Marham Matters - Autumn/Winter 2022

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• Covering a range of self-directed topics tailored to life in the RAF.

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SC AN ME W IT H YO UR CA ME RA

EDITOR: Diane Wilson Email: diane.wilson704@ mod.gov.uk

RAF MARHAM WEB PAGE: www.raf.mod.uk/rafmarham

DESIGNER: Amanda Robinson Email: amanda@ lancemedia.co.uk

SALES MANAGER: Jayne Bailey Tel: (01536) 334219 Email: jayne@ lancemedia.co.uk

PRINTER: Micropress

From the Editor

DISCLAIMER:

The views expressed by the contributors to the Marham Matters are not necessarily those of the Editor, MoD, RAF or the publishers and do not reflect Station policy. All precautions are taken to ensure accuracy. Advertisements are accepted on the understanding that they conform to the British Code of Advertising Practice. This magazine is published by kind permission of the Station Commander. All Images © Crown Copyright 2022, unless otherwise stated.

STOCKISTS:

The Surgery, Marham, Manor Farm Medical Centre, Swaffham, Plowright Medical Centre, Swaffham, The Surgery, Swaffham, Howdale Surgery, Downham Market, Hollies Veterinary Clinic, Downham Market, The Crossings Veterinary Clinic, Downham Market, The Grove Veterinary Surgery, Swaffham, Priory Centre, Downham Market, Lynn News, King’s Lynn, St Martin’s at Shouldham VA Primary School, Marham Infant School, Marham Junior School, Downham Market Academy, Nicholas Hammond Academy, Swaffham, Town Halls in Downham Market, Kings Lynn and Swaffham, BAE, Warton, Armed Forces Careers Office in Norwich, Cambridge and Peterborough, Royal Air Force Association in Downham Market, Downham Market Air Cadets, All other RAF bases.

The loss of Her Late Majesty The Queen was felt by so many across the world. Here at RAF Marham we held her very closely to our hearts, as our Sovereign and as our Honorary Air Commodore. We enjoyed regular visits from Her Late Majesty, and whilst I never had the opportunity to speak with her Late Majesty directly, I have very fond memories of the times I lined the road to catch a glimpse, and a wave, during past visits. We have included some images of various visits in this edition.

It has been nice to be able to get back to full scale events this year, highlights of the summer included Families Day and the Royal Norfolk Show which had a two year break due to the pandemic. It was a pleasure to see so many people attend this years’ Families Day, my personal highlight was the

Chinook display, it’s amazing to see the manoeuvres it can make! But the whole event was a fantastic way to thank those who support us day in day out, our families put up with the strains of military life, and the extended separation that the deployments bring.

There is currently a Community Survey being conducted. To include your views on Station facilities/clubs etc please complete the survey at https:// forms.office.com/e/PFGfqhzrTT

Thank you to each and every one of you who have supported the Station, and the magazine, this year. I wish you all a peaceful and safe Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

The deadline for the next edition is the 16th January, please ensure you email me your stories/articles by this date.

16th January

Diane

Summer’s sweltering grip is finally loosening and some very tired leaves are giving way to herald the arrival of Autumn once more. Norfolk’s picturesque landscape is a wave of umbers and ochres that force the casual onlooker to stop, look and take it in. The expansive beaches beckon and trails yearn to be walked, keeping off unwelcome pounds until the excesses of the festive season come around.

Having only lived in Norfolk for the last six weeks, I’m struck by its tranquil beauty. Here at Marham we have a wonderful opportunity to stay grounded, balanced, to live in the moment. All too often we find ourselves feeling anxious about the various stresses of modern life, always thinking and talking about what it yet to pass, and we sometimes forget to bring ourselves back to the present. In October we saw World Mental Health Day, an important day to focus on that thing that affects every one of us. But in fact, every day is Mental Health Day,

because we all have good days and bad days. The important thing is to recognise that, accept it and talk to someone when we need to. October is also Black History Month, which also saw some fantastic events happening across the station and showcased some amazing, inspirational people who served in times gone by.

As we come up to the festive season, thoughts of family and community come to the forefront. Community and morale continues to be a primary focus of mine, and I once again ask for full engagement with our Community Support Team as we look to improve the Community service provision in the coming weeks. Finally, RAF Marham continues to deliver important operational capability and output and I’m grateful for the hard work and commitment put in across the whole station to enable that operational capability. It’s humbling to see normal people doing extraordinary things every day!

