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OIC:
Station Commander’s Foreword
Halifax JB866
The Operational Training Centre Working to prepare the frontline
The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London
607 (County of Durham) Squadron RAuxAF News
RAF Leeming in Pictures
YUAS News
NUAS News
Leeming Jeffers
RAF Leeming Golf Society
RAF Leeming Saddle Club News
FOREWORD
BY STATION COMMANDER GROUP CAPTAIN PAUL HAMILTON
Dear all at RAF Leeming,
It has been another very busy and demanding period for this exceptional airbase, with the Whole Force once more performing extremely well.
As we reach the end of the challenging exercise period, we say goodbye for another year to our Swiss friends and prepare to take some well-earned Christmas leave. The Festive Period is a good time in which to reflect upon achievements in 2024, whilst enjoying valuable time with loved ones. Sadly, this will be my last Excalibur article as I will be moving into the role of Commander Global Enablement in the New Year. As such, I would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ for the outstanding
support I have received from all of your during my tenure as RAF Leeming’s Station Commander. I would particularly like to express my gratitude to the families of our service people, who sacrifice a great deal to support them in their military careers. I welcome and leave you in the safe hands of Station Commander, Group Captain John Lawson and Group Captain Andy Colley, who has recently taken over Command of 90 Signals Unit.
North Yorkshire will always hold a special place in my heart.
Good luck and best wishes to you all.
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Halifax JB866
Why would three gravestones be closer than all the others? A simple question posed in 2023 whilst exploring a Commonwealth War Cemetery in Uden, the Netherlands. This question was about to unfold - the story that would connect RAF Leeming to this foreign field, some 500 miles away.
On return to the UK, and in search of the answer, some internet research discovered that the three graves related to the crew of a 424 (B) Sqn RCAF Wellington, BK348 from RAF Topcliffe. This aircraft was shot down on 12 March 1943 and the closeness of the headstones is the custom for where a mass burial is conducted. This sowed the seed for whether there may be crew from RAF Leeming interned amongst the 701 allied graves at Uden. A quick Google search later returned the details of Halifax JB866. Halifax JB866 belonged to 408 (Goose) Sqn RCAF, who in 1943, were based here at RAF Leeming.
This ignited the interest. A combination of research from the internet, the Historical Training Facility (HTF) on station and the team who run the Typhoon History Room at Volkel Air Force Base in the Netherlands, revealed the details of JB866’s final night. The station F540 showed that JB866 was one of 12 aircraft that took off from RAF Leeming at 19:52 on the night of 03 April 1943. Their target for the night was the steel factories in the German city of Essen. This was to be the first of three consecutive night raids on Essen which is situated in the industrial heartland of the Ruhr Valley. JB866 was one of 348 aircraft which took part in the first raid. Twenty-one of them were never to return.
The flight path from RAF Leeming would lead the heavy bombers through the Nazi occupied Dutch region of Gelderland. Here the aircraft would be the target for the highly effective German night fighters which operated in the area.
JB866 was piloted by PO Ebenezer Alfred Sirett and, at only 24 years old, this was just his 9th mission since he volunteered for military service in Canada in January 1943. On this mission, their luck was to run out when on return from their
raid, they encountered a German night fighter west of Arnhem which shot them down. They crashed at approximately 22:45 near the village of Opheusden. There were no survivors. Seven crew were onboard that night: six of the RCAF and one RAF VR. The average age was just 25. Villagers reported seeing the aircraft on fire, attempting to make a landing in a field parallel to the Nederrijn river. The F540 simply recorded them as missing having failed to return home.
Due to the impact occurring at considerable speed, little remained at the crash site. The bodies of the crew were taken by the Germans and buried in the Catholic churchyard at Uden. This had become a central location for burying the increasing number of war dead.
For the Germans, the Gelderland region became a rich hunting ground for the unescorted heavy bombers. Many were limping
having battled their way through the heavily defended Antwerp region of Belgium or heading home after riding their luck through the flak guns of the German cities. Here the records conflict as 2 Luftwaffe Aces claim to have shot down our aircraft that night.
Hans Dieter-Frank (55 aerial victories) and Werner Streib (68 aerial victories) both flew the Heinkel He219 and were in the air that night. Frank was to lose his life in September 1943 following a mid-air collision with another German night fighter. He had escaped the aircraft using the ejection seat but forgot to release his radio-cable. He landed safely but was strangled by the cable in the process. Streib survived the war and went on to train young pilots in the West German Air Force. He retired as Inspector of Flying Forces on 31
March 1966 and died in Munich on 15 Jun 1986.
So here the story is told. The war ended in May 1945 and the crew of JB866 were reinterned in the post war years with 694 of their comrades in the Commonwealth War Cemetery at Uden. This is until 2003 when a Ronson cigarette lighter inscribed with the initials E.A.S. found its way to Mr Antoon Verbakel. The lighter had been found by a farmer in a field near Opheusden.
Antoon was the secretary of The Foundation ‘Uden War Cemetery’ who’s aim since the end of the war has been to attempt to tell the story of each of the men who lie in Uden and to try and share that story with traceable family members. Through their work, the lighter was repatriated to Lloyd, Ebenezer Sirett’s brother, in Canada in November 2003.
