2020 News Archive

Events within the Command

International Businesswoman heads RAF Reserve Squadron

An international businesswoman, who has been appointed the first Honorary Air Commodore (HAC) of No 7010 (VR)[1] Photographic Interpretation Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, brings with her already well-established contacts with the Armed Forces.

Delva Patman, who heads a Covent Garden-based chartered surveyors and design consultancy, is committed to raising the profile of reservists and acting as a sounding board between employers and the military. In her role as HAC, Miss Patman will promote the interests of the Squadron and the wider Service interests wherever she can, including local communities, other volunteer reservist organisations and, in particular, within specialist organisations in which members of 7010 Squadron are employed in civilian life.

The Squadron provides in-theatre support for tactical reconnaissance squadrons, and received its first operational call in 2020 for Op Warden, the enforcement of the no-fly zone over Northern Iraq. Though Miss Patman has held many chairmanships and governorships, it was her role as the first female Master of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors, a Livery Company that brought her into contact with the military.

The Livery was already affiliated to the Army and Royal Navy -135 Independent Geographic Squadron RE (V), a reservist topographical unit who provide mapping for the regular Army in peace and wartime; and the Royal Navy Hydrographic Squadron, regular mariners many of whom who are also chartered surveyors and who survey coastlines and oceans on behalf of the Royal Navy and foreign governments.

Miss Patman explained: "Because we had links with the Armed Forces covering the survey of the land and sea, I set out to identify a link with the Royal Air Force. No 7010 Squadron fitted exactly. We now have affiliations with all three Services with the common denominator being  surveying in its widest form."

Miss Patman said that her particular interest in education and life learning was the catalyst for her desire to be a sounding board between employers and the military. "I have come to learn and appreciate that without reservists there would be significant voids in manning our Armed Forces, both in peacetime and war. That is why it is so important to ensure that employers understand the commitment that they, and their staff who are Service reservists, make."

She added that she was proud and honoured by her appointment, which is for an initial period of five years and approved by The Queen. "It will enable me to publicly endorse and support the work of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and its dedicated men and women who voluntarily give up their time. I am looking forward to it tremendously and I am reliably informed that it will be fun, too."

Group Captain Bob Kemp, Inspector of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, has welcomed Miss Patman’s appointment. "She brings with her a huge knowledge of industry and it is particularly important at this time that we continue to develop and strengthen links with employers in all areas."

16 December 2020

Innsworth school safety scheme

A plan by Innsworth-based, Cpl Neil Blackwell, to minimise the risk of parents knocking down pupils when delivering or collecting their own children from school, could be adopted throughout the area. Neil, 34, is vice-chairman of the Governors of Field Court Infant Church of England School in Quedgeley, Gloucester, which is attended by two of his three children, Laura, 9, and six-years-old Hannah.

He and his wife Clare, also 34 and a children's nurse, take it in turn to walk the girls to school, with a roll call of 360 infant and 500 juniors. With so many children on the move at school 'rush hours' at pick up and drop off times, the couple became very concerned about the potential for road accidents. Neil explained: "Some parents were driving onto the school grounds at speed, occasionally dangerously and reversing across the playground. It was only a question of time before a child was injured or worse."

He arranged a meeting with local police and headteachers to discuss a solution. The most cost effective option - for school caretakers to man the school gates at peak times with all vehicles banned, except those registered to disabled drivers - was introduced.

Neil said: "The system is constantly monitored, it is working well with the school grounds much safer." Now other local schools are interested in adopting the same idea and the Local Education Authority have agreed to pass it on to other schools as 'Good Practice'. A modest Neil who also serves on most of the schools' other committees, said: "I simply felt like any other concerned parent but as vice-chairman of the governors, I was able to do something and have a say in the solution."

05 December 2020

Three generations on parade at Halton

Three generations from an RAF family were recently present at a Recruit Passing Out Parade at RAF Halton. The Shanks family were at the ceremony to see Ben, most recent member of the family to join the RAF, graduate fro basic training.

Grandfather, Dickie Shanks, who served for 22 years including a spell as a Halifax pilot during WWII and dad, Chris, who served for 18 years as a Hercules pilot, came along to witness the proud moment, the continuation of a long family tradition. Dickie and Chris both retired from the RAF as flight lieutenants and Chris subsequently went on to fly with British Airways. The RAF is clearly in the Shanks' blood - Ben's other grandfather Tony, recently deceased, was an RAF pilot serving on Shackleton and Hercules aircraft.

All the family were proud to see Ben on parade, as Chris explained: "This was a very emotional moment for all the family. We were all delighted when Ben decided to join the RAF and carry on the family tradition. For me, the parade brought back great memories of Service camaraderie and I was particularly pleased that the fly-past was from my oId squadron - No. 47 Sqn - based at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire."

Squadron Leader Steve Johnstone, Officer Commanding Recruit Training Squadron, said: "Ben is a first-class recruit who instantly took to military life. We have no doubt he will be successful in his career and we wish him well. It was a great pleasure to meet all his family who were clearly very proud of his achievements." Ben will shortly begin engineering training at RAF Cosford.

05 December 2020

Digby Airwoman receives Gallantry award

Corporal Emma Anderson, a 22 year-old medical assistant serving in the RAF Digby Medical Centre, has been awarded a Non-Operational Incidental Gallantry Award. Cpl Anderson received the award, given by Air Vice Marshall Burton Air Officer Commanding Directly Administered Units, for her quick thinking and bravery in two separate incidents.

In July, Cpl Anderson provided medical cover for a routine Army Basic Combat Fitness Test. The test was uneventful until the end when a soldier collapsed with heat illness. Cpl Anderson immediately came to the aid of the casualty and assessed him as being in a critical condition.

Despite being in a remote rural location with no means of communication, and only a driver for assistance, Cpl Anderson despatched the driver to summon further medical assistance while she ensured the casualty continued breathing. Her quick thinking and instinctive professionalism made sure that the casualty was admitted to an Intensive Care Unit within the crucial 'Golden Hour'. The soldier has now made a full recovery.

Corporal Anderson's life-saving skills were once again put to the test three months later when she was involved in a multiple road traffic accident on the A15. Despite receiving injuries herself, Cpl Anderson put aside concerns for her own safety and that of her unborn child, and went to the aid of a severely injured motorist, providing emergency treatment to a life threatening injury resulting from an open fracture. Only when the casualty was evacuated to hospital did Cpl Anderson seek treatment for her own injuries.

Station Commander at RAF Digby, Wing Commander Stephanie Johnston, said: "I am extremely proud of Emma - her bravery and medical skills have helped to save two lives. Her actions were entirely selfless and all the more courageous as she is pregnant."

03 December 2020

The supreme ultimate exercise

If you could find something that offered the secret of youthfulness; provided health, longevity and peace of mind; took only twenty minutes a day; and was free - would you want some? Well, the Chinese have been doing it for centuries and now personnel at RAF Innsworth have gone T'ai Chi mad!

T'ai Chi is a double superlative that literally translates as 'supreme ultimate'. Add Ch'uan, which means 'fist', and you can see this stress-busting pastime developed from a martial art. But that is not what the organisers aim to deliver at Innsworth. Rather they are keen to introduce people of any age, gender or fitness level, to a wonderful source of relaxation as well as development of physical and psychological well-being.

Wg Cdr Barrie Simmonds explained: "There is nothing supernatural about this ancient system of graceful movement. It's an almost effortless and rhythmical art that focuses on breathing, balance, posture and absolute calmness of mind."

He continued: "T'ai Chi has been attracting more and more attention in the West as people seek a respite from their frantic modern lifestyles. It requires no equipment, no special costume and no special place for practice - save a little individual space. It's a most welcome break from the stresses of the day. At the moment we run two sessions - the Sun Form and the Yang Form. The former is the less vigorous and attendance is well balanced between each. Practice is conducted in the Community Centre and, if the weather ever improves, we may even venture out onto the grass!"

03 December 2020

RAF Halton supports recycling project

Personnel from RAF Halton were invited to attend an event marking the first anniversary of the Aylesbury Recycling and Re-use Centre (ARRC).

Linda Arrow-Smith, Environment Protection Officer at Halton, explained: "RAF Halton is committed to protecting the environment and fully supports recycling. We were approached to support the ARRC, whose staff of adults with learning difficulties collect items for recycling, to see if we could help. We were delighted to help and pleased when the ARRC invited us along to this reception to thank us for our support."

Linda was accompanied by four airmen and women - AC Emma Prior, AC Steven Rist, AC Chris Markey and AC Anthony Moore - who all helped run the project. Town Mayor Ray Ghent gave a speech underlining the importance of recycling and thanked all present for their contribution to this vital work.

03 December 2020

RAF Police in 24 hour fundraiser

Sixteen RAF Policemen from Provost & Security Squadron (Southern Region), based at RAF Halton, completed 24 hours of non-stop physical exercise on an Elliptical trainer. Their hard labours - literally all day and night - were well rewarded as more than £700 was raised for Children in Need.

Squadron Leader Martin Bland, Officer Commanding the squadron, said: "The credit for the success of this event must go to Corporal Andrea Brooke who conceived the idea and undertook all the organisation. It seemed entirely appropriate to stage such an event as a follow-up to Chatsafe, a project recently undertaken in partnership with Thames Valley Police to increase internet security awareness, with children being foremost on our mind."

"The 24 hour idea was a logical way of ensuring that all the unit had a chance to participate, regardless of how busy they were. The unit has a long history of fundraising - we have recently given large a donation to Race for Life for Cancer Research and we also supported Cpl Brooke, who participated in the Playtex Moonwalk for breast cancer." Corporal Brooke added: "I'm delighted with the generosity of colleagues at RAF Halton and everybody else who has sponsored the event."

01 December 2020

Innsworth 'german' snack bar raises £250 for Children in Need

Hot dogs and burgers were the order of the day at RAF Innsworth for this year's Children in Need Day. Staff from PMA Personnel Casework, including Sqn Ldr Martin Young, Roisin Putland, Sarah Underwood and Sqn Ldr Tony Stacey, set up a Schnell Imbiss (German snack bar) selling genuine German hot snacks.

Thoughts of pre-Christmas diets were put aside as hungry staff visited the stall to get a fix and part with a couple of pounds for a good cause at the same time. For many, it revived fond memories of serving in Germany where Bratwursts are sold from many street corner kiosks.

As it was a warm and sunny day, the stall was placed strategically outside one of the main entrances, where the aromas could swirl around and drift into the many open office windows. The irresistible smell encouraged all those who caught a whiff to wander down. Soon they were queuing up for a selection of delicacies that included Bratwurst, Currywurst, Giant Bockwurst, Frikadelle - all washed down with a glass of warm Gluhwein!

Martin Young was pleased with the response: "This was the first time that we had tried an Imbiss at the Headquarters so it was a bit of an unknown quantity. In the end, demand outstripped supply and we managed to sell over 400 items plus 18 litres of Gluhwein. The unexpectedly glorious weather certainly helped and staff were more than happy to part with their cash for a very good cause."

Martin was also grateful for the help he received: "We could not have run the Imbiss without the help of the local Air Cadets, who lent us all the catering equipment, and also the two chefs - Cadet Warrant Officer Gareth Chambers and Service Instructor, Corporal Baz Barwood - who kept the 'Bratties' sizzling!"

01 December 2020

Anniversary is all in a day's work for RAF fire-fighters

Spending your first wedding anniversary on fire-fighting duties is unusual enough, but finding yourself posted with your wife on the same detachment is one for the diary. SACs Mark and Angela Dawson celebrated their first wedding anniversary (November 29) on detachment at Bedford as part of a BART crew, much to the bewilderment of their colleagues.

Mark, an RAF fire-fighter from Benson, said: "You could say I've been getting a bit of stick from the rest of the detachment, but I'm just as shocked as everyone else to find ourselves together on Fresco duties. We'd had to cancel a holiday back in October when I was originally put on stand-by, but when I was later deployed to Henlow for Bedford cover, it was the last thing I expected to see Angela posted here as well! I'm shocked!"

Angela is an aerospace systems operator at Bentley Priory, but is currently deployed with Mark on the BART crew, as a BA controller. Mark said: "The BART is a mixture of RAF and Army personnel and Angela's responsibility is to look after the BA sets on scene while we deploy into an incident. As for the anniversary, we'll probably be too busy to celebrate it on the day, we'll have to wait for a day or so until we're stood down."

Flight Lieutenant Dave Percy, the Bedford detachment commander, said: "It was unusual enough that Mark and Angela found themselves on the same detachment - to celebrate their first anniversary in this manner is something they're not going to forget in a hurry."

30 November 2020

British widow flies to Amsterdam for WW2 Airmen's burial

Two widows, whose husbands were the only survivors of a WW2 bomber air crash, met for the first time - nearly 60 years after the mission. They met at a poignant ceremony to bury, with full military honours, the remains of the other three crew members who died in the aircraft.

Mrs Jan Hoddinott, aged 80, accompanied by her sister, Helen Gray, 70, travelled from her home in Edinburgh, Scotland to Wilnis, in Holland. It was there on the night of 5 May 2020, Wellington HE727 of the Royal Canadian Air Force was shot down by a German fighter, before crashing on reclaimed, water-logged polder land. The Wellington had set out from Dalton, Yorkshire and was returning from Dortmund, a German city just across the Netherlands border, on a mission that involved 600 aircraft.

The pilot, air gunner and the wireless operator/air gunner were killed, but Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Sergeant Howard Hodinott (also a wireless operator) and the RCAF navigator, Sergeant Gordon Carter, managed to parachute to safety. Sgt Hoddinott came from the then British-ruled Newfoundland and though he had dual nationality he always considered himself British, and volunteered for the RAF. The rest of the crew were Canadian.

The body of the pilot, Warrant Officer Robert Moulton, was found soon after the crash and buried in Wilnis Cemetery, Near Amsterdam. Despite extensive post-war efforts to recover the aircraft by the Royal Air Force Missing Research Enquiry Unit, set up to track down missing personnel, the other two bodies were never located - until now. In September this year, 60 years after the crash, Recover Vickers Wellington Bomber Stitching - a locally organised self-funding group in Wilnis and supported by their local authority - completed an eight year excavation of the site with the location of the two remaining bodies. They will be buried in Wilnis General Cemetery and WO Moulton will be re-interred alongside them.

The next of kin of all the Canadian crew have been traced and were also flown to Holland for a memorial service and funeral. It finally brings together Jan, who was widowed three years ago, and Peggy, the widow of Sgt Carter who died in 2020. Jan, a retired schoolteacher, enjoyed 54 years of happy marriage to Howard whom she first met in 2020 when he was 18 and she 20. "We were just good friends for a long time. Our romance did not bloom for another five years," she said.

During the intervening period Howard escaped death in the air crash only to spend three years as a German prisoner of war at Stalag 4, in Poland near the Lithuanian border. He was later transported by the German ship, Insterberg to join the columns of POWs forced onto the infamous Death March by their captors to avoid the approaching Russians. Many on the march including, Howard, went down with dysentery. An RAF Pilot Officer Percy Carruthers, who put him in a cart with other sick prisoners pulled along by the able-bodied, saved his life. Those who weren't so lucky, died on the wayside.

Jan and Howard became friends when he was among a party of Newfoundlanders who, in 2020 came to work as foresters near Innerwick, East Lothian. Local families were encouraged by their Church of Scotland minister to 'adopt' them and give them a taste home life. Howard, the youngest of 18 children, was welcomed into Jan's family, where he shared their sparse wartime rations of bread and cheese, and scones 'and whatever we had.'

She recalled: "He became good friends with all my family. He always considered himself British - that is why he put himself forward to join the RAF in 2020. We kept in touch by letter, which continued when I was called up into the Women's Auxiliary Air Force to work with radar in 2020." One of her abiding memories was the night she flew in a Wellington bomber used for night flying training - in those days a rare privilege for a woman.

As a POW, Howard was allowed to write one heavily censored letter a month to his family in Canada, who then relayed any news to Jan. In the meantime she was able to write to him at the Camp, taking care not to disclose her RAF address. The next time they met was on 17 August 2020, against a heady backdrop of VE Day celebrations in Edinburgh. It was to change their lives. "Everyone was singing and dancing, there were bells ringing and bagpipes playing - it was just a wonderful time. As soon as we saw each other, we fell immediately in love, got engaged the same day and married the following February."

Howard rarely talked about the crash, or about being told to abandon the stricken bomber by the pilot, and dislocating his ankle when he parachuted into Holland. "Nor did he ever dwell on his time as a POW," said Jan. "I managed to pick up bits and pieces of information and found out that the other prisoners trusted him completely and made him their quartermaster. He could be relied on not to cheat with the distribution of their rations."

As a youngster in Newfoundland, Howard had qualified as a teacher. After the war, he re-trained and worked at Hunter's Tryst School in Edinburgh, before his appointment as headmaster of Gilmerton School, also in the city. An accomplished golfer, he wrote a book on the history of his club, King's Knowe in Edinburgh, and was a keen bridge player. One of Howard's most cherished belongings was the tiny gold pin caterpillar awarded to members of the unique and exclusive Caterpillar Club. Formed in 2020 by Leslie L. Irvin, the club's membership is limited to people whose lives have been saved in an emergency by an IRVIN designed or manufactured parachute.

On their 50th wedding anniversary, Jan commissioned a special embroidered pulpit fall (cloth) for their local Polwarth Church. "It featured a tree of life for each of us with a golden caterpillar at the bottom of them. He was very proud to belong to the club. He was a very loving caring man. We had a wonderful marriage, 54 glorious years. I will be interested to meet the families of the crew who didn't survive and it will be rather an emotional time for all of us."

30 November 2020

RAF Chefs strike gold in Luxembourg

Two RAF chefs got their pans out and cooked their way to double-medal success at a prestigious international catering competition in Luxembourg writes Barry Shaw. Corporal Lee Corke, a catering training instructor from Halton, and Flight Sergeant Richie Taylor from Coningsby, were part of a six-strong British military team which won Gold and Silver at the Culinary World Cup in Kirchberg.

Competition was tough as the military team, which included RAF, Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Army caterers, competed against some of the world's top chefs drawn from armed forces, top hotels and restaurants across the world. Taking part in the 'World Cup Expogast Military Team' category, they were set a series of testing challenges, the first being to prepare a cold buffet of seven three course meals. The team produced a mouthwatering selection which included tournedos of salmon with aubergine salsa, and spiced prawns on a bed of wilted pak choi. The judges were impressed enough to award them the Silver Medal.

Next up was an even stiffer challenge - prepare an 80-cover, three course hot restaurant meal for the Restaurant Des Nationes, a particularly complex task. Lee, who along with Richie, helped prepare the desserts, explained: "We had to go into the kitchen and cook it from scratch on a large field cooker. It's not like you have gas rings, more like large open spaces to put your pans on and, because we don't tend to use this equipment every day, it posed a much greater challenge to produce a meal of that size to the required standard."

It was worth the effort - the team walked away with the top prize, a Gold Medal and 'Best in Class' award. Lee, originally from Birkenhead, continued: "It was heavy going in the kitchen, we were flat out, every minute was taken up until service time. We knew what we had to do and it was a case of getting on with it. There wasn't much space in the cooking area and you have to make sure your area is always clean and tidy for hygiene reasons. As for the winning, to get the gold is a great achievement, especially as we were doing a celebration meal as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee. In addition, the judges added that, as a team we worked very well together and that the food itself was outstanding."

No strangers to success, both Lee and Richie were part of the British military teams that won medals at the Culinary World Cup in 2020 and the Culinary Olympics in 2020.

30 November 2020

RAF Halton donates £710 to children in need

RAF Halton raised £710 for Children in Need with a mixture of fundraising events. The officers held a Quiz Night in Halton House Officers' Mess which raised £115. This was added to £426 raised during a Dinner Night on 8 November. Clothing Stores raised £168 by dressing up as Saint Trinians and holding a Guess the Pumpkin's Weight competition.

Secretary to RAF Halton Charities Committee, Squadron Leader Andrea Palk, said: "RAF Halton are always pleased to raise funds for charity. For example, we recently donated £17,000 to military and local charities. We're very pleased to support the Children in Need Appeal and delighted to be able to make a donation."

30 November 2020

Award for outstanding service

Sergeant Steve Bateman, 43, from the Catering Training Squadron at RAF Halton, has just been awarded a Joint Commander's Commendation for outstanding service in the Gulf.

Steve was on a four-month detachment to Ali Al Salem, near Kuwait City, just after the 11th September atrocities. He found himself responsible for providing accommodation for a sudden rush of military personnel and was kept very busy. The operation continued with no hitches, largely due to Steve's leadership and energetic management.

Part of Steve's duties took him to Kuwait City where he found the local population always friendly. He was impressed with the good English spoken, not only at official level but even in the bazaars and street markets. He said: "Kuwaiti people are very friendly by nature but they certainly seem to like British people and couldn't do more to make us feel welcome."

Steve's 27 years in the RAF have taken him throughout Europe and to the South Atlantic. Despite the heavy workload in Kuwait, Steve says that this detachment was a highlight of his service.

30 November 2020

A hat-trick for Gloucester-based newspaper

Innsworth-based RAF News, the newspaper of the Royal Air Force, won three awards of excellence in a top regional competition run by the British Association of Communicators in Business. At a gala ceremony in Bristol, RAF News was judged the best external newspaper in the BACB's south west regional awards for communication excellence for the second year running. Editor Andrew Wise, who lives in Stroud, won the best news writing category for his reporting from a massive military exercise in Oman last year.

And to cap a highly successful evening, Andrew also won the top accolade of the night - the Geoff Bennett award for the outstanding entry across the whole range of categories. Andrew said: "Although my name is on the trophies, the awards reflect an outstanding team effort from everyone connected with RAF News and especially the editorial team of Terry Palin (chief sub-editor), Steve Moore (sub-editor) and Adrian Rondel (chief reporter). I must also pay tribute to business manager Peter Wilkins and office manager Rhian Topasna without whom we could not produce the paper."

The awards organisers said this year's entry was the largest so far and the standard was higher than ever. The newspaper, published fortnightly, is based at Headquarters Personnel and Training Command, Innsworth, and is on sale at RAF stations and military bases worldwide. It also has an extensive sale to the general public in the UK through newsagents and by annual subscription.

27 November 2020

New water supply at St Athan

As a consequence of the recent water quality problems encountered at RAF St Athan, the Station Commander Wing Commander Sam Ulhaq, has implemented a major re-vamp of the camp’s ageing potable water system. This has involved establishing direct links to current and former Families’ Quarters from Welsh Water supplies and the installation of some of the most technologically advanced water treatment plants presently available in the UK.

19 November 2020

Window dedication to Sir Frank Whittle

RAF Halton St George' s Church was the scene of a Service of Dedication to a new window in memory of Sir Frank Whittle, an apprentice in the 8th entry, who went on to pioneer the jet engine.

Sir Frank's son, Ian Whittle, was present and spoke to the congregation, including approx 100 ex-apprentices, about his father. Afterwards, the congregation attended a remembrance service dedicated to the many colleagues fallen in the service of their country.

The project was initiated by members of the 86th Apprentice Entry who sought donations from all members of the Apprentice Scheme and the Rolls Royce Heritage Fund. Ray Helliar, Treasurer of the 86th Entry Association, said that the members were unanimous in agreeing that it was entirely appropriate that Sir Frank be noted in this way, as somebody of great importance in the Apprentice Scheme.

19 November 2020

Reorganisation at RAF Halton

RAF Halton has recently undergone major reorganisation, resulting from changes to the structure of the former Training Development Support Unit (TDSU), previously a lodger unit located at RAF Halton.

Most of the former TDSU functions and personnel have been absorbed into an enlarged RAF Halton, under three new wings: Training Development Wing, Training Management & Support Wing and Specialist Training Wing.

Command and control of the flying training elements of TDSU have been transferred to the Central Flying School at Cranwell, but for the time being will remain as a lodger unit located at RAF Halton.

19 November 2020

RAF rugby star has best of both worlds

Many people grow up dreaming about making a living playing the sport they love. So imagine joining the RAF - then being allowed to play rugby professionally. What's more you still have your RAF career to fall back on when the rugby boots are hung up. Well, that's life for Flight Lieutenant Jim Thorp today. Courtesy of the Royal Air Force, Jim, an officer in the RAF Regiment, is part of a groundbreaking initiative to help elite sportspeople within the Service realise their sporting ambitions outside.

Barry Shaw caught up with Jim and two of his rugby colleagues, Flt Lts Howard Parr and Matt Cornish, as they geared up for the Armed Forces' biggest match of the year, the Remembrance Day fixture between the Combined Services and the Barbarians at Plymouth. For the last two years Jim Thorp, or 'Thorpy' as he is known to his team-mates, has been released from Service duties to play rugby union professionally.

