Wittering View

Spring 2022

Wittering View The official magazine for RAF Wittering and the A4 Force

Features: EX AGILE PIRATE

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New Year Honours

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Remembrance Parades

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SPRING 2022 WITTERING VIEW 1

Fundraising Challenges

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Community News

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Editor Welcome to the Spring edition of Wittering View.

It has been two years since the pandemic kicked off and changed our lives dramatically.

Phrases such as ‘social distancing’ and ‘double-jabbed’ are now part of everyday conversation and remembering to put a facemask in your pocket has become as essential as keys and wallet when going out.

One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is how busy personnel from RAF Wittering and the A4 Force have been throughout. And this theme looks set to continue in 2022.

The quarterly nature of the Wittering View means that our Spring issue is always the first chance we get to feature stories and activities from the end of the previous year such as the Remembrance Parade in Stamford (page 16) and the winner of the RAF Wittering Christmas card (see page 13).

If you are looking for a challenge in 2022, then why not consider signing up to the RAFA Rides (page 18) or you can lend your support to others taking part in worthy fundraising events. Find out about SAC Jonny Parkin’s plan to hike Hadrian’s Wall in 24 hours in aid of Combat Stress on page 13 or the challenge facing Group Captain Nick Huntley, who has joined the Pedal to the Principality team event this spring (page 12).

Closer to home we’ve turned the spotlight on the Station Cinema (page 21) and with Easter just round the corner, there’s an easy recipe for Easter Nest Cakes (page 26) that will satisfy the most ardent chocoholic…

Spring 2022

Emma Stacey Acting Editor

l magazine

for RAF Witte

ring and the

I hope that as you are reading this, you can remember a restful Christmas period where we have been able to reset. For those that were on duty over Christmas and those that have loved ones overseas, thank you.

This edition of Wittering View provides perfect examples of the broad range of activity that we as a Station undertake for our Nation and our community. This quarter is always busy in the community, with personnel from the Station playing their part in remembering those that have come before us. This year Wittering provided marching personnel to parade in Stamford, Oakham and Leicester and laid wreaths at more than 20 other cities, towns, and villages, including Peterborough. It felt more poignant this year after such reduced Remembrance parades in 2020; to see our personnel marching through the streets again, supported by so many people from all walks of life, filled

me with pride and I hope it does the same for everyone at Wittering.

The Station has remained busy operationally, with personnel deployed all over the world on operations supporting the delivery of Air Power. Wittering hosted the first part of Ex AGILE PIRATE, with the Station playing host to air transport aircraft from Brize Norton, as well as units from across the A4 Force, Support Force, and wider RAF. These included UK Mobile Air Movements Squadron, 7 Force Protection Squadron, Tactical Medical Wing, 90 Signals Unit, Tactical Fire and Tactical Air Traffic Control who all came together to deliver a Forward Operating Base. The second part of the Ex was conducted in Stornoway and was enabled by 2 Mechanical Transport (2MT) and 1 Expeditionary Logistics Sqn (1ELS); the latter developing a new refuelling capability. At home, our Tutors have continued to increase their flying as the number of available aircraft have increased. The Flying Squadrons have delivered University Air Squadron familiarisation flying and ground training, training our next generation of Qualified Flying Instructors as well as keeping our front lines filled with pilots. As I look ahead, I know that we will continue to remain busy and as a Station and community I hope we remain ready to support those that are delivering – they will need our support.

In the approach to Christmas, it was wonderful to see hampers being delivered to our local community. These hampers, provided by both the RAF Association and the RAF Benevolent Fund and delivered

by Station Catering Flight and 3 Mobile Catering Squadron (3MCS), provide an invaluable boost at a time of year that for many can be challenging. I am also very thankful to the children of Wittering Primary School – in our annual Christmas Card competition I was incredibly impressed by the standard of designs and ingenuity used to demonstrate the given topic of climate change. The winner, Poppy Southall, had a wonderful design and I am sure that the recipients of the card will have appreciated it!

Finally, I would like to highlight some of the success that Wittering personnel achieved in the New Year Honours List. Chief Technician Matthias has been instrumental in the development of new engineering technologies that are improving our ability to quickly repair aircraft while 5001 Squadron’s Expeditionary Airfield Facilities Flight received a team award recognising all that they have do to directly enable Air Power overseas. Last, but by no means least, it was fantastic to see Sharon Pollard recognised for the non-stop and life-changing work that she does for the young people of our community; incredibly well deserved!

This year will continue to be busy. I look forward to playing our part in celebrating Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee as a nation. I look forward to the Station supporting the RAFA Cycling Challenge of 2022 and the RAFBF Dambusters Ride – two very worthy causes. I look forward to a full calendar of community events, unfettered

by COVID. I hope you are looking forward to a new year in 2022, and all that it may bring.

Wing Commander Jez Case, Station Commander

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iew Wittering V The officia

Foreword

A4 Force

Please direct all submissions for Wittering View Magazine to: The Editor, WIT-GMBWittView@mod.gov.uk Please try to ensure that images are in .jpeg format and as large as possible. Text should be supplied in Microsoft Word .doc format or plain text if possible.

SPRING 2022 •

Challenges Fund-raising

4 WITTERING VIEW SPRING 2022 EX AGILE PIRATE Features:

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rs New Year Honou

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Parades Remembrance

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Wittering View The official magazine for RAF Wittering and the A4 Force

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06 Contents New Year Honours at RAF Wittering 06 University of London Air Squadron 07 Laura Gilbert 1EL Squadron 07 Catering Flight 08 Veterans Hamper Drop 09 RAF Mountain Rescue 10 Exercise Cobra Warrior 11 News in Brief 12 Remembrance Day 16 Tutor Display Pilot 18 Royal Air Force Association Rides 18 A400M Fuel Exercise 19

Acting Editor Emma Stacey Team Marissa Russell, SAC Jack Welson, Ed Palmer and SAC Kim Waterson.

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Community News 20 Tea Time Break 24 In the Hot Seat 26 Exercise Agile Pirate 28

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SPRING 2022 WITTERING VIEW 5

feature New Year Honours at RAF Wittering

New Year Honours At RAF Wittering

Station and Support Force personnel from Royal Air Force Wittering have been recognised with a series of awards in the 2022 New Year Honours List.

RAF Wittering Youth Worker Sharon Pollard.

Civilian Youth Worker Sharon Pollard received a commendation from Air Officer Commanding RAF No 2 Group.

Sharon has worked tirelessly with Service children and young people for over 10 years.

Appointed as RAF Wittering’s Airplay Youth Worker in 2017, Sharon is integral to the RAF Wittering Community Support and Airplay teams.

Mark Davis MBE, Community Development Officer at RAF Wittering, said: “Sharon Pollard is a worthy recipient of this award due to her commitment, energy and determination to offer the best service for young people in Wittering. I am really pleased her work with young people has been recognised.”