Gp Capt Wigglesworth

Black History Month at RAF Marham

As part of Black History Month, Royal Air Force Marham hosted the Royal Air Force Black History Roadshow in October with a number of events taking place across the Station.

On Wednesday 19th October there was an unveiling of a plaque at the Royal Air Force Marham Aviation Heritage Centre memorial wall in memory of the late Squadron Leader Ulric Cross DFC, DSO.

Squadron Leader Cross was the most decorated Caribbean airman of the Second World War.

Squadron Leader Cross trained as a navigator and was posted to 139 (Jamaica) Squadron at RAF Marham in 1944. The unit was so named as it flew bombers paid for by the people of Jamaica.

Squadron Leader Cross joined the Pathfinder Force where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The Pathfinder Force had the dangerous and difficult task of marking targets accurately for bombing raids, during which they were targeted by German searchlights followed by flak and bullets. On one occasion flak destroyed one of the engines of the Mosquito that Cross was flying in, they returned back to the UK over German territory at a reduced speed and with only one engine. In 1944, Squadron Leader Cross was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his ‘fine example of keenness and devotion to duty’.

The memorial plaque was unveiled by one of Sqn Ldr Cross’ daughters, Lady Hollick OBE. The Kohima Epitaph was read by one of the students from Cherry Tree Academy Marham followed by the Last Post and Reveille played on the steel pan drums.

Ahead of the unveiling World War II veterans Ralph Ottey and Alford Gardner were presented with medals from Royal Air Force Marham Station Commander, Group Captain Fred Wigglesworth and Lady Hollick OBE. Ralph Ottey received the 1939 – 1945 War Medal and Alford Gardner received the 1939 – 1945 War Medal and the Defence Medal. Both Ralph and Alford had returned to Jamaica straight after the end of the war without receiving their medals.

Royal Air Force Marham Station Commander, Group Captain Fred Wigglesworth said “ This touching event captured our hearts and imagination, bringing to life the memories of inspirational RAF Marham veterans. I was bursting with pride to award Ralph and Alford their WWII medals and unveil the plaque in memory of Sqn Ldr Ulric Cross. It was particularly poignant for this to happen during Black History Month”.

‘Deliver Battle Winning Air Power for Current and Future

After the service at the Heritage Centre the group moved to the Lightning Operations Centre where one of the meeting rooms was named in honour of Squadron Leader Ulric Cross, where a display, including replicas of his medals, was unveiled.

Earlier in the week there was a lunch in the Junior Ranks Mess where diners were treated to different dishes from across the Commonwealth. Set up in the

dining room was the ‘Cultural Explosion’ where personnel were on hand to display and talk about different cultures and history from a number of Commonwealth countries. On display were textiles and items from Fiji, some sweet treats and snacks from Trinidad and Tobago and items from Nigeria.

The dining hall was filled with the sounds of the steel pan drum, played by Petty Officer Joseph, the organiser of the event.

A new Station Commander for RAF Marham

edition

In September Group Captain Phil Marr has handed over the role of Station Commander RAF Marham to Group Captain Fred Wigglesworth. The Change of Command took place through the morning mist with the traditional handover of the Station Bull at the Station Roundabout.

Gp Capt Wigglesworth said ‘A huge thanks to all at RAF Marham and the wider community for a warm welcome, I can’t wait to meet everyone. Together we’ll take our historic Station to the next level,

upgrading the estate to serve our families, the Lightning Force and our supported units for decades to come.’

However, this is not goodbye to Gp Capt Marr as he has moved onto another role at RAF Marham, Commander Lightning, responsible for the flying and flight safety elements of the Station.

Gp Capt Wigglesworth is our Head of Establishment, in command of the airfield and support elements of the Station.

You may have noticed the foreword to this

comes to you from a new Station Commander.

Not all pilots fly planes…

Did anyone spot the Mini Cooper adorned in the Jamaican flag around the Station. It was quite an unusual sight for the country roads around RAF Marham. The car was being driven by Lance Corporal ‘Shan’ Stephens, an RAF Regiment Gunner on 15 Squadron.