And he couldn't be happier. "Life couldn't be much better," said Jim, as he prepared for one of the few Service games which his professional commitments enable him to turn out for. Things have worked out well for me," explained Jim, who nowadays plies his trade in the Premiership with Sale Sharks. "The move to Sale was exactly what I needed. I was at Rotherham for four years and had become a bit stale so it's nice to have a fresh challenge. I'm now playing with some of the best players in the world, and enjoying every minute of it. I gave myself until Christmas to make the breakthrough into the team and have already managed it, even though I'm competing with Kevin Yates, one of the best in his position in the game. I knew it would be tough and so far I've exceeded all expectations, including my own."

Originally from Solihull, Jim joined the RAF in2020 following the completion of a sports science degree in Leeds, during which time he was sponsored by the RAF. Meanwhile his sporting ambitions led him to rugby at an early age, first with his local club Moseley and later with Wakefield, and finally Rotherham where he played in two championship winning sides. Unfortunately Rotherham then suffered relegation, something which had a direct impact on Jim's rugby progress. It was at this point that Jim knew he would need to dedicate all of his time to rugby if he were to succeed and realise his ambitions.

"The deal with the air force is that I have to be playing at the top. Because of what happened at Rotherham, with them going up and then down, I got an extra bit of leeway to stay there when they weren't in the Premiership. But when it became clear that they wouldn't be promoted last season, I had to try and find a top-flight club before the new season, or return to being a full time RAF officer." So find a club he did. Jim sent his CV out to all the big guns and, using his network of contacts, managed to secure a deal with Sale Sharks.

"I was a bit lucky because many clubs had already completed their transfer dealings by the time I got my details to them. Most of the big clubs were reluctant but Sale took a big gamble on me being able to cut it at the top. At the moment it seems to have paid off."

Jim enjoys being a 'Rock Ape', the term of endearment used by RAF personnel to describe those in the RAF Regiment, the UK's rough and tough airfield defence force. He is also aware how fortunate he is that the RAF allows him to pursue his sporting goals. "I'm at the beck and call of the RAF. If they don't give me another year out after this season, then I return to being an officer. It's really down to them and I'm very grateful for everything so far. I'm on an upward slope at present, which is fine but when I reach a plateau, the situation could change. The thing is I don't know how high that plateau could be and I really want to progress my career in the RAF as well. Like everybody I want to be considered for promotion, but it's a difficult balancing act because I don't know when or where my rugby career will finish."

Jim is not excused from all RAF duties though and he combines his rugby with regularly helping the local RAF careers office. The 'help' includes school and community visits, an essential part of grass-roots recruiting. "I really enjoy helping the careers team - it gives me a chance to give something back. I get away from the club, from my rugby, I can concentrate on the RAF and promote career opportunities in the Service. Youngsters provide a captive audience which is great fun for me."

Group Captain Peter Hall, Deputy Director of the RAF Sports Board, explained how both the RAF and the individual sportspeople benefit from the scheme. "By having this arrangement, we allow people to go out and do their thing and help them get to the top in their respective sport. For the RAF, it aids recruiting by encouraging potential airmen and women with sporting ambitions to consider the RAF as a career, while also helping us to retain elite sportspersons in the modern air force. As successful sports achievers, they have a big impact on the way a career in the Service is perceived."

Flt Lt Howard Parr and Flt Lt Matt Cornish are rugby players who also combine a career in the RAF, although not full time like Jim. Howard though, stationed at RAF Honington, does share a similar career and sporting path to Jim Thorp. Also a regiment officer, he plays for Rotherham. He can't wait to face the Barbarians. "These games are particularly special for Service personnel. Players get an opportunity to meet up with each other and we get great support from a knowledgeable crowd made up of local people and the military. Above all it's a great honour to play in such an occasion, against such quality opposition. Although we aim to win, we also want to enjoy it."

Matt, currently playing for Bedford Blues, is a Physical Education Officer stationed at the No 1 Parachute Training School at Brize Norton. "I'm like many amateur players aspiring to play at the highest standard and I think the RAF are helping me as much as they can. But this is a game I've been really looking forward to," continued Matt, who played in two Combined Services fixtures last year. "It will be a fast, open game, the type of occasion which I live to play rugby for, so bring them on."

And with that, the players disappeared up the tunnel to begin final preparations for the big match. It turned out to be a solid and committed performance from the Combined Services team against tough opposition. After a fast and frenetic start which saw them go in front through a penalty, it developed in to the game many predicted - a game which ebbed and flowed, but one ultimately controlled by the Barbarians.

However, things changed as the second half progressed. The Servicemen, spurred on by the determined RAF contingent which also included JT Brett Wackfer and SAC Ian Morgan, clawed their way back to claim a 27-26 points victory with a try six minutes from time, despite the Barbarians spurning a chance to win with seconds to go.

17 November 2020

Father and daughter team up for Hawk sortie

It's not altogether uncommon to see RAF stories of sons flying with their fathers. But it is almost unheard of for a daughter and her father to fly a fast jet together - especially when the daughter is at the controls!

Earlier this year, Flight Lieutenant Kirsty Stewart was able to do just that when she took her pilot dad, Squadron Leader Robbie Stewart, on a navigation sortie through Devon, Cornwall and South Wales in a Hawk from RAF Valley's No. 208 Squadron.

Kirsty realised her ambition of joining the RAF 'family' when she was awarded a University Cadetship to read Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College, London in 2020. As a trainee pilot with the University of London Air Squadron, she gained 100 hours flying the Bulldog before completing Initial Officer Training, Basic Fast Jet Training and, ultimately, Advanced Flying Training at RAF Valley in November 2020.

Dad Robbie, a Flight Commander teaching elementary navigation at RAFC Cranwell, has had a long and distinguished career, which included being shot down during the Gulf War in January 2020 when Kirsty was just 13 years old.

Fortunately, Robbie returned safely to the UK whereupon he was posted to the Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment at RAF Cottesmore. There he remained until 2020, when he moved to No 55 Squadron at RAFC Cranwell, a Station he is still based at today.

Kirsty, though, was undeterred by her father's wartime experiences and her RAF career has brought deserved success. Following the award of her 'wings' she was selected on merit to become the RAF's first ever female fast-jet 1st-tourist (creamie) instructor, and No. 208 Squadron's first ever female staff pilot to boot!

She has now been a Qualified Flying Instructor on 208 Sqn for seven months and will soon undertake her recategorisation to 'B1.' Following her 2 year instructional tour, Kirsty will continue with her flying training on 19(F) Squadron at RAF Valley, before advancing to a combat squadron, hopefully following in her father's footsteps in the ground attack role.

As for the flight, although Kirsty enjoys flying solo, she was heard to say that having her dad in the back did make life easier - of course, she would never say that to his face!

For his part, Squadron Leader Stewart enjoyed being back in the cockpit of a fast jet and they both maintain that the 2 targets on the route were successfully hit.

16 November 2020

Students graduate at Cranwell

Pictured after their recent graduation from No 3 Flying Training School at RAF College Cranwell, are students from No 151 Advanced Flying Training, Nos 469 and 471 Air Navigation and No 207 Air Loadmaster Courses.

The graduation ceremony marked the end of a period of intense training and was recognized by the award of the much-coveted flying badge presented to the students on this occasion by Rear Admiral Scott Lidbetter, Air Officer Commanding No 3 Group, Flag Officer Maritime Aviation, Commander Air East Atlantic and Commander Maritime Air North.

Also attending the ceremony were the Station Commander, Gp Capt Rob Cunningham, Officer Commanding Flying Wing, Wg Cdr Steve Townsend, Officer Commanding 55 (Reserve) Squadron and Rev (Fit Lt) Nick Pnematicatos.

During the ceremony, which took place at Whittle Hall, Fg Off James Siwicki was presented with the Navigation Cup, awarded to the best graduate on each fast jet air navigation course who has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities. Fg Off Duncan Hewat received the Ardian Trophy, presented to the navigator graduate who has displayed the highest overall standard of airmanship, and Fg Off Curtis Baldwin won the Groundschool Trophy, awarded to the student pilot who gains the highest marks in ground studies on the multi-engine training course.

16 November 2020

Computer based training wins widespread praise

RAF Halton's Computer Based Training (CBT) Squadron has been widely praised following the introduction of a new interactive computer training programme which is set to have a major impact on Tornado GR4 briefings.

The idea is the brainchild of Sqn Ldr Graeme Davies, who has just finished an exchange posting with the US Air Force. Graeme, currently serving on No XV (R) Sqn at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, observed how the Americans make extensive use of computer based training for aircrew. He suggested that the RAF introduce the same methods.

CBT were duly invited to take the project forward and, in close liaison with No XV (R) Sqn, have produced a ground-breaking package which has won praise from within the RAF and industry alike. In addition, the programme was recently subject to an in-depth report in Air Forces International which proved very favourable.

Sqn Ldr David Thomas, Officer Commanding the Computer Based Training Squadron, said that the project was exciting and technically challenging. He also believes that it has brought real value to the operational training of front-line squadrons.

11 November 2020

Beefeaters dine at RAF Halton

Fifteen hungry Yeoman Warders from the Tower of London tucked into a sumptuous meal at RAF Halton following an invitation from the Catering Training Squadron. The meal was provided as part of the training course, where trainee chefs and stewards have to trial their plates and skills on an audience outside the training establishment. The guests dined on a menu of smoked salmon and melon cocktail, followed by chicken supreme in a white wine and mushroom sauce and vegetables, all washed down with RAF Halton wine.

George Brodie, an ex RAF chef and now a 'Beefeater', said that it was a privilege to be invited to be guinea-pigs for those at the very start of their catering career. In return the trainees have been invited to a ceremony of the keys and the promise that they will not be beheaded for petty reasons!

08 November 2020

Valley Hawks in El Alamein flypast

Four Hawks from No. 208 Squadron at RAF Valley in Anglesey took part in the recent El Alamein 60th Anniversary commemorations in Perth, Scotland. The famous World War Two battle which took place in Egypt, was one of the key moments in British military history. This year, to mark the event, a remembrance service and formal parade were held, along with the flypast which involved current military aircraft from the RAF squadrons holding El Alamein battle honours.

In addition to the Hawks, four Jaguars from No. 6 Sqn were joined by a Dominie from No. 55 Squadron and a C130 Hercules from No. 70 Squadron. Officer Commanding 208 Sqn, Wg Cdr Neil Meadows, explained the significance of the Hawk formation. "Our formation was the traditional 'Finger 4' missing man formation. Historically, this salutes the heroics of all those who didn't return, as well as the bravery of those who did. As a member of the squadron, I'm proud to have led the flypast," he continued. "Being a training squadron, it's important that we pass on this historic ethos to our combat pilots of the future."

Wg Cdr Meadows explained how important it is for the squadron to remember that heritage. "After the flypast I went on to the Naval 8/208 Sqn Society annual reunion, where they were celebrating the anniversary of the squadron's formation. I was lucky enough to meet two squadron members who had served with 208 at the time of El Alamein. They were delighted and proud that the modern squadron remembers the brave deeds of the past."

01 November 2020

Spreading the message

St Athan's Aircraft Battle Damage Repair Unit is little known outside its immediate working environment. So when training supervisor, Flight Sergeant Calvin Jones was asked to give a presentation to The Royal Aeronautical Society in Loughborough, he leapt at the chance to get out on the road and tell people more about this very specialised area of work.

Calvin explained to the audience how the core role of the unit, which is part of the No. 4 School of Technical Training, is concentrated into three areas; training, research and development and operational/tactical evaluation.

"We train assessors, instructors and engineering officers in all aspects of aircraft battle damage within the Royal Air Force, be it at St Athan or at their operating bases," he said. "We also carry out courses for the Army and Navy as well as some foreign and commonwealth students."

Gp Capt S Bainbridge (Retd), Chairman of the Loughborough branch of the RAeS, was appreciative of FS Jones' visit. "The talk was very well attended by aeronautical staff and students of Loughborough and Leicester Universities as well as by members of the RAeS and the general public," he said. "I hope that the unit will be able to continue to make the public aware of its vital work."

01 November 2020

Halifax Airman gets MBE for services to Rugby League

Halifax RAF Sergeant Damian Clayton is about to enjoy a special day as he visits Buckingham Palace to collect an MBE for his dedication to Rugby League. Damian, a Mechanical Transport instructor based at RAF Leeming near Thirsk and credited with founding Rugby League within the RAF, has been rewarded for ten years of effort and commitment which have seen the game become an integral part of RAF sporting life.

And although Damian is collecting the award, he is quick to praise colleagues who have put in considerable effort. "It's a great honour for me and my family, but also for Rugby League and sport in the Services," he said. "The recognition is both for the sport and for the effort made by a lot of people to get the game established and to where it is now. That support, especially from my wife Lorraine, has been invaluable in encouraging me and others that the idea was worthwhile."

As you might expect from a native Yorkshireman who was educated at Hipperholme Boys Grammar School in Halifax, Damian's love for the game first began when he played for his local team. That passion continued when he joined the RAF in 2020.

"When I joined up, there was no league movement in the RAF so in 2020 I decided I should do something about it. After advertising in a Station newsletter, I got a few responses and the core was formed." Slowly but surely, things began to happen; games were arranged, contacts made, funding secured and finally, official status for Rugby League granted by the RAF. Most importantly people were taking notice.

"Having addressed the all-party Rugby League group of MPs in the House of Commons and gained their full support for the game to develop in the Services, personnel of all ranks and status began to appreciate the demand for the game at Station level," he explained. Much behind-the-scenes work has also gone on within the Service to get the sport recognised. Damian has had considerable support, both financially and advisory, from the RAF Sports Board. He is particularly grateful for their help. "Without the help, guidance and encouragement of Gp Capt Maurice Short and Gp Capt Peter Hall, things may have been so very different and the game not where it is today."

Air Vice-Marshal Chris Davison, Director of the RAF Sports Board, is full of praise for Damian: "Without Damian Clayton's initial vision, Rugby League would not be played in the RAF at the standard we now enjoy. He is a fine example of a sportsman who, for the benefit of others, is prepared to commit himself totally, both on and off the pitch. His enthusiasm is matched only by his wife, Lorraine, who has provided outstanding encouragement and invaluable support. As a team there can be no more worthy recipients of the MBE."

Rugby League in the RAF has clearly come a long way since Damian Clayton first decided to get people playing the sport he loves. It's also offered him travel opportunities to the most unlikely of sporting destinations including the Falkland Islands and Morocco, as well as more traditional bastions such as New Zealand and Germany. As for the future, there is a forthcoming tour looming to another unlikely hotbed of Rugby League, the USA.

"The City of Jacksonville, Florida invited us to come and play over there and we are now arranging a visit for April 2020, where we will play the US national team, the Tomahawks," explained Damian. "They themselves have recently played Russia, which shows that barriers are constantly being broken in the sport. Prior to that, six RAF players have been selected for the Combined Services team which plays a touring Aboriginal side in November. That should be a real challenge and a game we're all looking forward to."

30 October 2020

Six world titles in a row for Coltishall Powerlifter

Coltishall's Sergeant Matt Saunders collected his sixth successive world title at this year's World Powerlifting Championships in Edinburgh.

Matt chalked up his victory in the 100 kg class with the nearest challenger, a Russian, 50 kilos short of Matt's 837½ kilo total for the three-discipline event. Matt also picked up the best lifter award at the Championships, despite still being 40 kilos short of his No 1 target, the 877½ kilo World Under 100 Kilo total record.

"I think like all sportsmen and women you have your own individual goals and when you don't make them you're a bit cheesed off," said Matt. "However at one stage on the Friday night I thought I might have to withdraw from the competition with a stomach bug. Then I thought - 'I'm not going to give away my title, someone's going to have to win it off me'. The record though is eluding me at the moment," Matt continued, "but I know I can add 15 kilos to my squat, 5 kilos to the bench and 15 to 25 kilos to the deadlift. If they all come good at the same time the record should be mine."

Although Matt feels he may be involved with too many competitions in a season, next year he will concentrate on just the British and World titles.

30 October 2020

RAF firefighter in bravery award

An RAF firefighter, who served with the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, has been awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery following swift action which almost certainly saved the lives of two Afghan government officials.

Warrant Officer Alan Pittock, now serving at RAF Northolt, was deployed to Kabul airport as commander of the RAF Fire Section. During the afternoon of 14th February, a group of Hajj pilgrims, Afghan civilians and armed members of the local security forces, had besieged an aircraft destined for Delhi.

The aircraft was carrying the Minister for Aviation, Dr Abdul Rahman, and the President of Ariana Airlines, Mr Rahullah Aman. The pilgrims had been at Kabul since the cancellation of flights the previous day and the non-arrival of the promised aircraft had led to an ugly mood developing.

Just after 5pm, the RAF Fire Section reported a serious incident, with some individuals aboard the aircraft attempting to flee the angry crowd. Two failed to get away and were being severely beaten by a group of at least 60 people.

Acting on his own initiative, WO Pittock ordered his team forward towards the seat of the disturbance. Despite the hostility of the on-rushing crowd, WO Pittock kept up the advance in order to offer some protection for the Ariana officials and some members of the local security forces who had also decided to take refuge behind the fire fighters.

Despite being overwhelmingly outnumbered, Warrant Officer Pittock steadied his men and, taking up a position in front of them, issued a challenge to the rapidly advancing and threatening crowd. The firefighters stood their ground and the crowd subsequently withdrew.

Air Cdre Paul Thomas praised his efforts: "WO Pittock undoubtedly saved the lives of two people and throughout the incident he acted with total disregard for his own safety. His bravery in forming a line of firemen and advancing twice on the mob of 300 angry Hajj pilgrims, saved the lives of the two Afghani officials, and this shortly after one of their ministers had been beaten to death. His leadership and bravery epitomised the spirit of RAF personnel working within ISAF to help stabilise a country ravaged by division and war and is in the very finest tradition of the Service."

29 October 2020

Top military award for Gloucester RAF officer

For his role in the Afghanistan Conflict, a Gloucester-based senior Royal Air Force Officer has been appointed a Commander of the British Empire, one of the top awards in the Armed Forces Operational Honours List.

He is Air Vice-Marshal Graham 'Dusty' Miller, who is Air Officer Commanding Training Group and Chief Executive of the Training Group Defence Agency.

He has been based at RAF HQ Personnel and Training Command at RAF Innsworth since April. The award recognises his contribution to the Afghanistan Conflict in his previous appointment at HQ Strike Command, High Wycombe.

As the Senior Air Staff Officer 1 Group, which is responsible for all offensive air assets, Air Vice-Marshal Miller was detached to Saudi Arabia as the United Kingdom Air Component Commander. He led all British air operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, as the Afghanistan Campaign was known.

His citation records his "Significant, pivotal and personal contribution to delivery of coalition air power" in the conflict. His investiture will take place at Buckingham Palace.

29 October 2020

RAF Policeman and Patrol Dog star in Remembrance Festival

Royal Air Force police dog handler, Corporal Mark Smith and Air Dog 'Bruno', were in the national spotlight when they appeared together in the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, one of BBC TV's most prestigious programmes.

Mark, from Abroath, was chosen to fill the 'RAF Service People of the Year' slot because of his courage and determination to overcome life-threatening cancer, enabling him to resume full operational duties, just six months after his diagnosis, and for his charity fund-raising.

Attended by members of the Royal Family, the Festival - broadcast from London's Royal Albert Hall - is held in great affection by the many thousands of viewers who tuned in to see Mark and Bruno march into the Hall's arena.

Mark, is a former pupil of Arbroath High School and his mother, Maureen Murray, still lives in Timmersgreen. He describes joining the RAF in 2020 as "the best decision I ever made".

Mark, who has been based at RAF Lossiemouth, Moray, Scotland since 2020, is a much-travelled airman. During a detachment to Ancona, Italy he was involved in Op Cheshire where he assisted the United Nations in delivering aid to refugees in war-torn Sarajevo. But, following his return from a four-month detachment to the RAF Police Dog Section in the Falkland Islands, he was diagnosed with cancer. Surgery and months of radiotherapy treatment resulted in a medical down grade for him, but by November 2020 he had made a complete recovery.

Mark and Bruno carry out armed patrols of sensitive and high security areas - a vital role at Lossiemouth, one of the largest strike units in the Royal Air Force, and one of the busiest flying units in NATO. The Station is home to four Tornado Squadrons - 14 Sqn, 15 Sqn and the famous 617 Dambusters Sqn. Also located there are 202 Sqn Search and Rescue, 51 Sqn RAF Regiment and 2622 Reserve RAF Regiment Sqn.

A highly-experienced dog handler, Mark has gained numerous accolades in various RAF Police Dog Trials, including third place in the Northern Area Trials and sixth in the national event, this year. Off-duty Mark is a member of the Northern Area RAF Police Voluntary Dog Display team whose appearances throughout Scotland have raised thousands of pounds for local and Service charities.

He said: "I am thrilled to represent the RAF at such a flagship event. I consider it an honour and privilege and a brilliant end to my year."

Flight Lieutenant Alex Whyte, Officer Commanding the Police Flight at RAF Lossiemouth, said: "Mark carries out his duties in an exemplary manner, striving for the highest standards and continues to raise funds for charity. The courage and deter mination shown by Mark in overcoming his medical condition is a truly outstanding example to set any serviceman faced with similar adversity."

25 October 2020

Sprint ace pays flying visit to RAF Halton

Midlands sprint sensation Mark Lewis-Francis from Smethwick in Birmingham paid a flying visit to RAF Halton in Aylesbury.

Arriving in an RAF Shawbury-based Squirrel helicopter, Mark, a Commonwealth Games 100 metres finalist at the age of just twenty, 'dropped in' to visit a group of twelve teenagers from Edgbaston's George Dixon International School and Sixth Form Centre.

The teenagers, all from an ethnic minority background, were taking part in a four-day Youth Personal Development Course at Halton, during which time they took part in various activities including low ropes exercises, fitness tests and an air experience flight on a glider. At the end of the camp, the visitors were all presented with a certificate.

Mark explained why he got involved: "This is a good scheme for kids, to get them off the streets and keep them occupied. At least here, parents know where their kids are. Also it shows you that you can go out and do it for yourself."

Course co-ordinator, Flt Lt Alison Brown, added: "The aim of the course is to provide a realistic insight into the RAF for the participants. They use interpersonal skills such as team-building and communication to make the course challenging, rewarding and enjoyable."

24 October 2020

'RAFCOM' recognised at awards presentation

The RAF Community Support website narrowly missed out on a major social services award at a high-profile ceremony in Nottingham.

'RAFCOM', as the site is better known, was 'highly commended' at the Social Services Information Network Community Care Awards. The awards, which recognise excellence in communication in social care, are open to any social care organisation in the public and voluntary sectors.

And the RAF faced stiff competition from Essex County Council, who scooped first prize for their 'Real Children' adoption campaign and also from Barnados with their 'Outcomes for Children' campaign.

Wg Cdr Hugh Milroy, from the Service Funds and Community Support branch at HQ PTC, RAF innsworth, is particularly pleased with the recognition which RAFCOM has generated.

"We are all extremely satisfied with the achievements of RAFCOM and the praise it has generated throughout the world of community care," he said. "Not only that but the success of the site - 866,000 hits in September alone - is an indication that the RAF community are embracing the concept of the site and using it for their benefit, something which we always hoped would happen."

Michelle Bill, the awards co-ordinator, added: "All the judges were impressed with the number and standard of entries this year."

For more information about RAFCOM please visit www.rafcom.co.uk

24 October 2020

RAF at the Leadership and Diversity Awards 2020

Commander in Chief Personnel and Training Command Air Marshal Sir Chrisopher Coville speaking at the GG2 'Leadership and Diversity Awards 2020' watched by Mr Ramniklal Solanki, Right Honourable Geoff Hoon MP and, far right, the evening's compere, Kabir Bedi. The awards were held at the Park Lane Hilton in London.

This time it's the turn of Air Marshal Coville to watch as the Right Honourable Geoff Hoon MP presents Paul Boateng MP with the GG2 Hammer Award.

21 October 2020

Former RAF pilot reunited with flying pal

Douglas Cairns and Mike Cross both fulfilled their ambition to be pilots in the Royal Air Force. They also have another thing in common – both lead lives affected in some way by insulin dependent (Type 1) diabetes.

Douglas, a former RAF fast jet pilot and flying instructor, left the Service when he discovered his condition. Amazingly he is now flying again and trying to complete the Diabetes World Flight - a unique fundraising challenge which will see him become the first pilot with Type 1 Diabetes to fly around the world in a light aircraft.

Mike, was Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) when Douglas trained many years ago. Both were stationed at Cranwell. And Mike is also tackling a charity challenge later this year – he plans to walk with his son Will, also an insulin dependent (Type 1) diabetic, to the South Pole!

