Insight Spring 2024

Spring 2024

From the Editor…

Flt Lt D.J. Hopkinson

Welcome to the Spring 2024 edition of Insight magazine. I’d like to start by thanking everyone that has contributed articles to the magazine and particularly to those included in this edition. It is your endeavours we are here to promote and celebrate and this magazine would not exist without your contributions, thank you!

For those interested in writing for Insight Magazine please submit potential articles to WADInsightEditorialTeam@mod.gov. uk. We are especially interested in sharing your professional successes, charity endeavours and sporting prowess.

This quarters edition of the magazine contains the usual plethora of articles ranging from the sporting achievements of the Waddington Running Club in Malta to the development of the War Graves Heritage Centre, an award-winning project established at nearby Scampton and advanced with funding from the Heritage Lottery Grant.

There are also articles regarding Ex SNOW WARRIOR and Project FOCUS which highlight some of the opportunities available to RAF Waddington Personnel in both Adventure Training and Community Engagement. Enjoy!

EDITORIAL TEAM:

WAD-InsightEditorialTeam@mod.gov.uk

External Email:

Use

Tel: +44 (0)1522 726704

Editor:

Flt Lt D.J Hopkinson

WAD-InsightEditorialTeam@mod.gov.uk

Deputy Editor:

Flt Lt Chris Talbot

WAD-InsightEditorialTeam@mod.gov.uk

Designer: Amanda Robinson

Advertising by: Jayne Bailey

Tel: 01536 334 219

Published by:

Lance Media Group Ltd, 1st Floor, Tailby House, Bath Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire

NN16 8NL

Tel: 01536 334 222

Printed by: Micropress

Station Commander’s Foreword...

Gp Capt Dominic Holland

April sees the publication of the Spring 2024 edition of the Station Magazine and RAF Waddington remains as busy and operationally focussed as always. I am, however, pleased to see that alongside our professional work we are also achieving at sports, with RAF Waddington excelling at the recent Ski Champs, and remaining a positive force in the local community, with charity fundraising at the Station in full swing and the Easter Bake Off raising a substantial sum of money.

Project FOCUS is the Station’s community engagement committee and I would encourage any interested personnel with the free capacity to get involved in their work. The team work regularly with the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (LWT) at Whisby Nature Reserve and are frequently involved in projects at local schools. It is an excellent opportunity to represent RAF Waddington and more importantly to give something back to the community which

Greetings once again from Area 51.

Tsupports our Station and its personnel so well.

Of those organisations which support our people, the RAFBF hold a prominent position. Their article in this edition is encouraging Station personnel to join the ‘Lived Experience Network’. The purpose of this network will be to help steer the RAFBF to better understand what the RAF Family requires from the Fund in order to better shape its future. As I stated in the article itself I would urge anyone interested to get in contact with the RAFBF, this is your opportunity to discuss your lived experience of life in the RAF and help the Fund to better help and support you.

Thank you all for your unflinching support to RAF Waddington and the wider air force and thank you to those who contribute to the Station Magazine. I thoroughly enjoy reading about your marathon efforts in Malta, bilateral training in the United States and alpine après ski on Ex SNOW WARRIOR. Long may it continue.

here has been no let up for the high operational tempo which 51 Squadron has kept since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine. Despite this unrelenting effort, 51 Squadron has seen a slight reprieve from operational taskings, with opportunities to visit our US colleagues for Ex Resolute Hunter to concentrate honing skills for the tactical side of operations!

Ex Resolute Hunter

For the first time 51 Squadron has sent one of its RC-135 Rivet Joints to support the United States Navy’s (USN) major 3-week air exercise, Resolute Hunter at Naval Air Station Fallon. However, this is not the first time Squadron personnel have attended the Exercise, with personnel co-crewing with United States Air Force (USAF) Rivet Joint in previous iterations of the Exercise.