Elite engineers based at RAF Wittering also received commendations in the New Year Honours List. No 71 Inspection & Repair Squadron specialises in aircraft repair, non-destructive testing and aircraft weighing, and the Squadron received both individual and team commendations.

Sergeant Michael Matthias was awarded a commendation from Air Officer Commanding RAF No 2 Group. Sgt Matthias has been instrumental in introducing 3D printing technology to 71 Squadron, which could

ultimately reduce the time grounded aircraft have to wait for certain types of spare parts.

The Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Team at 71 Squadron were awarded a commendation from RAF Deputy Commander Operations. NDT is an important tool in aircraft maintenance and includes the inspection of aircraft structures and engines for hidden damage, corrosion, and other irregularities.

The Expeditionary Airfield Facilities (EAF) Flight from 5001 Squadron also received a commendation from the Deputy Commander Operations. In an extraordinary 12-month period, the team collectively spent 4,580 days away, equating to approximately five months per team member.

Squadron Leader Alicia Mason, Officer Commanding 5001 Squadron, said: “I am super proud of our EAF team, they completed 37 separate temporary hangars and buildings across nine operational theatres, and on top of that they continued their regular maintenance tasks across six

Sgt Michael Matthias of No 71 Inspection and Repair Squadron.

other locations globally.”

Wing Commander Mike Dutton commands No 42 Expeditionary Support Wing, to which 71 Sqn and 5001 Sqn belong. He said: “I was delighted that personnel and teams from 42 Wing were recognised in the New Year Honours List.

Their contributions to Defence and engineering are outstanding and show just how technically capable and diverse this wing is.”

RAF Wittering’s Station Commander Wing Commander Jez Case said: “Congratulations to all the recipients; Air Officer Commanding commendations recognise exceptional work, well above and beyond what we expect of our personnel.

All our recipients have shown incredible dedication to the Royal Air Force, and in Mrs Pollard’s case, to the wider local community. RAF Wittering continues to deliver on behalf of Defence and our Nation because of the quality of people that we have. My thanks to them all.”

The Expeditionary Airfield Facilities (EAF) Flight from 5001 Squadron, training on a hangar build at RAF Wittering.

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feature ULAS

feature Laura gilbert 1el sqn

University of London Air Squadron Squadron Students First Flight

Laura Gilbert in Afghanistan during 2014.

Officer Cadet Em Lloyd and ULAS Instructor, Flight Lieutenant Ken McCann.

Undergraduates took to the skies at RAF Wittering for their first flights with the University of London Air Squadron (ULAS).

Familiarisation flights are part of an intense three-day induction period, and the first flight that new officer cadets take after being sworn into the RAF. With fitness sessions and many key lectures to attend, induction is also their first experience of fulltime training.

The University Air Squadron (UAS) offers undergraduates a unique chance to sample RAF life. Their main role is to attract talent to Regular and Reserve RAF service, and educate selected undergraduates on the role of Air & Space Power in delivering the nation’s defence. But joining ULAS doesn’t necessarily mean joining the RAF. As well as specialist training and the chance to fly, students learn valuable leadership and team-building skills.

One undergraduate to have a familiarisation flight was Em Lloyd from South Wales. Em, who is studying Medicine at University College London, said: “It was absolutely amazing - we were really lucky with the weather and the views were phenomenal! I’ve never flown before, but my instructor was

absolutely great, and I didn’t even feel too nervous.”

Established in 1935, ULAS was the third UAS to be formed and draws students from nearly 30 universities inside the M25 and south-east of England.

The UAS’s are expected to recruit around a third of entrants into RAF Initial Officer Training (IOT).

Typically, Officer Cadets will spend two or three years with a ULAS. During that time they will be expected to attend ‘Town Nights’ for training at RAF Northolt and will attend full-time training over the summer at RAF Wittering.

If their studies allow, and they have some free time, Officer Cadets can come to Wittering for extra flying training.

Squadron Leader Chris Parkinson, Officer Commanding ULAS,said: “This has to be one of the best jobs in the RAF, watching these young people grow and fulfil their potential. ULAS has recruited some of the best officers ever to have joined the Service. Our new intake is starting out on what I hope will be a uniquely rewarding journey.”

Support Force Officer Overcomes Breast Cancer to Lead Squadron Fuels officer Squadron Leader Laura Gilbert has fought aggressive breast cancer and returned to RAF Wittering to take command of No 1 Expeditionary Logistics (1EL) Squadron.

Laura graduated with a degree in Chemistry from Durham University before joining the RAF in 2007. It is a qualification well suited to her chosen profession in fuels and logistics and, after her specialist training, Laura came to the Wittering to lead 1EL’s Fuel Support Team (FST).

1EL is part of the RAF Support Force. Logistic support from 1EL underpins and supports air operations, through its portliaison team, fuels support team and deployed supply groups. It has personnel working in several locations around the world, and also runs RAF Wittering’s station supply functions.

One of Squadron Leader Gilbert’s most memorable experiences was serving in Afghanistan between 2013 and 2014, although Laura’s favourite post (until now, of course) was as Executive Officer for RAF Brize-Norton’s Logistics Squadron. But it was at Air Command that Laura received the news that she had breast cancer. She said: “It was serious, I had to have a lumpectomy and the surgeons had to remove more than they expected because it had spread so deeply.”

As a result of chemotherapy Laura lost her hair, fingernails and toenails, but she has returned to duty in good health, and is looking forward to her new challenge leading 1EL. She said: “I was lucky, I had amazing

support from the health professionals, RAF and my colleagues, friends and family.”

Extraordinarily, the very day after Laura completed her chemotherapy, she raised £1,500 doing the ten-mile Pink Ribbon walk for Breast Cancer Now, which supports women with breast cancer.

Laura said: “1EL is a squadron I really care about, and taking command is a bit strange but also pretty wonderful. It’s good to be somewhere familiar, a place that I know and love, and it’s also good to take on a new challenge, and both of those things are happening at once.”

Group Captain Nick Huntley, Deputy Commander of the RAF Support Force, of which 1EL is a part, said: “The thought of cancer would terrify anyone, but Laura has faced it with real bravery. That kind of fortitude and integrity is exactly what the RAF needs in its leaders, and I am very proud to welcome Squadron Leader Gilbert to the Support Force.”

Laura Gilbert with the Fuels Support Team during her first tour at RAF Wittering.

Officer Cadet Em Lloyd after her familiarisation flight.

SPRING 2022 WITTERING VIEW 7

Feature Catering FLIGHT Mr Keith Jackson and Mrs Sheila Jackson.

Christmas Cheer Catering Flight at RAF Wittering and the RAF Benevolent Fund teamed up to make a difference to nearby senior citizens and veterans at Christmas.

Flying Officer Caroline Turner in conversation with one of the residents.

Flying Officer Caroline Turner is the Contract Support Officer.