Lloyd remembers it being a
Halifax JB866
Ebenezer Sirett and Lighter
Hans Dieter Frank Werner Streib
Christmas present for ‘Eb’ in 1942, just before he departed for England. In the small Somerset village of Isle Brewers, a plaque containing a piece of JB866 also commemorates the service of Sgt Kenneth Oliver Brice, the only English crew member.
Returning to the Netherlands in September 2024 to lead Ex Arnhem Sword (a Staff Ride studying Operation Market Garden) it seemed an opportune moment to visit Opheusden and Uden to remember the crew of Halifax JB866. In doing so, their story was once again told and placed alongside the many others which accompany the Allied graves that lie in the Netherlands.
Due to the number of crashes that occurred near Opheusden, an air war memorial was created marking the 16 aircraft shot down in the region. This was a fitting place to tell the story of JB866 and lay a wreath of remembrance. In the cemetery at Uden we told the personal stories of the crew, saw pictures of their young faces and laid crosses at their graves remembering some of those who took off from RAF Leeming never to return.
JB866 and crew at Leeming
The crew of Halifax JB866
PO Ebenezer Alfred Sirett RCAF, Pilot, Age 24 – 9 missions
Sgt Keneth Oliver Brice RAF VR, Flight Engineer, Age 20 – 9 missions
WO2 Maurice Gordon Church RCAF, Navigator, Age 27 – 8 missions
PO Grant Alexander Fletcher RCAF, Bomb Aimer, Age 27 – 5 missions
FO John Dugald McBride RCAF, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, Age 34 – 8 missions
FS Franklyn Roy Burke RCAF, Rear Gunner, Age 22 – 8 missions
The raids on Essen and the role of Bomber Command in affecting German steel production would not be fully known until the post war years. The assault on the Ruhr Valley dropped production by some 180,000 tons and armament production by 360,000 tons. The effect of the bombing caused a lack of components leading to the halting of locomotive and shell fuse production. It also caused significant delay to tank and armament production and led to the reallocation of over 8,000 88mm guns from the Eastern Front. The effects of these raids in the German ability to wage war are seen as only second to the US led Oil Campaign of 1944. In the three-year period of 1943-45, RAF Leeming lost nearly one aircraft and 5 aircrew every six days in supporting Bomber Command operations.
In total 55,573 Airmen of Bomber Command were to lose their lives during WW2, a loss rate of 44.4%.
Sgt Brice
PO Fletcher WO2 Church
Lloyd Sirett - Nov 2003
Ex Arnhem Sword
Ex Arnhem Sword
The Operational Training Centre Working to prepare the frontline
2024 has been a very busy year for the Operational Training Centre (OTC) supporting a growing list of tasks. While the OTC was formed with the primary task of training Expeditionary Air Wings (EAWs), the role has grown to encompass a range of missions.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine was a stark reminder of the commitment we hold in support of NATO, while NATO also looked at how the partner nations reported Readiness. The UK has been supporting NATO’s Air Policing Mission since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, but since 2022, this is now known as enhanced Air Policing as part of NATO’s Air Shielding Mission on the Eastern Flank. The OTC has been at the centre of this preparing the EAWs formed of Individual Augmentees in January each year for Ops AZOTIZE, BILOXI and now CHESSMAN in Poland. This is a package of preparation and an exercise to validate the EAW against NATO Standards to declare the EAW ‘Mission Capable’.
The training is comprehensive as many RAF personnel have never worked in a Headquarters before and they also have to learn to do this employing NATO communications and procedures. To capture lessons, the OTC deploys to visit the EAW in Theatre in order to ensure that our training evolves to meet how the EAWs are having to operate.
It’s important to remember that EAWs are still with us, but the split between 1 Gp and 2 Gp has meant that the future of EAWs has needed to be reconsidered. However, as NATO instituted readiness posture changes on 1 July 24, the EAWs are being pointed towards refreshed roles.
1 July 24 saw the formation of
the NATO Force Model (NFM) with up to 1.2 million personnel at readiness spread across 3 Tiers. The UK is contributing significant forces to the Allied Reaction Force and Tiers 1 and 2 of the NFM and to do this, we need to be At Readiness. So not only is the OTC training the EAWs that will be offered up to NATO, we are also part of the assessment of Readiness in order to inform NATO about the forces being offered. So if you have been holding onto a 135 EAW badge, there may well be a chance to wear it in the not-toodistant future.
If you are involved in an EAW exercise, they are now known as Ex AGILE GUARDIAN after changes were made to reflect what preparation is needed for
operating in support of NATO on the Eastern Flank. Again, we find our trainees have less insight into how NATO works and so we provide the briefs on how NATO operates and what procedures would be used when deployed. This culminates in a week-long exercise that validates an EAW’s suitability for deployment (or maybe not!). One of the brilliant features of the Northern HAS Site is that we can configure the site to suit whatever location an EAW may find itself in and in recent times, the Northen HAS Site has doubled for Estonia, Romania and in January 25, it will be Poland. The OTC is closely linked with NATO and we report to AIRCOM in Ramstein on RAF Readiness.
