Lurgan man Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, professional head of the RAF, is congratulated on 'outstanding' New Year honour
A Lurgan man with a distinguished role in the Armed Forces has been appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the New Year Honours.
The professional head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, was appointed the new Chief of the Air Staff in August 2025, following an outstanding career of service and leadership.
Born and educated in Lurgan, he joined the RAF in 1991 via the RAF Sixth Form Scholarship Scheme and then spent 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor having flown hundreds of operational missions over Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
After being promoted to Air Commodore in 2015, Air Marshal Smyth held a range of command positions including the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff for Military Strategy and Operations.
As Air Chief Marshall, his position is accountable to the Secretary of State for Defence for the fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale as well as the development and sustainment of the RAF.
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart congratulated the Lurgan man on being awarded the prestigious title in the New Year Honours list.
"Sir Harvey’s journey from Lurgan / Waringstown and the schools of Upper Bann to the very top of the Royal Air Force is nothing short of amazing,” said Carla Lockhart. “In August 2025, he was appointed Chief of the Air Staff, the professional head of the RAF and one of the most senior roles in our Armed Forces.
"Over more than three decades, Sir Harvey has served with distinction as frontline Harrier pilot with hundreds of operational missions from Bosnia to Afghanistan; senior command roles shaping the RAF’s strategy, people, and capabilities and leadership during a crucial period of transformation for UK defence.
"His achievement is a moment of immense pride for Upper Bann, Northern Ireland, and the United Kingdom . Sir Harvey continues to be a powerful ambassador for our community on the world stage.
"Congratulations Sir Harvey Smyth on this outstanding honour and your extraordinary service to our nation.”
Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth is one of a number people with connections to the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon area to be included in the 2026 New Year Honours.
Janice Bunting, from Lurgan, the chief executive of Victim Support NI, was awarded the MBE for services to victims and witnesses of crime.
Ms Bunting joined Victim Support NI as deputy chief executive in 2017 before taking on the role of chief executive in September 2022. She has more than 30 years’ experience working in the private, public, voluntary and community sectors, of which 17 are at senior management levels.
Sinéad Lynch, Victim Support NI’s Chair, said: “The board and I are delighted that Janice is to receive an MBE in recognition of her dedication to supporting victims and witnesses of crime. She is a source of great inspiration, and this honour is a fitting acknowledgement of her longstanding commitment and significant impact.”
Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust, has been awarded a CBE for services to heritage; Alison Gilchrist, an enforcement officer with the Trading Standards Service, Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland Civil Service has been awarded an MBE for public service and Samuel Jardine has been awarded the BEM for public service and to the community in Co Armagh.