Shan is an Olympian, who competes for Jamaica, but some of you may be surprised to hear that he is a member of their Bobsleigh Team. The Caribbean island of Jamaica is not the first place you think of when you say Winter Olympics, but thanks to some Disney storytelling many of us have a good idea of the story behind the origins of the Jamaican Team.

We caught up with Shan to find out a bit more about him and his journey to the Olympics.

Why did you choose to join the RAF Regiment?

‘As a young man I was always into my fitness but also had a keen interest in traveling and doing new thing and the RAF Regiment just ticked those boxes for me.’

What has been your RAF career highlight so far?

‘My career highlight so far has been that I was one of the first people to have zoom call with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and I managed to make her laugh’

How did you get into Bobsleigh?

‘I got into bobsleighing through the RAF. I saw a poster on the wall advertising trials back in 2015. I went along absolutely loved it and kept going back every year. Then

I had the opportunity to trial for the Jamaican team in 2017 and I have been sliding for the team ever since.’

How does your team training work? You’re all in different parts of the world and don’t have much access to a sled and ice here at Marham.

‘A lot of our off-season training through the summer is strength and conditioning so lots of weight lifting and sprint work which you can do anywhere. We then come together around

October in Lake Placid, New York where we then go into our ice track training once the tracks have been re-iced ready for the season.’

Do you have a special diet you have to follow and if so how easy is that to keep up with at work?

‘I personally don't have a specific diet as I'm always trying to put weight on but I still try to eat clean, lots of fruit, veg and protein. I try to avoid snacking and keep off the sugars as much as I can.’

Has your RAF training helped with your Bobsleigh Team training?

‘My training in the RAF has definitely helped me with my bobsleigh training. The mental robustness and resilience that we are taught in the air force has really help me through the difficult times in sport when it's not going your way.’

You are the pilot of the sled and a lot of focus is placed on you as a figurehead of the team, does this put extra pressure on you? ‘No, I wouldn't say it puts more pressure on me. Everyone in the team has to put in 100% otherwise it doesn't work, so when we win, we win as a team and same for when we don't win.’

How did it feel to represent Jamaica at the Winter Olympics?

‘It was a fantastic feeling representing Jamaica at the

Olympics. It felt even more special as we were also making history by qualifying both the 2-man and the 4-man sled for the first time at the same Olympic games. It was also the first time in 24 years Jamaica has had a 4-man team at an Olympic game.’

There can’t be many people who haven’t seen the movie Cool Runnings and know a little bit about the story of how Jamaica came to participate in the Winter Olympics. Hollywood and reality are very different things, but is there anything from the movie that you feel still resonates in the team of today?

‘If I'm honest the team still wasn't too far off the film this time around. We still massively struggle for funding, and people still don't expect us to do as well as we have done. The one thing that really carries over from the film is the will and determination of the athletes in the team to achieve something great and to prove everyone wrong. The first time I met the team I competed at the games with was two weeks before we started our qualification races, so it just shows what you can achieve with a group of people who are working towards the same goal.’

In the movie Sanka had a lucky egg, do you have a good luck charm?

‘I don't have a specific good luck charm, but I do listen to the same song on repeat before every race. It seems to work so I haven't changed it.’

Hotter than the Sahara!

The whole country was feeling hot hot hot in the early summer. Here at RAF Marham, like many other locations, we reached an all new record as the mercury rose to a blistering 39.2 degrees! The breeze felt like we had a hairdryer blasting in our faces and many of us struggled to stay cool in the heat.

Ryan from the RAF Marham Met Office told us:

'I can confirm that we have reached a new station record temperature. The previous record of 35.8 degrees C was recorded in July 2019. This was

first exceeded on Monday July 18th, when temperatures soared to 37.1 degrees C. The record was then well and truly surpassed on Tuesday, July 19th - when a peak of 39.2 degrees was reached during the afternoon. The overall UK record

temperature was also set on Tuesday July 19th - 40.3 degrees C at Coningsby. 29 sites, including Marham, exceeded the previous UK all time max of 38.7 degrees C.’

Those who have been at RAF

Marham for a few years may remember that record day in July 2019 as it was the Station Families Day that year! The Families Day committee were very thankful that this new record temperature was not seen at Families Day 2022.

