[1] He then served as Aide-de-Camp to the Chief of the Defence Staff, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir David Craig from December 1988 until March 1991,[1] being promoted to squadron leader in January 1991,[8] before taking command of No.

78 Squadron in the Falkland Islands, flying both the Chinook and Sea King aircraft, in July.

33 Squadron, flying the Puma aircraft from RAF Benson, leading the squadron on the first operation of the newly formed Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) providing humanitarian aid to the people of Mozambique following catastrophic flooding in early 2000.

[1] In May 2002 North moved to Headquarters JHC as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff – Personnel, Policy & Plans and Communications,[1] his promotion to group captain following in January 2003.

[11] Having led the planning for JHC's role in the invasion of Iraq,[1] he was upgraded to Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2003 New Year Honours List.

83 Expeditionary Air Group, formed to control all RAF air assets within the Middle East theatre of operations, including the commitments to Iraq and Afghanistan;[1] he received a Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in December of that year.