We do this through a process
called FORCEVAL that allows us to compare against NATO Standards just how ready a unit is. The changes in NFM have meant that we have other means of assessing readiness as well that contribute to NATOs Readiness Reporting Tool, so our NATO tasking has increased. To manage the Evaluation tasks we have, the OTC is always looking for personnel to volunteer to become NATO Evaluators which is genuinely a good deal – we are looking for Sgt to Wg Cdr, we send you to Oberammergau for the NATO Evaluator Course (and we pay!) where the return is supporting OTC exercises at home and overseas. Our Evaluators are always being requested from NATO partners as well, so there is plenty of opportunity for travel for those interested.
ACE has also become part of the OTC’s tasking and we were heavily involved with Ex AGILE SHIELD because we can design and deliver collective training, but we were also used to evaluate the exercise across 13 locations. We work alongside our USAF colleagues to learn from them as well as looking at what the
Ukrainians are doing in order to ensure that when the RAF gets to exercise with ACE that we are using the latest lessons. Work is still on-going to analyse everything that we learned on the exercise, but ACE exercises are not over, they are just beginning as we adapt to the world we are in. The future for the OTC is bright as we are looking at the options for 2025 beyond out Op CHESSMAN PDT. The ACE focus for 2025 will be Ex ATLANTIC TRIDENT in Finland and we have already been engaged in the planning for this large-scale event. There is also the possibility of deploying an EAW into an ACE-based setting, hence the reason that June 2025 will be a busy time for the OTC. This will obviously be in addition to our normal activity and means that 2025 is likely to be the busiest year yet for the OTC.
As a busy organisation, it is important to remember that we are only nine military personnel with one Civil Servant ensuring that we get to the right place at the right time. We could not run an exercise with only 10 people and so our exercises are supported by our NATO Evaluators, but
As a busy organisation, it is important to remember that we are only nine military personnel with one Civil Servant ensuring that we get to the right place at the right time.
many of our Evaluators are also Reserves, meaning that an OTC exercise is a Whole Force event. Often our Reserves have significant operational experience with many having 30 years+ RAF experience and we are reaching a point where some of those Reserves are reaching the end of their careers and we are looking for the right personnel to replace that experience. The exercises are also about the support we receive and 3 MCS provide catering support, while 90 SU provide their communications expertise, as well as 607 Sqn providing support staff to cope with visitors and all the exercise admin that goes on while the OTC staff are working long days ensuring that the trainees get maximum value from attending an OTC exercise. Leeming MT are also integral to what we do, as are many other Sections, so the OTC
is always grateful for the support we receive.
The great thing about the OTC is the staff who work here as everyone wants to be here and everyone is keen to train and pass on their hard-earned knowledge.
We are a mix of aircrew, FP, Logs, Ops and many others and it is a great unit to be part of. We spend a lot of time travelling away from Leeming and the benefit of that is that we get to see the wider RAF and often get to see the RAF deployed on operations, whilst also being able to share the NATO approach to ensure that we are able to fit into the Alliance and understand what is required.
If anyone is interested, we are looking for new Evaluators, just come and visit.
Sqn Ldr Rob Scothern receives prestigious Aquila Vitrum Award by the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London
Huge congratulations to Sqn Ldr Rob Scothern, presented with the prestigious Aquila Vitrum Award by the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London at their annual Banquet.
The Award is presented each year to the RAF Leeming service person who – like glass – has demonstrated resilience and integrity while under great pressure. And Sqn Ldr Scothern has certainly had an exceptional year. Alongside his demanding role of commanding Operations Squadron, facilitating national and international military exercises, he played a major part in preparing the station and its 2000 military personnel for business continuity, enhancing their resilience and overall prosperity. Taking it all in his strike, Sqn Ldr Scothern coordinated a major RAF cycling challenge for charity from his wife’s hospital bedside, having just given birth to their second son.
Lauded for his inability to walk on by or ignore important matters, Sqn Ldr Scothern recognised that RAF Leeming’s Families Day was lacking a suitable Project Officer. Despite his unparalleled workload and family pressures, volunteered for the task with no budget, limited guidance, a tiny team – and only four months to go. The result was the Station’s most impressive Families Day
and air display at Leeming to date, with up to 5,000 visitors benefitting from its positive impact on morale and wellbeing.
The Award was presented at Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London. Sqn Ldr Scothern said “I was immensely proud to be recognised with a WCGS award - and also incredibly surprised! Whilst I was the recipient, it’s more of a team award for all the excellent work done by
Team Leeming over the last few months. The WCGS Banquet was a fantastic evening in an impressive setting. Sampling some of the ancient traditions (particularly the Loving Cup) was a real highlight for me.”
RAF Leeming has had an affiliation to the Glass Sellers since 2018. With origins dating back to 1664, Glass Sellers of London Livery Company has evolved to support industries ranging from drinking glasses
and bottles, through to smartphones and tablets. Telecoms, Media, and Technology sectors are major users of glass. It is one of the enabling materials in electronics, communications, sensing, medicine, nuclear waste storage and many other fields.
The focus of the Livery is on supporting the City of London, the ubiquitous glass industry, several charities, and each other through lifelong fellowship.
The Glass Sellers would like to offer a fast-track approach to meeting its Membership Committee with a view to joining the Livery to RAF Leeming personnel who are due to leave the service. The aim to make the process easier and help answer all the questions new members may have around the Glass Sellers and the Liveries of London.
Social and educational events are held in historic venues across the London throughout the year. As an Open Livery, membership is not confined to persons actively employed in the Glass Industry.
