Wattisham Eagle Spring 2023

SPRING

THE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE OF WATTISHAM FLYING STATION

"Ringshall School is a GOOD School." OFSTED June 2019

RINGSHALL PRIMARY SCHOOL

admin@ringshallprimary.co.uk Twitter @RingshallPS

Ringshall school is an active school full of curious learners. We want all our children to be happy and develop a learning mindset. We aim for awesome. We are kind and we believe!

A free bus pass to and from Ringshall School for all families living on or around the base. Full wrap around care from 7.30 to 5.30.

From the Editor

Martin Kinsey

Station Staff Officer

Flying Station

Welcome to this Spring Edition of your Eagle, community Magazine.

You may be viewing this now online rather than a hard copy print, I trust the reader experience is as good as the print version? Unfortunately, the costs for publishing and printing have rocketed through the roof and the advertising revenue that previously covered the free print run has simply not kept pace, I’m grateful to Lance Media Ltd for sustaining the prints for as long as they were able and for finding a new “online home”. Please do let me know your thoughts.

This year has started on several positive notes on the Estate management side of the house, with contract award to

demolish, design and build of block 314, returning 168 much needed Single Living bedspaces by summer 25, the completion of Apron lighting upgrades (see article within) which will not only improve visibility but, additionally, see savings against the current £2+M electric bill. We have also seen significant investment across the SFA estate with a major overhaul of playparks. It would be folly not to acknowledge that the introduction new FDIS maintenance contract for SFA has encountered significant issues that impact on the lives of many. The response from MOD leadership has been reported repeatedly through both internal

comms and social media… I’ll not repeat here, save to say, if you are experiencing issues and getting no resolution with Pinnacle/Amey, please do highlight to your Chain of Command, the Station HQ and or your welfare team. They have the means to escalate concerns to gain attention and results.

Looking ahead, there are many activities being planned and new groups forming, we hope to see the opening of an e-Sport facility within the WRVS Centre this year as well as expanding the very popular WODISHAM fitness sessions. If you have an idea that you would like to get off the ground, again please do let us know.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the handover of the Station from the RAF to Army, to become the Main Operating Base for the Army’s Attack Helicopter. It also marks the 80th Anniversary of the Station’s handover to the US Army Air Force during WWII.

Please “Save the Day” –Thursday 25th August 2023. We plan to hold another Station Families Fun Day. Bigger and better is our aim, I have placed an order for better weather too! If you can plan your summer break around that date, even in these early days, I can safely say that we already have lined up more attractions and displays this year to keep you, your family and friends entertained for the afternoon – with entry free of charge to all! More to follow in the next edition.

Submission to the Editor deadlines:

Summer: Friday 9th June 2023

Autumn: Friday 13th October 2023

Articles should be sent by email to the Editor at WFSHQ-Groupmailbox@ mod.gov.uk

Meet the Team

Wattisham

Foreword by Colonel DCJ Amlôt MBE Commander Wattisham

Flying Station

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

As we enter Spring, I personally look back on the number of miles chalked up travelling both within the UK and further afield in support of the Apache community and having an opportunity to attend the “office“ is a reminder of all the various activities that continue at pace around Wattisham.

Whilst there is no doubt life has returned to the prepandemic level activity it is good to see that personnel were able to get away on some valuable adventure training in a lull in very busy unit forecasts of events.

I would encourage all to take advantage of any opportunity to get involved in such activities, or indeed use the facilities, clubs and societies around the Station.. there are but a few represented in the following pages. With Easter around the corner, I sincerely hope that as many as possible are able to get some time with their families and friends.

On Thu 9 Mar 23, a cold, wet and windy evening, the Station hosted two community groups on the Station, 40 personnel from 863 (Thurston) Sqn, RAF Air Cadets and 20 members of Suffolk Constabulary Police cadets. Over three hours the visitors were briefed on an AH-64E by Maj Mark Hitch and Andy Warburton and the various survival equipment ably delivered by two juniors from SES. A fun (as the images show), yet informative, visit by two local youth organisations. With Covid restrictions a

RFCA EAST EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT BREAKFAST

On Wed 29 Mar 23, the Station hosted 90 local employers of Reserve personnel or were signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant. The event, organised by the Reserve Forces and Cadet Association East and supported by 6 AAC, was held in

distant memory, the Station is hoping to host these engagements evening visits once per quarter. A valuable opportunity to connect with our community.

the Station Officers’ Mess and following a hearty breakfast, the assembled employers received a brief from CO 6 AAC, Lt Col Andrew Bushby and RFCA’s Employer Engagement Director, Kristina Carrington, before several organisations were invited to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant.

The floodlight's superior energy efficiency has delivered 64% energy savings, helping VIVO to deliver an annual reduction of £46,000 in electricity costs for the MOD, with a payback of under 2.5 years.

LED Upgrade at Wattisham Flying Station

Delivers £46,000 Annual Savings for the Ministry of Defence

VIVO Defence Services, were tasked with replacing Wattisham Flying Stations’ eight High Mast Floodlight Systems, each carrying 5 1000W SONT floodlights.

Stuart Murray, CU Phosco, details that "technology has come a long way since we installed our SONT floodlights in 2001, so the project presented excellent potential for substantial energy savings."

Paul Wright, VIVO Project Manager, Wattisham Flying Station, adds, “The concept was brought about by Wattisham Flying Stations’ DIO SEFM, Larry Allsop after a High-Level light failure. It was highlighted that VIVO should review the existing lighting system and supply a practical and cost-effective solution, incorporating sustainability solutions within the design and installation with support and guidance from CU Phosco”

Using the existing 40m high masts CU Phosco worked closely with VIVO to find the optimum LED floodlight for the airfield. CU Phosco's in-house team completed the lighting design, and its contracting team delivered the LED replacement within a week.

Ideal for replacing existing 1kW floodlighting systems,

the chosen luminaire, FL810 LED Area Floodlight, provides a highly efficient solution for the airfield. The low-glare, Dark Sky friendly solution meets all the requirements for CAP168 compliance and limits obtrusive light to the surrounding environment. Furthermore, its excellent CRI ensures excellent visual conditions for the helicopter pilots on the aircraft stands. The floodlight's superior energy efficiency has delivered 64% energy savings, helping VIVO to deliver an annual reduction of £46,000 in electricity costs for the MOD, with a payback of under 2.5 years. Furthermore, with sustainability in mind, the luminaire is fully recyclable at the end of its life. Paul Wright, VIVO Project Manager, Wattisham Flying Station, concludes, “The solution was beyond what Larry Allsop and I were expecting. The ease of installation and support of FACIT Testing Ltd, Norwich, for their management and submission of completion certificates was impressive for the works, as were the cost savings.”

DID YOU KNOW?

The electricity bill for the Station is @£2.5M per annum!

3 Regiment AAC Welfare Team

You can speak to a member of the Welfare Team or make an appointment during office hours by calling 01449 728321 or using the QR code below. Scan code to complete questionnaire a member of the team will get in touch.

UWO: Capt Joe Wilson

WO2: Meacher

4 Regiment AAC Welfare Team

For urgent enquiries outside of normal working hours the Welfare Team can be contacted via the Wattisham Station Guardroom on 01449 728220. In the event of an emergency, the emergency

services should be contacted on 999 in the first instance.