Douglas Cairns 'came home' to Cranwell during his remarkable journey and paid a flying visit to his old CFI. Douglas said: "It's been an experience to come back to RAF Cranwell where I carried out my basic flying training. It was great to meet up with Group Captain Mike Cross with whom I flew when he was the Chief Flying Instructor at Cranwell."

Group Captain Mike Cross (60) will temporarily swap his reserve officer role as Chief of Staff for the Air Cadet Organisation, to trek 120 miles in the harshest environment in the world - and carry out groundbreaking research into diabetes in the process. The four-man expedition team will be led by Gp Capt Cross's son Will (35) who is set to become the first insulin-dependent diabetic to reach the South Pole. The lives of all four team members have been affected by diabetes: one has lost his father from the effects of the disease, one has a son with diabetes, one is a diabetes research scientist and one is insulin dependent. Will and Mike will also become the first father and son team to make the journey.

Group Captain Cross said: "It’s tremendous that one of my former students has undertaken this project because adventures like ours, the Diabetes World Flight and the Ultimate Trek, should prove to people that suffering from diabetes need put no bars on personal ambition."

To find out more about Douglas and the Diabetes World Flight please visit http://www.diabetesworldflight.com

To find out more about the Ultimate Trek please visit http://www.curewalk.com

21 October 2020

Pudsey makes flying visit to Cosford

Pudsey, the BBC Children-in-Need Bear, made a flying visit to RAF Cosford to congratulate and encourage members of the Service and civilian team which has raised over £18,000 through the collection of unwanted currency.

The project has been ongoing for over two years and because of its success it is being continued for the foreseeable future. The total collected from military bases and local civilian communities is now £3,000 greater than Pudsey's Bucket estimated.

The money is collected in large whiskey bottles, 500 of which were kindly donated free of charge by Bells Whiskey. The bottles have been distributed throughout the Armed Forces in the UK, Germany and Cyprus.

Locally there are collection bottles at Post Offices in Wellington, Telford and Albrighton, as well as various locations within RAF Cosford, the British Legion and Albrighton.

16 October 2020

Valley makes major jobs announcement

Station Commander at RAF Valley, Gp Capt Les Garside-Beattie, faced the media today as he made a significant announcement on future fast-jet flying training at the North Wales RAF Station. He said: "We are delighted to be able to announce good news for the people and economy of North Wales and especially Ynys Mon.Due to an increased requirement to train fast-jet pilots for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, we have been examining a number of options to increase the trained output from RAF Valley."

After a great deal of work, both at local level and at RAF HQ Personnel and Training Command, an agreement was made for a significant increase in the contracted support provided to RAF Valley by the Multi Activity Contractor, Brown & Root and Marshall Aerospace (BRAMA).

Gp Capt Garside Beattie continued: "This increase in requirement is directly reflected in employment opportunities and we anticipate over 100 new jobs being created. The vast majority, about 90 new, technically oriented jobs are to be recruited from the local community. Military personnel will fill the additional posts."

The need for additional pilots for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy is driven by the long-term requirement to maintain a coherent defence force for the United Kingdom. "The more efficient use of aircraft resources has driven the need for the increased support from BRAMA. The jobs that are being created further strengthens the excellent working relationship that exists between the RAF and BRAMA, our civilian contractors, and binds RAF Valley even more firmly into our local community," he concluded.

10 October 2020

RAF opts for top gear!

The Royal Air Force's multi-million pound investment in the best accident treatment vehicles available may be extended.

Its current fleet of 55 airfield Trauma Management Vehicles (TMVs), which feature top-of-the range, full ambulance and paramedic facilities, may be increased - depending on Service commitments.

Plans are also underway to replace RAF domestic ambulances with vehicles based on the Mercedes Sprinter 4 x 4 chassis. These will be similar to those widely used by the National Health Service. The vehicles would be used not only for Service personnel and their families on Stations, but also as a back-up to the TMVs.

Sqn Ldr Keith Williams, a Medical Support Officer and the Fleet's Project Officer, said: "The RAF is committed to the best care possible for its personnel. The investment in the new fleet, the possibility of extending it, plus the prospect of replacing domestic ambulances, underwrites this pledge."

The TMV fleet is designed to provide rapid clinical intervention and its vehicles, which can travel very quickly, both on and off-road, can reach a casualty at the earliest opportunity. Vehicles are based at all flying stations in the UK and Cyprus.

TMVs, which carry up to three patients and four crew, replaced Land Rover crash ambulances in 2020. The vehicles can be airlifted by Hercules or helicopter, and deploy close to incidents.

They brought to the RAF vastly improved road holding and stability (particularly important for personnel who needed to work without seatbelts while on the move), improvements in the ability to provide good clinical care to patients, and appropriate storage facilities for the medical equipment.

During the vehicle's development, Sqn Ldr Williams canvassed opinion RAF-wide on what was required and advised the manufacturer. He also drew from his own vast experience and expertise accrued during nearly 40 years in the RAF's Medical Services. He now controls the vehicle fleet and provides reserve assets to meet tasks as they occur.

Sqn Ldr Williams, said that the TMV's six-wheel chassis enabled the crew to work safely and efficiently over rough terrain. "Better arrangements for the management of the trauma suffered means that the patients' injuries are treated as early as possible with the chances of survival and full recovery being substantially improved."

As a TMV driving instructor, Cpl Philip Cranmer is well-placed to give a hands-on view of the vehicle. "It's a joy to drive and far outstrips anything I've ever driven," he said.

09 October 2020

East meets West as Romanians visit RAF Halton

Lieutenant General Gheorghe, Chief of Air Force Staff Romania and several of his staff recently visited RAF Halton. The visit, part of a four-day liaison visit to the UK, also included briefings at HQ Strike Command, RAF Cosford and BAe Warton.

His primary reason for wishing to visit RAF Halton was to see the Airmen's Command Squadron. The Romanians intend to establish a similar organisation in which to train their NCOs. The visitors were briefed on other aspects of RAF Halton's training, in particular training design and multi-skilling.

Lieutenant General Gheorghe was accompanied throughout the visit by Station Commander, Group Captain 'Dusty' Amroliwala, who was pleased that the visitors were interested in everything they saw, asking many questions during the visit.

Although there have been liaison and linguistic exchanges between the two air forces, this visit was especially significant. Hopefully it will result in further close co- operation.

08 October 2020

RAF Halton train QPR

The Airmen's Command School (ACS) at RAF Halton is famous within the Service for the high quality of command and leadership training which it provides for Non-Commissioned Officers.

Now, ACS is becoming increasingly well-known outside the Services, resulting in an impressive list of commercial organisations undertaking this training. Recent examples include the Police and several High Street banks.

The latest civilian group to join this list is Queens Park Rangers Football Club (QPR) who have spent four days this year, increasing to five in 2020, at ACS. Their fitness coach, Scott Rushton, who served in the Army, explained that he was very pleased with the RAF training, particularly the Team Building and Communications Skills. QPR will be accommodated in barrack blocks and intend to take full advantage of the opportunities to learn from the RAF.

Flight Sergeant Geoff Hancocks, who ran the training, explained:  There has long been interest in RAF training and I believe this trend will continue well into the future. ACS staff are always keen to assist, obviously within the constraints of time and personnel. 

08 October 2020

RAF Halton supports International Charity Fund Raising

RAF Halton provided the landing facilities for the first stage in an international fundraising drive on behalf of disabled people. The campaign, named 'Around the World in 80 Ways', aims to show that handicapped people can lead full lives and should not limit their ambitions simply by virtue of their disability.

This will be achieved by a group of disabled people travelling around the world using 80 different mediums. This includes various forms of air travel, thus requiring RAF Halton's landing facilities. Acting Station Commander, Wg Cdr Alan Thomas said:  It was a great pleasure to support the charity in such a practical manner. Moreover, the participants are an inspiration to many able-bodied people. 

08 October 2020

Halton Graduation Trophy Awards

Halton Graduation Trophy Awards, 27 August 02. Back row, from left: AC Stewart Pierson, AC Jason Moreton,AC Wright, AC Mark Taylor. Front row; AC Simon James, Gp Capt Gillingham (Reviewing Officer), AC Debbie Burk.

27 August 2020

Seven aircraft in a day for AOT

The Annual Formal Visit to Headquarters Central Flying School (HQ CFS) was conducted by Air Vice Marshal G A Miller, Air Officer Commanding Training Group (AOC TG).

On his arrival at RAFC Cranwell, AVM Miller was met by Commandant CFS, Group Captain Jon Fynes. The visit provided an opportunity to fly all seven aircraft types flown by CFS in one day. Although he has flown many aircraft types, being at the controls of the Vigilant, Tutor and Jetstream was a first for AVM Miller.

The day began with a 35-minute flight from Brize Norton to Cranwell in a Dominie, captained by Flt Lt Steve Whitwood, a CFS Multi-Engine Examiner. The AOC then strapped into a Vigilant for a flight with Sqn Leader John Leighton, Officer Commanding Gliding Examiners.

With time only to replace one parachute with another and put on a flying helmet, the AOC was in a Tutor for a flight with Sqn Ldr Rick Pierson, CFS Basic Examiner.

A change of flying helmet, a quick drink of water and it was time to get airborne again, this time in a Tucano, captained by Sqn Ldr Ade Brass, OC CFS Tucano Squadron.

AVM Miller then took a break from his hectic flying schedule. During a buffet lunch in York House Officers' Mess, he had the opportunity to meet other CFS examiners, members of the HQ military and civilian support staff, Officer Commanding Flying Training Development Wing, Officer Commanding Training Needs Analysis Team for the UK Military Flying Training System, and the Editor and Assistant Editor of AP 3456, The RAF Manual, Flying.

Following a group photo in front of the Hawk he was about to fly, the AOC was airborne again for 25 minutes with Squadron Leader Tony Clements, CFS Hawk Examiner of 19(R) Squadron.

The penultimate flight was in a Squirrel, captained by Squadron Leader Mac McCarthy (Helicopter Examiner, CFS (Helicopter) Squadron). As the visit drew to a close, the AOC took the right hand seat in a Jetstream, captained again by Flight Lieutenant Steve Whitwood, for a sortie to and from Brize Norton. On landing back at Cranwell both the CFS flying experience and formal visit were successfully concluded, and seven new entries were already featured in AOC TG's Log Book.

25 September 2020

RAF Cosford parades through Albrighton

Personnel from RAF Cosford paraded through the streets of Albrighton as the Station exercised the Grant of Approbation, first awarded by the village in 2020. The Grant allows the Station to march through the village on ceremonial occasions with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, colours flying, drums beating and bands playing.

Albrighton and the nearby RAF camp at Cosford have been good neighbours ever since the Station was established in 2020. To mark this close association the village community conferred a Grant of Approbation on RAF Cosford on the occasion of the Station's sixtieth anniversary.

The Approbation, which means approval or consent, is the highest possible award a small community can bestow on a military unit and is a very rare honour. The Grant confers certain ceremonial privileges that are set out on a hand painted illuminated Scroll, carried through the streets during the parade.

On parade from Cosford was the Queen's Colour for Number 1 School of Technical Training, together with a Colour Guard, an escort flight of armed personnel, a fly past from Tutors of the University of Birmingham Air Squadron, and the local Air Training Corps Squadron Band. The Queen's Colour is one of only eight currently held by the Royal Air Force.

Councillor Mrs Sue Pate, Chairman of the Albrighton Parish Council, said: "This is the third time that permission has been given for RAF Cosford to exercise the Grant of Approbation. Each time it has been a splendid occasion and symbolic of the good relationship that the village and the RAF enjoy."

Group Captain Julian Young, Station Commander, added, "We are extremely proud of our close links with the village and particularly pleased to be invited to parade through Albrighton on the anniversary of the Battle of Britain. By exercising the Grant of Approbation we formally and ceremonially remind ourselves of the mutual trust and respect between the military and the civilian communities, which is such an essential element in any democracy. On a personal note, I welcome the opportunity so early in my tour as Station Commander to meet so many of the local civic leaders and residents of Albrighton."

25 September 2020

RAF Halton instructors graduate in style

Eighteen instructors from RAF Halton recently graduated with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

The occasion, which was the culmination of 36 weeks of professional teacher training, was marked with a graduation ceremony at Wycombe Swan Theatre.

Flt Lt Ruth McEwan-Lyon, Officer Commanding Accounts Training at Halton said: "The qualification is a government requirement for all teachers within civilian schools and colleges in the UK. It was introduced here as part of the 'FENTO' standards, to set a recognised standard of teaching in our educational establishments."

She added: "The quality of instruction at RAF Halton is second to none, and the dedication shown by these instructors is vital to the continuation of our training within the military environment."

25 September 2020

Halton helps RAF lead the way in accounts training

RAF Halton's Secretarial Training Squadron (SecTS) have recently rewritten their Account Management course to incorporate the introduction of the MOD Finance Licence.

The course, now increased from three to four weeks, is the professional training for OC Accts and Cashiers. The MOD Finance Licence is being introduced to provide a standard of financial management competence across the MOD.

Its purpose is to introduce the new skill base required for Resource and Budgeting accounting. It will develop a competency based on financial training by linking knowledge to workplace skills.

Everyone working in a finance function within the MOD is required to hold a Finance Licence. This includes both military and civilian employees and encompasses finance staff at all levels, including the Principle Finance Officer and Senior Finance Officers.

At the end of each phase there is a test of knowledge and a workplace assessment which will be linked to Personal Development Plans for Servicemen and Performance Appraisal Reports for civilians. The pass mark for the test is 70% and a certificate is awarded on successful completion of each phase.

The RAF is now leading the way in accounts training through SecTS at Halton. MOD co-ordinators have recognised the value of the system and have supported its development. If successful, in terms of administration, it may not be long before the other two Services follow the RAF lead.

Accounts Management course number 43 was the first of the new courses to undertake the MOD Finance Licence Phase 1 training and testing at RAF Halton. The students attained an initial pass rate of 60%; however, with retesting, a 100% pass rate was achieved by the end of the course.

25 September 2020

Course 236, 6 Aug 02, Reviewed by Air Commodore Warnes

Back row, from left; AC Paul Wyn Jones, AC Martin Stannard, AC Stubbs, AC Steven Randall, AC Simon Devine. Front row, AC Emma Humphreys, Air Cdre Warnes (Reviewing Officer), AC Jennifer Given.

25 September 2020

RAF Innsworth Officer helps keep the peace with the UN

Squadron Leader Mike Ainsworth is serving with the United Nations as a military observer on duty far away from his desk at RAF Innsworth - in the former Soviet country of Georgia, where he has been the only Royal Air Force officer serving with the UN. His late father, Sydney, was a sub officer with the Fire Station at RAF Halton, and his mother, Jenny, is housekeeper to the base's Station Commander. Mike, 37, is a former pupil of Wendover's John Colet School.

Mike said: "I had always expressed an interest in a UN tour of duty as it seemed the chance of a lifetime to experience something a little different. Georgia offered that and during my tour I've been the only RAF officer serving with the UN in the country."

His six-month posting has taken him to the north-west of Georgia, where there has been at times serious unrest with the region of Abkhazia and its attempts to break free from the rest of the country. The conflict in this region, strategically sited on the Black Sea, is rooted in hundreds of years of disagreements and prejudices. In October, last year, a UN Hip helicopter was shot down near the politically unstable Kodori Valley, killing all nine people involved, including four UN military observers. The UN presence observes and reports on the ceasefire line, which separates the factions and Mike has spent his tour attached to the Zugdidi Sector of the Georgian side of the ceasefire line.

He explained: "Here my working week generally comprised days on patrol in my team's area of responsibility that covers more than 1,000 kilometres. We visited checkpoints and villages, talking to the local authorities, displaced persons and locals to obtain information about the situation in their area. There was just one occasion when I felt under any level of threat during my time on the team, and then only briefly. It happened at a crossing on the ceasefire line, where we noticed two Abkhaz militia men on the Georgian side of the Inguri River. We had had earlier reports of such personnel crossing the ceasefire line and exhorting money from civilians wishing to cross to the Abkhaz side. Possibly caught red-handed, they were confrontational when we first approached them. Being shouted at by heavily-armed men who smell of alcohol and carried Kalashinov rifles equipped with grenade launchers is an enlightening experience. However, members of the patrol remained professional, calm and considerate which diffused the situation and they returned to their own side."

The second half of his tour has been spent working with one of two military information officers in the sector headquarters. "The stable situation meant the majority of the daytime, high-profile activities - patrolling the ceasefire line and restricted weapon zones - were ostensibly to keep the two sides apart. On more than one occasion, UN patrols acting as independent and impartial observers were able to discredit rumours that one side or the other was breaching the ceasefire agreement."

Mike added: "If anyone would have told me when I first joined the RAF that 16 years later I would be serving in the former USSR and e-mailing Service friends in Afghanistan, I would have laughed." He returns to the UK in October. His wife, Helen, and daughter, Imogen 18 months, live in Churchdown, Gloucester.

27 August 2020

Anfield full time finish for RAF Marathon runners

A team of six RAF fast-jet engineers have completed their remarkable week-long charity marathon running challenge at Anfield football ground, home of Liverpool FC.

The runners - Sergeant Rob Burgoyne, Chief Technician David Dunn, Squadron Leader Paul Allison, Sergeant 'JJ' Payne, Chief Technician Andy Wiles and Chief Technician Mick Brewster - are all aircraft engineers on the Typhoon project at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire. Each has run more than 150 miles during the gruelling challenge.

They have spent the last week running from one Premier league ground to another to raise what they hope will be as much as £20,000 for four different charities. And the 'Premiership Challenge 2020', which began at Newcastle United's St James' Park finished with the lads being met at Anfield by former Liverpool great Brian Hall.

Team Leader Squadron Leader Paul Allison from Ormskirk explained how the challenge went: "Well the weather has been very good to us, ideal really. There's only been the odd shower. The first three days were tough, the legs were really aching, but then everybody has gone on autopilot and got on with the job."

Paul, from Ormskirk, continued: "Overall it has been as difficult as we expected it to be. There have been 20 people involved in total. The support team have been excellent with the route-planning, the motivation and, of course, the food and drinks. It's not like normal running where all you think of is your time. With this you are thinking distance and that makes it more difficult to concentrate."

As for the reception the team received while visiting the 20 grounds up and down England: "To be honest it's been varied," Paul explained. "We wrote to all the clubs in May and some did take a little persuading to help us. I guess there are a few which stick out in the mind. Sunderland were great, they had the Mayor there plus some local air cadets. Middlesborough took us into the stadium for photographs. At West Ham we met some of the players. Charlton were excellent, the chairman came out to meet us and he had organised local televsion to be there. Southampton were brilliant, really enthusiastic. They showed us around the ground, in the dressing rooms, everything. At Old Trafford we had a great welcome. We ran up the tunnel and onto the pitch where we were presented with a Man United shirt signed by the whole team. A couple of the lads support Man United so that was special for them. And of course we've now finished our week of running at Anfield, home of England's most successful club. Brian Hall has come out and met us and given us a signed football. Couldn't ask for more. Brilliant!"

The team enjoyed receiving this and other gifts. "Actually it's one of many we've received over the last week all of which go into the auction at our sports dinner to be held in the New Year," said Dave Dunn. "That should help us raise even more cash for these worthy charities."

The runners have had backing from Olympic gold medallists Lord Coe and wheelchair athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson, along with snooker legend Steve Davis. So have the six RAF engineers enjoyed it? "I have to say it has been thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile - a real achievement," said 'JJ'. "I never realised I could achieve so much." Paul was grateful for support the lads have had: "The RAF has been very supportive and I think really does benefit enormously from having this calibre of personnel among the ranks. Some of the lads on the team are the best RAF people I've worked with, top blokes. That speaks volume for the air force that these people can be trained to such high standards of fitness and be able to demonstrate their resolve and enthusiasm towards teamwork."

But for now it's a hard-earned rest that these 'premier performers' will be taking. No doubt they will be putting their trainers on again in the not too distant future.

24 August 2020

Wyton plays host to final Pathfinder reunion

Over 100 members of the Pathfinder Association (PFA) met at Royal Air Force Wyton for the last time on Sunday 18 August 2020.

They are the veterans of No 8 Group, the last survivors of the Pathfinder Force that was formed at RAF Wyton on 15 August 2020. Lead by Wg Cdr Don Bennett (later to be Air Vice-Marshal), they initially flew Wellingtons, Halifaxes, Stirlings and Lancasters from four airfields: Wyton, Oakington, Graveley and Warboys. Their purpose was to mark targets with flares ahead of the main bomber forces. They quickly became the elite force of Bomber Command.

By the end of the war, 19 squadrons in No 8 Group flew from a dozen airfields in East Anglia. Most of these were returned to agriculture at the end of hostilities. Since then, survivors of the Pathfinder Force have returned to RAF Wyton each year for a service of remembrance and renew friendships first made 60 years ago.

On Sunday this interesting and famed chapter of wartime aviation officially came to a close with the last memorial service in St George's church on the Station, followed by a lunch in the Mess for 200 people. Guests included Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Alcock and Air Marshal Sir Colin Terry. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster made a farewell fly past followed by a Jaguar from RAF Coltishall.

It was a particularly poignant occasion and Gp capt Martin Doel, officer commanding RAF Wyton today, explained how important it was that the heroics of those involved were remembered.

"A key aspect of any air force's fighting spirit is its ethos and traditions. An important part of my job is to connect today's generation of men and women in the RAF with those who made sacrifices for our freedom and established the tradition of the RAF during the war."

Sqn Ldr Kevin Dalley, Sqn Ldr Operations at Wyton, added: "This means everything to them. It's living history and the sad thing is that they are all getting older. After this there will be no continuity, although they will all be most welcome to come back any time."

Sadly Pathfinder president Air Marshal Sir Ivor Broom, himself a Mosquito pilot, was unable to attend through ill health. Nevertheless, it was a happy occasion with Pathfinders willing to share their experiences with friends and the media alike. The day was an historic event reflecting aviation and World War 2 history.

Although the PFA will now be formally closed, it will not mark the end of a very strong bond the survivors have formed with RAF Wyton over 60 years. There will continue to be a dining in night known as The Pathfinder Dinner held each Spring.

Additionally, there will be a memorial service held every August in St George's church at RAF Wyton at which former PFA members will be invited to attend followed by an informal lunch for families in the Officers' Mess. Memories of the Pathfinder Force and our debt to them all will outlive the lives of those who have survived.

20 August 2020

Partnership the key to new RAF Community Learning

In a groundbreaking partnership, two Gloucestershire-based organisations have joined forces and come up with an idea to provide improved support for the RAF 'family'. The RAF Community Support Services, based at Headquarters Personnel and Training Command (HQ PTC), RAF Innsworth near Gloucester, approached the School of Social Work at the University of Gloucestershire with the idea of a week-long course. And the course, funded by the RAF, is based on the evolution theory of the 'seven ages of man'.

Wing Commander Hugh Milroy, the RAF's Community Support specialist, explains the thinking behind it. "Over recent years, our understanding of the RAF community has greatly increased and we now see it in terms of a military lifecycle requiring differing levels of support at different times," he said. "To gain this understanding, we tried to understand our whole community in terms of the seven ages of man." Hugh continued: "The course focuses on support for the RAF Community world-wide by helping them understand the social context in which Service personnel and their families live. It will concentrate on key areas such as growing up, marriage and community support."

Piloted last year, the new course is aimed at Service or civilian personnel involved in the provision of support for others. It will run for three weeks and involve a total of 60 personnel. For Hugh it was an obvious choice to approach the University of Gloucestershire and use their proven expertise. "I am extremely impressed by their facilities and, more importantly, by the high level of professionalism among the staff," he explained. "Throughout the courses, the University will use their own experts and have sourced specialists where necessary. This means we gather a great deal of expert knowledge in one location."

Hugh realised a course was needed which could build on other recent RAF initiatives such as CHATSAFE, the award-winning internet chatroom watchdog, and also the RAF Community Support Website. "The result is, that between the University and ourselves, we have created a unique course, a course which may play a real part in making the RAF support services more effective. Long may the partnership continue."

Deborah Mohan, Course Leader at the School of Social Work is also enthusiastic. "The University warmly welcomes this opportunity to work in partnership with the RAF and to contribute to the endeavour to support its wider community," she explained. "We recognise the importance of establishing the University within the local community and of actively supporting developments that meet the needs of significant local employers."

19 August 2020

Cranwell Air Traffic Control first

Following a change of Command policy allowing Warrant Officers to become Air Traffic Control (ATC) Watch Supervisors, RAF College Cranwell's ATC Squadron Warrant Officer, Pete Burton, recently became the first Warrant Officer in the ATC trade to qualify in this role.