Fallon, and its surrounding rugged and mountainous terrain, is home to the United States Navy’s premier aviation range. It includes 13,000+ square miles of airspace, restricted areas, and ranges. It is also home to several Navy

Weapons Schools including the most famous – the Strike Fighter Weapons School, or, Top Gun. This would be where 51 Sqn, along with US MH-60s, MQ-8C, P-8A, E-3G, RQ-4, U-2S, and ground elements would work on their interoperability during the exercise.

The Exercise gave the Squadron the opportunity to switch from its usual operational taskings and fly in a more dynamic, tactical environment, ensuring that crews retain the skills required to undertake a wide variety of missions in support of the UK’s intelligence requirements. Officer Commanding 51 Squadron, Wing Commander Keith Bissett said that ‘The challenge this Exercise provided the UK and US crews of the Rivet Joint has been phenomenal. The Resolute Hunter exercise team worked exceptionally hard to ensure that all of the assets were tested in a contested and congested scenario. Our aircraft has shown an extraordinary ability to support the targeting of the F-18 and EA-18G aircraft. We will continue our co-crewing in future exercises to develop the capabilities of the UK Rivet Joint.’

Awards

December saw 51 Squadron’s engineers receive the 1 Gp Award for engineering excellence, awarded to the individual or unit who has made the most telling contribution to furthering engineering excellence. The citation reads:

‘Number 51 Squadron delivered well above expectations and its routine output during the time since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. During 2022/23, the Squadron achieved a 43% increase in its annual flying task, flying many complex missions in Eastern Europe.

To achieve this remarkable increase, 51 Squadron’s engineers delivered serviceable aircraft time and again. The unrelenting thirst for Rivet Joint intelligence meant the engineers had to double their work-rate to keep up with the operational demand, no small task given the complexity of the Rivet Joint mission systems and the age of the aircraft. With no sign of this unrelenting demand decreasing, the Squadron’s engineers continue to go above and beyond to deliver serviceable aircraft to meet the task. An outstanding achievement worthy of recognition with a 1 Gp Engineering Excellence award’.

Continuing with the theme of awards, Sgt Randell was deservedly nominated for the Wither’s award for SNCOs. Sgt Randell was nominated, ‘for his meticulous organisation and execution as a member

of the 51 Squadron Exercise Team during Exercise STORM WARRIOR. Whilst maintaining his role as a cadre role instructor and continuing to fly during a busy flying program, Randell organised and helped execute the Rivet Joint participation in Exercise Storm Warrior 23, an assessment for the C2, Typhoon and F-35 Qualified Weapons Instructor Courses. This involved organising white force support to RAF Boulmer and arranging the first official participation of the Squadron’s Maintenance Training System to provide live support to the training audience without live RJ flying, aiding in the professional development of all whist simultaneously helping to prove a new capability. Despite his relatively short time in the exercise team, his confidence and attention to detail enabled the Squadron to surpass the amount of UK exercise flying it had achieved during previous years. His abilities also allowed him to step into the role of RJ subject matter expert during a Joint Personnel Recovery planning exercise, providing invaluable input regarding the RJ’s role in such circumstances, giving other force element’s valuable insight and earning plaudits from the exercise organisers.’

Finally, The Chief of the Air Staff recently recognised the efforts of the whole Squadron in the New Year’s Honours List. The honour recognises the exceptional effort of the aircrew, engineers, and support staff of 51 Squadron who have ensured that the UK Rivet Joint could deliver on operations from RAF Waddington and our overseas bases.

Swift and Sure

LOCATED IN THE HEART OF RURAL LINCOLNSHIRE

- Friendly and inclusive

- Free draining land, so open 12 months of the year

- Qualified PGA Professional’s on site - Challenging undulating greens

- Well established 18 hole course which celebrated its centenary on 2004

Blankney, Lincolnshire, LN4 3AZ

Tel: 01526 320263

Web: blankneygolfclub.co.uk

Email: manager@blankneygolfclub.co.uk

Please call 01526 320202 to book your tee time. This line is available 7 days a week.

Green fee voucher to play Blankney at discounted rate of £25.00 midweek.