UWO: Capt AL Davis-Smith

7 Avn Bn REME Welfare Team

UWWO: WO2 Minter T

To view the Welcome, Welfare and Local Area Information page please scan the QR code to the right:

Office Number 01449 728421

Emergency Number 01449 728220

Email Welfare4AAC@gmail.com

4 AAC Facebook Page

UWO: Capt G Burdon

Welfare Coord

UWWO: WO1 Maycock D

Office Number 01449 728721

Emergency Number 07976 176732

Email sevenwelfare@gmail.com

7REME-WELFARE@mod.gov.uk

WISC Centre manager: Mrs C Morrin

Reception Number 01449 728621

WISC Coordinator 01449 728358 or 0300 163 0986

Clare Morrin is also the supporting Welfare Officer for Wattisham Flying Station (WFS), 1 Avn Bde. Between the hours of 0830 – 1700, please contact Clare via Telephone 01449 728358 or Skype on 0300 163 0986

Out of hours, the Welfare Team can be contacted via the Wattisham Station Guardroom on 01449 728220.

Come and Meet the

Housing Officers

Lisa (Housing Estate Officer for Hadleigh) and Sue (Housing Officer for Wattisham) will be attending the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the weekly Coffee Mornings in the Wattisham Community Centre to answer any housing questions or queries you have. This is a great opportunity to chat through any of your concerns or issues. The group runs from 1100 – 1300 hrs. There will be coffee and cake. All welcome.

Wattisham Flying Station Community Centre

The Community Centre is a thriving and busy hub with activities taking place for individuals and families of any age!

Please see the latest timetable for all activities taking place however here are just a few activities for your diaries. Please look for information at the Community Centre, Around housing locations and on the Facebook Pages.

Beth, your Community Development Support Worker (CSDW) is based at the Community Centre two days a week on a

Wattisham Information & Support Centre (WISC)

Spring will be upon as you catch up on all the useful information and articles in The Eagle. Here in the welfare department, it is business as usual as we provide advice and support to personnel and families. Appointments can be made by contacting your relevant welfare team by QR Code, phone or email (please view the welfare details page in this magazine for these details) Alternatively, you can just pop into the welfare reception where we will assist you with your queries.

Wednesday mornings, we also operate from Hadleigh House, located at 14 Leeks Close, Hadleigh, IP7 6GE. Doors open between 0900 – 1200

hrs. You’re most welcome to drop in, have a cuppa, chat and meet members of our welfare team (subject to availability).

Monday mornings at Hadleigh House, the charity Home Start runs children’s activities and a coffee morning for military families. It’s free, so please pop along from 0915 –1115 hrs. No booking required.

HIVE is currently vacant therefore, if anyone requires information regarding WFS and local areas, please pop into welfare and see Clare or give her a call on 01449 728358 or email clare.morrin100@mod.gov.uk.

For information on running an event and general queries, please contact Clare.

Proposed Event Dates For Your Diary!

These dates are subject to change

The Youth Clubs on Tuesday evenings is a must if you have bored children. To join Youth Club please contact Beth for enrolment details.

Monday and Tuesday so please pop in to say hello. In addition to Toddlers Soft Play on a Monday morning, she has organised two further sessions on a Monday. Tea & Toast Warm Space and Family Fun Nights, consisting of fun activities for the whole family.

The Tuesday Coffee and Cake mornings is going strong and a good way to meet up with others and welcome new faces.

Events can take place during the week and weekends, subject to availability. If you have any questions, wish to book the Community Centre for parties, meetings, training, clubs, please contact Clare on 01449 728358 Skype on 0300 163 0986.

TBC - Feb 24 Quiz

TBC - Mar 24 Disco Night Hellfire Bar SP

Need Free, Confidential and Impartial Advice?

Citizens Advice Bureau are running Virtual sessions at WISC for individuals or for families.

Appointments are available on Tuesdays at 9.45, 11.00, 12.45 and 1400 hrs and are all carried out in the strictest of confidence.

To check availability and to arrange an appointment, please contact Clare on 0300 1630 986.

WATTISHAM AIRFIELD CHILDCARE CENTRE

We had a great “school” year with our fundraising events, whole nursery end of year trip and our “Good” rating from Ofsted. We are looking forward to the run up to Christmas, with lots of celebrations between. Our new climbing frame is underway and the children cant wait to explore it!

Our Nursery is open Monday to Thursday 8am-6pm and Friday’s 8am-1pm, 38 weeks of the year. We care for children from the

age of 3 months to 5 years. We have 3 rooms within our nursery, Babies (0-2 years), Toddlers (2-3 years) and Pre-school (3-5 years). If you would like a place in our setting from January 2023, join our waiting list now! If you require a space for your child in our Pre-school room in September 2023, to claim your Early Years funding for 15 or 30 hours, we suggest registering your child with us early to avoid disappointment.

Funding in our setting is available for 2,3- and 4-yearold children, which is available the term after the child’s birthday. We offer this on a term time basis where your child can use up to their 15/30 hours a week entitlement during the school term. For more information, please call into the nursery or contact Evie on: 014490728928, wacco2@ googlemail.com

Thank you!

THE WRVS CENTRE (HERRICK CLUB)

OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK. HOURS ADVERTISED BELOW

As always the WRVS centre offers a welcoming and comfortable area to relax on tea breaks, lunchtimes and evening. Free Wi-Fi. Civilian internet and printing available. A full size Snooker table, Pool table, table tennis and darts at the centre.

Need Free, Confidential & Impartial Advice?

They offer a virtual appointment service to Wattisham air base on Tuesday mornings, where you can receive advice via a video link from a private office here at Wattisham to a trained adviser Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk.

If you would like to take advantage of this service, please contact Wattisham Information & Support Centre on 01449 728358, and they can set this up for you in confidence. Benefits, Housing, Consumer, Education, Employment, Discrimination, Debt & Money Advice, Family & Relationships

Phone for advice on: 01449 676060 or 676280

Monday-Thursday 0930-1530 and Friday 0930-1230

Call in at 5 Milton Road South, Stowmarket, IP14 1EZ

Email: advice@midsuffolk.org.uk or www.midsuffolkcab.org.uk

Tea, Coffee, Squash, Hot Chocolate, toast and a great selection of biscuits are always here to enjoy. Everyone is welcome, come over and chill and watch a bit of TV on our 70 inch Smart Television with a brew. There is also a second TV/ MUSIC room to watch football etc. plus Guitars and Amps for everyone to use.

Meet ups for WARHAMMER and Dungeons and Dragons Nights are being held at the centre most evenings. This is open to everyone from 18.00hrs -21.30hrs. Call into the WRVS Office for more information. If you are looking for a space to start a group like the ones mentioned or hold a meeting we have rooms available.

If something is on your mind and you want to talk my door is always open. All conversations are confidential and WRVS will help signpost you to the correct help needed. I look forward to seeing you all at the centre soon.

SWO Michelle Foldvary

Opening Hours

Monday 09.30

-13.30/18.00 - 21.30

Tuesday 09.30 -16.30

Wednesday 09.30

-13.30/18.00 -21.30

Thursday 09.30 -13.30

/18.00 -21.30

Friday 09.30 – 12.30

Saturday Closed

Sunday 18.30 – 22.00

Centre Civ: 01449 72 8935 Mil: (9) 4674 8935

WRVS Centre Email: Wattisham@wrvs.org.uk

WHAT IS THE

WATTISHAM COMMUNITY FRIDGE?

Wattisham Community Fridge is a fridge freezer and cupboard shelves located at the Community Centre with an amazing aim to reduce food waste and support a sustainable food culture, this is an easy way to take part in solving the global food waste issue.

This Community fridge is not run by a food bank. This means it is accessible to everyone regardless of age, income, gender, race or rank. Anybody can bring food to the community fridge which will also have social benefits like bringing our military and wider community together.

We believe the best way to support our military community is to use it. There is no shame or guilt in accessing donated food. Often people do not access free food because they feel they do not qualify, or they need permission.