She said: “In previous years we have held a special Christmas dinner in the Officers’ Mess for our local senior citizens, but it’s not been possible with the Coronavirus Pandemic.”

Finding the ‘do nothing’ option simply unacceptable, Flying Officer Turner asked for assistance from the RAF Benevolent Fund. The Fund was happy to help with the project and provided money for two Christmas hampers, to be delivered to two care homes in 8 WITTERING VIEW SPRING 2022

Peterborough and Stamford.

Commercial partner Eurest Support Services (ESS) made some donations to the hampers, and the highly skilled RAF Chefs of Wittering’s Catering Flight produced a traditional Scottish treat in the form of Tablet.

Flying Officer Turner is from Scotland herself, and said: “We wanted the hampers to be more than just a purchase that we would deliver, it’s important that RAF Wittering made it just a bit more specia,l so we put our own work into it. I’m from Scotland and I don’t know anybody who doesn’t enjoy a piece of Tablet, it’s absolutely lovely.”

One of the two homes was Kingfisher Court in Peterborough, which has a high proportion of Service veterans as residents and operates a high-quality extra care system. Managers from the home allowed a limited visit within safety guidelines so the team from RAF Wittering could hand over their Christmas hampers in person.

In addition to the foods and gifts, the hampers contained a handcrafted version of the TV classic ‘Play Your Cards Right’ made

by Catering Flight themselves, a

DVD of the RAF Regiment Band playing Christmas songs and Christmas cards written by RAF personnel from across the whole Station.

Gerardine Church, Extra Care Manager at Kingfisher Court, said: “It’s a massive thank you, they really appreciate the gifts. And long after the gifts have been used up, we will still have the Play Your Cards Right board to keep us amused.”

Among the residents were RAF veterans Keith and Sheila Jackson. Keith served for 27 years as an RAF Mover, finishing his career at RAF Wittering and Sheila was in admin. Veteran Gerald Dexter served as an

One of the hampers.

aircraft technician, working on Canberra aircraft and was also a member of 504 Squadron, a reserve squadron now based at RAF Wittering.

Wing Commander Maggie Boyle is Officer Commanding Support Wing at RAF Wittering.

She said: “What a wonderful start to Christmas. Caroline has done a great job in bringing this project to life, and I’m so pleased that we’ve had the understanding and support of the RAF Benevolent Fund. Catering Flight have added their own personal touch and made a real difference to the lives of these senior citizens and veterans, it is the Christmas spirit in action.

Brilliant work!”

Feature RAFA

RAFA Wittering & District Branch

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Veterans Hamper Drop A team of volunteers from the Royal Air Force Association Wittering & District Branch created over 70 hampers and embarked on the huge task of hand delivering the ‘Christmas care packages’ to vulnerable RAF Veterans in Stamford, Rutland, Bourne and Deepings.

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This could not have been possible without the £1,500 plus donation from the RAFA Wittering & District branch to buy all the key ingredients for these care packages, and the recipients were overjoyed by the gesture.

Veteran Mr Bernard Hoctor said: “May we thank you and all members of the RAFA Wittering and District Branch committee for the splendid hamper delivered to us this Christmas. My wife and I feel very spoiled by your generosity and the thoughtful choice of treats included in the attractive basket.”

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A few of the RAFA Wittering & District Branch Christmas hampers ready for delivery.

Flight Sergeant Reece Holt delivering one of the Christmas hampers from the RAFA Wittering & District Branch.

SPRING 2022 WITTERING VIEW 9

Feature RAF Mountain Rescue

RAF Mountain Rescue RAF MRS communicate with HM Coast Guard for a winch rescue.

The 2021 holiday period was more poignant for us all last year as we came together to celebrate not one, but two festive periods due to the previous years’ Covid-19 social restrictions.

As most nursed through the discomfort of our full bellies with feet up and watching telly, Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) personnel continued to maintain a high readiness state to respond to our primary role of Aircraft Post Crash Management (APCM) and secondary roles to Military Aid to Civilian Authority (MACA) taskings, this year providing support to Scottish Mountain

Rescue and more locally; Glencoe Mountain Rescue.

Between Valley MRT (VMRT) and Lossiemouth MRT, they covered a total distance of 257.24km and climbed a total of 15,092m (to put that into perspective, that’s just over 11 ascents of Ben Nevis!). Between December 23 – January 4, the MRTs successfully completed numerous training objectives, such as recognising and

demonstrating different types of ice axes and crampons on varying ground, including down and across snow slopes, crags, gully’s and knife-edge ridges all while winter navigating through poor conditions. Not only did both teams achieve improved skillsets in navigation, but also scrambling and self-protected abseiling using in-situ anchors.

On December 28, VMRT were requested by Police Scotland

to assist in the search of an overdue mountaineer who was attempting a very extensive ridgeline called ‘Aonach Eagach’, a grade 2 winter route with very complex terrain.

VMRT responded quickly and immediately started to search high probability areas. A VMRT search party successfully located the climber and carried out a casualty assessment, providing warmth and relief to the cold and tired person who was then winched to safety by HM Coast Guard.

After a comprehensive period of individual and team learning, and live call-out experience, it’s fair to say that RAF MRS continues to be in absolute good-stead for the year ahead and will likewise continue to go from strength to strength.

RAF MRS deployed to Scotland over the festive period.

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Kitchener’s is centrally located between Great Yarmouth and Southwold with easy access transport links and a host of places to visit and things to do for both adults and children alike.

You will find a warm welcome from the resident Manager, Ash, who served in the armed forces, and his wife Caroline.

Amongst both regular and new guests, Kitchener’s has a solid reputation as being a place to relax and unwind amongst likeminded people; there’s nothing like the camaraderie and humour of those who have served our country, no matter in what capacity.

With regular guests such as Royal Chelsea Pensioners and Normandy D-Day Vets, there are often stories to be heard from conflicts past. They too, love to speak with the younger veterans and serving personnel to hear about what is going on now and how things have changed. It is not uncommon to find a group gathered in the bar exchanging stories.

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If being outdoors is more your thing, you will find plenty to do in the local area. As Kitchener’s is located on the seafront of the East coast, there’s plenty of opportunity for watersport activities.

Alternatively, a short distance away, you can hire a boat for a day trip on the Norfolk Broads.

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A stay at Kitchener’s is offered at a substantially discounted price for our veterans and serving armed forces and their families which is subsidised by grants and charitable donations. This allows us to offer a warm, friendly ‘home from home’ stay at an affordable price.

10 WITTERING VIEW SPRING 2022

feature 504 SQN

504 Sqn MT Flight Supports

Ex COBRA WARRIOR

By SAC Stu Milton

RAF Wittering’s 504 Squadron’s MT Flight recently took part in the large US/RAF Ex COBRA WARRIOR. The mission was to simulate and test the capabilities needed to monitor, extract, and seek and destroy enemy forces in transit over varied and remote terrain.

