General Sir Mike Jackson, formerly called ‘The Prince of Darkness’ and UK Chief of the General Staff from 2003 and 2006, has died. Well liked amongst military personnel for his no-nonsense style of leadership, he proved his mettle in the Kosovo crisis when he refused to obey his American counterpart in blocking Russian troops landing at Pristina airport to support the Serbs, saying “I’m not going to start World War Three for you.” He defused the situation, which could have ended in a nuclear conflagration by drinking whisky and then vodka with his Russian counterpart.
He was born 21 March 1944 in Sheffield, into a military family, studied Russian at university and moved into Intelligence before transferring into the Parachute Regiment. He was a junior adjutant in Northern Ireland during Bloody Sunday, when British troops killed 13 Catholic men during a civil rights march in Londonderry in January 1972 and served three tours there.
He had a pro-active Aries Sun and Mercury opposition Neptune and trine Pluto North Node in Leo – Neptune Pluto gave him overwhelming ambition and Pluto North Node in Leo, influence and leadership ability. He had a talented Half Grand Sextile from the Sun Neptune opposition sextile Uranus and Pluto North Node. Plus a military Mars Saturn conjunction in Gemini sextile Jupiter in Leo.
When the standoff in Kosovo happened in June 1999 his Solar Arc Pluto was opposition his Sun putting him under considerable strain. With a lucky tr Uranus opposition his Jupiter and a nerve-wracking tr Neptune opposition his Pluto North Node.
Generally considered one of the last of the old school military leaders.
The post Gen Mike Jackson – whisky defused global crisis first appeared on Astroinform with Marjorie Orr – Star4cast.