We hope the Community Fridge can help reduce this stigma and encourage our wonderful community to partake.

In terms of Wattisham Community fridge opening times, that will happen when the Community Centre is open and the volunteers are available during the week. Times are posted on the Community Centre door.

Please bear in mind the Community Fridge may not always “stock” everything as depends on what our community has to offer, meaning the food will vary.

In the future, we hope the Community Fridge could offer workshops, recipe swaps, school uniforms, other clothing, etc. Please share any ideas with us we would love to hear from you.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

You use the fridge at your own risk – Our amazing volunteers cannot guarantee that always the food in this fridge is good

to consume, they will try check daily after be donated.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

• See what tickles your fancy in the fridge.

• Check that the food is good to consume.

• Make my own judgement as to whether the food is safe to eat by checking that the food is still within the ‘use by’ date where applicable (food past its ‘best before’ date may still be OK)

• Smelling and looking at the food before eating it (although this is not a guarantee for the safety of the food)

• Not use food that is past its “use by” date, even if it smells and looks good.

• If I have any food allergies or intolerances, check the labels for allergens.

• Seek medical advice immediately if I feel unwell after eating an item from the fridge. Please inform the volunteers on the ‘Wattisham Community Fridge’ Facebook group or the Welfare Team.

• Not use the food for profit or personal gain

WANT TO DROP OFF GOOD BUT UNWANTED FOOD?

This community fridge allows people and businesses to share good quality surplus food rather than throwing it away. You may go away on holiday, or you simply know you won’t eat everything you have.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Individuals can only provide fruit, vegetables, non-dairy drinks, bakery products that do not contain cream and nonperishables (tins, pasta etc.)

This is for environmental health reasons. All food must be within its ‘use by’ date (past ‘best before’

is OK) Registered food businesses can also provide cooked food.

WE CANNOT ACCEPT FISH, COOKED RICE OR COOKED EGGS

Unpackaged food such as vegetables or bread must be placed in clean plastic bags (there are bags in the clear plastic box to the right of the fridge). These must also be labelled with the ‘use before’ date which our volunteers can help with.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

Place the food safely in the right part of the fridge:

• Fruit, vegetables and bread in the bottom half

• Non-perishables (tins, pasta etc.) in the crate on top of the fridge

• Cooked/’at risk’ foods from registered food businesses only in the top half

WHAT CAN I BRING?

This food can include:

• Sauces

• Boxed or canned meals (soup, stew, pasta, etc.)

• Cereals

• Fruit juices

• Non-perishable proteins

• Fresh produce (fruit, vegetables, eggs, etc.)

• Basic pantry essentials (flour, sugar, rice, salt, pepper, etc.)

• Allergy-friendly foods

• Yogurts

• Milk

• Toiletries

• Raw meat

All FOOD MUST TO BE SEALED AND LABELED

WHAT CAN GO IN THE FRIDGE?

• The Community fridge must not contain meat,

fish, cooked rice or any foods past their ‘Use By’ date.

• Use By vs. Best Before ▪ ‘Best Before’ dates are listed on ‘low risk’ foods with a long shelf life (e.g. broccoli). These will make up the majority of the foods in the fridge.

• ‘Use By’ dates are higher risk foods with a short shelf life (e.g. sandwiches from supermarkets or bakeries). These are thrown away by retailers at the end of the day and must be consumed that day.

• Cooked foods must be labelled with allergen information and may only be donated by certified food retailers or when prepared, ‘use by’ date and allergen information. Otherwise, sadly these will go to the waste bin.

• Any cooked food must have a label with the ‘use by’ date from the shop, or a label stating the donor must be labelled with allergen information and may only be donated by certified food retailers or when prepared,

• ‘Best before’ date refers to quality rather than food safety. Foods with a 'best before' date should be safe to eat after the 'best before' date, but they may no longer be at their best. ‘Sell by’ and ‘display until’ dates are for shop staff only – don’t worry about them.

• For previously frozen food, the food must state when it started thawing. Any unpacked veg or fruit: look at food in and out logbook and see when they were added. Throw out if they have been in the fridge for more than 5 days. If it’s not in the logbook, throw out if it

2023 marks 30 years since the Army Air Corps moved in to Wattisham

During the Cold War, Wattisham was a Royal Air Force fighter station, responsible for the air defence of the UK. After the collapse of the Warsaw Pact the RAF Phantoms were removed from service and Wattisham was made ready for its new residents. Here we take a quick look at how these last 30 years have gone.

With the drawdown of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) in Germany, two of the major Regiments were re-assigned to the Suffolk base. 3 Regiment from Soest, arrived at Wattisham on 9th June 1993 with their Gazelle and Lynx helicopters, with 4 Regiment from Detmold following during 1994.

A major REME unit 7 AA Battalion also moved into new custom-built facilities, providing engineering support to the flying units.

The early 1990’s had seen the Army Air Corps units being engaged in active operations in the Middle East during Op GRANBY, so they were looking forward to a settling in period in their new Suffolk surroundings after their wholesale transfer in from Germany.

However, in the summer of 1995 662 Sqn deployed out on Op HAMDEN to Croatia in support of the United Nations in the former Yugoslavia.1999 saw Op AGRICOLA take the AAC to Kosovo to support NATOs KFOR (Kosovo Peace Keeping Force), again in the former Yugoslavia region.

Army Air Corps Apache AH1

Army Air Corps Apache

AAC Apache at Wattisham

In 2003 AAC Lynx and Gazelle helicopters returned to Iraq for Op TELIC (2nd Gulf War).

2006 saw another stint in the former Yugoslavia for the AAC on Op OCULUS in Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of a European Peace-Keeping Force.

A long running rotation through Afghanistan on Op HERRICK from 2007 kept the units extremely busy, operating in very arduous conditions.

Apache helicopters were replacing the Lynx and Gazelles by now, providing the AAC with a much improved gunship platform.

In 2011 Op ELLAMY saw 4 Regiment operating from aboard HMS Ocean in the Mediterranean Sea against targets in Libya. This meant that Wattisham was supporting two concurrent operations in different parts of the world.

In 2019 Op CABRIT was the on-going UK contribution to NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence (EFP) in Estonia.

By 2022 even newer Apache AH-64Es were being introduced at Wattisham, bringing another quantum leap in capabilities for the Army Air Corps.

So, 30 years on and the Army Air Corps has certainly made Wattisham and Suffolk their home.

Wattisham Station Heritage Museum is located on camp and is very welcoming to visitors. It houses an impressive collection of memorabilia, artefacts, images and stories about the history of Wattisham from the run-up to the Second World War, through to today. Details are available at the website here:- https:// wattishamstationheritage.com/

20 YEARS OF

DEDICATED SERVICE

Dawn O'Neill was recently recognised by ESS for her long (20 years) service to the Officers’ Mess soft FM team.

Maj Chris Pickett had the pleasure in handing Dawn her award alongside flowers and a gift card.

Dawn, said it had been her pleasure to work within the Officers’ mess and still to this day enjoys her role looking after all the service personal who with live in the Mess.

Army Air Corps Gazelle AH1 helicopter

Army Air Corps Lynx AH7 helicopter

AH-64E

Commanding Officer: Lt Col S Wilsey

AAC / Lt Col R Simcock (CO Des)

Second in Command: Maj B Johnson AAC

Adjutant: Capt J Rees AAC

Regimental Sergeant Major: WO1 (RSM) J Cooke AAC

2023 will be a very different year for 3 Regiment than 2022.