New Officer Commanding for 617 Squadron

At

RAF Marham.

The Squadron Warrant Officer and Senior Engineering Officer accompanied Wing Commander Campbell to raise the ensign outside the Squadron building to signify the change in command.

Wing Commander Campbell is well known to 617 Squadron having served on the Squadron previously both as a Flight Lieutenant, which included tours in Afghanistan, and more recently as a Squadron Leader where he was a Flight Commander and Executive Officer deploying on Exercise RED FLAG and embarking on HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH as part of Operation FORTIS.

You may also recognise Wing

Commander Campbell as a former RAF Red Arrow. He displayed as Red 2, Red 4 and Red 8 in the 201416 display seasons.

Wing Commander Campbell said, “It is a real privilege to take over Command of 617 Squadron today, especially as this is a Squadron that has been such a big part of my career. I am looking forward to working with the Squadron personnel, both old and new, as we prepare to join our colleagues onboard HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH for another deployment and then to look ahead to next year when we commemorate the ‘Dambusters’ 80th Anniversary.”

1200 hrs on Friday 5th August Wing Commander Stew Campbell took command of 617 Squadron at

The Dambusters

The tail end of June saw the first of these LFEs - Exercise Point Blank, flown in Airspace over the North Sea with around forty fighter aircraft taking part each day. The aim of the Exercise was to assess combat mission readiness for Coalition Forces operating together and it’s safe to say the Exercise was a success. 617 Squadron’s sorties saw us send four of our F-35s to join the fight each day, conducting Offensive Counter Air missions. We were joined by US F-15E, US and Norwegian F-35As with UK Typhoon acting as enemy fighters. RAF Voyager aircraft provided pre-mission air-to-air refuelling, allowing us to extend the amount of time we could spend airborne and providing another good chance to practice this difficult skill set.

A few days later, The Dambusters flew two jets to Kuopio Airbase in Finland to train and develop tactics with the Finnish Air Force. The Exercise focused on Defensive Counter Air missions – defending a segment of airspace for an allocated amount of time. The Finnish Air Force flew their F/A-18s, some joining us in ‘Blue’ defending the airspace and the others joining ‘Red’ attacking. The exercise was a useful opportunity for us to work with a potential new NATO member while also providing excellent training for 617 pilots, engineering and mission support once again operating thousands of miles away from Marham.

Following some synthetic training in July supporting the Typhoon Qualified Weapons Instructor Course (QWIC) it was back to live flying - this time taking part in Exercise Storm Warrior - a 1 Group sponsored event that encompassed the Control of the Air and Attack phases of the Typhoon QWIC. The Lightning Force were invited to participate in all phases of Storm Warrior to provide 4th/5th Generation Fighter Integration training and also in preparation for the Lightning Force QWIC scheduled for 2023. The Dambusters participated in several missions over July, supporting the elements of the course and providing us with high quality live training for a wide selection of our pilots.

This period wasn’t all work, 617 Squadron finally had the opportunity to enjoy the Summer Ball functions that we’ve all been missing for quite some time. It was a great opportunity to socialise with friends from around the station, the festival theme saw guests enjoying fire dancers, dodgems and street food as entertainment. As we look to the last quarter of the year our final preparations to embark and fly from HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH are taking place. The Squadron are looking forward to being back aboard and refreshing the essential knowledge and skills we’ll need to operate fast jet aircraft at sea.

Yoda

Since our last edition 617 Squadron have been training hard including taking part in several Large Force Exercises (LFE) with UK Forces and Coalition partners. In-house training has also continued at a busy pace with the Dambusters focusing on Air-to-Air Combat and preparations for flying from HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH later this year.

Her Late Majesty The Queen

Her Late Majesty The Queen was the Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Marham for 45 years.

Her Late Majesty visited us regularly throughout those years, taking a keen interest in every aspect of Station life. Personnel and families stationed at RAF Marham will often have a story to tell of the time they met Her Late Majesty, or fond memories of when they lined the local roads to see her in person.

To honour our special relationship our Station Commander and our ceremonial flight were privileged to be part of the funeral procession.

The ceremonial flight deployed to the London area to refine their drill, practicing day and night alongside the other members of all three services.