Blankney, Lincolnshire, LN4 3AZ

Tel: 01526 320263

Web: blankneygolfclub.co.uk

Email: manager@blankneygolfclub.co.uk

51 SQUADRON HISTORY CORNER

As promised in the previous edition, we will be looking at 51 Squadron’s rebirth into yet another role. As explained in the previous article, by 1950, the RAF had scaled back the size of its force, considerably, which had led to 51 Squadron being disbanded and so it is at this point that 192 Squadron must be introduced. During the Second World War, 192 Squadron flew a variety of specially modified aircraft including the Wellington, Halifax, Mosquito and Anson, and conducted what would now be classed as ELINT and Electronic Warfare missions. After the war 192 Squadron continued in this role, using Lincoln and Washington aircraft.

Towards the end of the 1950’s with the number of Squadrons continuing to reduce, the Air Ministry decided that to renumber many of them in favour of lower numbers, with the exceptions being those who had a significance associated to their number such as 617.

The result was that on 21st August 1958 at RAF Watton, 192 Squadron was disbanded and renumbered to 51 Squadron.

Using the Canberra and the Comet, 51 Squadron continued 192’s role as a reconnaissance squadron as a part of Signals Command. Having been a fighter squadron in the First World War and a bomber, maritime and transport squadron in the Second World War, this would now be the 5th role for the Squadron in just 40 years. Officially, the Squadron was described as conducting routine radar calibration and reconnaissance, with deployments to locations including Scandinavia, Africa, the Middle East, the Gulf, and the Far East.

In March 1963, the Squadron was relocated to RAF Wyton, where it would spend the next 32 years. It was here that 51 Squadron was transferred under yet another command, this time, from Signals Command back to Bomber command.

Swift and Sure

Robin Hugill

Running Update

The Running Club has been busy over the winter season although the main focus was the Malta marathon trip organised by Sqn Ldr Bown.

We took teams to the Sir Sefton Branker race at Halton in January, this is the RAF vs Civil Service vs Police vs Fire Service and always has a good turnout of strong runners with the civil service taking the bulk of the wins. The following month we had the RAF Cross Country Champs, again at Halton, and we took a small team down with us of whom three were picked to represent the RAF at the Inter Services a few weeks later. Our home race was held in February over the usual course which is one of the shorter of the season but very hard as the Cliffe is climbed three times and it was particularly wet and muddy this year.

The Malta Marathon

The team congregated at RAF Waddington before travelling by car to London Stansted airport. After an uneventful journey, the team arrived at their accommodation on time and ate in the local area that evening. The team met early on 23 Feb to stretch their legs on a gentle 4 mile run along the Sliema promenade. This also happened to include the final stretch of the marathon route and so offered opportunity for course recce. Mid-morning, all members caught the ferry across to Valetta and spent several hours taking in the sights, including the Saluting Battery and St. Pauls’ Cathedral which houses a laid-up 13 Sqn standard.

The second day was dedicated to rest and race preparation. Nevertheless, the team still undertook some sightseeing, with separate groups visiting the Lascaris War Rooms and the Malta Aviation Museum respectively. The aviation

museum was in the vicinity of the marathon route and so additional course recce was conducted as a bonus.

Race day on 25 Feb started early with packed breakfasts collected before the 0515 coach transfer to the start line in Mdina. The weather was unexpectedly terrible; with heavy rain starting overnight and persisting throughout the morning. Runners did their best to find shelter under bedraggled sunshades and a garage forecourt, but with the unseasonably low temperatures it was a struggle to stay warm prior to the start. There was little appetite to emerge from the inadequate shelter to partake in the mass warm-up! Heavy rain continued to fall as the race started at 0630. It was a relatively narrow first two kilometres, made even more treacherous by flooding and large puddles throughout the course. The weather did improve a little after 2 ½ hours but never fully let off with the wind strength gradually increasing during the race. The worst of the strong winds thankfully arrived after the race had concluded. The first half of the marathon course snaked through small villages and circumnavigated the football stadium and even followed the disused runway of Ta’Qali airfield. Very little of the route was fully closed off to traffic and whilst the race marshals did an admirable job, there were plenty of impatient drivers unwilling to wait for runners to pass. The marathon and half marathon routes joined each other on the long stretch down towards the coast, which added to the atmosphere by having extra people on the course. The race results for RAF Waddington personnel were as follows:

Lt Todd Pinhorn

Craig Smith

Andrew Merrett

Ex SNOW WARRIOR (Adaptive)

‘’The Pain won’t last, but the memories will’’ – unknown.