With each flying squadron owning its own aircraft the turbulence of transitioning to the new AH64-E is nearly behind us. 662 Squadron are fully trained on the new aircraft and are training at speed to operate it and prepare for a busy exercising year ahead. 663 Squadron have made outstanding progress and are nearly fully converted while concurrently supporting a demanding trials program. Most of the Regiment deployed on Exercise in February honing our planning, comms and fieldcraft skills and allowed all the Squadrons to conduct their own training all over the country. In the coming months, the Regiment will complete its initial transition to AH64-E and will deploy on Exercise WESSEX STORM, which will be the first

time the whole Regiment has deployed since 2019. We will be demonstrating the world’s most advanced Attack Helicopter while exercising every element of the Regiment. Over the summer deployments overseas and across the UK beckon, with the Regiment being tested in its core role. We have made time for some Adventurous Training, a quarter of the Regiment conducted some form of skiing or winter mountaineering and we have continued to excel on the sporting front, especially Orienteering, Cross Country and Rugby. I am acutely aware that this activity and the busy period ahead will mean that the soldiers of the Regiment will be away from home. I am grateful to all in the Regiment for their tireless efforts and the families for their support. It has been a privilege to Command the Regiment and I look forward to watching your successes over the coming months and years.

Ex Eagle Ski 2023

Ex Eagle Ski 2023 saw the largest AAC deployment in years… The was however an Adventure Training Exercise in Les Arcs, France, rather than on Ops, but it didn’t disappoint!

Acoach of 50 (3/4 Regt split) set off from Wattisham on 20th January, quickly exhausted their subsistence at Dover Burger King and linked up with the other AAC Regiments at UCPA, Les Arcs 1800, France. Just short of 200 AAC personnel convened here to undertake Ski Foundation 1/2, all delivered by AAC instructors. We gathered like sardines for an evening brief where Maj Barton set the conditions for the week, reminding everyone, in line with the aims of AT, “you’ll be tested”! The following morning would prove him right with temperatures dropping to -15 degrees, less than ideal for those learning to put skis

on and slide very slowly down a gradual decline. In lieu of effective loan pool ski gloves and a desire to look cool on the slopes, my SF1 group (a mix of 3 and 4 Regt) thought they’d mistakenly signed up to a Norway cold weather survival course. However, they found a midmorning chocolat chaud and the unabated laughing at their colleagues initial ineptitude on skis went some way to distract them from the bitter conditions. Mercilessly, the temperature crept up during the week, as did the confidence on piste. By day 3 the group could confidently send it down a blue run (at times convincingly) and most were eager to tackle some red runs. With no fresh snow but

confidence in abundance the group started to stray into the margins, darting between trees and down steeper unpisted terrain. This was fully encouraged and only led to one broken collar bone (only discovered when back in the UK). Knackered, battered and bruised, the evenings were a time to relax. If the Folie Douce failed to quench the thirst, the UPCA would host evening entertainment from karaoke to beer pong, often seeing the AAC pitted against the other French guests, with tension not seen since 1815. Friday saw

the whole exercise take part in a team Nav Ex/Command Challenge orchestrated by the instructors across the Les Arc ski range. With everyone GPS tracked, an artificial speed limit imposed and an unrealistic number of tasks to complete in the 2 hour period, the only real winner being the competitive spirit displayed by all those that took part. However, the exercise proved to be a great success with aspiration to go even bigger and better in 2024.

Capt H Bedford

New Apache attack helicopter makes its debut in the field

The British Army’s new Apache AH-64E Attack Helicopter has made its first outing into the field.

Exercise TALON GAURDIAN has seen 3 Regiment Army Air Corps take a 1,500km road trip over two weeks, establishing itself at three separate locations across the country to plan and execute attack missions and maintain the state-of-the-art helicopters.

3 Regt AAC’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Wilsey said: “Exercise TALON GAURDIAN is a really significant step forward for the British Army’s AH-64E, which is the most advanced attack helicopter in the world. We’ve been working hard to learn how to fly and maintain the AH-64E; now we’re getting the aircraft out into the field, tackling the additional complexities of living, planning, maintaining and operating in an austere environment and developing how we fight with it.

“As befits a new aircraft with vastly improved capabilities,

we’re not just going back to what we did before. We’re beginning to use all the new systems and capabilities, and looking at the lessons of current conflicts, adapting to ensure our relevance and survivability. It is all about the basic field craft in the air and on the ground. So, for how we operate on the ground, it’s dispersing and camouflaging our positions to prevent observation by drones and communicating by data and over long range; and aircrew must fly using natural cover and all the aircraft’s sensors to counter air defence systems and low-tech threats.

“We’ve learnt a lot and we’ll continue to learn as we look to exploit the full capabilities of this awesome aircraft.”

The exercise saw 3 Regt AAC preparing for its core role providing an aviation deep attack battlegroup, as part of 1st Avn Brigade Combat Team, to 3rd (UK) Division, the British

Army’s war fighting division. In this role, the AH-64E will be a key element of how the Army fights in the coming decades, as set out in the Future Soldier programme.

The training started with the unit deploying from its base at Wattisham Flying Station in Suffolk to the

rugged

Ranges in Northumberland. Amid the area’s trademark fog, rain and wind, aircrew tested themselves on the air defence ranges of RAF Spadeadam and hunted for artillery and armoured vehicles.

Otterburn

Media Ops, 16 Air Assault Brigade

Voijek Guardian

In February 2023, elements of 663 Squadron Groundcrew, Signallers and REME deployed to Bassingbourne on Ex VOIJEK GUARDIAN, a basic soldiering skills exercise.

The purpose of the exercise was to refresh basic skills such as patrolling, break contact drills and section attacks, progressing onto platoon level work towards the end of the exercise. Bassingbourne is a small training area, currently home to the Mission Ready Training Centre (MRTC), but is most famous for being the location used to film early scenes in the popular film “Full Metal Jacket”. Utilising recent infantry experience, the instructors progressively built up the skills of those attending, in particular the leadership of those in junior command positions. The lessons were instructional, with the aim to teach rather than assess. This allowed those attending to develop, practice and enhance skills rather than just being tested. Each section was taken through a number of serials, with thorough debriefs on how each element of the patrol could improve. Sections were often able to try the same serial again for the opportunity to immediately learn from mistakes and put new knowledge into practice. Once each section had a solid understanding of the basics, the course was reconstituted as a platoon, and the process began again. Other lessons included practical applications of Battlefield Casualty Drills (BCD, essential first aid), Platoon level Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) and the Combat Estimate. The Combat Estimate is used in all levels of planning. From Section Commanders to Commanding Officers, it is used to formulate complex, well thought out plans, which are then communicated

by Orders. This training insight allowed the sections to prepare for the final attack.

The final attack pitted section against section in the attack/ defence of a Forward Operating Base (FOB). Each section was allowed time to plan their attack/ defence using all of the skills they had learned, including an introduction into Close Quarters Combat. As the Army moves to a more conventional fighting style, basic soldiering skills become even more important, and exercises like these allow AAC and REME soldiers to conduct their core trades with greater capacity, knowing that their basic field skills are well honed.

Living in Love and Faith

Working, and indeed living, with those with whom we have a fundamental disagreement can be challenging at best, and damaging at it’s worst.

As a feminist who works within two predominantly male organisations I have often been at the coal face of some difficult conversations around equality, but I see similar dynamics around sexuality, gender identity, and even when it comes to families raising teenagers!

Some of you may have noticed the news in the press recently that the Church of England has decided to allow it’s clergy to bless same sex marriages. This has come at the end of a six year process of listening to various voices in the Church. It has not been easy, and there are plenty of people within the Church who are deeply unhappy with the outcome of these conversations. Either because they feel the Church has gone too far, or because they feel it has not gone far enough.