The ‘targets’ (MT Flight) were moving in multiple convoys through predesignated check points towards a set destination while the aircraft and Weapons Systems Operators hoped to track and intercept our vehicles at specific times. This was to

replicate the tactics employed by the enemy and test the skills of the pilots and supporting command and control elements.

“Friendly forces” comprised of F15 jets, RAF Typhoons and Chinook helicopters in conjunction with snipers and Forward Air Controllers (FACs) hidden in ground positions to support operations and give target indication. Our forces comprised of 23 troops and a fleet of vehicles

including the all-terrain Man SV lorries, minibus and 4x4 trucks with GPS and communication capability.

504 Sqn MT needed to mount a huge and rapid planning and procurement drive to meet our commitment to Ex COBRA WARRIOR, so the Flt Cdr, Warrant Officer Al Braim quickly mobilised his team to confirm vehicles and people to operate them. The first task involved driving around the Scottish Borders being attacked

by US F15s while sticking to stringent headings and timings.

The following week, the vehicles were dispersed over Northumbria being tracked

by RAF jets, helicopters with Snatch & Extract forces planning to set down close to one of the convoy packets while in open country. Evidence that the aircraft achieved their aims was provided with detailed video and photographs. The images clearly showed our vehicles and the personnel standing next to them.

It was a real test for all involved owing to the size and diversity of the task, but Ex COBRA WARRIOR was a success. 504 Sqn have already been approached by the organisers to repeat a similar task in the future.

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SPRING 2022 WITTERING VIEW 11

NEWS In brief

News In Brief Pedal Power A4 Force Elements Commander and Deputy RAF Support Force Commander Group Captain Nick Huntley has joined the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) Benevolent Fund Cycling Team to raise funds to support injured personnel.

He is one of 12 riders taking part in the challenge Pedal to the Principality, an 850-mile bike ride from the DMRC Stanford Hall in Loughborough to the Principality of Monaco.

Gp Capt Huntley, who is based out of RAF Wittering, said: “As well as seeing the great work of DMRC in my professional life, my wife (a serving RAF Nurse) continues to suffer from the after-effects of Long-Covid and remains under their care.

Bomber Command veteran celebrates 102nd birthday

RAF Wittering Officer Flt Lt Tim Stohrer was recently honoured to play his part in the 102nd birthday celebrations of his great uncle – believed to be one of the oldest remaining aircrew veterans of the Second World War. Warrant Officer John Robert Brown, known as Bob, received a birthday surprise visit from Tim, his great nephew, who is following in Bob’s footsteps over 80 years on having recently completed his Elementary Flying Training at RAF Wittering.

Bob joined the RAF Volunteer Reserves shortly after the start of the Second World War and was selected to train as a Pilot.

He joined a crew of six to learn to fly Wellingtons and in February 1941, they were posted to IX(B) Squadron at RAF Honington.

12 WITTERING VIEW SPRING 2022

On their second operational mission to bomb the Focke-Wulf factory near Bremen, they were attacked by a Messerschmitt ME110, and the crew had to bail out. Bob ended up as a prisoner of war spending time at various Stalag Luft camps across Germany and modern-day Poland.

While in captivity, Bob was promoted from Sergeant to Flight Sergeant and subsequently to Warrant Officer.

After the war, Bob became a teacher, reaching the post of Headteacher before his retirement in 1984.

As part of his birthday celebrations, Bob was awarded life honorary membership of the IX(B) Sqn Association and received a personal letter from the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston.

Bob still proudly recites the two mottos which mean the most to him: IX Squadron’s motto – ‘Per noctem volamus’ – ‘We fly by night’; and the RAF’s motto – ‘Per ardua ad astra’.

PHOTOS: Top: Bob on his 102nd birthday, with his great-nephew Left: Bob Brown during his RAF career.

PHOTO: Gp Capt Nick Huntley.

I have seen first-hand the wonderful work that DMRC Stanford Hall do to help others to return to health.”

Fellow team member is Sqn Ldr Ed Slater, Officer Commanding RAF Mountain Rescue, which is part of the A4 Force Elements.

The event kicks off on April 1. For more details, and to find out how you can donate, visit https://dmrcbenfundcycling.org

She’s A Winner!

RAF Wittering’s gate guardian – affectionately known by some as ‘She who must not be named’ (even we can’t bring ourselves to write it down) has taken the top spot in an online contest.

Forces Net (www.forces.net) ran a poll on social media to find out the military’s favourite gate guardian, and thanks to an entry from John Cooper, an

ex-RAF Aircraft Engine Fitter, the Station’s GR9 Harrier was crowned the winner, narrowly beating RAF Lakenheath’s Spitfire.

PHOTO: RAF Wittering’s gate guardian – GR9 Harrier.

Poppy’s © Mott Jordan at Shutterstock.com

A Year Six pupil from Wittering Primary School won the Royal Air Force Wittering Christmas Card Competition.

Every year pupils from Wittering Primary School design the Station’s official Christmas card.

The card is sent to RAF personnel working across the world, friends of RAF Wittering and even members of the Royal Family.

The winning design was created by 11-year-old Poppy Southall.

Wittering Primary School headteacher Rhys Thrower said: “This year’s designs were so festive and combined the Christmas message and climate change really well. I’m so glad I didn’t have to choose the winner. The School and the Station achieve so much during the year, the Christmas card competition is a great way of finishing the year off.”

Win Poppy’s design showed the Planet Earth siting in space, under a ‘Happy Christmas’ banner, with the message ‘Keep the planet cool this Christmas’ underneath.

Wing Commander Case said: “The theme for this year was Climate Change, and it was apparent that lots of our young people are passionate about the subject. While there were many really fantastic designs, Poppy’s really stood out by encompassing the World in a snow globe with the message ‘Keep the planet cool this Christmas’. RAF Wittering was proud to use her design as our 2021 Christmas card.”

PHOTOS: Top: RAF Wittering Christmas Card by Poppy Southall.

Bottom: Wing Commander Jez Case and Poppy Southall.

Walking the Wall A Wittering aviator is aiming to raise vital funds to support life-changing mental health treatment for veterans by walking the entire length of Hadrian’s Wall in under 24 hours.

RAF Medic SAC Jonny Parkin will be covering a route that follows Hadrian’s Wall, from the West coast to East, covering 86 miles in total, to raise funds for the charity Combat Stress. He has chosen to run on the June 20 as the date marks the beginning of Operation Herrick, the UK’s most substantial role in the War of Afghanistan.

Jonny said: “With the unfortunate number of casualties taken, I feel a strong portion of those who came back physically unscathed have since been overlooked when they’ve required support, particularly if they have since left the Armed Forces.