Our Station Commander, Gp Capt Marr, carried the Firmin Sword of Peace which had been presented to us by Her Late Majesty during her visit in 2018. The Firmin Sword of Peace was awarded to RAF Marham for our support to the local community whilst continuing Operations in Syria and Iraq in 2016, our centenary year.

‘Deliver Battle Winning Air Power for Current and Future

Families Day

Following a reduced event in 2021 and a cancelled event in 2020 due to the pandemic Families Day was back at it’s usual capacity event in 2022.

Families Day is an opportunity for the Station to say ‘thank you’ to all the Families and Friends that have supported the base over the last year. Everyone had a great time with stalls and children’s entertainment and a fantastic flying display, topped off with an Evening Event hosted by BFBS.

This event could not happen without the support of our sponsors, we thank them all for that support. Next year’s event is already in planning, Station personnel keep an eye on the Station Teams channel if you want to assist the committee with Families Day 2023!

2620 Sqn Community Project –Operation Beach Clean

In July, members of 2620 Sqn RAuxAF Regiment embarked on a community project in support of the local area and the Marine Conservation Society.

The day started with a team brief at Marham prior to departing to West Runton Beach on the beautiful North Norfolk Coast. Armed with litter pickers, bags, water, sunhats and suns cream, not forgetting plenty of moral we loaded the bus.

With the sun splitting the sky and the obligatory photos taken, we split into smaller groups and headed east and west of the slipway. We convened hourly to re-hydrate and compare our rubbish bags.

Members of the public we met were very supportive of our help, and were very chatty, engaging and thanking us for our efforts.

The day was extremely productive, collecting a wide variety of items including, glass, plastic, socks, half a seal, and a few pairs of sunnies!

Any items that were too large to collect were pinpointed

on the What3words app and their location passed on to the council to clear later.

The comradeship demonstrated on the day was fantastic, lots of laughter and of course we topped up our tans..

With the work complete, the team headed to the Seaview Café to drop off the litter. The café very generously gave us free coffee and doughnuts and put a photo on their Facebook page of us post pick.

Following a final brief from OC 2620, and some skilled driving by Cpl Loughran, we headed off for lunch, the obligatory Fish & Chips.

Fed and watered we returned to the Sqn, with superb singing in the back of the bus from SAC’s Jeary and Robinson.

A fantastic day.

SAC Rooney.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT - OC

VACANT

Tel: 01760 337261 Ext: 6136 or 95951 6136

COMMUNITY SUPPORT ADVISOR

Maydie Smith

Tel: 01760 337261 Ext: 6136 Email: maydie.smith594@ mod.gov.uk

HIVE INFORMATION

OFFICERS

Zara Murfitt

Tel: 01760 337261 Ext: 6136 or 95951 6136 Email: zara.murfitt515@ mod.gov.uk

STATION YOUTH WORKER

Ian Savage

Mobile: 07850 973228 Email: ian.savage@ actionforchildren.org.uk

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Jocelyne Newman

Tel: 0300 1635 185 Email: jocelyne.newman395@ mod.gov.uk

SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM, WATLINGTON Tel: 0845 456 4567 or 101

RAFP COMMUNITY OFFICER

Ext: 7214 Tel: 0777 395 8067 (this phone is manned 24hrs 7 days)

HOUSING

SCSO

FS Chris Daykin

Tel: 01760 446052 Mob: 07747 472048 Twitter: scsomarham

PINNACLE SERVICE FAMILIES

National Service Centre 0800 031 8628

Option 1 - Repairs open 24/7 365 days a year Option 2 – Applications and Allocations Option 3 – Planned Maintenance Option 4 – Complaints

Website www. pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk

WELFARE

SSAFA ADMIN SUPPORT & APPOINTMENTS

Teresa Smyth

Tel: 01760 337261 Ext: 6578

WELFARE WORKERS

Carol Bullas

Tel: 01760 337261 Ext 6501 Adele Berryman

Tel: 01760 446378 Helen Layfield Tel: 01760446199 Ext: 6199 Out of hours 03000111723

SSAFA VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR

Tel: 07984 908622

WO PERSONNEL SUPPORT

VACANT Tel: 01760 337261 Ext: 7231

PADRES

Tel: 01760 337261 Ext 7550 07876 395920

mrm-chaplaincycentregroup@ mod.gov.uk