In spite of the tortuous six year journey, and the fact that it has not resulted in

everyone being happy, I have seen some valuable lessons in how to disagree well within the process. These are lessons that we can take and apply in any situation where we find ourselves at odds with others.

Listening well

How often have you found yourself in a disagreement with someone and have been so determined to get your point across that you simply stop listening to anything the other person is saying?! The difference between a disagreement and an argument sits on the fine line of our ability to hear the other person. The first key aspect of the Church’s discussions has been to fully listen to each side of the divide. It starts by giving the other person the opportunity to speak without interruption, then involves us feeding back what we have heard, and finally offers the other person the chance to affirm that they have been heard or

explain again. Then we reverse roles so that each gets the chance to speak. This process stops us from rehearsing our arguments whilst the other person is speaking, if you have to feedback what someone has been saying you have less capacity to plan your attack! It also stops us from assuming we know what the other person is saying or wanting. Feeding back what we have heard both shows that we are listening and engaged, and gives us a moment to see if there is actually some common ground. Your teenager who tells you that ‘you never listen to me’ is probably right, reflecting back to someone what they have said shows that you have heard what they have said. This doesn’t mean you agree with them, but it does allow you to have a conversation instead of a confrontation. You might be surprised when you find out what the other person really wants…

Respecting difference

I trained during COVID, and at one point my whole platoon had to spend two weeks in isolation. Each of us was in our own room, not allowed to leave except to empty our bins, having to give the person who had just placed our meal outside the door time to leave before we opened it. It was absolute heaven as far as I was concerned, I had my own ensuite, didn’t have to interact with anyone, and if I angled my laptop just right the PTI couldn’t see if I was doing burpees or waving my arms periodically from my bed*. Pretty much everyone else thought they were in some form of hell. We were never going to agree on a shared experience, but if we each listened to the other we could at least understand why we felt differently. Listening well allows us to understand why other people feel the way they do, it often helps us to explore why we feel the way we do as well. Sometimes we forget to stop

and ask ourself ‘yes, but why do I think feel like this’. That moment of reflection can then lead us to question if we might want to change. It took me years to realise that my infuriation with the toolbox being left wherever my partner was last using it stemmed from the fact that as a child the toolbox lived under the stairs. It took a number of heated arguments to articulate this, but once I had it meant I was able to consider if there were other possibilities, and my partner was able to avoid an argument by putting the toolbox back where it belonged (!).

Finding compromise

Once we have fully listened to each other, recognising that this may take a few attempts (it has taken the Church six years!), understood what our differences are and where they stem from, we are finally in a position to ask ourselves ‘is there a compromise here?’ Hopefully, and in many

situations the answer is YES! But the answer may well be no, or it may be a compromise that works for many but not for all. The reality is that any compromise involves both parties making a sacrifice, and a sacrifice is never painless. The Church of England was asked to agree to same sex marriage, after six years of discussion it has agreed that it can compromise by recognising that same sex marriages are a place of love that contribute to the wellbeing of society and should be blessed, but it cannot compromise to the extent that it will change its teaching that marriage is between one woman and one man. Some, and I am one of them, are saddened that we cannot marry those of the same sex. I see no theological compromise because I believe we are all made in the image of God, and that the whole of humanity, male, female, trans, queer, intersex, non-binary,

reflects that image. There are others who are saddened that the Church has chosen to bless marriages between same sex partners. They do not feel that we can interpret the bible as I have, but rather that we should take its word as truth. That is the reality of compromise, everyone gets to share in the pain until we are able to meet in the same space. The Church will continue its conversations for as long as it has to manage the compromise. As long as we are respecting our differences then we continue to need to listen well because the conversation is not finished.

So there it is, a short guide to disagreeing well!

Whether your disagreement is at home or at work, I hope these reflections will help you to change destructive conversations into constructive ones so that you might build better relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.

All clergy are able to choose whether or not their conscience allows them to bless same sex marriages, personally I am delighted to now be able to offer a liturgical recognition of all relationships. If you would like to have your marriage or partnership blessed at the Station Church please do get in touch so that we can discuss it further.

*Clearly as a person of Integrity I was doing the burpees, though I confess probably not as wholeheartedly as I did when the PTI was screaming in my ear…!

Padre Adele

OPENING HOURS

MON 8.30 - 6.00PM

TUES 8.30 - 6.00PM

WED 8.30 - 6.00PM

THUR 8.30 - 6.00PM

FRI 8.30 - 6.00PM SAT 8.30 - 6.00PM

Commanding Officer: Lt Col A Harris AAC

Second-in-Command: Maj P Parkes, AAC

Adjutant: Capt WES Hearnshaw, AAC

Regimental Sergeant Major: WO1(RSM) MR Jones

Ex ALPINE ARCHER

On the evening of the 27th of January, thirty-two members of 664 Sqn boarded a coach bound for the continent and fresh Alpine pistes.

Despite managing to avoid any strikes or the now ubiquitous channel port delays, the journey still took a gruelling eighteen hours. The pain of travel was worth it, however, when the group finally arrived in Val Thorens to be met with clear blue skies, crisp mountain air and snow as far as the eye could see. The Archers would be calling Le Cheval Blanc home for the next week and whilst some were keen for bed, others elected to do some first night exploration of the resort.

Rested and raring to hit the slopes, the following morning personnel divided between groups completing Ski Foundation 1, 2 or 3. The level 1 qualification takes troops from never having skied before to confidently tackling blue and red slopes; level 2 builds on these skills and introduces off-piste skiing and ski touring (going up as well as down!). Level 3 would normally focus solely on ski touring but owing to equipment shortages on this trip the group developed their off-piste skills instead.

Those on the SF2 course would have been forgiven for thinking they had mistakenly joined a selection cadre under the harsh tutelage of WO2 Lewis. The GSF Commander managed only an hour of this punishing instruction before

returning to the more sedate level 1 course. Similarly, the 4AAC Adjutant’s direction of ‘just turn more’ seemed rather questionable, however something must have clicked as there was clear progression across all groups throughout the week.

The action was not confined the slopes, with personnel able to enjoy the delights of Val Thorens in their down time including some legendary apres ski at the Bar 360. Culinary exploration was also on the menu, at both ends of the spectrum: the Sergeant Major indulged in steak and cheese all week, whilst some other personnel sampled some suspiciously cheap beef, later identified as horse meat!

The week proved to be a triumph: sixteen personnel who had never skied before completed their SF1 qualification and only one person required a helicopter ride to hospital (no permanent damage done!). LCpl Todd was named Best Skier of the Week, whilst WO2 Bowker picked up the prize for best crash; his prowess at the controls of an Apache did not quite transfer to skiing off piste. The exercise was a well-earned change from the rigors of Wattisham and a successful return to the slopes for the Archers.

Capt McClurey-Rutkiewicz 664 Sqn

Cold Weather Aviation Operators Course

- Norway

Ex STALLION BLADE

On a cold winter’s morning in early December two platoons consisting of 93 personnel from across 4AAC Workshop deployed to Stanford Training Area in Norfolk to conduct some long overdue core combat skills training. The training package delved back to basics, with troops occupying a harbour area, entering routine, and then receiving lessons on a variety of field craft subjects delivered by experienced and qualified personnel from across the regiment.

On the evening of the first night, troops set off in teams of four to compete in a 5km night navigation exercise. This was designed to test their ability to read maps, patrol in a tactical manner and navigate difficult ground in darkness. The temptation to use white light and move on established tracks or pathways was countered with the threat of being burdened with a 20-litre jerry can if caught! The fastest team returned in 1 hour 31 minutes, narrowly beating the next team by 2 minutes. It was a strong effort all around,

with one team getting to practice wet and dry drills after an impromptu river crossing!