“We all know post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) support is sadly still lacking within the National Health Service (NHS). I am doing this to raise awareness of services available such as Combat Stress, to signpost people who have not heard of it, and to assist Combat Stress in their mission. I also want to use this as an opportunity to remember

all those who unfortunately did not come home from Operation Herrick, but also those who did come home and have since passed through battling PTSD.” Combat Stress is the UK's leading charity for veterans' mental health. For over a century, they have helped former service personnel deal with issues like trauma, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Today, they provide support to veterans from every service and every conflict.

PHOTO: SAC Jonny Parkin is planning to hike 86 miles in under 24 hours for charity.

To donate to Jonny’s fundraiser please visit: https://events.combatstress. org.uk/fundraisers/ jonathanparkin or scan the QR code.

We're On Facebook!

Keep up to date with all the community information, news and events by visiting and liking the Wittering View Facebook page.

SPRING 2022 WITTERING VIEW 13

14 WITTERING VIEW SPRING 2022

Sycamore Motorrad are your local dealer for everything to do with BMW & Royal Enfield motorbikes. Established in 1939 & BMW dealers since 1984, we added the Royal Enfield franchise to compliment the range of BMW bikes 5 years ago. We have a showroom literally packed with bikes, over 70 of them in fact. From the £4,000 Royal Enfield Meteor to the £27,000 K1600GTLE tourer, with everything in between, both new & used, there is a bike here for everyone.

It doesn’t stop with bikes though. We have the full range of BMW kit, from clothing made from the latest hi-tech materials offering the ultimate in protection & waterproofing, to helmets, boots, gloves, and a great selection of casual clothing.

Accessories offer the owner the opportunity to really make their bike their own. Panniers and a top box make an ideal addition for touring, don’t forget the inner bags. A BMW Navigator VI will take the stress out of that tour too.

We can fit an intercom system to listen to music, talk to your pillion or connect to your phone. Camera systems are also available to add that extra security and peace of mind. To feed the teenager inside you, we can offer the Akrapovič exhaust system to pep up the sound and increase the power.

All of this is though, needs a modern state of the art workshop with the latest BMW diagnostic equipment and full factory trained technicians. Through regular courses and assessments at BMW’s bespoke training facility our senior technicians, technicians and apprentices are trained to the highest standards to make sure they have the skills, knowledge, and experience to look after your bike regardless of the age and complexity of the problem.

From servicing and MOT’s to diagnostics and major projects, rest-assured, whatever you need, we can do it.

The only way that we can offer all of this, is with the final and most important element in the equation, our staff.

Every member of staff here, is a passionate biker. We understand what bikers want and we understand what bikers expect. A friendly showroom with welcoming staff who really do know the products and how to offer that customer service ethic. All of our staff go through continual training both on-site and at BMW’s training school in Farnborough.

We ride the bikes; we use the clothing and accessories, so we know what they can offer you.

We have become a destination for bikers from all around to come and enjoy a cuppa & a chat at our comfortable biker bar. Our famous Bacon Butty Saturday, unsurprisingly, draws people in from far & wide. Customers or staff, we put #peoplefirst

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SPRING 2022 WITTERING VIEW 15

feature REMEMBRANCE DAY Stamford Brass leads the parade in Stamford.

Stamford and RAF Wittering Reunited in

Remembrance

Stamford and RAF Wittering were reunited in the Act of Remembrance as Station personnel and citizens marked the armistice together for the first time in two years.

Because of the pandemic, a full Remembrance parade was impossible in 2020. In November, however, a detachment from RAF Wittering marched along Broad Street and was brought to attention outside Stamford’s War Memorial in front of the historic Browne’s Hospital.

RAF Wittering’s Station Commander Wing Commander Jez Case said: “The day affords us the opportunity to remember those who gave their lives in the defence of our Nation. We are part of the Stamford community, and the people of the town have supported RAF Wittering since its inception so taking part in Remembrance in the town is an honour. As always, the Royal British Legion did an outstanding job in their 100th year.”

Stamford’s townspeople turned out in healthy numbers and joined with veterans, cadets and local government officials to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in the cause of freedom.

The Act of Remembrance not only honours those who have laid down their lives in the two World

16 WITTERING VIEW SPRING 2022

Wars, but also those who have died in other conflicts.

In addition to the parade in Stamford, personnel from RAF Wittering marked Remembrance Day in Leicester and Peterborough. Officers from the Station placed wreaths at services in many of the surrounding towns and villages, including Wittering village itself.

A4 Force Elements Commander, Group Captain Nick Huntley, was the senior officer at the Remembrance parade in Leicester.

He said: “All of us feel the weight of history on Remembrance Sunday; whether you are in the armed forces, a veteran, or a civilian. It is precisely because those men and women gave their lives in time of war and conflict, that we can enjoy the liberties we have today.”

Veterans and cadets during the parade.

A salute is given as the parade passes the war memorial at Browne’s Hospital.

Wing Commander Jez Case in conversation with a veteran after Stamford’s Remembrance Parade.

RAF Wittering’s detachment parades through Stamford.

SPRING 2022 WITTERING VIEW 17

feature TUTOR DISPLAY PILOT

New Tutor Display Pilot

Appointed At RAF Wittering

Images (All images by SAC Kimberley Waterson).

The RAF Tutor Display Team Pilot for the 2022 Season is Flight Lieutenant David-John Gibbs of 115 Squadron of RAF Wittering.

Flight Lieutenant Gibbs is a well-qualified and highly experienced military pilot.

He joined the Royal Navy in 1996, where he flew the Sea King helicopter on operational and search-and-rescue missions.

Flight Lieutenant Gibbs said: “It’s an enormous honour to be chosen for this role."

Safety is everything in display flying, and sequences are rehearsed more than 20 times before Public Display Authority is given. Flt Lt Gibbs said: “Every rehearsal is supervised and captured on video. Nobody else uses the airspace or the airfield during the routine, and we also have full crash cover throughout. We actually simulate emergencies too, so that we are as prepared as possible should the unexpected occur.”

Flight Lieutenant David-John Gibbs.

18 WITTERING VIEW SPRING 2022

This is David-John’s second tour with 115 Squadron. After flying helicopters for several years he chose to specialise in fixed-wing aircraft and joined 115 Squadron as an accredited instructor, he then became an examiner for the Central Flying School before transferring to the Royal Air Force in 2019.

Wing Commander Jez Case is the Station Commander at RAF Wittering. He said: “Flying Displays provide the opportunity for members of the public and the next generation of the RAF to enjoy precision flying at its best, and I am proud to have the Tutor display based at RAF Wittering. Flt Lt Gibbs is an experienced pilot who will use his experience as an instructor to develop a brilliant display for 2022 and I look forward to seeing it in the skies above Wittering.”

Are you up for a challenge?

Personnel at RAF Wittering are being urged to get on their bikes for RAFA Rides.

Not much about the last two years has been certain, but one thing that has remained constant is the Royal Air Forces Association’s support of the RAF community.

Last June, 810 riders joined together from around the world to take part in RAFA Rides 2021.

