Over the next decade he consolidated his mountaineering experience and quickly grasped the dynamic demands of active search and rescue operations. As a result, and after some 200 rescues, he was selected as Team Leader for RAF Leeming MRS with whom he led 80 successful operations. Following this tour he had a short-term assignment to the NATO Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Croatia and was awarded a Joint Commanders Commendation for his outstanding contribution towards the hazardous recovery operation of a downed helicopter. The mountains of Scotland however were soon calling again and upon his return to the UK he was selected as Team Leader for the largest of the MRS units based at Kinloss. This proved to be his busiest and most demanding of tours and included several notable rescues. In total he led over 100 operations, including the first-ever overseas recovery of an RAF tactical support aircraft that had crashed in Albania. He followed this by leading the UK’s largest ever search operation for two United States Air Force aircraft that had crashed in the Scottish Cairngorm Mountains in the depths of winter. This task was notable for the complexity of the search and localisation phases involving multinational support elements and several MRS teams; a protracted high profile operation that required extremely close liaison and coordination from the top down. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the UK's Search and Rescue Organisation and his notable charitable work for Cancer Research UK he was awarded an MBE.

For his next assignment he was an assistant controller at the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) RAF Kinloss. And it was here that he took every available opportunity to pass on his intimate knowledge of the mountains from an ‘eyes-on-the-ground’ perspective. A process that undoubtedly helped improve the coordination of mountain rescues, consolidated his position within the MRS world, and contributed to his promotion to Warrant Officer. The down side was that he now found himself promoted into a desk job at RAF High Wycombe, HQ Air Command, and a long way from his beloved mountains. 

Many would have chosen to use this as a period of recovery away from the hectic life of the MRS. Al however decided to use all of his spare time to plan, organise and execute a bold Antarctic expedition. His aim: to lead an unsupported four-man team to attempt to reach the Geographic South Pole. What followed over three years was a classic case of endeavour, determination and a never-say-die attitude winning over against the many doubters. His persistent pleas for backing within the Service did not go unnoticed and he eventually secured the support of the HRH Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip as Patron. Working tirelessly on all the necessary behind the scenes administration he also found the time to raise one hundred and eight five thousand pounds through civilian sponsorship and Service contributions in order to fund the entire expedition. Unfortunately, while much was achieved under the most extremes of conditions imaginable, the four-man mission narrowly failed to reach their goal. Just 91 miles short and with one team member incapacitated, Al rightly decided that the success of the expedition would not override or knowingly place the lives of his team in jeopardy, and he duly ordered its evacuation.

After the Antarctic expedition and while still suffering the debilitating effects of frostbite, he was assigned to the RAF personnel presentation team; an elite administrative unit that briefs units worldwide. Following on in 2010 and in recognition of his many years of excellent service, he was awarded the much-coveted Meritorious Service Medal. His final and for once, mostly uneventful tour, was in one of the highest profile roles in the military as the College Warrant Officer of the Joint Services Defence Academy. He then concluded his 31 years of service by walking 881 miles unsupported from Land's End to John O' Groats in memory of a close friend and colleague who had recently died. In the process he raised close to thirty thousand pounds for the Prospect Hospice in Swindon that had been responsible for his friend’s palliative care. More recently he has worked as a special educational needs coordinator for primary school children. And in 2017 he decided to challenge himself to run 2017 miles to raise money once again this time for a children's hospice in Oxford – this he achieved in 10 months! While training in December for an individual 100 mile non stop attempt, Al was struck down with sepsis and pneumonia, which after a 9 night stay in Swindon's Great Western Hospital Intensive Care Unit, saw him restricted to walking only 9 steps. Once again Al surpassed everyone's expectations by running a 52.4 mile ultra marathon only 18 months later.  Having stepped down from his duties within his local school, Al now thrives on providing motivating and inspirational presentations around the UK to audiences of all ages.

During the Corona virus lockdown in 2020, Al led a team of volunteers, working tirelessly for over 5 months supporting the vulnerable and elderly in his home town of Faringdon.

In his spare time he enjoys completing ultra marathons, volunteering at the local youth club for young people with special needs, managing the local under 14's football team and very occasionally sneaks in a days fishing!