The next morning the two platoons were ‘bumped’ at 5:45am and forced to defend their harbour area from ‘enemy forces’. Having repelled the attack, it was straight into a morning chocked full of lessons from the Battlecraft Syllabus. By mid-day the troops were ready for battle and received orders for section attacks. Sections were then pitted against a variety of enemy positions which saw them expend sixteen thousand rounds and numerous smoke grenades on their way to assaulting and defeating a determined adversary. Victory secured and skills thoroughly refreshed, it was time to come home.

For some it was their first combat skills exercise since phase one training; for others, after a busy year maintaining aircraft, the exercise was an opportunity to remember they are Soldiers

First, Tradesman Always.

Capt Karl Edwards 4AAC Wksp

The Cold Weather Aviation Operators Course (CWAOC) is a physically and mentally demanding course designed to prepare personnel for the extremes of operating in Norway or other cold weather environments. It is conducted under Exercise CLOCKWORK at Bardufoss, two hundred miles inside the Arctic Circle.

Personnel first spend two days in the classroom learning about everything from layering clothing to tent construction and loading a pulk (a Nordic human-drawn sled). They then deploy into the field for five nights, developing their newly taught skills in the harsh cold, across a variety of challenging terrain. Personnel learn to use micro-navigation to navigate themselves and their tent groups around the arduous and often featureless training area. Training then progresses from merely living in the Arctic to fighting, with troops having to adapt their core combat skills and tactics to operate effectively in the snow and cold.

The final night of the field phase sees personnel enter survival mode, having to build their own shelter, kill and cook their own food, and keep warm. The following morning, they conduct the dreaded icebreaking drills; jumping into freezing water through a hole in the ice before hauling themselves back out. The whole experience is designed to prepare troops for the ice cracking beneath their feet, when crossing frozen rivers or lakes.

This course is vital for all JHC personnel deploying to the High North in support of NATO operations to ‘enhance deterrence and defence’ in the Arctic circle. Securing NATO’s northern flank not only acts as a deterrence toward Russian aggression in

the area but also demonstrates the capability to operate in similar harsh environments.

I experienced a range of challenges whilst on the course, including being second-incommand of my tent group, being tested in the tactical phase and the icebreaking drills. I found the icebreaking to be a particular struggle as I am not the most confident person in water however, I completed the drill with a lot of motivation and determination to push through the mental and physical hurdles. Having completed this course, I am confident in operating effectively in this harsh climate and look forward to deploying to Norway or any other cold weather environments in the future.

Teams receiving their navigation points

Cpl K Gurung delivers a lesson on maintaining personal weapons in the field

Airtpr McHugh 656 Sqn

Fully-laden troops deploy into the field on snowshoes

Airtpr McHugh prepares to take the plunge

Commanding Officer: Lt Col M Jones REME

Second in Command: Maj S Bass, REME

Adjutant: Capt S Higgins REME

Regimental Sergeant Major: WO1 (RSM) R Strydom, REME

Aircraft Maintenance Licencing Trial Paving the Way in Wattisham

New members of 71 Company, 7 Aviation Support Battalion (Avn Sp Bn), are paving the way for the future of technical training for REME personnel as part of a pilot scheme, headed by Chief Aircraft Engineer (Army).

In January 2023, Wattisham Flying Station received its first group of twelve dualtraded technicians who are trialling Aircraft Maintenance Licencing (AML) in Army Aviation. Following twelve months of residential training at MOD Lyneham and Resource Group, in Cirencester, the trainees arrived to begin a year of on-the-job training. This will see them complete a Level 3 Diploma in Aviation Maintenance and qualify as Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) A Licence Engineers.

On arrival, the trainees conducted an induction package on the AH-64E and then dispersed across the station to join the 7 Avn Sp Bn Engineering Acceptance Team, 662 and 663 Squadrons and the Workshop Maintenance Group (WMG) at 3 Regt AAC. The traineetechnicians will rotate between

the four groups to develop their practical skills, gain experience and learn about the Military Aviation Authority’s policies and regulations to supplement the knowledge they learned from their civilian instructors.

Feedback from the soldiers involved has been very positive so far. One of the trainees participating in the inaugural trial, believes the trial “encourages us to embrace change and step out of our comfort zones to grow, learn and achieve new goals.” another trainee, also said, “it’s a more practical course compared to the one at Lyneham, focusing on developing hand skills and gaining more experience working on an aircraft. Instructors were very knowledgeable and keen to share this and their experiences.” This view is shared across the trainees, another stating that,

“almost all the instructors from Resource Group did time in the military, so I enjoyed getting their perspective on their time as aircraft maintenance engineers.”

As well as training technical skills, the A Licence course has proven to develop the trainees time management, initiative and teamwork. The students offered some advice for the next intake of trainees to “work hard and manage your time properly, the workload can quickly become overwhelming, so ensure you chip away at it slowly throughout the year. Don’t leave revision until the last minute. Also leave time for yourself and the things you enjoy to do. Lastly, work together as a team, help each other revise, test each other on modules, work together in the practical phase and keep group morale up.”

This trial is part of the Chief Aircraft Engineer’s Project TITUS, which aims to foster “sufficient,

motivated and professionally effective soldiers who are recognised for the technical complexity of the role and remain suitable enthused by the ‘offer’ to deliver battle winning Army aviation.” A key part of the project, the AML pilot scheme, aims to enhance the retention of aviation technicians, by enabling AML progression throughout individuals’ careers. In addition to the A Licence scheme for new recruits, existing technicians and supervisors are being offered the opportunity to work towards their CAA B Licence. This has been very well received and many individuals across the Station have already taken up the offer. Plans are well underway for the next cohort of trainees to begin their A Licence training with Resource Group this summer and we are looking forward to welcoming them to the Battalion next year.

HEADQUARTER (HQ) COMPANY

COMPANY HEADQUARTERS

Since October 2022, 72 (Headquarters) Company (72 (HQ) Coy) has been transitioning towards the new Future Soldier structure whilst completing a number of training activities to ensure they are fully integrated into the Brigade Support Group.

Coy departments are increasingly mutually supportive with shared responsibility during periods of sustained activity in support of a number of events. During the reorganisation period, 72 (HQ) Coy have continued to train hard through the ITR and CT cycle to maintain readiness.

MOTORING TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION TROOP DEPARTMENTS

During this busy period for the Battalion, Motor Transport (MT) and Communication Troop (Comms) Departments have worked tirelessly to support numerous requests and tasks, including providing soldiers to 3AAC and 5AAC in support of Ex TALON GUARDIAN, while simultaneously providing driver and ITR training to the Battalion. Members of the departments seized the chance to volunteer to assist the London Poppy Appeal, a successful fundraiser for the Royal British Legion. Fully embracing the work-hard play hard mentality,

MT and Comms deployed soldiers on the RLC Alpine ski race training camps in Norway, Austria and France, sailing adventure training in the Isle of Wight and Corps sports in Nepal.

After a much-needed Christmas break, MT and Comms immediately engaged with the Battalion HQ planning cycle for Ex CAESARS WALK, a HQ command post exercise). Comms and MT provided logistical support to supply the communication and physical infrastructure to facilitate a successful exercise for the Battalion. JNCOs deployed on the 70 Field Coy ITR exercise where they exploited the opportunity

to learn and develop others through the delivery of basic voice procedure and radio assembly lessons to exercising troops. Concurrently, those in camp were preparing and conducting an LEA inspection whilst supporting the rifle range. This last period has been demanding on the MT and Comms departments, they have delivered an exceptional effort.