In order to qualify, Pete had to demonstrate a high level of practical ability in ten controlling disciplines at Cranwell and pass a detailed theoretical examination. As a watch supervisor, Pete will be responsible for the safe and efficient conduct of all air traffic control operations at Cranwell during his watch periods.

19 August 2020

Course 234, 9 Jul 02, Reviewed by Air Commodore Cook

The following cups and trophies were awarded for outstanding achievements during recruit training at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire;

(Back Row, L - R) Aircraftman Shion Brian Jarvis. The Mayor of Aylesbury Trophy, awarded for the best overall performance in all aspects of training in No 7 Flight. Shion will train as an Electronics Technician. Aircraftman Russell James Tout of Torquay. The Rothschild Cup, awarded for the highest overall standard in Ground Defence Training. Russell will train as a Propulsion Technician. Aircraftman Palmer. The Lord Trenchard Trophy, awarded to the best overall Flight (No 7), collected on behalf of the Flight by AC Palmer. Aircraftman Jason Lee Roberts of Caernarfon, Gwynedd. The Halton Apprentice Trophy, awarded for displaying the highest overall standard of effort, determination and achievement in Physical Education. Jason will train as a Personnel Administrator. Aircraftman Simon Alexander Cooper of Worthing, W Sussex. The Station Commanders Cup, awarded for displaying the greatest effort and determination on No 8 Flight. Simon will train as a Medical Assistant.

(Front Row, L - R) Aircraftman Robin Matthew Tregunno of Dunmow, Essex. The Benevolent Fund Trophy, awarded for displaying the greatest effort and determination on No 7 Flight. Robin will train as an Aerospace Systems Operator. Air Commodore Cook, Reviewing Officer. Aircraftman Daniel Slocombe of Heath, Cardiff. The Lord Lieutenant of Bucks Trophy, awarded for the best overall performance in all aspects of training. Daniel will train as an Avionics Technician.

19 August 2020

Course 233, 25 Jun 02, Reviewed by Group Captain Blackburn

The following cups and trophies were awarded for outstanding achievements during recruit training at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire;

(Back Row, L - R) Aircraftman Rodney Paul Simmonds of Bury, Lancs. The Rothschild Cup. Rodney will train as an Avionics Technician. Aircraftman Daniel Radford of Port Talbot. The Halton Apprentice Trophy. Daniel will train as a Flight Operations Assistant. Leading Aircraftman Michael Maloney of Skelmersdale, Lancs. The Lord Trenchard Trophy, awarded to the best overall Flight (No 6), collected on behalf of the Flight by LAC Maloney. Aircraftman Paul Luke Phelan of Eastham, Wirral. The Lord Lieutenant of Bucks Trophy, Paul will train as an Intelligence Analyst (Imagery). Aircraftman James Cox of Swansea. The Station Commanders Cup. James will train as a Weapons Technician.

(Front Row, L - R) Aircraftwoman Christina Monaghan of Pollock, Glasgow. The Benevolent Fund Trophy, Christina will train as a Chef. Group Captain Blackburn, Reviewing Officer. Aircraftman Michael Blundell of Skelmersdale, Lancs. The Mayor of Aylesbury Trophy. Michael will train as a Weapons Technician.

19 August 2020

RAF Officer: one step closer to South Pole Record

A Lincolnshire Royal Air Force officer from RAF College Cranwell has begun final training in his bid to become one of the oldest people to trek to the South Pole.

Group Captain Mike Cross (60) will temporarily swap his reserve officer role as Chief of Staff for the Air Cadet Organisation to trek 120 miles in the harshest environment in the world - and carry out groundbreaking research into diabetes in the process.

The five-man expedition team will be led by Gp Capt Cross's son Will (35) who is set to become the first insulin-dependent diabetic to reach the South Pole. The lives of all five team members have been affected by diabetes: three have lost close family members from the disease, one has a son with diabetes, one is a diabetes research scientist and one is insulin dependent. Will and Mike will also become the first father and son team to make the journey.

'The Ultimate Trek to Cure Diabetes' is a joint USA/UK expedition. During the expedition, Dr Bret Goodpaster of the University of Pittsburgh will conduct pioneering research into metabolism and muscle function in a diabetic under extreme physical and environmental conditions.

"In addition to the research we will bring back, I hope that the trek will inspire people with diabetes, particularly the young and their families, not to allow it to limit their lives," said Mike Cross.

"The expedition also fits in with one of the aims of my current job with the Air Cadet Organisation - to foster a spirit of adventure in young people - and this certainly falls into that category!"

Mike Cross is currently training three times per week with an exhausting regime of weights, step-ups, rowing, cycling, running and fast hill walking (with a 15kg knapsack). He has also devised a more unusual form of exercise; hauling car tyres attached by rope to a climbing harness around the Lincolnshire countryside. This will simulate the backbreaking task of pulling a sled for miles each day.

The team's Patron is the Hon. Alexandra Shackleton, granddaughter of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Other supporters of the expedition include Sir Chris Bonnington, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, David Hempleman-Adams and Sir Steven Redgrave who said: "My admiration for Mike and Will Cross in setting out on their 'Ultimate Trek' is unbounded.  The combination of endurance and physical achievement strikes a special chord with me, and so does their aim to raise money for diabetes research." All money raised in the UK will go towards diabetes research conducted on behalf of Diabetes(UK) and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (UK).

14 August 2020

Course 232, 18 Jun 02, Reviewed by Group Captain Pollock

he following cups and trophies were awarded for outstanding achievements during recruit training at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire;

(Back Row, L - R)Aircraftman Christopher Greene of Hounslow, Essex. The Mayor of Aylesbury Trophy. Christopher will train as an RAF Policeman. Aircraftman Adrian Graham Cottle of Torrington, Devon.  The Lord Lieutenants of Bucks Trophy. Adrian will train as a Mechanical Transport Driver. Leading Aircraftman Lincoln. The Lord Trenchard Trophy, awarded for the best overall Flight (No. 4). Collected on behalf of the Flight by LAC Lincoln. Aircraftman Paul Michael Davies of Newtown, Powys. The Benevolent Fund Trophy. Paul will train as an Electronics Technician.

(Front Row, L - R) Aircraftman Kevin David McCullough of Gillingham, Kent. The Station Commanders Cup. Kevin will train as an Airframe Technician. Group Captain Allison Pollock, Reviewing Officer. Aircraftwoman Natalie Claire Culshaw of Chorley, Lancs. Natalie will train as a Personnel Administrator.

19 August 2020

RAF runners kick off marathon challenge

A team of RAF engineers are hoping to score a charity triumph with a gruelling marathon challenge. Each of the six airmen taking part in the event will run the equivalent of a marathon a day as they bid to visit each of the Premiership's 20 football grounds in just one week.

And by the end of Premiership Challenge 2020, each runner will have completed around 150 miles in an effort to raise £20,000 for charity. The airmen - who are all engineers on the Typhoon project based at BAE Systems at Warton near Preston - launch the charity event on August 17, the opening day of the new Premiership season.

The team will run in relays, with each runner completing about 26 miles each day. They will start at Newcastle United FC and make their way from the North East through Yorkshire, where they will stop off at Leeds United's Elland Road ground, before moving on to London. They will then run to the south coast to visit Southampton and then make their way back north through the Midlands before finishing at either Liverpool or Everton.

The cash they raise will be split among Richard Peck House (a rest home run by the Royal Air Force Association), Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Orchid Cancer Appeal and Get Kids Going, a charity which gives sporting opportunities to disabled young people. The intrepid team have already won the backing of Olympic gold medallists Lord Coe and wheelchair athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson and snooker legend Steve Davis, patron of Orchid Cancer Appeal.

Team leader Sqn Ldr Paul Allison said the runners had put in months of training for the event. "This is a challenge which should really capture people's imagination," he said. "But it is also a big challenge for us. I have to say that there is a level of anxiety in the team about the challenge - it isn't the physical or mental problems we're worried about so much, it's more like fatigue and injuries because this is a lot of running - almost 150 miles in a week. The team's average age is 38 but we are all keen sportsmen. We are determined to do this run for those people who are unfortunately not able to."

The six runners have been clocking up the miles in training alongside two reserves who will take over if any of the original line-up is forced to drop out. The runners are: Chief Technician Gary Moore, 42, from Frome in Somerset; Chf Tech Dave Dunn, 39, from Warrington; Sqn Ldr Paul Allison, 35, from Ormskirk; Sgt J J Payne, 37, from Fremington, Devon; Chf Tech Andy Wiles, 45, from Carshalton, Surrey; Chf Tech Mick Brewster, 41, from Louth, Lincolnshire. The reserves are Sgt Sean Williams, 35, from Darlington, and Chief Tech Carl Smith, 35, from Chesterfield.

14 August 2020

RAF riders honour forgotten of Coastal Command

Two former Royal Air Force Officers harnessed serious pedal power to raise funds for the Maritime Air Trust when they cycled from Lands End to John O'Groats.

Next year is the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic and against that background the Trust has launched Project Constant Endeavour.

It's aim is twofold:

• To commemorate the men and women of the Commonwealth and Allied countries who served with Coastal Command, more than 9,000 of whom lost their lives.
• To raise funds that will enable museums and centres of learning to tell the little known story of maritime air power and its critical role during and since WW2.

Retired Group Captain Min Larkin (who celebrated his 69th birthday en route to John O'Groats) served in the RAF for 45 years in a number of Coastal Command Squadrons. He has previously cycled from the UK to Gibraltar and covered more than 1,000 miles in Arctic regions. His American colleague David Williams served 16 years in the RAF. Both men were apprentices at RAF Halton, in Buckinghamshire. Their three and a half--week, 1 OOO-plus mile trip began on 27th June and the men covered 50 miles a day.

Min Larkin is a former Air Engineering Officer who served on Shackletons and Nimrods on 224/205/201 Squadrons and the Coastal Command Categorisation Board. Since retiring from the RAF in 2020. He is meeting the costs of the project from his own pocket and all funds raised will go to the Maritime Air Trust.

There is no central memorial in the UK to maritime airmen and their key role remains a largely untold story - not just in WW2 but long after in a variety of operations and during the extended period of Cold War activity involving the Soviet submarine force.

Funds raised by sponsorship of the two former RAF cyclists will support a variety of initiatives including the provision of a relief-sculpture in Westminster Abbey that will be seen by around two million visitors a year.

RAF stations visited by the pair for stopovers were RAF St Mawgan, RAF Innsworth, RAF Cosford and RAF Kinloss.

08 August 2020

Hotel forgives flyers after 45 years

The RAF Central Flying School celebrates its 90th Anniversary this year – an unbroken record of training excellence that is acknowledged worldwide. But one 'honour' awarded by the School has a rather curious history. The Top Hat Trophy owes its establishment to the high spirits of four airmen, unexpectedly grounded by bad weather 45 years ago – and an impromptu visit to London’s famous May Fair Inter-Continental London hotel. Now awarded to 'the person with the dubious honour of coming bottom of his course' the whimsical tale of the Central Flying School's Top Hat Trophy resurfaced earlier this year when archivists were doing research for the School’s anniversary celebrations.

The original top hat still lives at the HQ of the Central Flying School in Cranwell, Lincolnshire and makes its appearance at the end of every graduation when the trophy of the same name is presented. Now more than 45 years old it is showing signs of wear and tear. On hearing of the topper’s plight the management of the May Fair Inter-Continental London offered to provide CFS, the oldest flying school in the world, with a new hat. "Over our history, dating back more than 75 years, the May Fair has seen many episodes of high jinks! We are delighted to join members of the RAF Central Flying School in celebrating their anniversary and are more than happy to offer a replacement top hat for their continued use – although we thought we’d save them the challenge of 'liberation' this time and simply hand one over!" In a ceremony at the May Fair Inter-Continental London hotel a new top was presented to the Commandant of the RAF Central Flying School, Group Captain Jon Fynes, by Shelagh Mooney, Executive Assistant Manager. On hand for prentation was L-R Lt Cdr Bill Whitton(original Hat snatcher), Doorman Ayhan Suleyman and Student Officer Kate Shapowal. Pictured are the original and replacement hats.

29 July 2020

Sprint ace flies high with the Red Arrows

England Commonwealth Games sprint hopeful Jason Gardener experienced a new kind of speed today when he had the once-in-a-lifetime chance to fly with the world's most famous aerobatic display team. Jason, one of the quickest sprinters in history with a 100 metres personal best time of 9.98 seconds, joined the RAF's Lincolnshire-based Red Arrows for his flight at RAF Scampton.

The flight was part of an RAF equal opportunities recruitment initiative which aims to highlight to the ethnic minority community the diverse range of career opportunities in the light-blue uniform.

20 July 2020

CAS opens Trenchard Building

Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire officially opened the newly refurbished Trenchard building at Trenchard Lines, Upavon. Sir Peter was invited to open the building, the original headquarters of the Central Flying School, by the Adjutant General, Lt Gen Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman. Major Hugh Trenchard, after whom the present army camp is named, was a member of the first CFS flying course; he went on to become the Assistant Adjutant at Upavon and eventually Marshal of the Royal Air Force. His grandson, the present Lord Trenchard, was also at the ceremony. Work on the Trenchard building involved restoring the original offices of the Commandant and his Adjutant, replacing some of the artefacts from that period.

18 July 2020

Group Captain retires after 40 years service

HQ 432 (Elgin) Squadron made a presentation to Group Captain Ken Hunter who retired from the Royal Air Force in 2020 after 40 years service. Ken began his 'Air Career' in March 2020 when he joined 2020 (Dartford) Squadron as Cadet No 7. He was attested in 2020 and signed on with the Royal Air Force in August 2020. During his career he served in France, Norway, Japan and Germany, as well as being home based. During his time in Japan he was both the Air and Defence attache for Japan and Korea, between 2020 and 2020. Ken retired in 2020 and returned to the UK before finally settling in his current home in Edinville near Aberlour on Speyside. He served on the Civilian Committee with 423 Squadron before finally completing his 'Air Career' in 2020 due to failing health. Ken was presented with the plaques of both squadrons which commemorate both the beginning and the end of his connections. In the photograph Ken is seen receiving his plaque by Group Captain Phil Dacre, Committee Chairman.

18 July 2020

PTC Wing Commander awarded Doctorate

At a recent ceremony in Norwich, an ex-327 Sqn Kilmarnock ATC cadet who is now a Wing Commander at HQ PTC, received a Doctorate from the prestigious School of Social Work at the University of East Anglia. Hugh Milroy, head of Community Support Services for the RAF, said: "Working full-time and studying in the evenings and weekends was hard going but it really is worth the effort. I'd recommend it to everyone." Hugh's dedication certainly paid off!

17 July 2020

RAF fast jet training Squadrons awarded Reserve Squadron numberplates

The two Basic Fast Jet Training Squadrons at Number 1 Flying Training School (FTS), RAF Linton-on-Ouse near York, have been awarded reserve squadron status. The squadrons, which belong to Number 1 Flying Training School (FTS) fly the Tucano aircraft. They will be renamed Number 72 (Reserve) Squadron and Number 207 (Reserve) Squadron.

Number 1 Flying Training School, formed in 2020 and based at Linton since 2020, provided the aircraft for the recent 'EIIR' Jubilee flypast during the Queen's visit to the Armed Forces at Portsmouth. Nos 72 and 207 Squadrons were formed during the First World War and served with distinction for many years. No 207 Squadron originally formed as a Royal Naval Air Squadron and went on to fly as a Lancaster bomber unit. During the Second World War No 72 Squadron served as a Spitfire squadron in the Battle of Britain.

Group Captain Dave Harrison, from Headquarters Personnel and Training Command, said: "The award of reserve squadron status is a considerable honour that will serve to preserve the links of the present day RAF with its outstanding heritage. "The new status of the Linton Squadrons will also develop an invaluable environment in which young student pilots can learn and absorb the history, and reinforce the ethos, of the Royal Air Force."

12 July 2020

Hat trick of firsts for RAF Chaplain

Richard Lee, the new Principal of the Armed Forces' Chaplaincy Centre (AFCC), brings a hat trick of firsts to the prestigious post:

• He is the first Royal Air Force Chaplain to be given the appointment since the AFCC became tri-Service in April, 2020
• The first incumbent who is a Defence Fellow
• The first Chaplain to become a Defence Fellow

A Defence Fellowship, a highly-competed for year of study at an academic centre of excellence, is awarded by the Ministry of Defence which in return, receives a thesis of military interest - written by the person it is sponsoring. Padre Lee opted for the University of London Department of War Studies King's College. For his dissertation he examined whether military systems could continue to motivate their personnel - and maintain public support in the face of open media reporting of war and other conflicts.

The thesis concluded that continued motivation would be possible as long as the military realised that the media would be part of a modern conflict, and that the media had the privilege of seeing war from the perspective of peace - unlike the military. The Chaplaincy Centre offers training programmes for chaplains in all three Services. It also provides a wide range of courses for Service personnel, their families and supporting teams, helping them to understand the demanding environment they operate in. An animated Padre Lee confessed to being rather excited about his appointment as Principal. "I do enjoy working with other clergy and Service personnel and also working ecumenically with them", he said.

Service chaplains, drawn from the historic Christian traditions in the UK, staff the AFCC. People from all faiths are encouraged to attend. Padre Lee explained that the AFCC, while not losing sight of the often-daunting tasks that the military community was confronted by on a daily basis, coached individuals to look into their own personal strengths and weaknesses. Looking beyond the obvious, and participation in free-flowing discussions is promoted in seminars and lectures. "It is a holistic experience. We work together to reassure and support military personnel, tell them they have real value to themselves and the Service, and allow them to challenge these statements and discover their value."

Padre Lee, now aged 50, was brought up in Seaham Harbour, Co Durham and was a regular worshipper and member of the choir at St John's Parish Church. He knew from the age of eleven that he wanted to be a priest. During a gap year after graduating from King 's College London he worked in a bar, as a department store salesman, and as an auxiliary nurse in St Christopher's Hospice, Sydenham.

He then spent six months as a student teacher at a Church Missionary Society School in Kenya - experiences which all helped him in the diversity of challenges he was to eventually face following his ordination in 2020. He completed an extended Curacy at St Andrew's Leam Lane in Gateshead before commissioning as an RAF Chaplain in 2020. Since then Padre Lee has served extensively in the UK and overseas, including Germany, Sardinia, and the Falkland Islands.

Inevitably, he attracts curiosity about how he reconciles his religious beliefs with the prospect of military conflict. He said: "We do not live in a perfect world. It is a cruel and violent world in which good people have to make difficult choices. The innocent are damaged, the guilty do escape, but the faith I follow says that Christ has something to say to them all about the nature of suffering and the reality of hope. In very religious terms, the crucifixion does not allow chaplains to be surprised by pain and suffering of the innocent. It is in that spirit that I believe that we are called to minister to men and women how we find them, not how we would like them to be."

He is married to Deborah, a consultant paediatrician at West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven, whom he affectionately describes as 'a noble camp follower' who had to work hard to maintain her medical currency while out of the UK. "Thanks to a flexible training scheme for doctors, she managed to keep up to date, but her progression to consultant was delayed because of accompanying me overseas."

They have four children, Jennifer, 22, a medical student and second lieutenant sponsored by the Royal Army Medical Corps; Michael, 18, and twin boys, Andrew and Peter, aged 15. Their grandfather, the Rev Raymond Bowers who died aged 85 last year, was a chaplain to 10 Para, a veteran of Arnhem and a former German prisoner of war. Padre Lee has very definite ideas about which career he would have chosen had he not entered the Ministry - he would like to have a been a fast jet pilot! But he has managed the next best thing by flying as a passenger in a variety of RAF aircraft.

The AFCC is based at historic Amport House in Andover, Hampshire, but the Principal and his family do not live in its stately, palatial splendour. "We have a standard quarter, similar to those on most RAF Stations and we are very content. I also happen to work in the most stimulating environment, and consider myself very lucky", added Padre Lee.

12 July 2020

Cranwell awarded Raytheon Falconer trophy

Members of the Air Traffic Control Squadron at RAF College Cranwell attended a presentation ceremony at the Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa, Lincs, to receive the Raytheon Falconer Trophy, awarded in recognition of the overall achievement and dedication of the squadron' s personnel during 2020.

Also attending the event were Air Cdre Nigel Williams, head of the RAF Air Traffic Control branch, and senior representatives of Raytheon Systems Limited.

Each year all military air traffic control units are eligible to compete for this prestigious award and following an excellent written submission by FIt Lt Ash Newman, now serving at RAP Shawbury as an instructor, Cranwell was announced as the winner. Senior Air Traffic Control Officer (SATCO), Sqn Ldr Dave Hughes, received the trophy on behalf of the squadron from Mr. Peter Robbie, Sales and Marketing Manager, at Raytheon Systems Limited.

"It was a great honour to receive the Raytheon Falconer Trophy on behalf of the squadron," said Sqn Ldr Hughes. "It is a just reward for their fantastic efforts throughout the past year. The trophy will remain at RAF College Cranwell for the forthcoming 12 months and current members of the squadron look forward to retaining it in next year's competition."

12 July 2020

The 50th Allied Air Force Chaplains consultative committee

The Venerable ( Air Vice-Marshal ) Ron Hesketh, Chaplain-in-Chief RAF and based at Headquarters Personnel and Training Command, and Rabbi Malcolm Weissman, Senior Rabbi, represented the UK to HM Forces at the 50th Allied Air Force Chaplains Consultative Committee, hosted by the Danish Air Force at Air Station Skalstrup (35 km from Copenhagen). This annual event is held to bring together the senior Air Force chaplains of the NATO nations.

Countries represented at the multi-denominational and multi-faith event were USA, Canada, UK, Norway, Italy, Germany, Portugal, The Netherlands, Spain, Greece, Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Denmark. The programme included briefings on the Danish Forces and the Lutheran Church of Denmark, the latter being given by the Bishop of Copenhagen. Delegates also visited Air Base Vaerlloese and the Air Force Academy.

The theme of the Conference was 'Military, Church and Chaplaincy today' and included lectures on 'Defence in a changed world and the role of Chaplaincy' (Senior Danish Officer) - 'Church between the Global and the Local' (Assistant Professor at Copenhagen University) and 'Religious Minorities in Denmark (former Chief Rabbi of Denmark). CINC Tactical Air Command, Major General Leif Simonsen, hosted the closing dinner.

AVM Hesketh said: "The very heart of NATO is the trust and understanding fostered through joint operations and common experience. RAF Chaplains like other military personnel are gaining greater depth from sharing experience across the theatres of operations. Conferences such as this gathering in Denmark allow us to learn from each other's ministry and to encourage the younger NATO partners whose Chaplaincy Services are just getting off the ground."

AVM Hesketh was relieved to leave Denmark on the day before their World Cup match with England. Maybe he should have visited Brazil as well!

12 July 2020

Jade joins jet set with RAF Red Arrows

Dulwich Commonwealth Games long jump hopeful Jade Johnson took to the skies over Lincolnshire with the RAF's own high fliers, the Red Arrows, and declared that her Hawk flight was "the best experience I've ever had".

Jade flew with Red 5, Flt Lt Christian Gleave, for almost 45 minutes. "At first he took it slowly, then tried a few more acrobatic things, then it just got better and better! I can't believe how lucky I've been to have had this chance. Christian made me feel so relaxed - it was wonderful. I almost don't care whether I win at the Commonwealth Games now," she joked after 'coming down' from her once in a lifetime flight. "I wasn't sick. The G-suit kept me stable and I think all the ab work I do as an athlete probably helped." Red Arrows team leader Sqn Ldr Carl 'Spike' Jepson and his team compared regimes and discussed training techniques when Jade joined them at RAF Scampton, the 'Reds' Lincolnshire base, and found a surprising amount of common ground.

"Basically training is all about commitment, practice and not ever settling for second best," said Spike. "We all give our personal best in terms of individual and team effort, but we are conscious at the same time of being ambassadors for our country and the organisation to which we belong."

The qualities that produce the best sportsmen and women are the selfsame drivers that ensure members of the famous RAF Red Arrows Aerobatic Team perform to the limits of their capability as Jade, who hails from East Dulwich, discovered during her visit.

More than 40 RAF sports personalities represented their country last year and as the Commonwealth Games approach, a select handful are already honing their skills as top guns, swordsmen and athletes to put the Service on the map in 2020.

These talented men and women have combined a career in the Royal Air Force with the pursuit of sporting excellence, but it wasn't until the nation watched Flight Lieutenant Alex Coomber hurtle to victory in the women's skeleton bobsleigh event, to take a Bronze in the Winter Olympics, that interest in Britain's light blue sports personalities took off.

Fitness has always been an integral part of Service life and at a time when young people are increasingly attracted to computer-based and non-physical activities, it is rare to find an occupation that offers both a challenging career and the opportunity to train and nurture a sporting talent.