The American military initiative ‘Wounded Warrior’ was used as the basis for forming the Battle Back programme about 14 years ago to provide support to UK Armed Forces personnel who were injured, mainly in Iraq and Afghanistan. When recognising the future with a traumatic or debilitating illness there can often be a loss of confidence, self-esteem, depression, and a need to adjustment. Sports and outdoor activities have been proven to aid successful physical and psychological rehabilitation that advances a positive self-image and improved future projections and plans.

Battle Back was formed to encourage wounded, sick and injured personnel to participate in activities such as adventurous training, a medium already used to help develop leadership and resilience.  The adaptive training often uses the same kit as used for regular Adventurous Training and adaptive skiing allows anyone with a disability or injury to experience the same benefits of skiing. Instructors are trained to use specialist and adapted equipment to enable skiing to be delivered as an inclusive activity.

In Feb/March 2024 the Joint Services Mountain Training Centre

in Bavaria hosted a serial of SNOW WARRIOR alongside the regular serials and included 12 students on their recovery journey. Chf Tech Stuart Sinclair from the ISTAR CAMO was one of the assistants from a team of tri service, Regular and Reserve Service Personnel trained and qualified through attending a Defence Adaptive Ski Instructor course.  The focus of the qualification is typically on mono-ski (a single, seated ski), Bi-ski (a more stable twin, seated ski), 3-track (one ski and two ski riggers) and 4-track (both skis and ski riggers). The training is also adjusted to accommodate hearing, visual and other physical and mental health issues.

Eight days of skiing on various ski areas in the Allgau region of Bavaria, often chasing the snow and increasing altitude due to the lateness of the season was enjoyed by the students and instructors. Ski Foundation qualifications were achieved along with a sense of fulfilment, new skills, new friendships and more positive outlooks for the future.

All of the students and instructors worked tirelessly to achieve the aim of providing Adventurous Training through the medium of skiing to wounded, injured and sick service personnel. It was

inspirational to maintain our military ethos and encourage banter, humour and selfless determination to ‘get back up and carry on’ after a tumble in the snow. The change of behaviours from start to

finish along with the smiles, laughter, group cohesion and volume levels in the bar was a privilege to be a part of.

Chf Tech Stuart Sinclair

Scampton War Graves Heritage Centre – Keeping Their Stories Alive

It started with a simple enough question, “I wonder what happened to all those people”. In January 2006, I had just been posted into RAF Scampton and I was exploring the local area.

In truth, I was searching for the local pub, the Dambuster’s Inn but my journey had taken me past Scampton Church and the 107 military graves there.

And so began nearly 2 decades of research. It was relatively easy to find out what had happened, but it very quickly became apparent that there was a much more interesting story; who were

ongoing mission to put a face to every grave at Scampton.

Even more special were the moments when I was able to track down a relative

these people? As I trawled through mountains of documents, small fragments gave a glimpse into the real person and the life they led. Sometimes it was a last letter home or the personal statement they had written on their application to join the Air Force. Other times it was the list of all their worldly belongings compiled by the Effects Officer after their loss. 2 Handkerchiefs, 1 comb (3 teeth missing), knitted pullover. Such meagre possessions, the only remaining evidence they had ever existed at RAF Scampton.

Very occasionally, I would turn a page of an Ops Record Book at the National Archive and suddenly find a picture of a person I had been researching for so long that I felt I had come to know them. Seeing their face for the first time was an emotional moment and it has become part of my

and speak about their lives outside the RAF and it was at these times that it really became apparent that these were real people, with real lives and everything to live for.