7 BATTALIONS CATERING DEPT

7 Battalions catering department has worked tirelessly throughout the festive season, creating cohesion within all three Messes here at WFS, by way of Christmas functions and themed events.

COY MPA ADVENTURE TRAINING

One of the Bn’s JNCOs has recently delivered several sailing adventurous training activities, all aimed to develop soldiers’ team cohesion, robustness and leadership in adverse weather conditions. Ex DRAGON SAILING 22-1 was a Type 3 Offshore Sailing expedition

leaving from Gosport, United Kingdom. This gave 10 soldiers from the Bn the opportunity experience offshore sailing for the first time while giving the two experienced members of the crew, an opportunity to hone their skills, knowledge, and gain qualification-building mileage.

The Bn successfully deployed a JNCO on the trans-Atlantic

section of Ex CARIBBEAN EXPRESS 22-23, a 3600mile voyage across the Atlantic from Lanzarote to Grenada with Barbados as the first port. Offshore Sailing Continuation Trg (CT) was taught in a demanding and exciting environment, supporting leadership development

and team building through excellent and satisfying AT. This soldier has taken the opportunity to enable a qualifying passage and activity for the compulsory training progression within the RYA Yacht master system. This arduous challenge has expanded her knowledge and skills in sailing that she

The department have most recently fed the whole Battalion for OP TEAMWORK, four nationalities were represented by way of their national dishes and cuisines (British, Nepalese, Jamaican and South African). This was a great opportunity to celebrate the Bns diversity and for 7 Bn to provide a lunch for its workforce. The catering team are now turning their attention to CT2 trade training in the field and will be deploying within companies on ITR exercises. The department are still very much active around the world, with one of its staff members currently in Norway (Ex CLOCKWORK).

FUNDED SCHOOL TRANSPORT WATTISHAM SFA TO RINGSHALL SCHOOL

You will by now, hopefully, be aware the Suffolk County Council have reviewed their decision on the walking route for pupils attending Ringshall Primary School from Wattisham SFA, determining that two elements of the route, highlighted below, are now deemed unsafe. Parents of effected pupils are now eligible for Suffolk County Council (SCC) funded School Travel.

Pupils without a pass can apply for travel at: www. suffolkonboard.com/optin, SCC will advise families if they are eligible, and they can

then need to upload a photo for the bus pass. Please also note that all pupils need to ‘opt-in’ each year between 01 March and 31 May, to ensure they get a bus pass each year.

The Station would like to thank the many individuals and organisations that supported our families in securing this long fought, just, outcome, not least; Maj Chris Pickett (for raising awareness and initiating the case with SCC in 2019), James Gough, Headteacher Ringshall Primary School, the School Governors and Lee Holloway, the Suffolk Armed Forces Commissioner.

has brought back into the Bn and has enabled more AT packages to be delivered that will benefit the soldiers in the Bn. In January another Type 3 Offshore Sailing expedition, DRAGON CHALLENGE 23-1, gave six soldiers an insight into offshore sailing around Cyprus. All the members were beginners who were

given a sailing orientation in the Mediterranean Sea.

The soldiers experienced extreme weather conditions (peaking with Force 8 gales) and when coupled with the physically and mentally demanding conditions, the soldiers’ improved their team cohesion while developing their leadership and command.

70 FIELD COMPANY EXERCISE ELIGIUS ARTEMIS

As part of 7 Aviation Support Battalion’s continued commitment to high levels of deployability and total professionalism, elements of the Battalion spearheaded by 70 Field Company, deployed on Ex ELIGIUS ARTEMIS: a demanding week-long Individual Training Requirement (ITR) package.

The first exercise of the year, Ex ELIGIUS ARTEMIS intended to re-establish a wider understanding of core soldiering skills; the package ran through an interesting teaching phase, before transitioning to an intense and demanding assessment phase; assessing participants in a scenario-based environment.

The Ex ELIGIUS ARTEMIS warfighting scenario was built around the real-world concept of constructing a Company-Group location within the Brigade Support Headquarters (BSG) area of responsibility. After a testing forced march, the

Company established its Platoon areas, digging in to avoid the indirect fires threat; a required skill highlighted by recent global conflicts. Upon the establishment of the Company Headquarters location, the deployed soldiers started their reception, staging, onward movement and integration package, enjoying a revisionary session on the basic fieldcraft skills required to keep soldiers alive when operating in testing environments.

Days two and three of the exercise saw each Platoon rotate through several teaching serials, with the deployed elements practicing their communications,

counter explosive ordnance, battlefield casualty drills, captured persons and of course, navigation skills; all of which are essential for a soldier to practice and maintain.

Day four started with a refresher on the key principles of fire and manoeuvre; the hardest, but perhaps most important task asked of any soldier. In the morning, the Platoons ran through a series of drills, from individual fire and movement, to pairs, fire teams and finally, section attacks. In the afternoon, after receiving quick battle orders, each Platoon cycled through a series of tests, where they had to prove routes and clear vulnerable points of possible enemy activity. In these dynamic serials all the key skills that had been taught in the day’s prior were tested in a fast-paced scenarios.

The last day culminated in multiple Platoon attacks, seeing exercising troops deliberately clear and hold large areas of ground, enabling the echeloning through of the BSG headquarters, within the exercise timeline.

The first exercise scaled to a Company deployment in recent history for the Battalion; Ex ELIGIUS ARTEMIS proved 70 Field Company and the wider 7 Aviation Support Battalion’s ability for intraoperability and decisive action, ahead of more complex exercises scheduled for later this year.

VEHICLE PLATOON

Since returning from Ex ASKARI PHOENIX in Nanyuki, Kenya, Vehicle Platoon have been supporting 1, 3 and 4 AAC on multiple ES task requests as well as 47 Regt RA. The new year saw the Platoon deploy to Yeovil, enabling 1 AAC with their Ex TALON GUARDIAN rehabilitation. Then, they were requested to support 3AAC’s preparation for Ex TALON GUARDIAN. In addition to their land ES duties, the Platoon have also put on a Range day, providing valuable ITR support to their Company Headquarters element.

ELECTRONIC AND GENERAL PLATOON

Electronic and General (E&G) Platoon have provided both Armourer and Recovery Mechanic support to both the 1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team’s units as well as those units in the Joint Helicopter Command since their return from Kenya. Pre-Christmas saw E&G Platoon conduct what is believed to be the first ever Sea King Recovery activity. Since returning from Christmas leave, the Recovery department have provided support to 1, 3 and 6 AAC. As with Vehicle Platoon, this has mostly been in support of Ex TALON GUARDIAN. The Armourer department have been hard at work, conducting Mandatory Equipment Inspections for 675 and 678 Sqn AAC.

132 Aviation Supply Squadron Royal Logistics Corps

LONDON POPPY DAY 22

Charity work is something 132 Sqn always embraces, this time participating in London Poppy Day 22 (LPD). LPD is an annual event organised by the Royal British Legion (RBL) to help raise funds for The Poppy appeal. Every city in the UK has a similar day but the LPD is by far the biggest and raises the most money for the RBL. On LPD over 2500 service personnel and many more civilian volunteers head into the capital, to every railway station, on one day, to raise money.

A team of 25 personnel from Wattisham Flying station, led up by a SSgt from 132 Sqn, set off from Stowmarket at 0500hrs and headed into London. By around 0700hrs the volunteers had arrived at Farringdon Station and were stood with buckets at the ready to begin collecting.

Although it was a long day for the volunteers, everyone seemed to enjoy engaging with people and talking to them about different things to do with service life. Clearly some people in London still love to stop and chat. At 1900hrs the collecting stopped, all the money was collected by RBL staff and the team packed up. They were definitely ready for a quick bite to eat and a drink (or two) at the afterparty in Leadenhall Market, before heading to the train to Wattisham.

