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

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.