This included 250 who cycled routes around the beautiful Leicestershire and Rutland countryside, with the rest joining virtually.

Friendship and maintaining connections are key elements in much of the welfare delivered by the Association and RAFA Rides shares these values. Personnel, families and contractors at RAF Wittering can be part of RAFA Rides 2022, taking place on June 11, 2022. You can show your support for those who are serving, those who have served and their families, and have some bicycle-related fun at the same time!

The event, made possible thanks to generous ongoing support from security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin UK, was created so people across the world could join both in person and virtually, in support of the RAF community.

While a great deal of the Association’s work is for more vulnerable members of our community, serving personnel can benefit also from support.

This can be a bedtime story recorded for a child while you

are working away from home, online mental wellbeing courses, affordable and nurturing early years childcare on RAF stations or an online forum for those caring for people living with dementia.

RAFA Rides 2021 medal.

feature A400M FUEL EX

Team Conducts New Fuelling System Trial

Air Vice-Marshal Gary Waterfall, RAF Association ambassador and RAFA Rides founder, finishing RAFA Rides 2019.

Air Vice-Marshal Gary Waterfall, RAF Association ambassador and RAFA Rides founder, said: “RAFA Rides 2021 surpassed all our expectations. In just four years, this annual ride has become a real highlight in the cycling calendar.

As the last miles were ridden, we were already thinking about the next year’s ride, and it is going to be bigger and better. I urge everyone with a bike to sign up.”

Anyone who loves cycling and wants to join riders around the world in supporting the RAF community, can sign up now for RAFA Rides 2022.

Photo credit: Mr Steve Lympany – RAF Brize Norton.

A team from RAF Wittering has been involved in developing the capability of the Atlas transport aircraft to refuel fast jets by conducting a first-time trial of a new fuelling system.

Personnel from the Fuels Support Team (FST), part of No.1 Expeditionary Logistics Sqn (1ELS), deployed to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire to develop the Air Landed Aircraft Refuelling System capability used by the A400M ‘Atlas’.

Describing the capability, Wing Commander Patton, Officer Commanding the newly reformed 30 Squadron said: “The work with No 1 Expeditionary Logistics Squadron showcases the ability of A400M to rapidly establish a forward refuelling point, which

Visit rafa.org.uk/rafarides to start your journey.

The food servery at the lunchtime service on Wednesday 22nd September.

is critical to projecting our Forces wherever they may be needed in the world.”

The team take fuel from a large multi-engine aircraft like the Atlas and transfer it into a tactical refuelling facility to provide support to aircraft forward deployed from their Main Operating Bases to more austere locations.

The Fuel Support Teams at 1ELS are specialists in providing tactical refuelling solutions for all fixed wing aircraft in all environments.

They can provide a range of refuelling solutions to the RAF ranging from a Tactical Refuelling Area to a Primary Bulk Fuel Installation that can store up to 525k litres of fuel, enough to fully refuel 8 A400M aircraft, or 525 Typhoon.

Flight Lieutenant Craig De Jong, Officer Commanding Mechanised Transport & Fuels within 1ELS said: “This is a new capability and the training conducted at Brize Norton represents the first step in bringing it to life. The FST oversaw the defuel of the A400M into a Tactical Refuelling Area during two live demonstrations: one in daylight, and one at night. Once fully matured ALARS will afford Defence a highly flexible and adaptable method of enabling a Forward Air Refuelling Point in future."

This trial directly supports the RAF development of Agile Combat Employment which is an operational concept of being able to operate from austere air bases in order to disperse and quickly manoeuvre combat capability throughout a theatre.

Supported by a minimal presence on the ground to provide support activities such as aircraft fuelling, arming and engineering, Agile Combat Employment expands the number of bases from which air forces can generate combat sorties.

SPRING 2022 WITTERING VIEW 19

REGULARS COMMUNITY News

Community News

Padre’s Corner

Community Support The Community Support Team are returning to the office on a phased return. We are available during normal working hours should you or your family have any specific enquiries. The team’s contact details are below.

Happy Easter

Outreach sessions - Members of the CS Team are hoping to restart the session soon. Once back up and running we will be in the CLC+ building (near the Millennium Park) every Tuesday from 0900-1200, where we will be joined by RAF Police and the housing estate officer. If you have any queries or questions, please come to see us or just pop in to say hello.

Please check the latest advice about COVID 19: https://www.raf.mod.uk/coronavirus/ SSAFA Support Wittering currently has one Personal and Family Support Worker. If you need their help please contact Paula Finch, tel. 07825 016 853 or email paula.finch@ssafa.org.uk (available Mon – Fri), or There is also a 24-hour number that you can call, tel. 03000 111 723 or visit their website https://www.ssafa.org.uk/ Deployment Support The Community Support Team is currently working on a plan that will hopefully see the return of deployment support activities.

However, if your son/daughter/ partner is currently deployed or is going to be deployed to a qualifying location, please send an email to Sophie about claiming the Families Welfare vouchers. Please be advised there may be a delay in posting out due to current working arrangements.

Facebook For all the latest information, the team is regularly posting on the Wittering View and RAF Wittering HIVE Facebook pages.

Please note this information was correct at the time of going to press, however as the situation is changing on a daily basis at present, please visit the Wittering View Facebook Page for all the up to minute news and information.

20 WITTERING VIEW SPRING 2022

Free Advice Clinics at the HIVE Financial Education & Information – Andy from PAX can be found in the SSAFA/Welfare corridor on the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 0930-1400, drop-in or call and make an appointment directly with Andy on tel.

07583 145 836 – he can assist with debt counselling and financial education to name a few areas.

Buckles Solicitors offers free 30-minute appointments on family law matters. If you wish to speak to our Solicitor, please email or call Sophie at the HIVE (sophie.west102@mod. gov.uk), who will pass your details to Bev to arrange a time for a phone consultation.

We do not have access to a Citizens Advice Rutland adviser anymore, but the local office is more than happy to receive calls and queries from Wittering residents should you need support.

Visit www.rutlandcab.org.uk or tel. 01572 723494.

Easter means many things for many people. Only yesterday (I’m writing this mid-January) I walked into a supermarket to be greeted by a large display of chocolate for sale under the banner ‘Easter – Sunday 17 April’. It was nice to be reminded of the date, given that it changes every year. And nice to start looking forward to Easter Eggs. I wonder what your favourite one is.

Easter Eggs traditionally are a sign of hope. When they were first introduced, they were meant to represent an empty tomb (which got lost a bit when small packets of confectionary were put inside!). The Church celebrates the time when on Good Friday Christ was put to death on a cross and laid in a tomb, but then on Easter Sunday, when those wanting to tend the grave arrived, all they found was some grave clothes and an empty tomb. Later that day they met the risen Christ. So, for Christians, Easter is a time of hope, that the darkness of death and the causes of death have been overcome by God who raised His Son from the dead.

