Mark Langrill

Growing up in Germany, Malaysia, India, Yorkshire and North
Wales, Mark Langrill studied Mechanical Engineering at Cardiff
University, worked in industry with British Aerospace and
completed an MSc in Thermal Power before joining the Royal
Navy as an Instructor Officer in 1993. He transferred to the Air
Engineer specialisation in 1995.

Following professional training he joined 801 Naval Air
Squadron as the Deputy Air Engineer Officer, operating Sea
Harrier FA2s as part of HMS ILLUSTRIOUS’ Carrier Air Group.

Promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 2001, Langrill became the Engineering Authority for Sea Harrier mission systems in the Harrier Project Team at RAF Wyton. Having led the introduction of Link 16 into the FA2, he moved to the Harrier GR9 Marinisation Team, delivering the changes needed to enable sustained Joint Force Harrier operations from the sea.

After completing Advanced Command and Staff Course he returned to the front-line as Air Engineer Officer of 820 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Culdrose; highlights included embarkation in RFA FORT GEORGE for the first successful large squadron deployment of the Merlin HM Mk1 to the Gulf and the proof of concept participation in Op CHOBDAHAR. This was followed by a tour in Navy Command Headquarters as the lead for Ship/Air Integration and embarked Aviation Facilities. During this time he completed an MBA, receiving the Cranfield University Award for Excellence as the top student on the Executive Programme.

On promotion to Commander in 2009, Langrill joined Through Life Support at DE&S Abbey Wood, leading teams tasked with assisting Helicopter, Combat Air, Air Support and Weapons Project Teams to deliver better in-service support solutions. This was followed by a tour in MoD Head Office as the lead for Strategic Manning, with a broad portfolio including programme management of the tri-Service Armed Forces Redundancy Programme.

In 2012 he deployed to Afghanistan as Joint Helicopter Command Principal Air Engineer for the UK helicopters in theatre, with Level K airworthiness authority for Chinook Mk2 & Mk4, Apache, Merlin Mk3, Lynx Mk9a, Sea King Mk4 & Mk7 and the Hermes 450 Remotely Piloted Air System.

Following a two-year tour as Commander Air Engineering at RNAS Yeovilton, with Continuing Airworthiness Management and Chief Air Engineer responsibility for Wildcat AH Mk1 & HMA Mk2, Lynx Mk8, Dauphin and the Swordfish, Chipmunks & Sea Fury of the RN Historic Flight, Langrill joined the Lynx-Wildcat Project Team as the Lead Engineering Authority. He was promoted to Captain and assumed the positions of Team Leader and Type Airworthiness Authority in November 2015, leading the transition of Wildcat to the formal In-Service phase and the retirement of the Lynx Mk8, Lynx Mk9A and Swordfish from service.

He moved to the role of Head of the UK Military Flying Training System portfolio on promotion to Commodore in March 2021, delivering Hawk, the Phase 2 flying training system and Air Cadet gliding, before returning to Yeovil in November 2023 as Head of the Helicopters 1 portfolio, encompassing the Merlin and Wildcat Delivery Teams.

Selected to be Interim DHels in May 24, and now substantive, the role has grown under the DE&S Operating Model, becoming Director Rotary Wing & Uncrewed Air Systems, with responsibility for the procurement and support of UK defence’s Rotary Wing, Uncrewed Air Systems and Air Enablers portfolios.

Mark Langrill lives in mid-Devon with his wife Tracey (a former Naval Officer) and their menagerie of dogs, chickens, ducks, bees, cats and children. His interests include trail running, walking on Dartmoor, following the mighty Exeter Chiefs and maintaining his ramshackle house and overgrown garden.