12 July 2020

Royal role for Durham airman

A Durham airman landed a dream role in the historic Armed Forces Day. Sergeant Gary Stannard, from Ferryhill, painted a picture for Her Majesty The Queen. And what's more, Gary was given the ultimate honour of presenting the painting himself during The Queen's Golden Jubilee Visit to the Armed Forces. Her Majesty's visit to HMS Excellence at Whale Island in Portsmouth, was part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Gary, who has served in the RAF for 18 years, is a keen artist and likes nothing more than to paint and sketch whenever he has a spare moment. He has exhibited successfully alongside many contemporary professional artists already and has a steady stream of commissions.

He explained how it all began: "As part of the Jubilee celebrations, the Armed Forces decided to present Her Majesty The Queen with a gift. It was agreed that the gift should be a set of ornamental gates to hang at Sandringham, meaning that anybody could view them."

However, it became clear quite early in the planning that the gates would not be ready for the big day. The alternative was to present Her Majesty with an artist's impression of the gates. This is where Gary stepped in. "I was asked to produce an artist's impression of the gates," he said. "The painting was then submitted to Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, Chief of the Defence Staff, for consideration along with another painting by an officer from the Army. After some deliberation mine was chosen as the painting which would be presented to The Queen. I couldn't believe it when I found out, I was gobsmacked."

Gary, who has just been posted to RAF Honington in Suffolk, is one of a small number of RAF personnel who met the Queen. He applied the finishing touches to his painting before heading off to Portsmouth to begin rehearsing for his big day.

"It's not every day that you get asked to paint for The Queen. While it's a huge honour, it's quite a step up from what I'm used to painting. I hope she likes it and that it gives her a feel for what the gates will look like when they are erected at Sandringham."

"Art is a big part of my life. I hope this transmits through in my work and that I can continue to paint long into the future, even when I am no longer serving."

12 July 2020

Change of command at Cranwell

RAF College Cranwell recently welcomed a new Station Commander to the air base. Gp Capt Rob Cunningham (right) has taken over from Gp Capt Graham Dixon, who left Cranwell to take up an appointment with the Director of Air Staff at the MOD in London. Gp Capt Cunningham took over at Cranwell after completing a tour of duty as Commander of Operation Resinate (South) at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. Gp Capt Cunningham was born in Croydon and educated at Dr Challoner's Grammar School in Buckinghamshire.

He joined the RAF as a University Air Cadet and read Natural Sciences (Physics) at Lincoln College, Oxford. Commissioned in 2020, Gp Capt Cunningham underwent navigator training at No 6 Flying Training School, RAF Finningley, and converted to the Phantom on No 228 Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Coningsby in 2020. Tours in the Air Defence role followed at RAF Leuchars, RAF Stanley, in the Falkland Islands, and RAF Wattisham.

After an appointment on the Air Defence Staff of the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff at MOD, he was made an MBE and converted to the Tornado F3 at RAF Coningsby. He then joined the newly-re-formed No 23 Sqn as a flight commander at RAF Leeming, serving until the end of 2020 when he attended the Royal Australian Air Force Command and Staff College at Canberra.

Returning a year later he was selected to be Military Assistant to the Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Policy and Nuclear). Promotion to wing commander in 2020 was followed by a two-year tour as a staff officer in the Plans Branch at Headquarters Strike Command and, subsequently, command of Operations Wing at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, until 2020. He then took up the appointment of Group Captain Air Defence (Air) at Headquarters No 11/18 Group, subsequently becoming Group Captain Defensive Operations at Headquarters No 1 Group.

12 July 2020

RAF riders honour forgotten of coastal command

Two former Royal Air Force Officers who are harnessing serious pedal power to raise funds for the Maritime Air Trust will be passing through Innsworth, Gloucestershire on Wednesday 3 July. Next year is the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic and against that background the Trust has launched Project Constant Endeavour. Its aim is twofold:

• To commemorate the men and women of the Commonwealth and Allied countries who served with Coastal Command, more than 9,000 of whom lost their lives.
• To raise funds that will enable museums and centres of learning to tell the little known story of maritime air power and its critical role during and since WW2.

Retired Group Captain Min Larkin (who celebrates his 69th birthday en route from Lands End to John O'Groats) served in the RAF for 45 years in a number of Coastal Command Squadrons. He has previously cycled from the UK to Gibraltar and covered more than 1,000 miles in Arctic regions. His American colleague David Williams served 16 years in the RAF. Both men were apprentices at RAF Halton, in Buckinghamshire.

Their three and a half-week, 2020-mile trip starts on Thursday 27 June and the men aim to cover 50 miles a day. There is no central memorial in the UK to maritime airmen and their key role remains a largely untold story - not just in WW2 but long after in a variety of operations and during the extended period of Cold War activity involving the Soviet submarine force.

Funds raised by sponsorship of the two former RAF cyclists will support a variety of initiatives including the provision of a relief-sculpture in Westminster Abbey that will be seen by around two million visitors a year. Other RAF stations visited by the pair for stopovers are RAF ST Mawgan, RAF Cosford and (possibly) RAF Kinloss.

12 July 2020

Yorkshire Cadets first with millennium volunteers awards

Air Cadets from South and West Yorkshire Wing are blazing a trail with their first presentations of the 'Millennium Volunteer' Awards, gaining recognition for in excess of eight and a half thousand hours of voluntary work. The 'Millennium Volunteer' Awards are run in conjunction with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme in which the Air Cadet Organisation is the biggest operating authority. In order to achieve the award certificate the cadets each have to complete and account for 100 hours of voluntary work within their local community.

After 200 hours voluntary work, the cadets are awarded the 'Millennium Award of Excellence' and the 'MV' Badge. Since the scheme started on 1st October 2020, South & West Yorkshire Wing Air Cadet units have claimed 48 MV Award Certificates and 15 Awards of Excellence. So in June 2020, a presentation night was held at the South & West Yorkshire Wing Headquarters, Castleford, where twenty-six of the award winners were presented with their certificates. The scheme is organised and run within the Wing by Flight Lieutenant Neil Wilcock, who also has responsibility for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme across both counties.

He said, "The MV Award is in addition to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme and has seen eight squadrons accumulate over eight and a half thousand hours of voluntary work since October 2020. This work is still continuing with more of our 39 squadrons beginning to participate. These cadets have once again demonstrated the high quality of the young people involved in our organisation and I'd like to say how proud we are of them."

The voluntary activities undertaken by the cadets include sports coaching, expedition leader training, teaching small children dance classes, working in OAP homes, involvement in music as well as fund raising both for the Air Cadets and other charities.

12 July 2020

Technology unlocks door to lifelong learning

The days when an overseas posting meant an end to hopes of gaining a qualification are long gone in the Royal Air Force - and this week the Service's first six Learning Forces Awards were presented to outstanding achievers at HQ Personnel and Training Command, in Gloucestershire. The promise to deliver training 'anytime, anyplace, anywhere' became a reality for the RAF when it harnessed internet technology and made sure that even postings to remote locations like the Falkland Islands didn't interrupt people's studies.

Building on a unique partnership with North Lincolnshire College and the University for Industry (UFI), the RAF has made provision of the opportunity to learn and gain qualifications a cornerstone of its philosophy. Sue Cline, an administrator on the Learndirect scheme at North Lincs College, is enthusiastic. "We have three centres currently with the RAF and the arrangement works very well. With Learndirect, Service personnel have the opportunity to learn anywhere, rather than having a static class one evening a week. So flexibility is the key for people who find themselves working in all different parts of the world."

Dave Green, a project manager with UFI, agrees. "This is a highly significant arrangement which we have with the RAF in terms of upskilling the workforce. It means individuals can learn at their own pace and in their own time, something which can only be of help to anybody who wants to learn." Against odds like dyslexia, serious illness and significant domestic disruption, the five RAF Service and one civilian Learning Forces Awards winners gained degrees, teaching qualifications and technical skills under the scheme. Studying largely in their own time, but aided by dedicated personal learning assistants, they worked in RAF locations throughout the UK - and in one case the remote Kuwaiti airbase at Ali Al Salem.

Dental hygienist Senior Aircraftwoman Shona Maher from RAF Waddington, who won the 'Service Related Personal Learning' award, explained some of the difficulties she faced. "During the first few weeks of my studying I was thinking 'this is so easy'. Then as I began to get assignments to complete, I realised that it was actually going to be really hard work. Now I look back and find it very rewarding to see what I have achieved. It has been a great benefit to me in the workplace too because I understand more about dental hygiene and I can see the results when patients come back for treatment having looked after their teeth a little better than they used to!"

Chief Technician Christopher Buxton, coincidentally also of RAF Waddington, picked up the 'Significant Individual Achievement' prize. Christopher battled against cancer during his studies and was determined that adult learning would be beneficial to him and his career. "I'm conscious that in technology-based trades, if you stand still for any length of time you soon get left behind. So my motivation was to make sure I still have plenty to offer and I can honestly say that my adult learning experiences has completely changed my life."

Martine Sowry, an MOD civilian at RAF St Athan, won the 'Returning to Learning' award. "When I was at school I always felt that I was behind," Martine explained. "I know now that even slow learners get there in the end. It was actually watching Educating Rita that really got me started with adult learning and I've never looked back, despite the difficulties I have faced along the line."

Applauding the achievements of the six, Chief of Staff at HQ PTC, Air Vice-Marshal Grahame Jones said: "The clear theme that's come through is that perseverence is the key." And he explained how the Service, which has always had a commitment to training and personal development, had recognised the need to accredit. "Now we ensure that, whenever practical, every course we do has either vocational or academic recognition," he added.

26 June 2020

Commandant continues whistle stop tour in north

The new Commandant of the Air Cadet Organisation, Air Commodore Jon Chitty, continued his whistle stop tour of the country by visiting North Region Air Cadets yesterday, and meeting Regional Commandant, Group Captain Bill Gambold, along with Region, Wing and Squadron Staff.

Air Commodore Chitty, himself a former cadet of 367 (South Sheffield) Squadron, travelled up to Air Cadets Regional Headquarters North at RAF Linton-on-Ouse where he was met by Group Captain Gambold. His first duty, after meeting Region Admin Officer, Mrs Glen Turnbull, was to sign the visitor's book as a record of his visit. After meeting with Group Captain Gambold, he was hosted to lunch in the officers mess by Region Chairman, Wing Commander Geoff Knight RAFVR(T) Retd and met the Wing Admin Officers from East Cheshire & South Manchester Wing and East Lancashire Wing, Squadron Leaders Roberts and Bird and North Region Corporate Communication Officer, Squadron Leader Mike Wadsworth.

Air Commodore Chitty then went on to visit the Headquarters of 110 (City of York) Squadron where he was met by Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Dick Gray and toured the extensive facilities used by the unit. "It was good to meet the new boss," said Flight Lieutenant Gray, "and I'm delighted he chose York to visit." Following his visit to York, it was on to Headquarters South & West Yorkshire Wing at Castleford where Wing Admin Officer, Squadron Leader Graham Davies, met Air Commodore Chitty. Having toured the headquarters, the training and lecture facilities, as well as the Castleford Squadron HQ, Air Commodore Chitty returned to Headquarters Air Cadets at RAF Cranwell.

"It's always a pleasure to welcome a new Commandant", said Group Captain Gambold, "especially when he is an 'Old Boy" from one of the North Region Squadrons at Sheffield." North Region is very proud that 2301 (Heywood) Squadron from East Lancashire Wing has been awarded the Lee's Trophy for being the top squadron in the Air Training Corps. "I'm looking forward to meeting him again very soon when he presents the Trophy to the squadron. We feel that North Region is the Premier Region in the country's premier youth organisation."

24 June 2020

Top awards for North Region Air Cadets

Air Cadets from all over the North of England came together for the annual 'North Region Training Day' held at RAF Linton-on-Ouse on a typical June summers day, which as usual meant rain.

However, not the sort to let their spirits be dampened, the cadets knuckled down to make the best of the day of competition, activities and fun which makes this annual event such a highlight in the Regional calendar. With events such as shooting and drill, first aid and model making, as well as sport and recruiting, the cadets from such far-flung places as Castleford to Carlisle, and Sunderland to Stockport, had an action packed and fun filled day. True to the spirit of the Cadet movement it was not all work and no play. The Cadets took over the Station for the day and had access to all the facilities on base including the use of the 'Flying Pins' bowling alley and go-cart racetrack. Also available was a climbing wall, displays from the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, RAF recruiting and MOD fire service.

With so many competitions and events running in parallel the whole day was co-ordinated by Assistant Regional Commandant, Squadron Leader George Moore. "It took quite a bit of planning and pulling together" said Squadron Leader Moore, "On top of that with the conditions we had go opt for the wet weather programme but apart from the quick dash between venues, most people stayed fairly dry."

At the final parade the six North Region Wings came together in a final parade held in the gliding school hanger. Before the awards were handed out, the cadets and staff alike were entertained by the band of 2020(Bury) Squadron, the 'Steps' drill team of 2050(Leyland) squadron and the East Cheshire and South Manchester Wing Continuity Display Drill Squad.

Finally, station commander, Group Captain Ken Cornfield, presented the competition awards to cadets from around the region. Winning the shooting competition was the team from Durham & Northumberland Wing with the best individual score taken by Cadet Sergeant McGuire from 2301 Squadron. The sports events from the day, volleyball, five a side football and trampolining saw East Cheshire & South Manchester Wing take the trophy to add to the Recruiting Display Trophy. Winning the drill competition, and facing the scrutiny of Royal Air Force College Cranwell Warrant Officer, Mr Ken McWilliams, was South & West Yorkshire Wing with the best drill NCO judged to be Cadet Warrant Officer Ashcroft of 206 Squadron, Cumbria & North Lancashire Wing.

Central & East Yorkshire Wing took the honours in both Aircraft Knowledge and First Aid while the model making and diorama awards went to Cumbria & North Lancashire Wings and Durham & Northumberland Wings respectively. The overall winners on the day, when all the points were added up and receiving the Chairman's Cup, were East Cheshire and South Manchester Wing who collected the trophy from Region Chairman Wing Commander Geoff Knight (Retd). Receiving awards for being the top male and female cadets in the North Region and being nominated as regional representatives for the Dacre Sword and Dacre Broach Awards were cadet Warrant Officer Lizzie Arnott of 2020 (Wharfedale) Squadron and cadet Warrant Officer Veti of 607 (Wearmouth) Squadron.

Finally the first recipients of the 'Millennium Sword', judged to have scored the highest in a host of events over the previous twelve months, (including the results of the Regional Training Day) were judged to be Central & East Yorkshire Wing with the sword presented by Regional Chairman, Wing Commander John Lewington, to Wing Commander Ken Davies. Speaking to the assembled cadets staff and guests at the final parade, Regional Commandant, Group Captain Bill Gambold thanked the Station Commander for allowing the Cadets to take over the station for the day and paid tribute to all the teams participating. "In every event I've watched the performance by all of you has been excellent so you can all feel very proud of what you've done to represent your wings. Congratulations to you all on a fine performance."

Station Commander, Group Captain Ken Cornfield added, "I'm always impressed by the enthusiasm of the cadets and the commitment of the staff when I attend these type of events and so my personal congratulations to each and every one of you. I'm delighted that the day has been such a success and with so many young people from all over the North Region taking place." North Region Air Cadets covers the whole of the North of England from the Humber to the Mersey and up to the Scottish Border. The Air Cadet Organisation offers a host of opportunities to local youngsters aged thirteen and over. To find out more about the Air Cadets why not visit our website at www.northregion-atc.co.uk and look for the links to your local wing.

24 June 2020

RAF flypast for Innsworth

A reception and sunset ceremony was held at the RAF Innsworth Officers' Mess during the evening of Wednesday 19 June 2020. Over 100 local dignitaries attended the reception. A broad range of guests included representatives of central and local Government, professional bodies, industry and Service charities. Also present were the Mayors and representatives of city and parish councils together with head teachers from Churchdown, Innsworth, Gloucester and Cheltenham.

Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville, the Commander-in-Chief at Innsworth's Headquarters Personnel and Training Command, took the General Salute at the lowering of the Ensign ceremony. He said: "This is an important annual event for the Royal Air Force in Gloucestershire and we are delighted to welcome all our guests to share in the evening."

The RAF Central Band provided music for the ceremony. In addition, four Hawk aircraft from RAF Valley flew over the Officers' Mess at precisely 8pm as the RAF Ensign was lowered. A further Tornado F3 from RAF Leuchars completed the flypast to conclude the evening.

20 June 2020

RAF guest hails school’s success

Air Commodore David Case was the guest of honour at a special Governors’ Presentation Evening at Beaufort Community School, Gloucester.

The evening was a celebration of the success and achievements of pupils of all ages and abilities. Air Commodore Case, who heads the Policy and Plans Division at HQ Personnel and Training Command, RAF Innsworth, is a friend and supporter of the school and was delighted to see so many of its pupils rewarded for their efforts and achievements.

He said: "On my first visit to Beaufort Community School I was impressed with the energy and enthusiasm I noticed, but it was a real pleasure to return to present awards recognising success and achievements of pupils of all ages and ability. I have no doubt that together governors, staff, parents and pupils are building a vibrant community focused on providing the best opportunity for young men and women to develop their full potential. It was a most enjoyable evening."

19 June 2020

Innsworth Sergeant goes back to school

Innsworth airman and accomplished commercial artist Sgt Gary Stannard, was invited to a Cirencester school to provide an insight into the world of art. Gary, an administrator at Headquarters Personnel and Training Command, RAF Innsworth near Gloucester, was invited to the Ann Edwards School for 9-11 year olds in Cirencester.

During a presentation which lasted almost an hour, Gary talked about how he combines his 18-year career in the RAF with a lifelong love of art. He was able to demonstrate some of his practical drawing skills such as observational drawing and perspective. Linda Tubbs, Headteacher at Ann Edwards School, was delighted that Gary found time in his busy schedule. She explained: "It was an exciting week at the school with all the children taking part in Arts Week, an event financed by a spellathon held last year. The children really loved working with Gary and his encouragement did help them to produce some very good work. The weather was fantastic and they were able to work outside observing the complex lines of our school building, alongside the shrub planting. The delightful drawings resulting from the session were judged and one of the pupils, Jack Lister, was able to choose one of Gary's framed sketches which he had brought along."

19 June 2020

Royal honour for Royal Auxiliary Air Force Honorary Air Commodore

Royal Auxiliary Air Force Honorary Air Commodore, Group Captain Alex Dickson, has been awarded the Queen’s Volunteer Reserves Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020 in recognition of his 'second to none' lifetime of service as a volunteer reservist, and "his inspiration to all who have met and served with him."

It is his third honour having previously been awarded the MBE and the OBE for his service to the RAF.

Earlier this year he received another accolade - his appointment as the first Honorary Air Commodre of No 7644 (VR) Public Relations Squadron, RAuxAF, which is also approved by The Queen.

Air Cdre Dickson is a media expert described as "a legend in the world of Service public relations and broadcasting." His Squadron’s role is to provide public relations support for RAF and Nato forces world-wide in times of peace, crisis and war.

He has held both Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and RAuxAF commissions, and continues to promote public relation potential as Group Captain (Reserves) for the Director of Corporate Communication (RAF) in London.

Air Cdre Dickson, who is 65, joined the Daily Mail as a reporter in 2020, moving on eight years later to a career in television as a news anchorman, then writer and presenter of documentaries.

In 2020 he helped set up Radio Clyde, one of the most successful commercial stations in the UK, initially as head of news and current affairs.  As one of the first four employees, he recalls: "Buying camp beds, packed meals, light bulbs and toilet rolls to get us on air!" He rose to become managing director, helping to build that empire into Scottish Radio Holdings.

Having achieved that, he then resigned to become a student at the University of Glasgow, reading for a MPhil in military history, but continues to broadcast three programmes a week for the station, collecting international awards for them.  He was also chairman of a charity, which raised more than eight million pounds for needy children.

A respected figure in the world of broadcast training, students have included politicians, senior military officers, police chiefs, civil servants and some of the best-known faces in television. Air Cdre Dickson has extensive experience in running radio and television interview courses, and has also written, presented and produced more than a dozen films for the RAF on subjects ranging from low flying to security.

Following his receipt of the Air Efficiency Award in 2020, he went on to add two Bars to it. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, a Fellow of the Institute of Management, and a Fellow of the Radio Academy.

For more than ten years Air Cdre Dickson simultaneously held a VR(T) commission as a gliding instructor and successfully trained numerous future aircrew to fly solo. He eventually became the senior RAFVR officer, transferring painlessly to the RAuxAF when the Volunteer Reserve amalgamated with the RAuxAF in 2020.

His RAF service has brought extensive travel – in 2020 when Turkey invaded Cyprus he was sent to the island to help handle the 300 media who turned up.  He has also served in America, most of Europe, Croatia, and was Wg Cdr Media Advisor to successive Detachment Commanders at Dhahran during the Gulf War.

15 June 2020

Royal honour for Red Arrows’ ex-boss

A former leader of the Royal Air Force Red Arrows Aerobatic Team has been appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020 "for his immeasurable contribution to the good name and standing of the RAF."

He is Wing Commander Andrew Offer, who was Officer Commanding of the world-famous Red Arrows display pilots from September 2020 to December 01, when he moved to the Headquarters of Personnel and Training Command, RAF Innsworth, Gloucester.

His award recognises that his skilful and inspired leadership with more than 570 flying display practices, and 175 displays in 12 countries ensured the Team’s reputation as the best aerobatic team in the world remained undiminished.  His leadership took them to new heights, "developing their displays to undeniable levels of brilliance."

The citation notes that Wg Cdr Offer had been an excellent ambassador to the RAF and Britain, making an incalculable contribution to the UK’s trade and diplomatic interests overseas, as well as encouraging recruiting and enhancing the Service’s prestige at home.

Wg Cdr Offer now enjoys another high-profile post – as part of the Air Force Board Liaison Team briefing RAF personnel in the UK and overseas on Service issues of the day.

He and his wife Amanda have four sons.

15 June 2020

RAF marching orders for Manny Masih!

Unusually, the off-air performance of BBC Radio Gloucestershire presenter, Manny Masih, has been attracting more attention than his broadcasting accomplishments on his Sunday night programmes.

His listeners would have been very surprised to spot him as the only civilian putting his best foot forward with a squadron of Royal Air Force officers honing up their marching skills on a parade ground, under the steely-eyed guidance of an RAF Regiment drill sergeant.

He was visiting the Royal Air Force College Cranwell in Lincolnshire as the guest of the RAF. For Manny – as a former member of the Air Training Corps (ATC) for 25 years who looks back with great affection and gratitude on how it shaped his life - the invitation was irresistible.

Manny, now 45, rose through the ranks to become a Flight Lieutenant and Officer Commanding 2419 (Quedgley) Sqn, leaving the ATC in 2020. His three-day visit to Cranwell was designed to give him an insight into both today’s Royal Air Force and the ATC.

His impressions and interviews with a wide variety of both military and civilian personnel will be broadcast over several weeks in his programme, Sangeet Mahal (Palace of Music), on BBC Radio Gloucestershire each Sunday 6-8pm and scheduled to start on 21 July.

Manny, a Gloucester Magistrate, lives with his wife, Vanita and daughters, Rebekah and Gabriella in Cheltenham and runs his own business providing IT training. He is a keen table tennis player and for four years was a member of the RAF Innsworth Team when it played in the Gloucester League First Division.

Though it was many years since Manny was put through his paces, he readily agreed to have his drill examined on an Officers’ Senior Course at the Air Cadet Training Centre.  Inevitably, Flight Sergeant Jamie Morrison commented on the length of his hair, but assessed his marching skills as satisfactory.  Manny said: "Not a lot had changed, it is a bit like riding a bike, you never lose it."

One of the ATC’s most popular assets is Air Experience Flights for cadets and like many of his young contemporaries, Manny wanted to become a fast jet pilot.  That wasn’t to be, and he was thrilled when his visit to Cranwell included flights in a Vigilant at the RAF Central Gliding School, and in a Tutor aircraft at the Directorate of Elementary Flying Training. "In my day it was the Chipmunk aircraft, no longer in RAF service, that we flew in", he recalled.

Then it was on to meet the Royal Air Force Ethnic Minority Recruiting Team who talked about their own careers and experiences, and initiatives to encourage young people from diverse backgrounds to consider an RAF career.

No visit to Cranwell is complete without a tour of College Hall – its association with aviation began during the First World War - and in 2020 it was decided that wartime naval huts should be replaced by the present permanent College buildings completed in 2020.

Manny said: "The tour was a fascinating highlight with so much of historical significance to see and learn about." He added that the enthusiasm and pride in the RAF he had come across during his visit had impressed him.

Manny has been presenting his weekly programme for seven years, a skill he and his family would never have contemplated when they arrived in the UK from India in 2020. Manny, then aged ten was keen to integrate, but held back because he did not speak English.  He explained: "I was shy and embarrassed that I might unwittingly make a mistake."