The Glass Sellers offer Fellowship and an association with the City of London and its traditions. Find more information at:
https://glass-sellers.co.uk/
Sqn Ldr Scothern receiving his award
WCGS - RAF Leeming & 90SU attendess
Gp Capt Hamilton - The Loving Cup Ceremony
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Personnel from 607 (County of Durham) Sqn joined veterans, families and local communities to commemorate Remembrance in a myriad of ways. From traditional services of remembrance, to football stadiums and charity events, here is a look back at just some of the events that took place.
On Remembrance
Sunday, 29 members of the Squadron joined the vast congregation for the Service of Remembrance
at Durham Cathedral to honour those who have served. During the Service, OC 607 Sqn laid a wreath on behalf of the Royal Air Force at the Memorial at
the west end of the Cathedral before 2 other wreaths were laid at the 607 Squadron Memorial by representatives from the Squadron and the Squadron’s Association.
Following the Service, the Squadron’s parade contingent marched with pride through the packed streets of Durham with other members of the Armed Forces and civilian organisations.
The fitting Remembrance Service followed the Festival of Remembrance at the Cathedral on Saturday evening. Nine Squadron personnel were chosen
to represent the Squadron at the event, which entertained almost a thousand people with a rich programme of singing, band music and drama. For the more traditional part of the evening, 607 Squadron members joined other Armed Forces and civilians for the two-minute silence, The Last Post and the National Anthem.
Other Remembrance events included wreath-laying at the Squadron’s historical home in Sunderland, now the North East Land, Sea and Air Museum (NELSAM). The OC attended the Remembrance football match at Sunderland AFC in a tri-Service capacity representing the RAF. As an avid Sunderland supporter, he was a little disappointed with the score line of 2-2 against Coventry but the overall event was very well orchestrated and a fitting tribute to the fallen.
And finally, we got involved with the Royal British Legion’s poppy launch at railway stations in London. We joined more than 250 volunteers from 18 different RAF units to support the selling of poppies to travellers and commuters. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, was also in attendance and personally distributed poppies at Euston Station.
(County of Durham) Squadron Receives New Standard
A prestigious ceremony at The Tower of London
Pomp, pageantry and pride were the order of the day as 607 Squadron received its new Standard at the Tower of London. The historic Royal Palace provided the
perfect backdrop for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force’s most senior officer to present the highly coveted Squadron Standard to 607 Squadron, in a ceremony that was as impressive as it was
deeply meaningful.
In glorious autumn sunshine, Squadron members, families and visitors to The Tower, gathered in an electrically-charged atmosphere of anticipation for the Standard’s arrival. To the sound of musicians from the Central Band and Band of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Ranald Munro arrived to inspect the columns of Squadron personnel before the new Standard was consecrated. Military personnel from 3 other Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons (501, 504 and 603 squadrons) were also present to have their new Standards consecrated by the RAF Chaplain in Chief, The Venerable Dr (Air Vice Marshal) Giles Legood.
Addressing the personnel on parade, Air Vice Marshal Ranald Munro said:
“I congratulate you on a fine parade this afternoon. Your turnout and drill have been excellent. As ever the Royal Auxiliary Air Force has gone above and beyond. This year has seen our Reservists providing overseas operational support to the RAF, demonstrating that the RAuxAF has continued to grow with the RAF and is as important to UK defence as ever.”
It is unprecidented for four RAF units to receive Standards at the same ceremony and Tower Green was a fitting location for the ceremony reflecting the solemnity and importance of this occasion in the RAuxAF’s centenary year.
Historically, Standards, or Colours as they are sometimes called, were not merely decorative but a rallying point at the heart of battle, symbolising courage and unity. They embody the essence
607 Squadron’s new Standard on the Drumhead at Tower of London
of a unit’s spirit and provide a connection to the past with the depiction of battle honours. The creation of a Standard or Colour is an intricate process undertaken by skilled artists and crafts people.
The Squadron’s Honorary Air Commodore, Lady Peel, said:
“In the 100th anniversary year of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, I was honoured to attend the presentation and consecration of our new Standard, which I am sure will be a memorable occasion for all our personnel. The intricate needlework on the Standard, depicting the Squadron’s Battle Honours, was a welcome reminder of our rich and poignant history.”
The road to this prestigious event has been paved with diligent preparations. Months in advance, personnel ensured that their uniforms were impeccable and parade practices were meticulously conducted.
Officer Commanding 607 Squadron, Squadron Leader Graeme Deighton, said personnel had been perfecting their ceremonial drill in preparation for the event:
“After months of meticulous
planning and expectation, we were so proud to have our new Standard consecrated at such an iconic location. It is moments like these that we are especially honoured to be part of 607 Squadron; we remember those personnel who have made past sacrifices and look forward to serving in the future.”
Each of the receiving squadrons can trace its history back to the early days of the RAF Reserve and a time when the then Auxiliary Air Force was recruiting civilians
to learn to fly bi-planes in their spare time. During World War 2 the squadrons saw operational service flying the fighters and bombers of the day. A quarter of the squadrons which faught in the Battle of Britain were Auxilairy Air Force squadrons and they accounted for a third of the combat victories. At the war’s end King George VI bestowed the prefix “Royal” on the title of the now Royal Auxiliary Air Force in recognition of the Reserve’s wartime service.