In 2010, the research led to a book being published on the subject, which was surprisingly well received, but if I thought this was the end of the story, I was soon to be proven wrong. I was quickly contacted by even more relatives, and their stories added so much more colour and context. Over the years, more detailed records were released by the MOD and I had so much more information that I was desperate to find a way of getting it to a wider audience.

In December 2022, I took up a role as the BBMF Occurrence Manager for the Display Air Wing HQ at Waddington. On

the day of my attestation into the FTRS, I had arrived early and was waiting outside the BBMF hangar, when I received a phone call out of the blue. It was Joe Bartrop from Scampton Church, asking if I might consider helping to develop a War Graves Heritage project he had in mind.

I didn’t need any more encouragement and the work to develop a War Graves Heritage Centre at Scampton began in earnest. With a Heritage Lottery Grant secured, the project focussed on delivering a fully integrated learning package for primary aged school children. The stories of 107 Airman were told via two touchscreen computers in the church that allowed the children to explore the

schools are actively using the centre to teach the parts of the curriculum that cover remembrance and the Second World War. The children have been very engaged showing a real thirst for knowledge about their ‘fallen friend’ and helping to ensure their stories are carried on to the next generation.

The project has received national recognition receiving 2 MOD Sanctuary awards, including a first place in the Innovation category and has become a model for how the Commonwealth War Graves

stories in as much or as little detail as they liked. Recognising that dealing with issues around death can be frightening for children, we adopted an approach where the stories were told in the first person, with each airman talking about their lives in a conversational tone. As part of the learning package, each child is allocated a “fallen friend” who they research and come to know and in doing so, they gain an insight into the true meaning of remembrance. With the project now live,

Commission would like to develop other similar sites. It has also won the National Churches’ Trust Open for Visitors Award and work continues to develop the project further. It will soon be available online and there is an ambition to create a virtual environment where those unable to visit will be able to explore the graves and stories behind them from the comfort of their own home.

Flt Lt Gary Mennell Display Air Wing HQ

ALL Bridal, by Anita Lynne Lee is a luxury bridal boutique situated in the picturesque village of Ruskington in Lincolnshire, opposite the stunning All Saints Church and easily accessed by the A17 and A15.

We offer a luxurious, welcoming and relaxed atmosphere and a dedicated personal service to ensure brides find the perfect dress for their wedding whatever their budget, style or theme.

We believe that finding the perfect gown should be one of the most memorable experiences, prior to the actual day itself.

Our free appointment only service ensures brides can truly relax and enjoy their experience from beginning to end, whilst enjoying a glass of prosecco, soft drink or hot beverage.

We also stock a wide range of bridesmaid dresses, accessories, including veils and jewellery and to complete the look we offer a bespoke faux floral service, designed to individual taste.

Company details: Tel: 07506 645610

Address: 2 High Street, Ruskington, Sleaford, NG34 9DT Facebook: ALL Bridal Instagram: ALLBridal2023

OPENING HOURS:-

Monday 10am - 8pm

Tuesday 10am - 8pm

Wednesday 10am - 8pm

Thursday 10am - 8pm

Friday 10am - 6pm

Saturday Closed

We use and retail professional, affordable brands including:Neal & Wolf Olaplex Kerastraight Cloud 9 Dyson

Sunday Closed TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT PLEASE CALL 01522 720415

Your local, proudly independent, veterinary practice opened in Waddington in 2022. Register and book online via our website, follow us on Facebook, call us or pop in to see us. Sarah, Alice and their friendly team look forward to welcoming you and your pets!

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday 8.30am – 6.30pm Saturday 8.30am – 12pm By appointment only

Call: 01522 716388

Email: info@lincolnedgevets.co.uk

Website: https://www.lincolnedgevets.co.uk/

Find us: Lincoln Edge Vets Ltd, The Quarry, Grantham Road, Waddington, Lincs, LN5 9NT

FANCY A HOLIDAY ON YORKSHIRE’S EAST COAST?

Our holiday home is available for breaks all year round.

Why not apply to stay in our holiday home for serving RAF personnel and RAF veterans? Situated only a 15-minute walk from the traditional seaside town of Bridlington.

It’s the ideal destination to visit for a holiday with kids or for some peace and quiet.