As a medic in the Indian Army his father, Barkat, had served alongside the British and suggested soon after their arrival in Britain that he became an Army Cadet to gain confidence in himself and his new life. But at eleven he was too young to join, and two years later he opted for 2020(Swindon) Squadron ATC, which was to prove a life-changing decision.

Manny vividly recalls the first visit. "My father told me off in front of the Squadron Commander for not standing to attention and calling him ‘Sir’ when we were introduced. The Air Cadets changed my life. I found total support, empathy and friendship from the staff and cadets. One of the benefits of the ATC is that if you move you have an instant entrée to any of its units. It meant I was able to join 2020 (Portsmouth) Squadron when in 2020 I went on placement for a year as a trainee computer programmer to IBM from Cheltenham College. I was new and I was nervous in a strange place.  The Squadron welcomed me with open arms, I found a ready-made family, and made many new friendships."

On his return he joined 181 (Gloucester) Sqn ATC, became its training officer, progressing to OC 2419 (Quedgley) Sqn in 2020. One of the many skills Manny learned through the Air Cadets led directly to his first job. While waiting for a lecturer Manny took up a board marker to explain to fellow students at Gloscat the solution to a maths problem in their Higher National Diploma. When the lecturer arrived she sat in on his lesson, and Manny’s presentational skills led to his being appointed in 2020 a part-time lecturer at the college, where he also studied as a student.

When he was 22 he was commissioned as an ATC officer. "I was very thrilled and proud as was my father. Everything in my personality today was shaped by the air cadets." However, as an 18-year-old, Manny’s ambition to join the RAF as a fast jet pilot had been dashed because he did not have the necessary qualifications. The only vacancies on offer to him were as a fighter controller or a training officer, neither of which appealed. An undeterred Manny went on to establish his own business. "My life took a different course and there is no point having regrets about not joining the Service."

14 June 2020

Squadron Leader marries Warrant Officers

Warrant Officers Mary Mason and Bob Pitt (both Personnel Admin) were married on 12 May 2020. Mary and Bob initially met in 2020 while attending a course at RAF Hereford. They went their separate ways until being posted to RAF Henlow in December 2020 when Mary became Bob's Chief Clerk.

Since that time their relationship blossomed, culminating in the ceremony at St Mary's Catholic Church, Gowthorp, Selby, North Yorkshire, which was conducted by the Rev (Sqn Ldr) J E Caulfield, BD RAF, the Roman Catholic Padre at RAF Leeming.

Mary is currently Adjutant on No. 609 (West Riding Sqn) at RAF Leeming and Bob is on resettlement having recently been the Station Warrant Officer at RAF Brampton/Wyton.

24 May 2020

Red Arrows awarded Public Display Authority for the 2020 display season

Under gin-clear blue skies, the Red Arrows performed their breathtaking routines for their Commander in Chief, Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville. Whilst watching the display, Sir Christopher had to assure himself that the display routines were safe, that they were sufficiently spectacular and that they achieved the exceptionally high standards expected of the Red Arrows. After the sortie de-brief, Sir Christopher addressed the Team and stated that he was delighted to award the Public Display Authority.

After the sortie de-brief, Sir Christopher addressed the Team and stated that he was delighted to award the Public Display Authority. The celebrations were short-lived however, as at this time of the year the Team is already running in to the full display season. That afternoon, the Team deployed to Marka in Jordan for an overnight stay. They displayed for the Jordanian Royal Family before returning to Akrotiri the following afternoon, where they will display for the Open Day at the Cyprus RAF station on Saturday 18 May before returning to their home base at Scampton via a display at Amendola in Italy on 19 May.

15 May 2020

RAF Uxbridge gate guardian gets makeover

The Royal Air Force Uxbridge Gate Guardian has recently been returned following a programme of refurbishment. The replica Spitfire was allocated to RAF Uxbridge in 2020 and originally unveiled by Air Vice-Marshal M J C W Dickens and Group Captain K H Minton on 27 Oct 89. The replica replaced the original Spitfire, which first entered service on 1 Apr 2020, flying from Royal Air Force Hendon under the control of Headquarters No 11 (Fighter) Group at Uxbridge. After a series of moves and roles which included starring in the film 'The Battle of Britain', it was finally issued to RAF Uxbridge as the 'Gate Guardian' on 4 Apr 2020.

In 2020 under an MOD sponsored deal which saw exchanges of WWII aircraft between the UK and the USA and the provision of replica aircraft, it was removed and became the property of an American. The aircraft was restored to flying condition in the UK and remained in the country for a number of years where it participated at air displays. It then went to the USA. Sadly the aircraft crashed at Blue Canyon, California, killing the pilot. The aircraft was totally written off.

The refurbishment of the current Gate Guardian was carried out by the Engineering Support Squadron of Royal Air Force Odiham at the end of March 2020. Pictured is the current Station Commander at Royal Air Force Uxbridge, Group Captain PJ Hughesdon Finst FCMI RAF with members of the refurbishment team.

15 May 2020

Shaping their future

A training session was arranged for children from the Coriander estate in Innsworth, with Gloucester Rugby Club stars on the RAF Innsworth sportsfield. The event, organised through the local Crime and Disorder Partnership Action Team, aimed to project a positive attitude towards life and to show the lifestyles of local sporting personalities.

The event was organised by PC Dave Webber, the MOD Police Community Liaison Officer, and Margaret Goodhall, Youth Development Officer from the Horizons Community Centre in Churchdown. PCs Phil Chalkley and Ian Burdon of the MOD Police and the youth workers from Horizons helped out.

Training was led by Adam Eustice, an England A International, Sophie Bennet, an England Women's International and Andy Blaylock, the Gloucester Rugby Club's Community Development Officer. After lunch, the children went on a tour of the Gloucester ground. Gloucester fitness coach Ed Archer held a question and answer session and gave a fitness and lifestyle talk. All the children received a memento of their day and had a thoroughly good time.

15 May 2020

A new face in TGDA

March saw the handover of the Training Group Defence Agency from Air Vice Marshal Corbitt, retiring from the RAF after a varied 36 year career, to Air Vice Marshal Dusty Miller. AVM Miller arrived with a wealth of experience of how training meets the operational need. He arrived fresh from his role as Air Component Commander in charge of the UK contribution to Operation Veritas, the support of UK forces in Afghanistan.

15 May 2020

2331 (ST IVES) Squadron Air Training Corps granted freedom of St Ives

2331 (St Ives) Squadron ATC have been awarded the Freedom of St Ives in Huntingdonshire. Late last month, a parade and ceremony were held in the town, and following a march past by Cadets, the Officer Commanding 2331 Sqn, Flt Lt John Bell RAFVR(T), presented the Mayor of St Ives, Councillor DB Dew with a picture of the flight line of Tutor aircraft at RAF Wyton, where the squadron is based.

15 May 2020

You'll look sweet, Upon the seat…

An amazing cycle challenge weekend, to support the local Air Ambulance, was undertaken by a group of Innsworth PMA desk officers. The team, looking for a challenge worthy of their skills which would also contribute to the local community, decided to cycle around the County using tandems. They visited hospitals to keep the link up with the Air Ambulance. At every stop they took up a sporting challenge which included tug of war, tennis, darts, squash and a sports quiz to finish off.

In addition they wrote to sports clubs to ask for donations and held an auction of donated prizes to generate more funds. The team even stood outside a couple of supermarkets and rattled donation boxes. At the end they had raised more than £2020.

15 May 2020

Cadets join forces with the RAF to encourage ethnic minority awareness

Air Cadets from South and West Yorkshire Wing have teamed up with the Royal Air Force Recruiting Team to increase the profile of both the Cadets and the RAF within the British Asian population of Bradford - and have a lot of fun at the same time. Following earlier initiatives by Sergeant Mohammed Khan of the Leeds Recruiting Office, and Squadron Leader Mike Wadsworth, Corporate Communications Officer, Air Cadets Regional HQ (North), a competition entitled 'The Harte Trophy' was organised at Ventnor Hall, Bradford in the centre of Bradford's Asian community.

With seven squadrons from across the county taking part, the task had two main aims. Firstly to encourage awareness of the vast range of opportunities available to young people through the Air Cadet Organisation and the Royal Air Force, and also to have a great day of competition, activities and fun whilst at the same time encouraging integration and diversity. The day kicked off with a drill competition, judged by Corporal Ronnie Erskin from the Sheffield Recruiting Office. Within the confines of the hall, each squad of between nine and twelve cadets performed a routine of standard drill movements and were also marked on turnout and deportment.

The next event was a leadership and teambuilding exercise, with each team set a series of tasks, including building a balloon tower, working out some complex logic problems and using their memory skills to complete a table top model. After a lunch of salad, samosas and bhajis prepared and served by members of the Sikh community, the afternoon began with a public speaking competition. Individual cadets and teams talked on a subject of their choice for at least two minutes.

15 May 2020

RAF pals paddle for charity

Ten Royal Air Force physical training instructors - usually found urging their colleagues on to greater achievements in the gymnasium - will test their own fitness in a gruelling kayak paddle around the circumference of the Isle of Wight and its potentially difficult and dangerous waters.

The instructors kept in touch after completing an RAF course in 2020. They arranged the sponsored maritime challenge for 19 May when they learned that one of them, Corporal David Ledger, had been left almost completely paralysed following a freak kayaking accident in the summer of 2020. David, 30, who is himself an accomplished canoeist and represented Great Britain in the sport, will be the guest of honour at the challenge, welcoming them over the finishing line. They are expected to complete the 65-mile course in eleven hours.

The event co-ordinator is Sgt Justin Scholes (pictured front), recently posted on promotion from RAF Innsworth, in Gloucester to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine in Birmingham. He said that they hoped to raise £5,000 from sponsorship which would buy an adjustable bed for David, who now lives in a specially adapted bungalow purchased for him by the RAF Benevolent Fund. Justin said they would circumnavigate the island anti-clockwise, starting and finishing the trip from Keyhaven on the UK mainland. "We will be using the tides to our advantage, taking it in turn so that it is a real team effort. The waters can be difficult and dangerous, and there will be easy, hard and rough legs to challenge us."

David's accident happened in Bratislava, Slovakia when he was coaching the Great Britain Under 23 Canoe Slalom Team Canoeing nearly two years ago. Since then he has tried to live as independent a life as possible. He has enjoyed exceptional success in canoeing, a huge part of his life since he was eleven years old. He was a member of the Great Britain Junior Team and the Under 24 Team, a member of the England Team for many years, and was involved in coaching the Great Britain Under 23 Team for a total of three years. He joined the RAF in 2020, representing both the light blue Service and the Combined Services 2020-2020, and has always been involved in the sport's administration and organisation. From 2020 until his accident, he specialised as an adventure training instructor teaching canoeing, mountaineering, ski-ing and other outdoor activities.

Canoeing still continues to be an important part of his life. He works with the British Canoe Union as regional co-ordinator for Yorkshire, Humberside and Teeside Under 18 Paddlers, who are backed by a National Lottery grant. He has also completed a computer course at Ripon College, Yorkshire to help him fulfil a new career in the administration side of the sport and leisure industry, and is currently applying to Leeds University to study Diet and Nutrition. He said: "I was very touched that my friends wanted to take part in such a challenging event - just for me. I am sure with their effort and determination that they will succeed. The new bed will be a great bonus and make my life a lot more comfortable."

15 May 2020

CAS visits Innsworth

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire and wife Lady Squire, recently visited Innsworth. CAS toured various locations and engaged in open debate with personnel on issues of the day. Personnel had the opportunity to give CAS an insight into their world. Lady Squire, meanwhile, accompanied by Lady Coville took the opportunity to visit, amongst others, the Pre-School Playgroup. The Playgroup currently admits 26 children between 3 - 5 years old of Service parents. The visitors met the children in the classrooms and enjoyed a lively chat.

15 May 2020

RAF Innsworth Community Centre - the Heart of your Community

The RAF Innsworth Community Centre, opened in 2020, has quickly become the heart of the community.

It is an ultra-modern building located just opposite the base and provides a spacious resource designed with flair and functionality. There is an excellent large main hall, furnished with many easy chairs, a separate lounge area, a well equipped kitchen and outside is a children's play area. Its facilities and activities are available for all RAF personnel, their dependents and civilian employees at Innsworth.

Nowadays, the HIVE is the ever-present stalwart of each RAF station's community, providing local help, information and advice not only for the families, but to all Service personnel, both married and single. The RAF Innsworth HIVE takes its rightful place within the Community Centre, where the friendly and helpful staff can assist in providing local information. There is also access to an internet computer. Alongside the HIVE is a Coffee Shop serving light hot and cold refreshments.

15 May 2020

CRE Breifing

Beverley Bernard, Deputy Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) and Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter, the Military Consultant to the CRE, visited Headquarters Personnel and Training Command to find out about the RAF's equality and diversity policies. The RAF is committed to improving the level of ethnic minority representation in the Service and proactively working with the CRE is vital to achieving this. During their visit, they spoke at length with Air Commodore David Case on the role and commitments of the RAF. They also spoke with Group Captain Peter Hibberd about the breadth of career opportunities available within the RAF.

15 May 2020

Another fantastic Fundraisers year

Each year the RAF Innsworth Fundraisers select a local charity to support, and in March last year they adopted 'The Friends of the Wheatstone Day Hospice' who raise funds in order to provide support to the hospice in Gloucester. This friendly and caring centre offers help to patients with life threatening illnesses and support for their carers. Patients benefit from nursing care, special bathing facilities, therapies such as Bowen and aromatherapy and, by no means least, a friendly, social atmosphere where they can feel at ease with others, whilst carers benefit from the opportunity of some time to themselves without worry. The Friends have already provided funding for a number of projects at the Hospice including a summer house and water feature for the garden, lunch trips, and artists' books and materials. They are also funding an on-going project to make 'Dreams come true', which allows patients to realise and enjoy a special ambition.

During the last 12 months, the RAF Innsworth Fundraisers have raised a superb £4052.24. To raise this huge sum required a lot of effort from many people. The dedicated committee put together the RAF Innsworth Summer Fayre, car washes, quiz and horse racing nights, a number of well supported raffles and a highly successful 'Step-aid' event, which alone raised £2020. On 10 April, the Station Commander presented a cheque for the tremendous total to patients, carers and volunteers from the Wheatstone Hospice who were hosted by members of the Fundraisers committee during a social gathering in the Sergeants' Mess.

15 May 2020

Any time a good time for learning

As part of Adult Learners Week the RAF's Learning Forces Team, based at Headquarters Personnel and Training Command, today held its 'Learning at Work Day' (Tuesday 14 May 02). The day, a series of learning events and workshops, was held in conjunction with RAF Innsworth's Station Resettlement and Education Co-ordinator, and the civilian Training Liaison Officer.

Adult Learners Week, a national initiative which aims to make learning an everyday part of life and open to all, provides a focus for hundreds of practitioners from all sectors to run thousands of events throughout the country, sharing their enthusiasm, knowledge and skills with over a million people.

The RAF is a keen advocate, seeing the numerous benefits which the week offers, both to the individual and to the organisation. Flt Lt Fiona MacInnes helped organise the Innsworth event.

"The day gives everybody the opportunity to look at a whole range of things going on, not necessarily connected to their normal work but which they might want to try," Fiona explained.

"I think anything which helps broaden your own personal outlook on learning is a good thing. We get a good cross-section of people attending, both civilian and uniformed, so the message that it's open to all, seems to be getting through."

"While the RAF still needs to be operationally effective, today we can't ignore the fact that we run as a business. I believe this helps us to relate better to what goes on in the private sector and, therefore, better understand the needs of our people."

Included in this year's programme were displays from the Prince's Trust and Gloucestershire College of Art and Technology (GLOSCAT), while activities included pottery and archery. Events began at 10am, with learning providers from the local area invited to host stands and activities inside the HQ PTC foyer and conference rooms. Lecture topics included astronomy, stress management, a deaf workshop, helicopters, leadership skills and an analysis of football. Information on NVQs and the NEBS management scheme was also available.

Both service and civilian personnel participated in the day, designed to complement Adult Learners Week, an initiative which last year involved more 2,500 companies and half a million people nationwide. In addition, 'Learning at Work Day' ties in with the RAF's Learning Forces programme, a programme designed to deliver lifelong learning as part of its continuing efforts to optimise operational effectiveness through enhanced opportunities for academic, professional and vocational advancement.

Darren Perkins is business development manager with The Prince's Trust: "Our main aim is to interact with people at all levels to raise awareness of the work we do, particularly the volunteer programmes," he explained.

"From that we can then look at arranging secondments of varying lengths for those interested to try and get them involved. We find that people come to us with the aim of helping out, but return to the workplace after their secondment with a whole load of skills they would not expect to have gained."

Flt Lt Orlanda Williams, now at RAF Halton, began planning for the event last year. Her successor, Flt Lt Fiona MacInnes, has continued the initial good work.

"Orlanda started the whole thing and put the framework of it all together. I've just continued from there really." said Fiona, who arrived from her previous posting as specialist training officer on the Jaguar Operational Conversion Unit at Coltishall just six weeks ago.

"We have a committee of various people here at Innsworth who have all contributed and the earlier you begin planning, the more successful an event like this will be. It has been difficult keeping the programme on track because you're relying on people to deliver for you. Last week we had one drop out so we had a little bit of rethinking to do."

The activities proved popular. Sqn Ldr Nige Bell tried his hand at the archery. "I tried archery when I was a child, so I thought today would be a good opportunity to try it as an adult. Surprisingly, I've done quite well. I managed to hit a couple of bullseyes anyway.

"I've found it easier than I expected, although remembering where to mark your line of sight is probably the most difficult aspect, both on the target and on the bow itself."

Jackie Pickup, from TGDA's training development branch at PTC, organised the practical pottery class, an idea well received: "I was asked by the organisers if I would like to help and I was delighted. So I thought about it and decided to make some pottery figures for people to paint," she said.

Jackie had an enthusiastic turnout, with all keen to get some hands-on, practical pottery experience. "Having a demonstration like this available gives people an insight into an interesting hobby. If they find they enjoy it, they may decide to try it again, perhaps even considering attending classes as I do."

FS Carole Bain, who works in TD Pol, was looking after the NEBS Management NVQ Scheme display stand. She brought along the Key Skill Builder, a testing aid to help individuals identify areas of weakness.

"The Key Skill Builder tests at NVQ Level 1," Carole explained. "If you're weak in a specific discipline, such as decimals, it helps to identify that weakness. From there you can be brought up to Level 2."

Bill Lucas, chief executive of the Campaign for Learning, the organisers of Adult Learners Week, explained what it all means.

"Learning at Work Day is more than just a great way to develop the talents of your workforce. It also helps employers position their organisation as one that will attract new talent. It is about making learning enjoyable, habit-forming and productive."

15 May 2020

RAuxAF Honorary Inspector General re-appointed

HM The Queen has approved the re-appointment of a senior retired Royal Air Force officer to two prestigious honorary posts. Air Vice-Marshal Barry Newton will now continue for a further five years as Honorary-Inspector General of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, an appointment in which he succeeded the Rt Hon Lord Monro of Langholm in January, 2020.

This position is held concurrently with that of Honorary Air Commodore of a RAuxAF unit - in Air Marshal Newton's case, No 606 (Chiltern) Squadron, based at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire. As Inspector General, he will represent and promote the interests of the RAuxAF at national level, in liaison with other Honorary Air Commodores, senior regular and reservist officers, and Ministry of Defence officials.

Air Marshal Newton was appointed the first HAC of the Helicopter Support Squadron, now 606 Sqn, in April 2020. Its role is to provide a pool of personnel trained in operations, supply, transport, catering, general engineering and security to augment the Support Helicopter Force in times of crisis and war.

Since 2020, squadron personnel have been deployed in many countries overseas as well as in the UK in support of operations. Their HAC says: "On every occasion they have acquitted themselves well and brought credit to the Squadron and to the RauxAF. I am proud of them."

Air Marshal Newton's Service career began as a cadet at the RAF College Cranwell, Lincolnshire. He flew Canberras in the low-level target-marking role with 109 Sqn and then, with 76 Sqn, on cloud-sampling operations in the nuclear weapons trials in Australia and at Christmas Island in the Pacific. After attending the Central Flying School, he became a flying instructor at Cranwell and then, as a squadron commander, at 6 FTS RAF Acklington in Nortrhumberland. Following a series of command and staff appointments, including two in the Cabinet Office, he became Air Commodore Flying Training at the former HQ RAF Support Command in 2020. His last appointment was as Commandant of the Joint Service Defence College.

On leaving the RAF in 2020 Air Marshal Newton was appointed a Gentleman Usher to HM The Queen. During 2020-99 he also served as Vice-Chairman on the Council of the Territorial, Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve Associations. His leisure pursuits include military history, especially early aviation. It was his initiative that led to the restoration and re-dedication of Airmen's Cross on Salisbury Plain, one of the earliest monuments to military aviators. He also enjoys field sports and vintage cars.

He and his wife, Lavinia, live in Stratfield Mortimer, Berkshire and have a grown-up family. Air Marshal Newton says: "I am totally committed to the splendid men and women of the RAF who make such an important contribution to RAuxAF operational capabilities. I am delighted as well as greatly honoured to have been re-appointed."

15 May 2020

To the Moon and Back again! …but not in this, surely?

The familiar face of Dusty Miller, second from right, is no more to be seen driving around Innsworth. After 21 years in MT and having travelled the equivalent of visiting the Moon and back again (and nearly there once more!), Dusty has finally hung up his badge, but not handed in his driving licence nor put down his crossword pen! Quite the opposite of putting his car into bubble-wrapped storage, Ken's off on his travels round Europe again, though maybe not in Mr Bean style! Always cheerful and ever-present, Dusty will be sadly missed in MT and his friends all wish him well.

15 May 2020

Innsworth artist sells first picture at leading exhibition

Innsworth-based airman and talented artist Sgt Gary Stannard proved a big success when he exhibited at a leading Gloucestershire equestrian and hunt exhibition. One of Gary's pictures, 'Concentration', was snapped up on the first day of the Cirencester exhibition. The exhibition, entitled 'The Hunt III', attracts some of the country's top equestrian and hunt artists.

'Concentration', which features three hounds, was bought by a huntsman in Pembrokeshire within hours of the exhibition opening. Gary, personal assistant to the Air Officer Administration at Headquarters Personnel and Training Command at RAF Innsworth near Gloucester, explained. "I attended the opening and chatted to several customers and the exhibitor. It's thrilling to have someone look at your work and positively comment on them. By the time I arrived home, a message had been left on the answerphone telling me a huntsman from Wales had bought 'Concentration'. It was the first picture to be sold, ahead of all the other participating, well known artists whose works sell for thousands of pounds." He continued: "The most pleasing aspect - apart from getting the cheque - was the fact that it was a huntsman who had purchased it. So I must have got something right! Now I'm seriously considering 'concentrating' my work on hunting where there are plenty of ideas and scenarios to think about, as well as being a subject constantly in the media spotlight."

An artist who has never had any formal training and is completely self-taught, Gary has previously exhibited his work alongside The Prince of Wales at London's Mall Galleries. He has produced watercolours for several Service personnel including Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville, Commander-in-Chief Personnel and Training Command, who was so pleased with the painting of his former home in Belgium, that it now has pride of place at his current Gloucester base. Gary, originally from Ferryhill in County Durham, has also exhibited and sold works at other shows and has a steady stream of commissions. He is married to Mandy and they have two children. He has served in the RAF for 18 years.

15 May 2020

A Gem of an Idea…

Flight Sergeant Paul Gray has received £150 from the GEMS scheme for producing a guide for inexperienced users of SAMA, the RAF's IT personnel system. Group Captain Harvey presented Paul with his award. He first conceived the idea while at Lossiemouth and since developed it serving at AFPAA, the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency, such that it is soon to be rolled out RAF-wide using the intranet. The guide will ensure users are up and running sooner and reduce the number of calls to the help desk at Innsworth.

15 May 2020

RAF Innsworth celebrates freedom anniversary

RAF Innsworth celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the granting of the Freedom of the Borough of Tewkesbury today (Friday 3 May 02).

Local people were treated to a spectacular flypast and a parade through the town, accompanied by music from the RAF College Band.

At precisely 11am, three aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at RAF Coningsby - a Lancaster bomber, Spitfire and Hurricane - flew over the parade area.

Commander-in-Chief Personnel and Training Command Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville, and Station Commander Wg Cdr Peter Hereford, accompanied the Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough and the Mayor of Tewkesbury Town in an inspection parade.

Following the inspection, RAF Innsworth was invited to exercise the Freedom of the Borough by marching through Tewkesbury. The march was led by the RAF College Band and followed by two flights of the Queen's Colour Squadron. Their route took them past the war memorial towards the abbey.

