Royal Air Force Brize Norton Receives Firmin Sword of Peace

On Thursday 2nd February 2023 Royal Air Force Brize Norton received the Firmin Sword of Peace for its very positive influence globally in 2021 having made a substantial contribution to humanitarian activities at home and overseas, establishing excellent relations with all the communities it has worked with.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston KCB CBE ADC, presented the sword to the Parade Commander, Squadron Leader Ian Rees, who received the sword on behalf of the Station at a special ceremony held at RAF Brize Norton.

The award recognises the role RAF Brize Norton played in support of the Defence contribution to the Covid-19 pandemic with over 200 RAF Brize Norton staff deployed to testing and vaccination centres across the UK. Alongside routine operations, the Station was at constant readiness to provide rapid support for unplanned and emerging global events. Most notable was the substantial assistance at short notice in support of Operation PITTING, enabling the recovery of over 15,000 people from Afghanistan.

The start of the parade was marked with a flypast by an Atlas C.1, with personnel involved in securing this prestigious award marching to the sound of the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment.

Air Mobility Force Commander, Air Commodore John Lyle, said: “I am incredibly proud of the Air Mobility Force’s contribution to this award, having provided support to numerous enduring operations, standby commitments, and Operation PITTING. The success of Operation PITTING in particular highlights the dedication and professionalism of our people and the importance of what Defence delivers for the UK and beyond. The effort that has been continually shown across the Whole Force has been outstanding and the award of the Firmin Sword of Peace is testament to the fantastic work that is undertaken across all areas of the Force and RAF Brize Norton”

The Station also contributed to its local community in a variety of ways during 2021. STEM events were held at local schools reaching over 700 students alongside work with the local council and Thames Valley Police to tackle a rise in Anti-social Behaviour in the surrounding area.

Support for charities by RAF Brize Norton was outstanding in 2021, raising over £100,000 alongside materiel donations. Personnel across the Station willingly gave their free time to complete voluntary and fundraising work in support of charities.

Station Commander, Group Captain Claire O’Grady, said: “It was an honour to be part of the ceremony in which our Chief of the Air Staff presented the 2021 Firmin Sword of Peace to RAF Brize Norton. To receive this accolade is a testament to all of the hard work by Station personnel and the Air Mobility Force and it highlights the strong ties the Station has with the local community. Throughout the year, whether it be charity work, community engagement or on operations, our people have gone far and beyond what would be expected of them and I congratulate each and every one for their valued contribution to this award”

The RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team have headed away on their second winter training trip, Exercise Falcon Stack.

Building on the skills learned on Exercise Freefall Endeavour at the end of 2022, the Team’s second deployment was to Lake Elsinore in California in January 2023. There they conducted display-specific training, perfecting the famous aerial display that the public will want to see during the 2023 display season.

The intense winter training is vital for all members of the RAF Falcons to ensure they are ready to achieve their Public Display Authority (PDA) for the season ahead. Display parachuting is one of the most difficult types of parachuting and requires hard work and a high level of skill. California is the ideal location for display training, with near guaranteed perfect weather and blue skies which allows the Team to train in the best environment possible.

The Team will commence a short period of UK training following their return to RAF Brize Norton during which they will continue to focus on their new display manoeuvres, adapting the display for the Great British Weather! mco@station.raf.mod.uk

Balad Memorial Trophy Rugby match

This is played in memory of the crew of Hercules XV179 which was shot down over Iraq in 2005. This will be the final match with the RAF operating the C130J, and the teams observed a minute’s silence after a Hercules flypast just before kick-off. The closely fought match went down to the wire but 47 Sqn managed to retain the trophy with a final score of 17-7; ex-C130 Loadmaster Mark Lenton-Jinks stepped up to referee the match. The trophy was presented to 47 Sqn team captain, Sgt Josh Coombes, by Group Captain Gareth Burdett, Commander Air Wing of the Air Mobility Force.