During this period at Coltishall, Blake saw operational service in both Iraq (OP WARDEN) and Bosnia (OP DENY FLIGHT, DELIBERATE GUARD) in support of the respective No-Fly Zones imposed in both theatres. Achieving some 180 operational sorties, his most notable achievement was to deploy in support of the Harrier Force in Aug-Sep 95 during Op DELIBERATE FORCE; Blake flew one of 2 Jaguar providing airborne laser designation (TIALD) support to the Harriers of No IV(AC) Sqn. He subsequently led the return of the Jaguar Force to the Bosnian theatre, vice the Harrier Force, in early 1997.

A tour in the Aircraft Programmes and Airworthiness division of the Directorate of Air Operations followed where Blake was responsible for associated issues with the Jaguar, Canberra and Hawk fleets. He successfully completed No 4 ACSC, the first at the then new JSCSC at Shrivenham, during 2000-1, gaining an MA in Defence Studies. Promotion and a relatively short tour as SO1 Jaguar/Canberra/Recce at HQ No 1 Gp was followed by a final tour at Coltishall, this time as OC Operations Wg from Oct 2004 to Apr 2006, the last four months of which saw him act as the Stn Cdr and effectively supervise the closure of Coltishall as a flying station. This was followed by a tour in Iraq as Det Cdr at Balad AB. He was promoted to Group Captain in December 2006 to assume the post of DACOS A3 Ops at HQ Air Command. On 1 Oct 2009, he assumed his current post as Commandant of the Central Flying School.

During his career, Blake has amassed almost 4000hrs, deployed widely on both operations and exercises, and been awarded the MBE and OBE. He is married to Sarah, a serving officer and they live in their own house in Norfolk. His interests include renovating and maintaining his garden and social golf.