Standard Bearers prepare to receive the Standards in ceremony at Tower of London
RAF LEEMING IN PICTURES
RAF LEEMING IN PICTURES
Yorkshire UAS News
Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron has been incredibly busy, increasing their local engagement and presence in the community, and making a strong start to the new academic year.
As part of the ongoing community engagement, members of YUAS recently visited a local Yorkshire Care Home. The students in attendance gave a presentation, informing the residents about the function of YUAS and what we do for the local community and our students. They also talked to the residents about their military histories. Many residents had ties to the RAF and had the chance to reminisce with the students about their experiences. The day went extremely well, with the staff and residents saying that they enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the Officer Cadets and YUAS are set to continue this collaboration.
Due to the summer vacation, YUAS students have been taking part in events away from Royal
Air Force Leeming. This presents an ideal opportunity to further strengthen our relationship with The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. Many will be familiar with their work, perhaps even accessing the financial and emotional support that RAFB offer to service personnel, their families and Veterans.
This October, students ran the Yorkshire Marathon, raising £760 for the charity; helping to fund counselling and support current and former members of the RAF. The students should be incredibly proud of this achievement. This feat of endurance will be followed later in the year by Yorkshire’s annual squadron challenge. Yorkshire continues to push boundaries when it comes to endurance events and will look to complete more challenges throughout the year.
Every 3 months there is a Turning of the Page Ceremony in York minster, a symbolic ceremony where a page is turned in a book that records the names of RAF personnel that lost their lives
‘‘ ’’
This October, students ran the Yorkshire Marathon, raising £760 for the charity; helping to fund counselling and support current and former members of the RAF. The students should be incredibly proud of this achievement.
in service of their country. YUAS are always proud to represent the current generation of serving personnel at these ceremonies with the latest one taking place on the 15th September. This
service focused on The Battle of Britain and stood as a reminder of those who held the line in that summer of 1940. Being present at this ceremony, and representing The RAF, is always an honour for students, and helped with understanding how vital that battle was and how important its sacrifices were. The ceremony also allowed for Officer Cadets to get involved with members of The RAF Association in York. This was a great opportunity to meet new people, share stories and build a strong community in the city whilst showing our own support for the RAFA.
With limited accommodation and resources available to YUAS our thanks to those across RAF Leeming that supported us during our most recent trg weekend culminating in YUAS personnel marching through York and Tadcaster as the RAF representatives in those Remembrance Parades. We were privileged to have Comdt Cranwell and OC 19 Wg attend training on both Friday and Saturday. The students
benefited from various briefs and interactive activities all weekend, not to mention the drill practice and uniform prep that led to Sqn performing exceptionally well at both parades. YUAS has a strong ethos and shows how a unit can produce results bigger than its constituent parts. The remembrance weekend is a very important one for all on YUAS
and we continue to be proud of our associations in both locations and it is testament to the Sqn that we can provide such large and well attended marching contingents at 2 separate events.
Meanwhile our new batch of students have all been offered places so expect to see some who are completely new to
the military and perhaps have that startled look of rabbits in a headlight. We look forward to them settling in and with the help of the rest of the station
learning more about life in the military and making the most of the breadth of the trg opportunities that YUAS is proud to offer.
NUAS News
The last few months have been exceptional for Northumbrian UAS (NUAS), filled with incredible individual achievements, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for students, exciting trips and exercises both abroad and within the UK, impressive charity fundraising, and an outstanding recruitment effort, which will bolster our squadron for many years to come.
Over the summer break, the beginning of the academic year, and the first half of the winter term, NUAS has continued to offer abundant flying opportunities and training to students. Despite challenges such as exercises, staff commitments, airfield closures, and other factors, countless flying slots have been made available each week, allowing all students to enjoy them. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the flying staff and officers, who prioritize ensuring that as much flying as possible can take place. As a result, there have been numerous individual achievements and squadron-wide
progress through both the AEF and EFT syllabi.
Between 2nd–6th September and 9th–13th September, NUAS hosted two week-long summer flying camps, where 10 students made significant progress in EFT. Despite the typically windy and unpredictable British September weather, three students achieved their first solo flight during these camps, another completed their SSR, and one student was awarded his ‘budgie wings’ for passing his pilot navigational test. Following these camps, many other milestones have been reached, and flying progress continues at an exciting pace.
One of the highlights of the summer break was the incredible Exercise Atlas 2024. Ex Atlas 2024 was a joint expedition to the High Atlas Mountain Range in Morocco, undertaken by a group of 12 NUAS and BUAS students in collaboration with the Moroccan Armed Forces, spanning 14 days.
The exercise involved trekking and hiking across vast sections of the Atlas Mountains in extreme heat and challenging conditions, camping at various base camps, local towns, and remote sites, adding an additional level of difficulty and adventure to the experience. The three highest peaks in Northern Africa, including the tallest, Toubkal (~13,500ft), were summited, providing exceptional views and a tremendous sense of accomplishment. The skills gained and memories made along the way will undoubtedly stay with all those lucky enough to have participated in this incredible opportunity.
Officer Cadet Trussler, one of the fortunate students chosen to go to Morocco, shared: “Collaboration with the Moroccan AF ensured the safety of RAF personnel throughout the trip and allowed the expertise and local knowledge of the service members to guide and support the exercise. Exchanging stories and
memories while learning about our individual cultures was a wonderful part of this collaboration… A great team was formed within days.”
