Area 51

Greetings once again from Area 51.

The enduring operational tempo has remained high throughout the summer due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with 51 Sqn currently at the tip of the spear in terms of both the UK and NATO response. This exceptional effort has not prevented 51 Sqn personnel from squeezing plenty of other activities in the small windows of opportunity.

On Thursday 2nd June, 51 Sqn took part in the Queen’s Jubilee Flypast using ZZ664. The crew of 13 c, captained by Sqn Ldr Tom Barnes, flew down The Mall and over Buckingham Palace in close formation with a P8 Poseidon. This crew had also taken part in the practice flypast over CHOM at RAF Cranwell the week before. Due to the nature of the aircraft and its near permanent operational requirements, flypasts are a rare occurrence for the Sqn, and even an event of this magnitude may have been superseded by the events taking place in Eastern Europe. However, the combined efforts and forward leaning mentality of the whole sqn meant that we were able to pay tribute to Her Majesty as a part of the 70 strong aircraft flypast, with those involved saying it was a privilege to have been part of such a historic event.

When not flying Op ROCKHARD missions or taking part in flypasts, the sqn has also been very busy on the ground. 51 Sqn (Eng) Training Cell has been making considerable progress and improvements over the last 12 months. A year ago, the training team was about to lose one of the Sqn’s most valued and experienced members, Sgt ‘Sol’ Sollitt, and was operating without classroom facilities. This resulted in competency levels falling across the entirety of Eng flight. Under the guidance of three determined Sgts, Chris Brown, Jim Broadbent and Louis Jelley, and the three JRs, Cpl Tom Borrill, a/Cpl Nick Marwood and AS1(T) Matt Sutherland, the scene couldn’t have changed more drastically. Moving to building 266, long term planning and the arrival of new personnel allowed the team to focus their efforts on improving training standards and output. This has led to month on month increases in competency levels. A positive effort from all!

On Monday 6th June, personnel from across the Sqn on took part in a RAFA Rides event to raise money for the Royal Air Forces Association. Taking on a virtual cycling tour of frontline UK flying stations, personnel placed posteriors in position from 0700 Monday morning until 1900 on the Friday, covering 216 x 30-minute slots over the five days.

Naturally, there was a competitive element to spice up the event, with incentives for the most miles covered in a 30-minute slot, highest individual total miles and the most funds raised for RAFA. The top five highest ranking individual miles were: Flt Lt Chris Talbot (301), Sgt Andy Merrett (118.3), AS1(T) Aaron Richards (78.48), MACr Nick Petch (74.72) and AS1(T) Kieran Sussex (71.79).

There was also some healthy competition between the engineering shifts, support flight and aircrew to see who could gain the most miles. The cyclists beat their target total of 1259 miles, reaching 1369.65 miles; with the engineering flights pipping the aircrew and the support flight to the post.

Organiser Sgt Andy Merrett comments: ‘51 Sqn personnel came to work that week and before they knew what happened they were cycling’. Everyone on Sqn pulled their charitable efforts together to raise money, with personnel ready to don their cycling finest and channel their inner Bradley Wiggins at a moment’s notice given Sgt Merrett ‘was constantly hunting for his next cycling victim’.

Flt Lt Talbot was most definitely not a victim however as he covered a jawdropping twelve-hour stint in one hit on the opening day, with further sessions during the week to boot. A commendable effort from 51 Squadron all in aid of a worthwhile cause.

Sgt Andy Merrett celebrates the end of the virtual tour with SEngO Sqn Ldr Ayton.

OC 51, Wg Cdr Nevin, opens the Sqn RAFA Rides Virtual Tour.

Flt Lt Talbot begins his 12 hour stint to open the event.

AS1(T) Penna-Kincell crossing the finish line ahead of the Army (and the Navy)

The achievements during the RAFA Rides event gives only a flavour of the sporting abilities of 51 Sqn, as you may recall from previous Insight editions, AS1 Cartegena has been away with the RAF Bobleigh team. Not to be outdone, 3 members of Eng Flt were selected to take part in the first RAF Track and Field Championships since 2019. The efforts of CT Jim Slater, AS1(T) Lewis ‘P-K’ PennaKincell and AS1 Samuel ‘Birtie’ West ensured 51 Sqn was the largest contributor of any section at RAF Waddington. The standout performance was P-K, who took Gold in the 400m Hurdles, Birtie gave a determined performance in the 5000m and Jim Slater collected a bronze medal in the discus. P-K then repeated his success at the

Official photo finish document showing how tight the victory was. the honour of receiving an MBE in the Queen’s New Years Honours List 2022. In early June, Sqn Ldr Hemlin was invited to Buckingham Palace to be presented with her MBE by HRH The Duke of Cambridge. Sqn Ldr Hemlin said: ‘I am deeply honoured, and humbled, to receive an MBE. I had an amazing day at the Palace, it is most definitely one which I will remember forever’.

As we move into the Autumn, the Sqn’s operational tempo will remain high, but we also

Sqn Ldr Angie Hemlin receiving her MBE from HRH The Duke of Cambridge.

highly prestigious UKAF Inter Service Track and Field Championships, where his determination ensured a photo-finish victory by just 3 hundredths of a second (and pipping the Army in the process).

Away from sporting excellence, there was one other momentous achievement on 51 Sqn when one of the Sqn Executives, Sqn Ldr Angie Hemlin, had have our long awaiting Dining In Night to look forward to (I’m sure it will get a mention next time), as well as some other exciting and interesting activities. Until next time from Area 51.

Swift and Sure 51 SQN MEDIA & COMMS TEAM CT Jim Slater Sgt Phil Howle Sgt Jade Bolton