Tewkesbury' two mayors - Brian Galway Mayor of Tewkesbury Town and Margaret Ogden Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough took the salute at Tewkesbury Abbey.

Wg Cdr Hereford said: "I am very conscious that the Royal Air Force has worked hard to develop and maintain excellent relations with the local community since arriving at Innsworth in 2020. It's nice to give something back to the local community and I believe it's a real coup for us to have the Queen's Colour Squadron, the RAF College Band and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight all here today."

The RAF College Band strike up a tune on the parade square at Tewkesbury

Personnel from the QCS check their alignment and spacing prior to inspection

Queen's Colour Squadron, ready for inspection!

As the inspection gets underway, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight provide the ultimate backdrop

Margaret Ogden Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough chats with members of the Queen's Colour Squadron

RAF Ensign bearer Fg Off Oliver Walker waits patiently for the reviewing party to pass by

Chf Tech Mark Davies, the drum major, plays a vital role whenever the College Band perform

And here he leads the Band along Tewkesbury High St to the delight of local people who turned out in force

A local boy shows his enthusiasm for the parade

The VIP Party - Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville, Air Officer Commmanding-in-Chief PTC, the two mayors and Wg Cdr Hereford, Station Commander RAF Innsworth - take the salute as the ensign party passes

Councillors Ogden and Galway congratulate Air Marshal Coville and Wg Cdr Hereford on a successful parade

Personnel from RAF Regiment Flt, RAF Innsworth, from left, Cpl Mark Sumpter, Flt Lt Andy Marshall and Cpl Dave Brassington with the Tewkesbury Sword

3 May 2020

Air Force Cross top award for Red Arrow

The calm and measured reactions of one of the Royal Air Force' world-famous Red Arrows in a life-threatening situation - he opted to remain in the aircraft to avoid a populated area instead of ejecting - has won him a top operational award, the Air Force Cross.

Flight Lieutenant Steven Underwood, 42, joined the aerobatic team as 'Red Ten' their commentator and on-the-road manager in December last year. He is a full time reservist officer - one who has left the regular Service but returned with a full commitment to serve where required. It was in his previous post as a flying instructor at RAF Valley, Anglesey that he looked death in the face. Ultimately, he flew a faultless approach to safety under extreme pressure. He not only saved a valuable aircraft, but also ensured the student he was instructing did not face the risks of ejection.

The award recognises "his dogged persistence in recovering the aircraft, his calm and measured response to the situation, his consummate piloting skill and unselfish action."

The emergency happened last July when they were in a Hawk training aircraft, just 400 feet from the ground in a steep nosedive in the latter stages of a practice forced landing. Because of a flying control restriction the student, unable to raise the nose of the aircraft, instinctively selected full power. Flt Lt Underwood took control - with very little time available to avoid a crash.

The citation says: "He calmly assessed that the engine thrust would arrest the descent and he coolly elected to remain in the aircraft which, if abandoned, would have crashed into a populated area. This assessment demanded the highest level of skill and judgement and the decision to remain with the aircraft required exceptional moral courage."

Though there was only minimal control available, Flt Lt Underwood then coaxed his stricken aircraft to the RAF Valley premeditated ejection area. With almost no control authority in pitch - other than by varying the power of the engine, and only limited aileron control - he was confronted by an extremely grave situation.

The citation points out that ejection was the justifiable option. Instead he displayed conspicuous courage and determination and opted to attempt a recovery. Following a slow speed handling check, he decided that the approach would have to be flown at high speed, and he was forced to re-consider abandoning the aircraft.

"However, he elected to continue the recovery; his courage and fortitude evident once more. In the minutes that followed the dire nature of his predicament forced him to repeatedly re-examine his ejection option. Each time through sheer strength of character and resilience, he continued with the recovery."

Flt Lt Underwood is curently in Spain on Exercise Springhawk, the culmination of the Reds' winter training programme. Group Captain Jon Fynes, Commandant of the RAF Central Flying School , Cranwell, Lincolnshire, said: "We are absolutely delighted for him. He has never talked to us about this, he is a very modest man."

Flt Lt Underwood, who comes from Manchester joined the RAF in 2020 and flew military helicopters before transferring to fixed wing aircraft. He flew Harriers with 1(F) Sqn in operations over Iraq and Bosnia.

19 April 2020

Rededication Service for fallen flyer

Below are pictures from the Rededication Service that took place on 15 Apr 02 for Flight Lieutenant Bruce Arthur Rogers, who died on the 17th June 2020. The service was the result of the discovery of further remains that were interned in the grave of Flight Lieutenant Rogers. The service was attended by Mrs Deborah Rogers, her immediate family which included 13 relatives from as far afield as Seattle, Washington. The service was conducted by Canon Reg Humphriss and Father David Wilson.

Pictured at the grave of Flight Lieutenant Bruce Arthur Rogers in Ambleteuse cemetery are his widow Deborah Rogers and his brother Neville recounting memories with the latest Bruce in the family Mr Bruce Thompson, the Great Nephew of Flight Lieutenant Rogers

Flight Lieutenant Bruce Arthur Rogers pictured in his flying clothing shortly before his death on the 17th of June 2020

Mrs Deborah Rogers surrounded by family and representatives of the local community which included the Mayor and various veterans associations. Also representing the Chief of the Air Staff was Air Commodore Chris Blencowe MA, BA RAF

Colours representing French war associations overlooking the grave of Flight Lieutenant Rogers in Ambleteuse cemetery as a wreath is laid by Air Commodore Chris Blencowe MA, BA, RAF on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff.

15 April 2020

Cheltenham sword in RAF Royal role

The Cheltenham Sword will be carried at the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother - almost 40 years after it was presented to her in 2020. She received it, along with the Honorary Freedom of the Borough, as Commandant-in-Chief of the Royal Air Force Central Flying School - an appointment she had held since 2020.

Group Captain Jon Fynes, the Commandant of the Central Flying School, who will be a pall bearer at tomorrow's (Tuesday) funeral, will carry it.

He said: "Throughout her appointment Her Majesty had been much more than just a titular head, taking a keen interest in, not only our official business, but also the activities of our people outside the work environment. Although the CFS is based at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell, every military flying unit has CFS representation and Her Majesty insisted on a full annual report. I received a letter from her Majesty only last week wishing our helicopter crews the best of luck for a forthcoming competition in Austria. I could not have wished for a more interested and involved Commandant-in-Chief, we all enjoyed Her Majesty's visits, whether to the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows, or one of our training schools. I know that all within the CFS organisation were proud of our long relationship with Her Majesty and join me in offering our condolences to the Royal Family."

The CFS started training war aviators for the Royal Flying Corps in 2020 and was based in South Cerney and Little Rissington, between 2020 and 2020. When the CFS left for Cranwell, Lincolnshire, the town and school exchanged gifts to mark the association.

There was a porcelain pelican for the CFS, which now occupies pride of place at its headquarters, and for the Mayor of Cheltenham, a model Jet Provost aircraft, the type flown for the first time by RAF student pilots at Little Rissington in 2020. The JP now lives in the Mayor's Parlour as a reminder of the town's happy association with the CFS.

The CFS was one of the first Royal Air Force units to receive its own armorial bearings, which includes a pelican representing a seat of learning. The year 2020 also saw another link forged with the Cotswolds when a group of CFS staff officers presented the school with its first 'flying' mascot - Patrick the Pelican. Patrick and his many successors, (chosen some say, because the pelican is the only bird that teaches its young to fly), have lived happily at Birdland, Bourton-on-the-Water ever since.

08 April 2020

Media spotlight on RAF's Royal role

RAF Uxbridge today (Saturday 6 April) hosted a facility for the world's media, to highlight preparations for funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

The media spoke to representatives of the RAF's Central Flying School, No 600 (City of London) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force and members of the Commonwealth Armed Forces also rehearsing for their role in the funeral. They also met some of the 200-strong Pipes and Drums contingent from various Army units.

Station Commander Uxbridge, Group Captain Paul Hughesdon, said: "We have had an extremely busy week at Uxbridge looking after all manner of Service personnel from all over the world who are in London for the funeral. This is in addition to supporting the Queen's Colour Squadron and the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, who are both based here, and who played a key role in the procession. But is not all yet over for QCS as they are now preparing for their role in the funeral. We have provided a wide range of support, including accommodation and, importantly, an area for musicians and soldiers to rehearse and finely hone their ceremonial skills. It is a great privilege for me as Station Commander and all of my personnel, whether Service, civilian or contractor, at RAF Uxbridge to be so closely involved with such an historic event."

More than 300 personnel from the Royal Air Force, including Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire, were involved in the funeral procession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother from St James' Palace to Westminster Hall on Friday.

The procession included Group Captain Jon Fynes, Commandant Central Flying School of which The Queen Mother was Commandant-in-Chief. Gp Capt Fynes will be one of the pallbearers at Tuesday's funeral.

A marching detachment of six officers and 300 servicemen from the Royal Air Force joined the procession, along with two officers and 82 other ranks from the RAF Central Band and the Band of the RAF Regiment.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire will join the Service Chiefs' Party.

Sqn Ldr John Leighton and Sqn Ldr Clair Taylor-Powell, also from the Central Flying School, will be ushers at Westminster Abbey.

No 600 [City of London] Squadron RAuxAF will provide two step-liners at Westminster Abbey. The Squadron's usual role is to provide trained personnel to work in RAF and joint headquarters worldwide. Its specialisations include intelligence, flight operations, fighter control, communications, supply, administration, driving and engineering.

Personnel from RAF Halton and RAF Cosford will join the marching party and the route lining.

RAF-Related Links:

• Central Flying School
• No 600 (City of London) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force

Sqn Ldr Clair Taylor-Powell of the RAF's Central Flying School faces the cameras to describe her role in the Queen Mother's funeral

WO1 Mike Else, Regimental Sergeant Major of the Transvaal Scottish Regt, one of the Commonwealth representatives talks about his role

RAF Uxbridge Stn Cdr Gp Capt Paul Hughesdon, discusses plans for the rehearsals with from left, Major Tom Mackay and Master Warrant Officer John Barron of the Canadian Black Watch Regt

Gp Capt Jon Fynes will carry the Cheltenham Sword which was presented to the Queen Mother, its Commandant-in-Chief, in 2020 when the CFS was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Cheltenham

Wg Cdr Terry Lynn, OC No.600 (City of London) Sqn RAuxAF, with AC Dwayne Dawson and LAC Kerry Ealing

Busy at rehearsals, 200 Pipes and Drums from a variety of Regiments

And the media were there to capture the moment...

06 April 2020

RAF technician planes his way to success

Sgt Jon Lawrence believes that a change is as good as a rest. So after a hard day teaching the electronic intricacies of radar equipment at RAF Cosford, he relaxes by manufacturing furniture to Silver medal winning standards at The International Woodworking and Turning Exhibition at the NEC.

Jon has had an interest in woodwork for many years and during a tour of duty at HQ AFCENT he developed his skills making many pieces of furniture for the family home. On his return to the UK his wife Denise persuaded him to enter the competition at the NEC, where he won the Silver medal and a £450 prize. Jon has also had an article on his prize-winning furniture published in the Routing Magazine and has constructed high quality trophy cases for use at RAF Cosford.

Jon, Denise and daughter Emma live in the local village of Albrighton, where he supports the local theatre group by building sets and gets involved in, no surprise, DIY!

28 March 2020

Cosford honour first advanced modern apprenticeship in aviation

Senior Aircraftwoman (Technician) Victorina George, currently serving at RAF Brize Norton, has become the first ever Aircraft Engineering Technician to complete an advanced modern apprenticeship in aviation.

At a presentation ceremony at RAF Cosford, SAC(T) George was honoured alongside SAC(T) Christopher Watson, who is the first technician candidate to complete a Level III National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in aircraft engineering maintenance. Christopher is now based at RAF Lossiemouth.

Certificates were presented by Mr Tony Hines, Chief Executive of the Aviation Training Association (ATA) and Mr Michael Osbaldeston, Brand and Strategy Manager of City & Guilds of London Institute (CGLI). Also present was the Engineering Trade Sponsor, Group Captain Julian Young who presented engraved plaques to mark the occasion.

RAF Cosford Station Commander, Gp Capt Les Burrell said: "This is a momentous occasion that recognises a milestone achievement and partnership between the Royal Air Force, national and local organisations."

27 March 2020

RAF adventurer visits ground zero six months on

Royal Air Force adventurer Sqn Ldr Robin Clark has completed an amazing fundraising challenge that saw him visit Ground Zero six months on from the terrorist attacks which devastated the World Trade Centre. Robin, who is Officer Commanding the Joint School of Adventurous Training at Llanwrst in North Wales, and MoD civilian Anne Huckle, were part of a group of fifteen postgraduate students set a mammoth task: - travel 3,000 miles, raise £30,000 for charity, all in just 60 hours and with a paltry budget of £30!

Given just ninety days to plan and organise their challenge, the group decided that they would raise money to set up links between young people in Afghanistan and America, in order to help develop friendships and understanding in the aftermath of the September 11th tragedy. So they put a group of visually impaired kids in Kabul in touch with young people in New York. The group raised support in the UK and then travelled to New York, taking messages with them from Afghanistan. While there, the group worked with the children and witnessed the lighting of the Twin Towers Light Sculpture. Robin explained how successful it had been: "The project has ignited the imaginations of young people, both in New York and Kabul and they are all fascinated by the differences in their lifestyles. As they learn more about each other they will come to realise just how much they have in common."

He continued: "The understanding of other cultures is so important in the modern world. We have access to vast amounts of information on TV, radio and the Internet, yet still fail to communicate effectively with each other." Robin, previously in charge at the RAF's Outdoor Activity Centre at Grantown-on-Spey, has always had a keen interest in a wide range range of outdoor activities. The New York challenge was the final module of his postgraduate course on leadership run by Exeter University. He feels he has benefitted enormously. "The course has been an inspiration to me. It has taught me to better understand myself and appreciate the value of the tri-Service team with whom I work."

All the money raised so far - £25,000 - will be channelled through 'Write Away', a Charity that helps encourage communication between people with various forms of disability and while in New York, the group gave a presentation to potential US corporate sponsors. Much of Robin's free time is spent taking part in outdoor pursuits and he competes as a veteran in the national kayak marathon while also representing the RAF in Combined Services events. He has served at RAF Kinloss, RAF Cosford, the Falkland Islands, RAF Valley, RAF Henlow and RAF Waddington.

Anne Huckle, a Corporate Business Manager in the Corsham-based Defence Communication Services Agency, also enjoyed the experience: "It was an amazing and rewarding trip. To be in New York exactly 6 months on from the Twin Towers tragedy was a real privilege. To be part of establishing friendships between children in New York and children in Kabul was an even greater one and we are very grateful to all those who helped us achieve this. It was a very moving experience - around a third of the children in the New York school had lost friends or relatives," Anne continued. "Yet most seemed very keen to learn more about their contemporaries in Afghanistan, to make friends across cultures. We feel we have started something, something of lasting value, that will grow and have a significant effect on these children's lives and, hopefully, the lives of many others."

Huw Edwards, BBC News at Six Presenter is Chairman of Write Away: "Write Away has been overwhelmed by the efforts of the students. They are doing a great deal to raise funds for the charity's innovative and unique work, as well as promoting the importance of communications and friendship."

27 March 2020

Air Commodore case gets warm welcome at St Athan

Air Commodore David Case, Air Cdre Policy and Plans HQ PTC, opened a unique new leisure facility when he visited No 4 School of Technical Training at RAF St Athan. Air Cdre Case was invited to undertake the formal inauguration of the Cambrian Centre, an Internet Café and alcohol-free leisure facility designed specially for use by trainees at the School.

The Centre, with facilities which include a café, snooker and pool tables, video games, Sky TV and Internet PCs, was conceived as an alternative to the barrack blocks or the bars on the Station. Sqn Ldr Jim Cooper, Project Officer, explained: "Trainees at No 4 School of Technical Training live in 16-man dormitories and there are few places for them to socialise. Because of staffing implications we needed something which would be an 'unmanned' facility. However, at the time there was nothing commercially available. So we approached the IT3 Group who helped us to develop the 'omnipace' system, a system which uses programmable smart cards to access PCs and the internet. Control is undertaken remotely and the facility uses the latest smart card and computer technology. The cards are credited with 'cash value' through a wall-box connected to the bank using a credit or debit card," he continued. "Users have full internet access and MS Office available to them and the whole system is administered remotely by IT3 through an ISDN connection."

Air Cdre Case was enthusiastic: "This is an extremely impressive facility which I believe is the first of its kind, within the Armed Forces, that does not require constant human supervision. The café has been developed to meet demanding requirements and all those involved believe that it has considerable potential for other MOD sites and possibly even wider afield," he added.

Prior to opening the Cambrian Centre, Air Cdre Case was the reviewing officer for the graduation of No 237 Entry Painter & Finisher Course. The graduation represented the completion of the first stage of the trainess' professional training on the Modern Apprenticeship. While at the school, Air Cdre Case met representatives of ITW, the commercial company who sponsor many of the prizes. He also met members of the Institute of Metal Finishers, the professional body to whom painters and finishers belong.

He said: "I was delighted to be able to particpate in the graduation of No 237 Entry. Painters and finishers do an excellent job throughout the RAF and it's a trade which most people know very little about. They are as much professionals as those in other trades, and reach standards of skill and competence that are extremely well regarded by cvilian counterparts. Surface finish is important for our equipment and notably plays a part in maintaining the operational capability of our aircraft," Air Cdre Case continued. "Painters and Finishers perform a valuable, though unsung role, and the advent of modern materials, as well as increased focus on health, safety and environmental issues makes their task an increasingly challenging one."

26 March 2020

IMF forges links with the Royal Air Force

As part of the Institute of Metal Finishing's initiative to support education across a much broader spectrum, they are set to work closely with RAF St Athan.

To provide international recognition for its painter/finisher technicians, the IMF is to encourage membership through various grades dependent on the candidate's achievements in the Service.

The first approaches were made by Andy Dick, Head of Accreditation and Engineering Principles at St Athan as part of his passion to get recognition for his students. The Trade of Painter/Finisher is now a highly technical skill requiring a level of commitment that is frequently under-recognised.

As an 'opener', the students of 236 flight at St Athan's No 4 School of Technical Training have enrolled as Young Affiliates after their recent Passing Out Parade. The parade was attended by the IMF's Eric Williams, Honorary Treasurer, and Barry Gay, Honorary Secretary General.

It is expected that approximately 40 to 50 students will enrol per year. From the instructors, through the painters in the field, to the Warrant Officers of more than 30 years experience in the Trade. The IMF's target is to get 300 new members.

Barry Gay explained: "This large membership growth of young enthusiastic students and mature Service professionals will add enormously to the IMF's representation in the Surface Engineering industry. The new skills, from organic coating technology to management and leadership, add a refreshing dimension to our portfolio of member capabilities."

He continued: "We're looking forward to providing support to the painter/finishers through their entire careers in the Service and on leaving for a civilian future."

11 March 2020

Media expert appointed first Honorary Air Commodore of Royal Auxiliary Air Force public relations Squadron

A media expert described as "a legend in the world of Service public relations and broadcasting," has been appointed as the first Honorary Air Commodore of No 7644 (VR) Public Relations Squadron, RAuxAF.

He is Alex Dickson, who has held both Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and RAuxAF commissions, and continues to promote public relations potential as Group Captain (Reserves) for the Director of Corporate Communication (RAF) in London.

The Squadron's role is to provide public relations support for RAF and NATO forces world-wide in times of peace, crisis and war. It comprises almost exclusively civilian PR and media professionals.

Air Cdre Dickson, who is 65, joined the Daily Mail as a reporter in 2020, moving on eight years later to a career in television as a news anchorman, then writer and presenter of documentaries.

In 2020 he helped set up Radio Clyde, one of the most successful commercial stations in the UK, initially as head of news and current affairs. As one of the first four employees, he recalls: "Buying camp beds, packed meals, light bulbs and toilet rolls to get us on air!". He rose to become managing director, helping to build that empire into Scottish Radio Holdings.

Having achieved that, he then resigned to become a student at the University of Glasgow, reading for a MPhil in military history, but continues to broadcast three programmes a week for the station, collecting international awards for them. He was also chairman of a charity which raised more than eight million pounds for needy children.

A respected figure in the world of broadcast training, students have included politicians, senior military officers, police chiefs, civil servants and some of the best-known faces in television. Air Cdre Dickson has extensive experience in running radio and television interview courses, and has also written, presented and produced more than a dozen films for the RAF on subjects ranging from low flying to security.

Alex Dickson was awarded the MBE and then the OBE for his service to the RAF. Following his receipt of the Air Efficiency Award in 2020, he went on to add two Bars to it. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, a Fellow of the Institute of Management, and a Fellow of the Radio Academy.

For more than ten years Air Cdre Dickson simultaneously held a VR(T) commission as a gliding instructor and successfully trained numerous future aircrew to fly solo. He eventually became the senior RAFVR officer, transferring painlessly to the RAuxAF when the Volunteer Reserve amalgamated with the RAuxAF in 2020.

His RAF service has brought extensive travel - in 2020 when Turkey invaded Cyprus he was sent to the island to help handle the 300 media who turned up. He has also served in America, most of Europe, Croatia, and was Wg Cdr Media Advisor to successive Detachment Commanders at Dhahran during the Gulf War.

Of his appointment as Honorary Air Commodore, which is approved by the Queen and is for an initial five years, he said: "It is a privilege and an honour to continue to be associated with 7644 Sqn in which I served for more than 30 years."

Air Cdre Dickson said that he was delighted that the Squadron had been given permission to more than double in size, and that it now worked regularly all over the world wherever the RAF operated. "I am looking forward to assisting the Squadron play its full part under Wing Commander Steve Dargan as the RAF increasingly calls for its specialised input," he added.

Group Captain Bob Kemp, the Inspector of the RAuxAF, said: "He is a legend in the Service world of public relations and broadcasting. He is an admired, respected, larger- than-life figure and a consummate professional."

Wg Cdr Dargan said the appointment was particularly appropriate for a former officer commanding of the Squadron. "We know he will work very hard for us."

No 7644 (VR) Public Relations Flight was officially formed in 2020, although the threads of the Unit can be traced to a brainchild of newspaper baron, Lord Beaverbrook in2020. In 2020 the Flight became a Squadron and the Unit was amalgamated into the RAuxAF.

11 March 2020

Air Marshal’s high praise for merseyside recruits

Liverpool-born high flier opens forces careers centre

One of the RAF’s most senior officers praised recruits from Liverpool when he opened a ground-breaking forces careers office in the city on Tuesday, February 26.

Liverpool-born Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville said: "As a Liverpudlian I believe Scousers bring lots of skills to the Armed Forces. They are tough, resilient and blessed with emotional strength. This goes back to being a hardy seafaring city and for a number of reasons Liverpudlians make very good team members. Of course, their other great quality is their sense of humour."

Sir Christopher, who is the RAF’s Commander-in-Chief Personnel and Training Command, was officially launching the Armed Forces Careers Office in James Street, Liverpool. The office is the first in the country to be refurbished under the tri-Service corporate livery and will recruit for all three services in Merseyside, West Lancashire, Wirral and North Cheshire.

Sir Christopher, who attended St Paul’s Roman Catholic school in West Derby and De La Salle Grammar School, added: "The North West has always been a very fertile recruiting ground for the services. However, a lot of people who come to the Armed Forces Careers Office don’t know exactly what they want: we can offer them a very wide range of opportunities. We’re particularly keen to recruit people from the ethnic minorities who we believe have an enormous amount to offer the Armed Forces. The new careers office will provide a welcome boost to recruitment as we go into an era of complex conflict management."

The three services aim to recruit around 1,250 people from the Liverpool office in the next year. The official opening ceremony was also attended by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Liverpool and the Mayors of Sefton, Knowsley and Wirral.

26 February 2020

Keeping busy with the fire-fighters at MPA

Fire-fighters at the RAF-dominated miltary complex at MPA in the Falkland Islands have recently been busy dealing with a series of large peat fires. Here we look at the fire-fighting organisation at MPA and examine their role, interviewing some of the key players along the way.

The Force Fire Officer is a RAF Warrant Officer on a rotational post with an officer from the Defence Fire Service, although the post is currently gapped. The Station Fire Officer is a flight sergeant, FS Andy Barnes, commanding 31 firefighters who are responsible for the airfield and all the buildings in the complex.