A huge thanks to all the personnel that volunteered their own time to help collect on the day. A staggering £11,868.15 was raised in just 12hrs, beating the previous totals.

EX KNEES BEND 22

Looking back at all the exercises that the Sqn has taken part in this year; Ex KNEES BEND was on a different scale, however created the same challenges. A group of novice skiers departed for Norway to compete in the RLC Ski Championships (Alpine). The team would have to drive through Europe before making it to Hemsedal Ski Resort, located in Hallingdal, Norway. Over a period of 3 weeks the team learnt many different disciplines that make-up Alpine ski racing, such as Super G, Giant Slalom, Slalom and Team Events.

Our team of complete novices started training with the basic drills, walking on snow with ski boots on up and down the hill, stopping, turning, control, falling, getting back up, body placement and positioning. With each new day came a different slope with slopes starting from 620m to 1,450m. Training took place for 5 days a week from 8am to 3pm with PT session on every other day. All this was done under the guidance of trained and experienced personnel of RLC Ski team and the UNIQ Snowsports trainers, who put together a great competition.

The Squadron continues to sustain 1 Aviation Brigade Combat Team as part of the BSG, whilst supporting the transition of the army Apache Helicopter (AH) E model and sustaining the legacy AH Mk 1 with aviation spares. Although the Squadron has been busy with support to AH within Wattisham Flying station and in the deployed space, we have been extremely busy with a number of other tasks including support to Ex CERBERUS 22 which saw both the OC and 2IC deploy for several weeks supporting the BCT validation.

BATTLEFIELD STUDY TOUR

Some members of the Sqn took some time to visit Arhem and Oosterbeek, Netherlands, the area of Operation Market Garden. It was time to relive the operation that was fought by 1st British Airborne Divisions and its allies of 101 US Airborne Division and the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade against the German forces.

The troops had an enlightening experience and learned many lessons on this BFS, however as logisticians, the main lesson to take away was prior planning and preparation with good intelligence is critical to supply troops.

Overall, our team, was awarded a CO’s coin for persevering and never giving up, having started every race towards the back of the field

Sudden Stratospheric Warming

Sudden stratospheric warming describes an event when rapid warming occurs high up in the stratosphere. However, it can lead to changes in our weather at the surface.

WHAT IS A SUDDEN STRATOSPHERIC WARMING?

In recent years some extreme cold, winter snow events have all been connected to the surface effects of sudden stratospheric warmings, such as those in 200910, 2013, and ‘the beast from the east’ in 2018. You may be asking why it is called a warming then, if it lead to cold conditions?

The term sudden stratospheric warming refers to what is observed in the stratosphere:- a rapid

warming (up to about 50 ¬°C in just a couple of days), between 10 km and 50 km above the earth’s surface. This is so high up that we don’t feel the ‘warming’ ourselves. However, usually a few weeks later, we can start to see knock-on effects on the jet stream, which in turn effects our weather lower down (in the troposphere).

However, the stratospheric sudden warming doesn’t happen every year, and it doesn’t always affect our weather when it does.

HOW DOES A SUDDEN STRATOSPHERIC WARMING OCCUR?

Every year in winter, strong westerly winds circle around the pole high up in the

stratosphere. This is called the stratospheric polar vortex and it circulates around cold air high over the Arctic.

In some years, the winds in the polar vortex temporarily weaken, or even reverse to flow from east to west. The cold air then descends very rapidly in the polar vortex and this causes the temperature in the stratosphere to rise very rapidly, as much as 50¬°C over only a few days; hence the term sudden stratospheric warming.

As the cold air from high up in the stratosphere disperses, it can affect the shape of the jet stream as the cold air sinks from the stratosphere into the troposphere. It is this change

in the jet stream that causes our weather to change.

CAN WE PREDICT THESE EVENTS IN ADVANCE?

Currently we can reliably predict individual sudden stratospheric warmings about a week in advance, and we can detect them early on with satellite and other observations. This means we have some time to see how they develop and may impact our future weather. The sudden stratospheric warming usually takes a few weeks to influence our weather at the surface, or into the next month.

Jet streams high up in our atmosphere, in both the northern and southern

HOW DOES A SUDDEN STRATOSPHERIC WARMING AFFECT OUR WEATHER?

The stratospheric sudden warming can sometimes cause the jet stream to ‘snake’ more, and this tends to create a large area of blocking high pressure. Typically this will form over the North Atlantic and Scandinavia. This means that northern Europe, including the UK is likely to get a long spell of dry, cold weather, whereas southern Europe will tend to be more mild, wet and windy. On the boundary of these areas, cold easterly winds develop and in some cases the drop in temperatures leads to snow, which is what happened in early 2018.

hemisphere, circumnavigate the Earth from west to east. One of these, the Polar Night Jet, circles the Arctic.

Sometimes the usual westerly flow can be disrupted by natural weather patterns or disturbances in the lower part of the atmosphere, such as a large area of high pressure in the northern hemisphere. This causes the Polar Jet to wobble and these wobbles, or waves, break just like waves on the beach. When they break they can be strong enough to weaken or even reverse the westerly winds and swing them to easterlies. As this happens, air in the stratosphere starts to collapse in to the polar cap and compress. As it compresses it warms, hence the stratospheric warming.

HOW DOES IT MOVE DOWN THROUGH THE ATMOSPHERE?

As it turns out, waves can only move around the Earth's atmosphere in westerly winds. Fluctuations in our weather send waves up through the atmosphere to the easterly winds in the stratosphere, where they travel no further, and instead break and reinforce the easterly winds, bringing the easterlies lower. This pattern continues until the easterlies have moved down to the troposphere - the lowest part of the atmosphere where our weather is.

Gibraltar, a place steeped with a rich history of military presence and with Europe’s only wild monkey population, lies on the Strait between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. A peninsular, connected to mainland Spain, surrounded mountains and dynamic seas, provides a unique situation for forecasting due to the variable weather patterns at this Permanent Joint Operating Base.

One of the Met Office Meteorologists, Lucy, detached away from Wattisham to Gibraltar for five months this Winter/Spring, and was met with weather varying from Saharan dust, gales to thunderstorms, as well as severe turbulence caused by the stunning Rock (actually a mass of limestone) for which Gibraltar is so famous, as well as plenty of sunshine. Had she arrived in the summer, she might have been met with much more warmth and much less of the Thunderstorms….

CAP CLOUD

A climatic phenomenon at the Rock, is the Levantar cloud; a dense cap cloud forming over the top of the Rock when moist, easterly (Levante) winds from the Mediterranean are forced up over the top, causing them to cool and condense… if you are on top of the Rock in a Levante wind, you might find yourself in some dense fog.

WINDS

The land and mountains surrounding the sea separating Spain and Africa, can help to funnel winds through the constricted space of the Strait causing it to be accelerated, which can make it a rather windy place. This is great news if you are in to sports such as kitesurfing. Just on the far end of the Strait is a place called Tarifa, a mecca for wind and surf sports, especially in a westerly (Poniente) wind.

TURBULENCE

Eddies caused by wind moving over the top of the rock and on to the runway can cause turbulence to aircraft which, at times, can be so severe the planes are unable to land. Combining this with the short runway at Gibraltar, then landing an aircraft here can be more challenging still if it has just been made wet by rain.. Not to mention the runway is a shared space with cars and pedestrians, who wait for planes to land before continuing with their journey – which is no minor feat of FOD, space and people management by the authorities.

© Chris Burton 2023

© Clement Hutin 2021

Gibraltar in the distance, from Spain

Cap cloud. Levanter sunrise

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