When we go through times of darkness and intense difficulty

Useful Contacts Service Community Support Officer - WO Neil Paylor tel. 07976 206569 or email neil.paylor660@mod.gov.uk HIVE Information Officer – Sophie West tel. 0300 169 0854 or email sophie.west102@mod.gov.uk Community Development Officer (CDO) – Mark Davis – tel. 07976 208806 or email mark.davis955@bc.mod.gov.uk Community Support Administration Officer – Emma Stacey – tel. 0300 167 0991 or email emma.stacey593@mod.gov.uk

or conflict, it can seem as if there is no hope, as if there will be no end to sad times. But just as the dawn follows the darkness of night, so there will always be the hope of new beginnings.

I hope that by the time you are reading this, the country will be enjoying greater freedoms, and that the shadow of Covid will be retreating. But whatever the situation (for we have learnt enough by now to know that new variants continue to be a threat), I hope that even out of the darkest of times, you will discover that good can come and can be found, and that where there is life there is hope. Perhaps a simple summary of Easter is this – good wins in the end, and love overcomes all.

Something to hold on to.

Happy Easter!

Padre Andrew Tucker Please remember that I am available for all who serve and work at RAF Wittering, serving and civilian, as well as their spouses or partners, if you need someone to talk to confidentially.

PHOTO: Easter Eggs are traditionally seen as a sign of hope.

Useful Websites https://www.rafbf.org/newsand-blogs/fund-responsecovid-19 https://www.cambridgeshire. gov.uk/residents/coronavirus/ covid-19-coordination-hubyour-community-needs-you https://www.peterborough. gov.uk/healthcare/publichealth/coronavirus https://www. peterboroughmatters.co.uk/

The RAF Wittering Station Cinema boasts an authentic cinematic experience with a homely feel.

On The Beat with RAF Police

Returning to work Wittering

Cinema Club

Welcome to 2022, a new year with less restrictions and the ability to return to work.

We would like to take this time over some topics that will aid you with a seamless transition back to life on Station.

In the Spotlight

The RAF Wittering Station Cinema was the brainchild of Padre Stewart Shaw and was established in 2018.

With the support of the RAF Benevolent Fund and the Armed Forces Covenant, who have provided significant investment, combined with the efforts of the Cinema team, the Cinema now boasts a truly authentic cinematic experience with a homely feel.

Situated in the Stamford Suite within the Amenities Building, the cinema has comfortable leather sofas, and can seat up to a capacity of 26 persons.

It is a primary welfare facility on Station available to all staff including Military, Civil Servants, Contractors, and their respective dependents plus support groups such as cadets and other youth engagement organisations.

Film showings are normally only a few weeks behind the mainstream cinema, but the Station cinema only makes a

request for donations of £4 per adult and £2 per child (under 16).

This is to cover the licence fee for the use of the Cinelink films and equipment which is currently £5,500 per annum.

Showings are pre-booked, and cinemagoers can make bookings by sending an email to witteringcinema@gmail. com. A member of the bookings team will respond via email with confirmation, seat allocation and donation request. Walk-ins are also welcome, but availability is not guaranteed.

The cinema is also available for private hire by teams and groups which could be perfect for sections interested in holding a work event or if you are a parent looking to organise a party for the children. Cinemagoers are welcome to bring their own food and drink into the cinema, but there is also the shop and cafe nearby for the purchase of goodies.

Station vehicle passes should be displayed on unit but removed upon departure as it increases your personal security when in public, so it does not highlight you as a member of the Armed Forces. Valuable and attractive items should be removed or placed out of sight to avoid your car becoming a target for criminals.

It is important to report anything you deem suspicious to the RAF Police or MPGS as soon as practicable. Provide as much information as possible including a detailed description of a person or vehicle. The SCRIM acronym can be used for vehicles (Shape, Colour, Registration, Identifying Features, Make/Model).

IDs are always to be displayed and worn at RAF Wittering.

Everyone is encouraged to

challenge anyone who does not display an ID. Should you lose your MOD Form 90, please report to the Police Flt ASAP. RAF Police conduct Community Hub sessions to discuss any areas or concerns personnel may have on unit or within Wittering Village and provide advice on property marking, securing of ID’s / car passes, household security and Crime Reduction Surveys. These sessions are held within the Station Coffee Shop between 1000 – 1100, every second and fourth Thursday of the month with Wittering Village Hubs recommencing soon.

For Minor Incidents on Station, the RAF Police have created a 24hr Online Minor Occurrence Reporting Tool which can be found on the RAF Wittering SharePoint page, under ‘RAF Police’.

RAF Police – tel. 95351 x 7087 or 01780 417087 Confidential Crime Line – tel. 0800 432 0771 MPGS – tel. 95351 x 7227 or 01780 417227

For more information about the cinema or if you would like to make a booking, please email witteringcinema@gmail.com

The RAF Wittering Cinema is supported by the Armed Forces Covenant and RAF Benevolent Fund.

SPRING 2022 WITTERING VIEW 21

REGULARS Community NEWS

Looking Forward To

Brighter Days It’s the time of the year when we all look forward to the weather getting better, the nights getting lighter and looking forward to a family holiday - fingers crossed for this year!

There are going to be some changes at SSAFA in the coming months. Sadly, we are saying goodbye to the lovely Haylie, our part-time Personal and Family Support Worker (PFSW) as she leaves for a new challenge. We wish you all the best for your new job and we will miss you.

The recruitment process has started, and the good news is that we are able to recruit a new full-time post. So, double the SSAFA support for RAF Wittering. We will keep you updated when the new person starts - possibly in April.

I am back on station three days a week and we are delivering a blended approach - combined office and home working. I am in the office Monday to Wednesday and working from home on Thursday and Fridays, however, this is flexible when required.

We are also trying to recruit new volunteers to both the InService Committee and SSAFA Volunteers, with roles to suit everyone. All our volunteers are pivotal is helping us to support all our service personnel and

We are all looking forward to brighter days.

22 WITTERING VIEW SPRING 2022

families. We rely on them to support us from driving people to appointments/shopping and dog walking to cutting grass and befriending, the range of opportunities is endless. All the relevant training is given by the organisation and hopefully we can get this project back up and running soon. If you are also fundraising for a worthy cause, always remember us as we use all the money raised for our local community supporting those in times of need.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible around the station while going from place to place with a cup of tea in hand. If you see me out and about, please stop and say hello!

Our office is in the Amenities building by Costa and the shop. If you need to make an appointment don’t hesitate to contact me. I just may be able to help!

Paula Finch paula.finch@ssafa.org.uk 07825 016853 If you need SSAFA support, please contact as follows: Tel. 03000 111 723 (24 hours a day) Email: psswsRAF@ssafa.org.uk

The Panto Bus actors performed Aladdin for RAF Wittering families.