The four-bedroom chalet bungalow is wheelchair accessible, with a disabledfriendly bathroom. A real home from home, with everything you need for a memorable holiday.

To find out more and apply, visit: rafbf.org/thefolly CALL 0300 102 1919

“There is nothing permanent except change.” – Heraclitus

Everything changes.

Relationships, and physical health, society and events locally and in the wider world. Sometimes we anticipate a change, sometimes we can avoid it for a while. Sometimes it is a disappointment, sometimes it is positive and sometimes it surprises us, but change is a given. This is especially so in military life, which goes through lots of different training stages, geographical locations, and types of role, bringing challenges and opportunities in terms of our accommodation and family connections depending on how those play out.

Being able to cope with change is sometimes called resilience. Resilience is a measure of our ability to bounce back. We can’t prepare for all of life’s challenges, but there are some tools that can help us.

Evaluating our level of control – taking responsibility for what we can to manage outcomes, rather than blaming others, feeling like a victim or being unrealistic about trying to move the unmoveable helps us feel less stuck in difficult situations.

Practicing self care helps, particularly in a change that involves losses such as a big move, loss of a role, or the end of a relationship. Even a positive change – graduating or being promoted – can involve losses in the transition to what is next. Allow yourself to acknowledge these feelings and seek support if you need it.

Checking our thought patterns is important in times of stress or change too – our minds can cut corners or

become unhelpfully black and white as our chimp takes over. Slowing your thinking down to assess how rational your thoughts and feelings are will better enable wise decisions. Use relaxation techniques, or take the problem into a different space (such as a walk with a friend).

Keeping your priorities in view also helps us to frame change as a time of opportunity rather than a monster to fear. How do you want to be remembered? What is most important to you? Where do you see yourself wasting time and energy? A clear sense of your goals and values makes us more resilient to stressors when navigating change.

Chatting to a Padre - as Padres, we often provide a space for people to air things through when they are going through changes or mulling next steps, and a check if they are catastrophising or getting stuck in “fight” mode. If that would be helpful for you, please get in touch on WADChaplaincyTeam@mod.gov.uk

Padre Chris

RED FLAG

In January 2024, 51 Squadron was invited to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, to participate in Red Flag 24-1.

Red Flag is a triannual exercise run by the United States Airforce’s (USAF) 414th Combat Training Squadron (CTS), to provide aircrews with the experience of multiple intensive air combat sorties, with this iteration of Red Flag emphasising ‘readiness for high-end warfighting and strategic competition.’ This exercise provided an ideal opportunity to cement the long-standing relationship between 51 Squadron and the 55th Wg by co-crewing on a USAF Rivet Joint, flying alongside the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron and 97th Intelligence Squadron based at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

Red Flag was established by the USAF in 1975 after the Vietnam War revealed the first ten combat missions to be the most dangerous for aircrews. As such, the first ten missions of a modern air campaign are recreated in Red Flag by the 414th CTS, to provide an invaluable experience for all participants. Nine Sqn members of 51 Squadron attended the exercise, joining RAF Typhoons and Voyagers, Royal Australian Air

Force (RAAF) F-35, as well as USAF, F-22, B-2 and EA-18G aircraft. The exercise utilises the USAF’s premier military training area, the Nevada Test and Training Range; a range with more than 12,000 square miles of airspace and 2.9 million acres of land. It is here that 51 Squadron members were given the opportunity to hone their skills in a tactical environment, sharing expertise and skills with US counterparts in complex sorties with dozens of other participants.

Officer Commanding 51 Squadron, Wing Commander Keith Bissett commented ‘Red Flag is a highly important exercise in the Squadron’s calendar. It offers significant training benefits for my personnel. It was, as always, great to be able to cocrew with our USAF counterparts on what turned out to be an excellent training evolution for 51 Squadron.’

Be recognised for your professionalism

Professional registration provides recognition of your military skills and experience and may mean you are eligible for up to £3,000 once achieved*.

Become professionally registered with the IET.