NUAS students and staff have also engaged heavily in charitable efforts over the past few months. APO Robinson and OC Mitchell recently completed the 100mile John Egging Trust bike ride (JETRide), a charity that supports young people facing adversity by providing them with life skills through unique programs. These programs focus on building confidence, resilience, and aspirations, helping participants reach their full potential. For the last six years, the JETRide has offered an opportunity for RAF members, veterans, and others to raise money for this great cause.
The ride spanned 100 miles through Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire, starting and finishing at RAFC Cranwell. The route included a 1,000-meter elevation gain, equivalent to the height of Scafell Pike. Following the ride, APO Robinson said, “It was a great opportunity to support
a brilliant cause, as well as a great challenge to overcome. Events like this are a great way of testing your mettle and pushing yourself, both physically and mentally. At mile 85, both Jonty and I were definitely at our lowest point, but working through that together and overcoming the hurdle was a great feeling!”
As a squadron, NUAS has also chosen to support the ‘Movember’ foundation. Throughout November, students set a goal of raising £1,000 for the foundation through physical exercise challenges, moustache growing, and fundraising. As of the date of this submission (14/11/2024), the goal has already been surpassed, and the squadron hopes to raise over £2,000.
With the start of the new academic year, NUAS has welcomed a new senior leadership team of four newly appointed Acting Pilot Officers (APOs): Garner, Robinson, Varazinskis, and Traverscongratulations to them. After successfully completing their APO course at RAFC Cranwell, the new team has had an excellent start to the year, ensuring that the high standards and opportunities that define NUAS continue at the highest level.
On the topic of welcomes, the squadron has been fortunate to welcome a new GTI/ATI, Sergeant Cutmore! Sgt Cutmore (Pat) is a highly qualified and passionate GTI, and despite only being with the squadron for a few weeks, he has already become an integral part of NUAS. Thanks to his
efforts, numerous new adventure training opportunities have been made available to NUAS students, including rock climbing, kayaking expeditions, bike-packing, and skiing. We are incredibly lucky to have someone with his experience and qualifications on the squadron. And, as if this news couldn’t get any better, the arrival of our new GTI has been accompanied by the arrival of a new squadron puppy, Zeus! While Zeus may not be an avid aviator himself, he has settled into life at NUAS beautifully and has already become a beloved member of the squadron (when he’s not stealing students’ sandwiches, that is!).
Recently, NUAS students were given the opportunity to take part in the most special and sacred of events, as the squadron was invited to participate in remembrance parades and services at both Durham and Newcastle. Being involved in such events, held on 10/11/2024, was an honor and privilege for all those in attendance. Both the Durham service and the Newcastle parade were overwhelming successes. While marching, paying respects, laying wreaths, and commemorating the
bravery of those who sacrificed their lives for our future, NUAS students put on an excellent display for the public and all attendees.
Another highlight of the NUAS summer calendar was Exercise Fond Farewell, a memorable and emotional send-off for those leaving the squadron this year. With two alumni heading straight to MIOT and many others beginning the next stages of their applications or continuing their journeys elsewhere, there was much to celebrate. However, saying goodbye to NUAS was inherently sentimental for many. Over the course of a few days, a number of great activities took place, including sports, FD, and celebrations at Leeming. Highlights included a touch rugby competition at RAFC Cranwell, a farewell barbecue in the Officers’ Mess, and a visit to the Yorkshire Air Museum. For all those leaving NUAS, we wish them the very best of luck in their future endeavours and thank them for everything they’ve contributed to the squadron. NUAS is nothing without its passionate students, and we bid farewell to many of them.
Over the past few months, a major focus of the squadron has been the recruitment of new students from all our targeted universities. This has been a herculean task, but one that has been both exciting and highly successful. NUAS attended freshers’ fairs at Teesside, Newcastle, Northumbria, and Sunderland, where the amazing opportunities offered by the squadron were displayed and explained to anyone who came by. A social media campaign also ran alongside this, resulting in a surplus of high-quality applicants expressing interest in the squadron.
With the recruitment period now concluded, we are thrilled to have invited a large number of passionate students to join NUAS. After an induction day on 6th November, our new intake is settling in well. The recruitment team has done an outstanding job, and thanks to their efforts, the future of NUAS looks incredibly bright.
This has been a period to remember for the squadron, and as always, NUAS continues to thrive, highlighting the importance of the UAS in providing such outstanding opportunities for young, aspiring individuals.
Leeming Jeffers
Leeming Jeffers is a small group at the moment, and we’d love others to join us!
Leeming Jeffers meet twice a week and enjoy conversation and a good but achievable run. There is no pressure on pace, you do what works for you. Jeffing allows you to build endurance with zero pressure. It’s become such a popular running strategy that most running events include jeffing pacers, with some people achieving personal bests. Jeffing is in some ways similar to the fartlek run – a Swedish term for ‘speed play’ – where you play with your pace and complete unstructured periods of hard, moderate and easy running within a single, continuous run. Jeffing, however, focuses less on anaerobic surges and more on building up your aerobic endurance. The real gift of jeffing is that it allows you to work at your pace whilst maintaining your heart rate. Jeffing has
allowed me to tackle and complete a variety of distances from 5k right up to ultra distance, at my own pace.
