International Men's Day

International Men’s Day (IMD) on the 19th November celebrated the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities. IMD highlights positive role models and raises awareness of men’s wellbeing. The theme for IMD 2022 was “Helping Men and Boys”.

IMD is a global event that is celebrated annually to recognise and celebrate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of men, an occasion to celebrate boys' and men's lives, achievements and contributions, in particular for their contributions to nation, union, society, community, family, marriage, and childcare. The broader and ultimate aim of the event is to promote basic awareness towards men's issues and tackle mental health stigmas.

On our social media channels we shared some images of a small selection of the men who work at RAF Marham.

Air Specialist (1) Mayfield. Usually to be found at the opposite side of the lens AS(1) Mayfield is one of the small team responsible for all of the official imagery you see from RAF Marham. He leads the development of the 3D printing capability at RAF Marham and is introducing 3D scanning to his profession across the Royal Air Force.

Corporal Ben, a 15 Squadron RAF Regiment Ground Gunner. As a field squadron of the RAF Regiment in the Royal Air Force, 15 Squadron's mission is protection of RAF bases from ground attack, whilst they are also capable of delivering the full spectrum of Force Protection effects including Dismounted Close Combat, Ground Extraction, Close Quarter Battle and operating in a Chemical, Biological, Radioactive or Nuclear environment.

Group Captain Fred Wigglesworth is the Station

Commander at RAF Marham. Group Captain Wigglesworth took over command of the station in September after completing a tour at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada where he led the disbandment of 39 Squadron. He first served as a Tornado F3 pilot on 43(F) Sqn at RAF Leuchars before moving to RAF Valley as a Hawk T1 flying instructor. As both the Tornado F3 and Hawk T1 neared the end of their service Group Captain Wigglesworth converted to the MQ-9 Reaper where he served his first tour with 39 Sqn in Nevada. Group Captain Wigglesworth enjoys photography, golf, music and fitness, especially walking with his German Shorthaired Pointer dog.

Lance Corporal Stephens of 15 Squadron, RAF Regiment, pilots both the two-man and the four-man sled for Jamaica. L/Cpl Stephens was born in Jamaica and moved to the United Kingdom 20 years ago. He started Bobsleigh in 2015 after seeing a poster in the corridor at work. In 2017 he had the opportunity to trial with the Jamaican team and competed for them at the Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022.

Cpl Dunn is a Logistician at RAF Marham, working within supply at the Maintenance and Finishing Facility supporting F-35B Lightning maintenance and modifications. He is a founder member of Ice Hockey team, the RAF Vulcans, representing the Royal Air Force.

Air Specialist (1) Wreford, is an RAF Firefighter. RAF Firefighters provide a deployable Aerodrome and Rescue Firefighting capability to Defence in the UK and overseas. They are trained to respond to any emergency to fight fires and rescue from military aircraft using highly specialised equipment and vehicles. Firefighters work as part of a close-knit team and can be deployed at short notice to any location world-wide to be available to resolve incidents involving aircraft, buildings, hazardous substances and incidents caused by hostile activities.

Corporal Murphy, RAF Police, and his Military Working Dog (MWD), Ginny from 6 RAF Police (Lightning) Squadron at RAF Marham. The Squadron is responsible for providing and assuring a controlled operating environment for the F-35B Lightning jets both at RAF Marham and when deployed overseas. MWDs are employed to detect, deter, disrupt and deny our adversaries from accessing our information, assets and personnel. The RAF utilises a range of MWD capabilities to achieve these aims, depending on the threats and the environments that we are required to operate within. Whether the task is guarding or searching, MWDs provide an efficient and effective solution.

Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Ibrahim is a Junior Engineering Officer (Aerosystems) from 207 Squadron based at RAF Marham. As an Engineering Officer, Flt Lt Ibrahim is responsible for ensuring that the F-35B Lightning aircraft are ready to fly assuring their airworthiness and integrity. Flt Lt Ibrahim oversees a team of both RAF and RN personnel conducting maintenance work on the jet.