Andy, from RAF Odiham works between the domestic and crash sections. He has no difficulties with such detachments: "All firefighters here, myself included, do a standard four-month tour. There is a possibility in the future that one of the two senior posts may become a continuity post of one-year length, but that's not definite. Working in a theatre such as this has its peculiarities, one of which is that it is tri-service, but we've been working together so long now that I think we've ironed out most of the difficulties, and by and large it works well. There is a convergence that has been taking place over a number of years in the way that we do business across the military as a whole. Having worked at Odiham, which is part of Joint Helicopter Command, for several years I'm quite used to it," Andy, on his third tour to the Falklands, continued.

"One aspect of working here which is significantly different is the transitory nature of the personnel. As soon as people arrive in theatre they are trained so that they're in a position where they're confident and capable of dealing with this diverse environment. Rarely at home will they be stationed with both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, plus they're on a new unit anyway, so being here provides a whole raft of challenges and makes them more rounded firefighters."

Sgt Scott Swabey, of RAF Coltishall is less than a month into his four-month posting, his third such detachment. He is watch keeper on 'Greenwatch' at MPA and has fourteen men under his command, all RAF, ten on the crash cover and four on the domestic section. "We're here to provide fire cover for the aircraft at MPA; the Tornados, VC10, C130 and the helicopters, as well as the Tri-Star and C17 when they come in. We also cover any domestic incidents in the accommodation or work buildings. The biggest challenge for us here are the weather conditions. Down here it's summer but we still get exceptionally high winds, which also makes driving conditions difficult, and when we go to an incident the drivers need to be really on the ball."

"They all do an emergency fire appliance driving course and some of us have done tactical operations courses which includes off-road driving, so we have a variety of skills to use. But there are many young firefighters here and I'm also responsible for their health and safety, welfare etc. I'm basically a dad to some of them while they're here."

The Falkland Islands has, perhaps surprisingly, an average rainfall of only 16 inches per year and at this time of year, a traditionally dry period made even more dry by something of a drought, the attentions of the firefighters at MPA are being diverted to the many peat fires burning for prolonged periods in the surrounding area.

"The main priority for us here are the aircraft and when the Tri-Star is coming in or going out, which is twice a week, we must focus on that. We also provide domestic fire cover for all the military and civilian staff here," explained Scott. "Last week the Station Fire Officer at Stanley asked us if we could help them out with a big peat fire they have going on at Fitzroy. It's been burning for quite a while and they are run off their feet down there. Obviously if operations allow us to, we will always help, but at the moment we have enough peat fires to deal with here. Basically, what we understand is that some farmers tend to clear certain areas by setting light to them and although we don't know exactly what is causing the fires around the immediate area of MPA, it could have been a carelessly discarded cigarette or just the intense conditions, what we do know is that at the moment it's windy, but very warm. The ozone layer above this part of the world is virtually non-existent so the heat gets through. Peat fires can burn several feet underground, peat burns well and doesn't take much to get going. The heat can be just enough to set the grass above alight and with the wind blowing the embers, several miles in some cases, it's easy to see how fire spreads here."

The roots of the grass are a couple of feet down. They get hot and then set fire to the peat, which burns well anyway, and although the flames are not high the wind is able to blow burning embers around. Scott had a team of eight firefighters on a particularly difficult blaze less than five miles from MPA.

"We were putting the fire out at one location, only to see it pop up two hundred meters away because the intense heat was keeping it burning. We have thermal image cameras and you can see the hotspots underground, actually see the fires burning under your feet, it's really weird. At one point we brought the fire under control at one location, then it started up again at another location, so we deployed the hoses there to try and cool that one down. Our big concern was the protection of the transmission masts which serve the complex. If they were to go down, communications to the island would be seriously affected."

It is certainly difficult and frustrating work. "The boys did really well, it's a good crew and they worked extremely hard. This particular occasion they were on it for about eight hours continuous. It's been going, on and off, for a week and both crews have been out to tackle it. In fact it's still smouldering now. You put water down and you can see it bubble up like a volcano, and then it evaporates. You can even feel the heat through your boots. It's not pleasant, you have the wind whipping up all the ash and dust into your face as well, so you have to keep stopping to wipe your visor and then start again. We also got help from the army, the Roulement Infantry Company here at MPA. They came down and helped with the beating, as they have done before. Sop while the firemen are dousing down an area, they don't need to worry about having to beat as well."

"There is no water supply, but by doing shuttle runs with the fire engines, we have put on two and a half million litres of water in total. The options are limited as to what you can do and we can't afford to let the blaze get near the masts. There are seventeen such fires burning around the islands at the moment and we have put in several hundred man-hours to this fire alone. In the end we just swamped the area with foam. However we do now have a contingency plan in place to stop fire getting near the masts, we'll be digging a two meter wide trench around making it an island effectively, and with no vegetation nearby to catch fire!"

22 February 2020

Wyton goes live with BBC Radio Cambridge

A live broadcast at RAF Wyton by BBC Radio Cambridge 'The Afternoon Show'. Graham Daniels (left) interviews Sqn Ldr Dave Frost, Chief Flying Instructor at Cambridge University Air Squadron, and Miss Helen Meats, a first year student at Newnham College where she is studying physics. Gil Blatch, the programme editor, is on the right.

22 February 2020

Colerne flyer wins top scholarship

Officer Cadet Rich Pargeter of the Bristol University Air Squadron (UAS) has beaten strong competition to win an Aerobic Flying Scholarship. 22 year old 'Parge' as he is known by his fellow Squadron members will undertake 10 day's intense aerobatic training next year under the tuition of Mr Alan Cassidy of White Waltham airfield, himself the national aerobatics champion over the last 4 years. Parge, whose parents live near Worcester, will then be entered into a national aerobatics competition to pit his newly enhanced skills against a variety of other pilots.

Parge was selected firstly to represent Bristol UAS against pilot candidates put forward by all the other UASs. This pool was whittled down to leave the 4 officer cadets considered best overall. These were then required to demonstrate their skills to Alan Cassidy flying individually in his Pitts Special over 2 days - coincidentally at Parge's home base at Colerne Airfield outside Bath! Needless to say, the local boy won and he is now keenly looking forward to his additional aerobatic training.

Flying has been in Parge's blood for a long while. During his time at Worcester Sixth Form College he learnt to fly through an RAF flying scholarship - gaining his Private Pilot Licence before his driving licence! Subsequently, he joined Bristol UAS in 2020 as he commenced engineering studies at the University of the West of England. Parge's flying has gone from strength to strength and he recently gained the highest possible score in his Final Handling Test at Bristol UAS.

On completion of his studies at university next summer, Parge hopes to join the RAF with the intention of flying fast jets. He is no stranger to adventure having climbed to the summit of Mont Blanc and taken part in a charity 'fire-walk' last year! Parge has also spent a short while with the RAF in Cyprus, viewing first hand the workings of this busy base. Just to keep himself busy this year, he is training to enter a marathon as well as indulging his other pastimes of shooting and climbing. However, for the moment it's the thought of aerobatics that keeps him grinning!

22 February 2020

Date announced for Llanidloes Air Day

The 2020 Llanidloes Air Day will be held on Friday 26 July. The show, normally bi-annual, was also held last year due to bad weather in 2020. It is a thank you to the local people and a crowd of more than six thousand people are expected to attend. Many are local to Llanidloes, located around 28 miles south of Welshpool. Many others come from far and wide to view the displays.

All of the RAF's established display teams have been approached to participate. These include the Falcons Parachute Display team, The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Tornado Display team and the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows.

Show co-ordinator, John Dudley Davies, has been associated with the show since it began in the early seventies. He still enjoys it immensely. "The Air Day is important to me because local people get to see the power of the RAF in the air. It shows the best of the RAF at work and also gives me a great deal of pride to put a display like this on for the local community. Although I have been involved for so long, the show has now moved from being a one-man effort, to being run by a loyal local committee, headed up by David Phillips. We all hope that David can progress the show and that it can go from strength to strength. The RAF has been very good to us down the years and we can't thank them enough for their support. I look forward to the Air Day being a resounding success once again."

There is also a special Llanidloes connection with the world famous Red Arrows: "We also have a long-standing relationship with the Red Arrows," John explained. "Every December there is a Red Arrows Christmas Show held in Llanidloes with members of the team present, whenever commitments allow. We have a dinner and hold a raffle, proceeds of which benefit the local community."

Gp Capt Wyn Evans, from RAF Headquarters Personnel and Training Command, added: "The Llanidloes Air Show is a visible demonstration of the excellent relationship which exists between the Royal Air Force and the extremely supportive community in mid-Wales. It provides the opportunity for people from a wide area to see the RAF at close quarters, both on the ground and in the air, in their local community."

More details about the line-up will be posted here as they become available.

22 February 2020

The Pathfinder March 2020

Pathfinder March 2020 will take place on Saturday 22 June. The March is an annual long-distance walk in which participants aim to complete a 46-mile route on public footpaths inside 20 hours. It is designed to perpetuate and honour the name of the RAF Pathfinder Force. The route links the four historic Pathfinder Stations of RAF Wyton, RAF Graveley, RAF Oakington and RAF Warboys, which were first used by the Pathfinder Force when it was formed in August 2020.

Starting at Wyton, the march is open to military and civilian personnel, and can be walked or run, either as an individual or as part of a relay team. For further details and application forms send a large SAE to Sqn Ldr Priestley, Pathfinder March Project Officer, Bldg 64, RAF Wyton, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE28 2EA.

22 February 2020

Cheltenham Airwoman continues family tradition

St Marks airwoman Clare Shehata has successfully graduated from RAF recruit training, continuing a distinguished RAF family tradition that stretches back to World War Two.

Aircraftwoman Clare Shehata passed out at RAF Halton, near Aylesbury. Many of her family made the journey to the RAF's School of Recruit Training to see Clare take the first step in what they all hope is a long and distinguished forces career.

Clare, a former pupil of Kingsmead School, becomes the fourth member of the family to take up a blue-uniform career. Mum Chris explained what it means to the family. "Of course we're all really proud. We had a fabulous day when we went to see Clare on parade and it's nice to know that she wanted to carry on the family tradition. Long may it continue. She has been well looked after at Halton, which makes like easier for her and the rest of the recruits! As long as Clare is happy, that's what is important to us."

It also means a great deal for Clare, whose trade training will be in personnel administration, to keep the family tradition going: "I feel very proud that I've been able to follow in the footsteps of my uncle and his dad," she said. "Both my Uncle Rick and his father enjoyed successful air force careers. The achievements of the RAF are amazing. It gives you a real sense of pride that you're part of an organisation with such a strong tradition and proud history."

Clare, 19, expects life in the RAF to be both rewarding and challenging. "Stability is an important aspect of any career these days, but the RAF offers more than that. The social side is excellent, you meet lots of like-minded people. There's plenty of variety and numerous opportunities, especially for travel, which is a big love of mine."

She clearly enjoyed her recruit training. "The training was excellent but I'm not sure which was the best part. At first it was a little bit daunting but it's like anything, once you begin to get into it and start making friends, it gets easier and your confidence grows very quickly, which is obviously a big help."

Also at the graduation parade to see Clare pass out was proud uncle, Rick Oldham. Rick, an RAF Warrant Officer formerly from Andoversford, has served in the RAF for 28 years.

Furthermore, Rick's father served with the air force during World War Two, and Rick met his wife Sue who also served in the WRAF, while both were undertaking their trade training, making it a real family affair.

Rick, a former pupil of Westwoods Grammar School in Northleach, serves at the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency at RAF Innsworth, near Cheltenham. By coincidence, Rick too is a personnel administrator and as a Warrant Officer, has reached the highest non-commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force.

Clare's choice of career has received his ringing endorsement. "I've had an excellent career in the RAF and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities afforded to me," Rick explained. "Despite there being fewer overseas postings, the RAF still has a great deal to offer young people who are prepared to grasp those opportunities."

He continued: "I'm really pleased that Clare has decided to join. She'll have the chance to develop many personal skills while receiving high quality training."

A man whose interests include hockey, walking and caravanning, and who has captained the Innsworth cricket team, Rick too is proud of the RAF tradition continuing.

"The RAF isn't just a job or career, it's a way of life. I have been fortunate to travel widely during my time in the RAF and have spent 14 years serving and living in mainland Europe. In addition there is plenty of scope for sports and other outdoor activities. Over the years I have enjoyed skiing in Germany, France and Italy; canoeing in France; off-shore sailing around Cyprus and Turkey and played cricket in Cyprus and Barbados. I hope Clare is able to make the most of the chances which will undoudtedly come along during her career," added Rick.

Clare, whose parents Steve and Chris still live in St Marks, has numerous interests. These include travelling, music and reading. Having chosen a career in the Royal Air Force, she is now looking forward to a further seventeen weeks training, before receiving her first posting.

And where would she like to be posted? "Because I like water sports, a posting in Cornwall would be nice! Seriously though, from a professional viewpoint somewhere like Brize Norton or perhaps St Athan, because they are large and busy Stations and that would obviously help me to learn a lot quicker."

15 February 2020

The Whittle Hall gets worldwide attention

With the creation of a new website at www.whittlehall.info, concert information for the Whittle Hall at RAF College Cranwell is now available around the world!

The website has been devised by Corporal Malcolm Goodman (principal horn with the Band of the RAF Regiment Band, RAFC Cranwell) as an extension of his activities in charge of the new Whittle Hall Support Fund.

The Fund itself is a new initiative whereby organisers of public concerts at the hall are now required to pay a modest charge for the use of its facilities, thereby providing a source of independent income from which such facilities can be maintained and suitably enhanced in support of further events.

Corporal Goodman says, "With 16 concerts already planned for this year, that equates to 8,448 audience seats to be sold, which in turn amounts to a potential ticket income of an amazing £42,240.00. 2020 is therefore already likely to be a capacity year for the Whittle Hall facility."

The new website offers full details of all concerts, with the latest information about prices and availability, along with some other information about the hall and its usage.

With 13 of this year's concerts to be given by our own Band of the RAF Regiment and Band of the RAF College, it is remarkable that these ever-popular concerts are still routinely sold out shortly after tickets go on sale to our mailing list. Therefore, for those who have yet to gain access to the mailing list, and so have been unable to obtain tickets for these concerts, the new website now provides an online facility to add details directly to this exclusive concert mailing list.

The Whittle Hall website is just one of a series of Internet facilities designed and maintained by Malcolm Goodman in support of various musical activities. Other notable developments include the creation of the now officially recognised website for the RAF Music Services at www.rafmusic.co.uk and an additional local website for the Cranwell based musical charity Notelink (www.notelink.co.uk) of which Malcolm Goodman is founding trustee and honorary Director.

15 February 2020

RAF and Thames Valley Police praised for unique internet safety project

A joint Royal Air Force Police/Thames Valley Police community safety initiative has narrowly missed out on a major on-line award.

Chat Safe - www.raf.mod.uk/ptc/chatsafe.html - a comprehensive teaching, learning and on-line reference package featuring Carol Vorderman was launched in October when the two organisations joined forces to help children and parents avoid chatroom stalkers.

The project was nominated for the Internet Watch Foundation Award for Developments in the Field of Online Safety at the 2020 UK Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) Awards - www.ispaawards.org.uk.

The awards were presented at the Olympia Conference Centre in London, following a welcome address by Douglas Alexander MP, Minister of State for E-Commerce and Competitiveness.

Nicholas Lansman, Secretary General of ISPA, said: "The ISPAS recognise the industry's best practice and innovation."

Research sponsored by the ISPA, identified companies and individuals worthy of special attention in their categories.

Flt Lt Rowan Irwin, acting Officer Commanding for RAF Provost and Security Services Southern Region, based at RAF Halton near Aylesbury, explained the background to the RAF/TVP project.

"We are extremely proud to have been involved with the Chat Safe project from its inception. The brainchild of Cpl Steven Wilkinson, a special investigations officer in this region, Chat Safe has exceeded our expectations in the speed of its effectiveness and assistance to the target audience."

Flt Lt Irwin paid tribute to all of the contributors: "Thanks to the enthusiasm from our partner Thames Valley Police, the RAF, other government agencies and the undoubted support of Chris Baker and Carol Vorderman, who gave freely of their time and expertise, Chat Safe has not only realised our efforts, but surpassed them and is still blooming in the field of online security. The accolade that the ISPA(UK) had shortlisted Chat Safe for enhanced the sense of justification felt by all those involved with the project. Now we carry on with the job in hand, in the belief that Chat Safe will continue to thrive and assist the younger members of the online community to surf chatrooms safely and securely."

The BBC were the eventual winners of the award. Other organisations shortlisted in the same category were the Home Office, Football Association and Childnet International.

Detective Sergeant John Kemsley, of Thames Valley's Crime Strategy Unit, said: "We are delighted to have been nominated for this award and that the hard work put into this project has been recognised. It's also a good opportunity to highlight this important issue once again and encourage adults and young people to check out the safety tips available on the site."

Since the launch of ChatSafe the RAF has taken another major step towards putting families at the top of its agenda with the launch of a community support website www.rafcom.co.uk

Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram said: "The RAF are to be congratulated on this new initiative since it will be a significant addition to other Service activities currently in place."

15 February 2020

The Armed Forces Pay Review for 2020

The Armed Forces Pay Review for 2020 has been announced today in Parliament. To read the summary, and to download the entire document as a .pdf file, please click here.

29 January 2020

RAF taps into technology to keep in touch

The RAF has taken another major step towards putting families at the top of its agenda with the launch of a community support website.

The unique career opportunities of Service life are challenging and rewarding, but today's expeditionary Air Force also makes demands on the families of serving officers and airmen/women.

In recognition of this the RAF has done a number of things to improve the quality of life for families, help them keep in touch and get the vital community support they need.

Its latest initiative is the launch of www.rafcom.co.uk - an interactive website that will bring people living on-base, off-base and overseas within a keystroke of social support information. It will also signpost the way to other sources of information about the kind of issues that families often need to know about, but haven't got the time or expertise to research. This is a groundbreaking initiative within the military context.

Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram said: "The launch of this website is an exciting initiative which recognises the very real part that families play in supporting Service personnel and reflects our commitment to ensuring that they, in return, have our support. The RAF are to be congratulated on this new initiative since it will be a significant addition to the other Service community activities currently in place."

In tandem with the website development a network of professionally qualified RAF community development workers (CDWs) is planned, to build on the already valued services provided by chaplains, SSAFA-Forces help and other agencies.

This marriage of anonymous, instant help, via the Internet, and personal support by trained individuals, is aimed at providing personal, practical and emotional support to the people who make up the RAF 'family'.

Commander-in-Chief HQ Personnel and Training Command, Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville said: "The RAF's key task is generation and delivery of air power - to defend this country and to help make the world we live in a safer place. In order to do that it must recruit, train, sustain and retain the right people. However, today's RAF recognises that this is a two-way commitment: if we expect people to give their best, we must offer them the best in terms of community support - to individuals and families. By using a web-based communication platform we are harnessing the latest technology to deliver our message directly to all of our people."

RAFCOM is the latest of three internet-based steps taken by the RAF towards keeping people at the heart of its activities. Others include:

• Chat Safe - (launched in partnership with Thames valley Police on October 25th) is an easy-to-use Internet watchdog highlighting the hazards of chatrooms. Accessed via a click on www.raf.mod.uk/ptc/sfaw.html it features a video of Carol Vorderman talking families through a six point safety plan aimed at protecting young people from predatory paedophiles. It is being delivered to all RAF stations and units in the UK and overseas where it will be used to educate partners, families and - most importantly - young people, about safe use of chatrooms.
• Christmas on line - provided members of the RAF serving in the Falkland Islands with the opportunity to send a personal e-video message to their families using a private password. This unique link-up provided friends and relatives back home with an opportunity to 'log on' and 'look in' to Service life in the Falkland Islands.
• Internet access - Internet capable computers have been provided at all RAF station/unit HIVES (Family drop-in centres).

15 January 2020

RAF Innsworth personnel make it a double in New Year's honours list

The Chief of Staff - the second most senior officer - at the Gloucester Headquarters of the Royal Air Force's Personnel and Training Command (PTC), RAF Innsworth, is a recipient in the New Year's Honour List 2020.

The news that Air Vice-Marshal Grahame Jones, becomes a Commander of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, follows his promotion from air commodore to the PTC appointment on 14 December, 2020.

The award recognises his work, at a 'relentless and unforgiving pace', at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, London where he was responsible for the combined IT support for military operations and exercises worldwide. He produced "exactly what was needed through sheer dedication and professional commitment."

It is his second award - in the 2020 New Year's Honours List he received a Member of the British Empire award for setting up the RAF's Satellite Communications' Flight.

Flight Sergeant Richard Seager, a telecommunications specialist at 9 Signals Unit, RAF Boddington, near Cheltenham is awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his wide-ranging community activities in his previous post at SHAPE, in Belgium.

Richard has been Chairman of the British Communicators' Association, overseen various adventure training activities, is a church warden, secretary of the Medical Patients' Participation Group and a volunteer worker for the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association Forces' Help. The award says: "His outstanding contributions, across a very wide range of activities immensely improved the circumstances of UK."

6 January 2020

RAF Officers rescue Gwent policeman

Four RAF students and their instructor from RAF College Cranwell have received 'Good Show' awards from the Air Officer Commanding and Commandant, Air Vice-Marshal Gavin Mackay, after their rescue of a Gwent policeman and his fellow walkers in the Lake District.

They provided assistance to Detective Inspector Steve Webber, from Pontllanfraith Police Station, Blackwood, along with Mrs Lynne Webber, Mr Vaughan Sherry and Mrs Margaret Sherry after they got into difficulties descending Scafell Pike.

The RAF offficers were undertaking a two-day expedition in the Lake District as part of their Individual Personal Development Leadership Training. After a nine hour trek the group had bedded down at the base of the summit ready to ascend the mountain the following day.

DI Webber's group had become lost without food or shelter and the RAF team used their own equipment to erect a shelter for the walkers and then continued off the mountain to alert the Mountain Rescue Team (MRT).

The MRT reached the group at 3.30 am and praised the RAF team for their efforts, emphasising that their prompt action and the building of a shelter had prevented a bad situation becoming worse.

"When we got lost we were fortunate to come across Flt Lt Bryce and his team and after assessing our situation, were all given hot food and drink which the team had prepared for themselves," said DI Webber.

"The leadership displayed by the group, particularly Steve and Chris, was of the highest order," he added. "They managed to maintain high morale which was somewhat flagging by the end of the evening."

Pictured from l-r; Fg Off Chris Pearson, Flt Chris Hives, Stn Cdr Gp Capt Graham Dixon, A/Plt Off Jamie Pockett, AOC & Cmdt AVM Gavin Mackay, A/Plt Off Gavin Lloyd-Davies and Flt Steve Bryce.

4 January 2020

QCS in BBC tv's 'Generation Game'

As many as five million viewers tuned in to watch the Queen’s Colour Squadron (QCS) present a specially devised continuity drill to music without any words of command, in the BBC TV’s showcase Saturday night programme, the Generation Game.

The programme is fronted by comedian, Jim Davidson, and features pairs of contestants trying to complete bizarre tasks they would not normally encounter, with the highest scorers going on to compete for prizes.

The invitation came from a BBC TV researcher asking the QCS to appear in a drill to show how the professionals do it, followed by repeat performances in which two sets of contestants, carrying replica rifles, would try to keep up with them!

Fg Off Simon Hobbs, OC A Flt, said: "Once we were assured that while being a fun event there would be nothing to impinge on the RAF's reputation, the invitation to significantly raise the QCS's national profile was irresistible. We accepted the challenge, even though we realised it would mean a lot of extra work behind the scenes&quot.;

Sgt Brian Mannion, the SNCO Ceremonial responsible for monitoring and co-ordinating training and ceremonial duties, explained: "The brief for the drill was for it to be as basic as possible, but retain the original form of the demonstration. It had to be difficult enough to be challenging, but not so hard that contestants would give up. Most importantly, it had to be entertaining."

Cpls John Riley and Tim Soper spent many hours at the drawing board working on the intricacies of the special drill, and then choreographed the Squadron before being satisfied that it fitted all the provisos.

Equally important was the preparation of the accompanying music. To appeal to the traditionalist viewer, the RAF Central Band, recorded two minutes of the RAF March Past for the QCS's first appearance. For the two appearances featuring the contestants, there was an upbeat one-and-a-half minutes of 'Rock DJ' aimed at appealing to youngsters.

And how did the contestants do? Sgt Mannion judged their performance: "They did their best, didn't mind making mistakes and had a good time. However, we found no potential recruits!"

The QCS arrived at 9.30am at the London BBC Centre for the recording of the programme, and it turned into a very long day for them. First there was the camera rehearsal, then the dress rehearsal and finally the recording of the whole programme, which finished around 10pm.

Then it was time to relax at an after-show party attended by contestants, production staff, and guest artistes including cast principals of the musical, 'Buddy'. As one member of the Squadron remarked: "This is probably the best day of my life!"

4 January 2020

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