force in the ranks as an RAF Regiment aircraftman 2nd class on 17 July 1946. His potential for officer service was quickly recognized and Terry was commissioned as a pilot officer in the RAF Regiment on 29 May 1947. Spending the next nine years as a junior officer in the RAF Regiment, Terry transferred to the General Duties Branch in April 1956. As Group Captain Terry was station commander of RAF El Adem, Libya, from 1969-1970. He was there in September 1969 when Colonel Gaddafi overthrew King Idris of Libya in a coup. Terry oversaw withdrawal of British troops from El Adem and Tobruk in March 1970.
Terry was appointed the Assistant Chief of Staff in the Plans and Policy Division of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in 1975. On returning to the United Kingdom, Terry took up the post of Vice-Chief of the Air Staff on 25 March 1977. On 30 April 1979, Terry was appointed Commander-in-Chief of RAF Germany. Following promotion to air chief marshal he was appointed Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe at SHAPE on 9 April 1981. Terry remained as Deputy SACEUR until 16 July 1984 and he retired from the RAF several months later.
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