Here’s some positives from Emma and Lindsey, on their jeffing experience so far:
“My positive is that the group makes sure I stay motivated as I was always running on my own. I like the social aspect and think we could maybe tackle a 10k together in the future. I enjoy running more than walking at the moment.”
– Cpl Lindsey Welsh, 607 Sqn.
“My positive is that jeffing has helped me to enjoy going for a run which I haven’t done in the past and because its fun and a great time to socialise too, it motivates me to want to keep doing it.”
–
Emma Harris – SCAS
Horton in Ribblesdale.
Start of the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. Perfect accommodation for groups/families.
Building 1, 4 x 6 bedded (en-suite) rooms (1 small dog allowed in each of these rooms)
Building 2, 4 x 8 bedded rooms
Both buildings have their own kitchen/dining room Discounts for Military & Mid-week bookings (in school holidays too)
RAF LEEMING GOLF SOCIETY 2024
Station Golf Championships 2024
An early morning start (0700 hrs) on a cloudy, dry but cool morning on 6 Aug 24, saw 16 RAF Leeming golfers ready to take part in the RAF Leeming Station Golf Championships over a gruelling 36 holes scratch, stroke play competition at the very impressive and tough venue that is Blackwell Grange Golf Club. Cards issued and sustenance in the form of a bacon sandwich and coffee saw the first group tee off at 0802, playing the 36 holes with a hearty lunch at the half-way stage.
The course played tough and all golfers if they were slightly offline found it difficult to find their ball in the semi rough with the grass grabbing the ball and providing a real challenge to rectify any wayward shots. However, all 16
persisted and as the weather warmed and the sun came out it proved to be a wonderful day for the Station Championships, however… the wind picked up and started to pose problems for all with only the skilled few rising to the top of the leaderboard as they battled the conditions.
The golfers were vying for the coveted title of Champion Golfer, RAF Leeming and it was WO Nige Hughes, 90SU who topped the leaderboard, just holding off Sgt Mick Firth, GEF, by displaying some outstanding stroke play and this coupled with his fantastic short game and touch around the greens saw him lift the trophy for the third time in four years. Stroke Play can be brutal and to ensure the Olympic sport that is golf is fully inclusive for all levels of ability, the day also saw the golfers play a Stableford competition for the Plate plus a Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive competition.
The results were as follows:
RAF Leeming Champion
Golfer:
WO Nige Hughes, 90 SU
Runner Up:
Sgt Mick Firth, GEF
RAF Leeming Plate –
Stableford:
Cpl Ricky Templeman, 90 SU
Runner Up:
Cpl Chris Edge, LSS
Longest Drive:
Cpl Stuart Bell, GEF (Too long to measure!!)
Nearest the Pin:
FS Craig Hartley, LSS (54.5cm away from a hole in one!)
After a beautiful 2-course meal, the OIC RAF Leeming Golf, Sqn Ldr Peter McKeen presided over the trophy presentation extending a huge thank you to the staff at Blackwell Grange Golf Club who hosted RAF Leeming personnel superbly; the course, club house facilities and food were first class.
RAF Golf Association (RAFGA) Inter Station Championships 2024
The RAF Golf Association are huge advocates of promoting golf for men and women. Both male and female players are limited to a playing handicap of 36. This does not stop anyone above this handicap from entering, they will just be limited to the aforementioned playing handicap for that event. To join the RAFGA, it costs £20 per year, which entitles you to enter RAFGA competitions, provides 3RD Party Liability Golf Insurance, Hole-inOne cover, and coaching opportunities. During the 2024 season, the RAFGA organised 15 Whole Force events, culminating with the 2024 SecureCloud Interstation Championship – The Presidents Trophy (ISC) at the Lincoln Golf Club, 01-03 Oct. Each Station fields a team of 4 RAF personnel and the ISC comprises of the following format.
Day 1 18-hole Four-Ball Better Ball Stableford (4BBB) (85% handicap).
Day 2 18-hole Foursomes Stableford (50% combined handicap).
Day 3 18-hole Individual Stableford (95% handicap).
The RAF Leeming team are picked by the RAFLGS OIC and Captain. This year they felt it befitting that the team comprised of the RAF Leeming Champion Golfer and 3 available players who had contributed most to the RAFLGS. The team comprised of:
WO Nige Hughes, 90SU
Sgt Lyndsay Shearer, 11 Sqn QEAF
A/Sgt Martin Zillessen, GEF SWS Cpl Chris Edge, LSS
Day 1 was written off due to the course being flooded. Thankfully Day 2 saw the sunshine and an amazing effort by the Lincoln Golf Club Greenkeeping Team enabled the course to be playable. Still wet, there were 4 temporary greens in play and all bunkers were deemed as Ground Under Repair. Playing Greensomes and Foursomes, both formats being acknowledged as the hardest formats to play in golf, the team of four were split into pairs and some excellent golf was played, despite a gusty wind. RAF Leeming at this stage were placed 7th out of 21 teams, which was an amazing effort from such an inexperienced team.
