New Officer Commanding BBMF

Header image: Sqn Ldr Mark ‘Suggs’ Sugden (left), the new OC BBMF, shakes hands with the outgoing OC, Sqn Ldr Mark ‘Disco’ Discombe AFC (right).  (Photo: Crown Copyright)

The BBMF has now had a change of command. Squadron Leader Mark’ Disco’ Discombe AFC, who has flown with the Flight as a fighter pilot for the last seven display seasons and commanded the BBMF for the last three years, has moved on. With his time flying with the BBMF over, Disco is moving into a new post as the Training Officer on 29 Squadron – the Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit – at RAF Coningsby. He will also be flying Spitfire PR Mk XIX PS853, owned and operated privately by Rolls-Royce, during future display seasons, meaning that he will be one of very few pilots to have flown all of the BBMF’s founding aircraft from the Flight’s inauguration in 1957.

The new OC BBMF, who took over command on 16th October, is Squadron Leader Mark ‘Suggs’ Sugden. Suggs introduced himself to Official Club members in the recent 2021 Autumn Journal. He is a fighter pilot who has previously flown Tornado F3s, instructed on the Hawk T1 and brought the Hawk T2 into service, and has flown the Eurofighter Typhoon since 2013. He has flown as a volunteer fighter pilot with the BBMF for the last four display seasons to gain the necessary experience, and will now command the BBMF for the next three years up to the end of the 2024 display season.