Commander I H Lynn Royal Navy
Ian Lynn grasped the challenge offered by the Royal Navy in 1992 joining as a Naval College Entrant. This followed 6 profitable, but repetitive office-bound years working for International Westminster Bank in the City of London. Early appointments in the Royal Navy included HMS Peacock in Hong Kong, HMS Newcastle on South Atlantic Patrol, HMS Southampton fighting volcanoes, drug runners and hurricanes in the West Indies and HMS Guernsey within the Fishery Protection Squadron. On completion he spent 2 years teaching Navigation and Leadership to officer cadets at Britannia Royal Naval College.
Following a short staff course and specialist training in Anti-Submarine Warfare he served as Principal Warfare Officer (PWO) Underwater, Operations Officer and eventually Executive Officer in HMS Westminster; tasked in support of the Gulf War and the South Atlantic. In 2003 he joined the team of the Flag Officer Sea Training as a Staff Warfare Officer specialising in the training of UK, NATO and South American Command PWOs. During this period he was also the Officer in Charge of the Towed Array Reaction Team leading them on a number of assignments within international task groups.
Subsequently he rejoined the Fishery Protection Squadron where he commanded 2 Offshore Patrol Vessels, initially HMS Mersey; working within European waters completing 20 months of core business whilst assisting with the development of the Maritime Security Organisation for the UK. His second command was HMS Dumbarton Castle which included a 12 month deployment and the decommissioning of the ship. Employment of this ship included liaison and support to the government of the Falkland Islands and the various tri-service military units deployed to the South Atlantic, as well as patrols of South Georgia and assistance to the scientific research base located there. The return to the UK included diplomatic work with countries located in the Pacific, Caribbean, Africa and Europe.
Prior to his current appointment he completed the Advanced Command and Staff Course at the UK Defence Academy, Shrivenham whilst concurrently reading for a MA in Defence Studies from Kings College, London. He was delighted to be selected for promotion in 2009 and took command of the Fishery Protection Squadron later in the same year.
Commander Lynn is married and has 2 children. Their home is in the South West which they built themselves in 2004. Although historically an offshore sailor, his current interests mainly focus around his family. Additionally he partakes in surf kayaking, junior rugby coaching, social football and golf and as well as other sports, when opportunity allows, and effort can ameliorate for skill.