More sun on the final day and the Director of Competitions changed the format from Individual Stableford to Four-Ball Better Ball. Both pairs played some decent golf, WO Nige Hughes / Sgt Lyndsay Shearer scoring a respectable 40 Stableford points and A/Sgt Martin Zillessen / Cpl Chris Edge scoring 35. Such was the calibre of golf on that day that this was not nearly good enough to ensure RAF Leeming maintained 7th place. An incredible 93 Stableford points from RAF Cranwell in the 4BBB, saw them finish overall winners of the Presidents Cup with a total of 242; RAF Leeming finishing 12th with a score of 210. Still an extremely good result considering 3 of the team had never played in the Inter Stations before; vital experience that will hopefully enable their handicaps to further reduce in 2025.
Sincere thanks to the RAFGA committee for yet again organising a superb event, and to the Lincoln Golf Club, their hard work in preparing the course and producing incredible catering throughout for the players and RAFGA officials.
Golf Participation at RAF Leeming
Golf is an all-inclusive sport, and it does not matter what standard you may be, the RAF Leeming Golf Society (RAFLGS) will welcome you with open arms. Golf does not have to be expensive and new participants can kit themselves out relatively cheaply noting that Sports Lottery Funding can be sought by ticket holding members. Membership of the RAFLGS costs £25.00 per year, which gives you unlimited access to the indoor and outdoor golf training facilities at RAF Leeming, and also entitles you to subsidy to all RAFLGS Away days.
Training and Facilities
Golf training facilities at RAF Leeming have improved twofold over the past year and the Unit now has a dedicated, fully kitted practice area (limited to 150 yards), and a hitting net to practice longer shots.
To assist golfers in perfecting their game, there is also a Garmin Approach R10 launch monitor available, golf training aids and WO Nige Hughes is more than willing to give free lessons to those wishing to start golf or improve their game. In addition, he is currently engaged with SSS, Accounts Flt and the RAF Central Fund to see if we can procure a golf simulator for the Unit (Whole Force – not just for the Golf Society) to allow winter training.
As an interim solution he and the RAFLGS committee are currently sorting an indoor training facility, in which there will be a hitting net, mats, the launch monitor and training aids. This will be available to RAFLGS members.
Golf Tags and Playing Golf
Golf at RAF Leeming has never been so popular, and we are lucky to have numerous golf courses in close proximity to RAF Leeming.
Bedale Golf Club is our home club and we have a fantastic working relationship with the club who provide RAF Leeming, via the Stn Gym, 8 discounted golf tags that can be used by all personnel Service and civilian at a cost of £10.00 per round with payment going direct to the gym (electronically) and the receipt for payment being presented to the Professional Shop at Bedale prior to your pre-arranged tee time to get your golf tag, which is returned to the pro shop on completion of your game. These tags are available from 01 Apr to 31 Oct each year.
In addition to the Golf tags, the RAF Leeming and 90SU form part of the North Yorkshire Golf League and competes monthly with matches against RAF Boulmer, RAF Fylingdales, RAF Spadeadam and we are trying to encourage Army participation (Catterick and York) to bolster the league following the closure of RAF Linton-on-Ouse. The league matches are open to all as part of an Away Day format, scoring is via Stableford with the Team Captains selecting their team of 4 prior to the first tee-off, playing some wonderful courses, usually within 1 hour of RAF Leeming.
RAF Leeming Saddle Club
UK ARMED FORCES EQUITATION COMPETITION (UKAFEC)
Three members of the RAF Leeming Saddle Club entered this prestigious competition - FS Angela Polgreen, Cpl Louise Charlton, AS1(T) Holly Brown.
AS1(T) HOLLY BROWN
What an amazing few days Holly Brown and Thistle have had at @ ukafequestrian Championships at @buryfarmequestrian.
Thistle once again, showing his versatility and, of course, attracting all the attention!
Day 1- First year to have a Showing at UKAFEC and Thistle made his mark!
1st Native Inhand Reserve Inhand Champion
1st Ridden Native Reserve Ridden Champion
Day 2 - Showjumping & Dressage
Kicked the day off with the 70cm pony class, and Thistle flew round getting 2nd place. Then they tried out for the Advanced Medium 1 and got 60% coming 1st.
Day 3 – Freestyle To Music Medium
On the final day Holly & Thistle competed in the Elementary/ Medium FSM and pulled it out the bag again for another win on a mega score of 73% coming 1st!
NCPA Northern Spectacular
AS1(T) Holly Brown took Flint to the Northern County Pony Assosiation at the Northallerton Equestrion Centre. They competed and came 1st in the Hack Riding horse and Hunter Younstock Class, 1st in the Performance Animal, and overall Champion in the Inhand out of 10 classes and 10 riders!! We can’t wait to see what else they can achieve together. Well done!
It was the first time entering showing classes, whilst Colin was unsure on what to expect he performed admirably with his Owner Dot Dixon. Then onto the jumping classes with Angela.
2nd in hand – Rescue Horse – Qualified for Great Yorkshire Show Championship
In total there was 2 wins, 1 x 2nd, 2 x 3 rds1st
FS ANGELA POLGREEN
TEAM COLLEY had an absolute superstar day in the 80cm show cross, this entailed 10 show jumps followed by 20 X country jumps across the fields at Northallerton Equestrian Centre.
They only went and WON! Well Done FS Polgreen and Colin! And his lovely owner Dot Dixon.
Team Colin – Great work from FS Polgreen and Colin for coming 5th representiving the RAF Equitation Eventing Team and qualifying for the British Eventing Arena Champions! To be held in Feb 2025.