We are licensed by the Engineering Council to award CEng, IEng, EngTech and ICTTech. With IET membership discounts available for technicians and annual fee reimbursement by the MOD, there is no better time to apply.

Find out more by registering for our latest webinar

What you will learn

– An overview of the IET

– Membership benefits

– Professional Registration Categories

– Overview of the UK SPEC

– The benefits of Professional Registration

– The Professional Registration Application process

– The guidance and support we offer

Heather Brophy, MOD Development Manager heatherbrophy@theiet.org *

Project FOCUS

2023 saw the reinvigoration of Project FOCUS, the Station’s community engagement committee.

The team’s standing commitment is with the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (LWT) at Whisby Nature Reserve where we are working towards developing their outdoor classroom to be used for educational visits. During the summer, a large area was cleared and tidied by the happy band of volunteers and a telegraph pole carried from one end of the reserve (by some not-so-happy volunteers) to the site and then erected to be used to support an all-weather cover for the area. Monthly events with the LWT sees volunteers working on the site to maintain the area ready for visits to the centre throughout the year, and of course there are always cakes and biscuits laid on to sweeten the deal!

In October, a team of 8 Station personnel attended Waddington All Saints Academy on the request of the Headteacher.

The school has been trying to renovate their library for all the pupils to use so our task for the day was to strip as much of the walls as possible and then repaint ready for furniture, books and resources to be moved back in. In the space of a few hours, the two rooms had been completed and we downed tools, with the staff very impressed with what the team had achieved.

We are always looking for new opportunities to get involved and make a difference to both on and off Station ventures. If you have a project you require volunteers for that would benefit the Station or the wider community, please don’t hesitate to contact the committee and we’ll try and facilitate it. Likewise, if you’d like to get involved in volunteering towards one of the projects, would like to join the team, or just want a bit more information, please contact Flt Lt Matt Hibbitt or Sgt Lol Leivesley.

TAKE COMMAND OF YOUR CAREER

You don’t have to be a civilian to gain civilian qualifications. With more than 200 qualifications and 400 modules to choose from, and the flexibility to study from anywhere in the world, the OU can improve your knowledge, progress your career and fill your downtime.

What’s stopping you?

RAF Benevolent Fund launches new Lived Experience Network

The RAF Benevolent Fund has recently launched a new Lived Experience Network which aims to increase inclusion in the RAF Family.

The new initiative will bring together a group of serving and former RAF personnel, and partners and spouses, from across the UK to share their lived experiences of the air force to help shape the Fund’s service offering and drive innovation at the charity. The Fund is currently recruiting volunteers to take part in the Network.

Volunteers who join the Network can help the Fund in a variety of ways, from completing surveys, joining focus groups, or participating in long-term working groups for internal projects. All volunteering opportunities will be remote roles and can be done from home.

If you are a current or former member of the RAF, or a partner or spouse you can

Zoe continued:

“We,

at the Fund, would love to hear the views of those who are currently serving or have served as well as partners and spouses. Whether you can spare 10 minutes or an hour every so often, sharing your perspective can make a real difference.”

sign up to the Network at Lived Experience Network | RAF Benevolent Fund (rafbf. org) and find out more about all of the volunteering opportunities available as they arise.

The RAF Benevolent Fund provides financial, emotional, and practical assistance to serving and retired RAF personnel and their families. This includes grants to help with financial difficulty, mental health support, Airplay youth clubs, and more.

Gp Capt Dominic Holland, Station Commander RAF Waddington said:

“The RAF Benevolent Fund’s new volunteering initiative is a fantastic opportunity to hear individual experiences from current and former members of the RAF and will help not only the Fund but the wider RAF community in providing the best support possible. I encourage those at Waddington to get in touch with the Fund if interested in taking part.”

Volunteer Manager at the RAF Benevolent Fund, Zoe Oliver, said:

“We are extremely excited to work with current serving or former RAF personnel, who would be happy to share their experiences for the Fund’s new Lived Experience Network. We believe this will provide invaluable insight into the challenges and nuances of life in the RAF and will ensure we are putting the voices of the RAF Family at the centre of our decision making.”