Families enjoyed the thrill of the Pantomime when the Panto Bus returned to Wittering just before Christmas.

The pantomime, Aladdin, was held at the Community Centre.

This was the first time the Panto Bus had been able to return since 2019.

It’s Behind You! The actors from the Panto Bus performed for families in a covid-safe way making it a great experience for everyone who attended.

Panto Bus, which is provided

by The British Forces Foundation, were invited to the Station by the Community Support Team.

Airplay is Back!

Airplay Staff are excited to be back working with young people and delighted to announce that we are now on board with YMCA Trinity, enabling us to deliver even more stimulating, year-round activities for young people.

We can’t wait to see what the upcoming year brings.

If your young person would like to attend one of our sessions, please complete our online membership form at http://www.airplayconnect.org or contact Station Youth Worker Sharon Pollard for more information.

Advent Calendars Before Christmas, Airplay members were busy collecting contributions for our annual Advent Calendar event. Young people donated a week’s worth of subs and collected donations.

The calendars were shared in the wider community to vulnerable children and adults, single parents, struggling families, the elderly and those with disabilities. This was our third year of supporting the local Advent Calendar appeal and we were very successful. A total of 61 calendars were collected creating 1,464 smiles. Priceless!

Members of Project Tuesday, our Youth Committee, with the Advent Calendars.

FAM

Spring Is Here And It’s A Great Time To Get Moving Are you considering an upgrade from your annual spring clean to moving into new accommodation?

Possibly becoming a first-time buyer, purchasing a place of your own?

Have you considered renting?

Is location key?

Living closer to family, a partner’s workplace, or are schools a deciding factor?

The Future Accommodation Model (FAM) allows eligible Service personnel (SP) at pilot sites to choose a variety of accommodation options to suit their specific needs. That could mean being entitled to receive additional financial support to rent

or buy in a place that suits their desired lifestyle - whether that’s closer to a town centre, nearer the peace of village life or simply buying a home to put down roots and have more stability for loved ones. Or remaining in Single Living Accommodation (SLA) or Service Family Accommodation (SFA), but now with widened entitlements for those in Established Long Term Relationships (LTR(E)) and those who have visitation of their children over 80 nights.

You are eligible for FAM if all the following apply to you: •

Regular or Full Time Reserve Service (Full Commitment), over 18 and have completed Phase 1 training.

• •

Future Availability Date – Six months left in Service and assigned to a pilot site.

Length of Service – One year completed, with an assignment order to a valid UIN and permanent unit location at a pilot Site

Here are our top tips to consider: • •

•

•

Find the perfect home – purchase or rental.

Consider how much of your kit you really need.

De-clutter during that spring clean.

Check out local amenities – schools, transport, parking and neighbourhoods.

Find out your possible allowances for removals.

If applying under FAM:

WE NEED YOU! We are currently looking for new members for our Project Tuesday Youth Committee group, for more information about this or anything ‘Airplay’ please contact Sharon.Pollard@ymcatrinity.org.uk

AIRPLAY

•

•

•

Visit ‘What you need to know’ Future Accommodation Model on Gov.UK Check out Discover My Benefits to find out your possible financial assistance.

Make sure your Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) is up to date.

•

Contact your FAM Cell for information and guidance.

More options for information about FAM The pilot has been up and running at RAF Wittering for almost two years and during this period The FAM Cell have been using their initiative to reach SP and their families.

Being able to share information on FAM and how it supports those who are eligible, is a key part of the FAM pilot process.

The feedback we receive from you is vital for shaping the accommodation offer for the entire Armed Forces.

At Wittering we host a live FAM Forum monthly to deliver information and advice on the FAM pilot as well as providing an opportunity for you to ask any questions, both in person and anonymously via Slido, which is accessible to SPs and their families.

Contact your RAF Wittering FAM Cell to find out more email: People-FAMCELL-WIT@gov.uk Visit our Social Media: Facebook - @UKMODFAM Twitter - @UKMODFAM

Tuesday 18:30 - 20.30 Year 8 and over Youth House 18-20 St Georges Road £1.50

Sevens Wednesday 18:30 - 20.30 Year 7 Youth House 18-20 St Georges Road

YOUTH CLUB JUNIORS

The Future Accommodation Model (FAM) Your accommodation, your choice For more information search: ‘Future Accommmodation Model’ on Gov.UK

@UKMODFAM

@UKMODFAM

Thursday 18:30 - 20.15 Community Centre, RAF Wittering For more information please contact: Station Youth Worker sharon.pollard@ymcatrinity.org.uk

SPRING 2022 WITTERING VIEW 23

© Allies Interactive at Shutterstock.com

SENIORS

REGULARS tea break time

TEA BREAK TIME Spot The Difference Can you spot the 10 differences in these two photographs?

Crocus pocus, it’s another quiz I was trying to find a suitable pun but decided to save you from saffron such a fate!

1. To which family does the crocus belong: is it rose, iris, or lily?

2. What four colours can crocus petals be?

3. True or false, crocus leaves and petals are covered by a waxy cuticle?

4. Ninety percent (90%) of the world’s saffron is harvested in which country?

5. It takes around 85,000 flowers to harvest how much saffron: 500g, 1kg, or 10kg?

6. True or false, saffron is the world’s second most expensive spice by weight?

7. Which country produces the second largest amount of saffron: is it Spain, Afghanistan, or India?

8. True or false, the harvesting of saffron must be done by hand?

9. The saffron crocus can be used as a natural dye. The stigmata are used for yellow, but what colour dye do the petals produce?

10. True or false, the town of Saffron Walden is so named because it is where the saffron crocus was naturalised in England?

Just one more thing…

In one version of the myth, Krokos was a companion of Hermes. Hermes turned Krokos into a flower when he was accidentally killed in a game of discus, and three drops of blood became the stigmata of the flower.

TEA BREAK TIME Answers at the bottom of page 30.

Wordsearch Which of the crocus varieties listed below cannot be found in the grid?

Advance Bowles Dorothy Firefly Olivieri Pickwick Romance

24 WITTERING VIEW SPRING 2022

Roseus Saffron Skyline Tricolor

military discount on our available products in store!

We are a small local chain and have been trading for 60 years withshops in Stamford, Peterborough, Corby, Huntingdon, Kings Lynn and St Ives.

As well as selling bicycles and related products and accessories, we offer a range of servicing options in all branches.

We are a Bosch e-bike service centre and our mechanics are trained to deal with all the leading brands of parts and accessories.

We are part of the bike-to-work scheme and also deal with the majority of cycle schemes.

We are happy to offer a 10% military discount on our available products in store.

SPRING 2022 WITTERING VIEW 25

REGULARS

I worked when needed and played when I had the time. There were no complaints and my reports were balanced.

Name: Sqn Ldr Michael Masters Role: Station XO Marital Status: Married

In the Seat 1. What part of your job gives you the most satisfaction?

The Story telling. Talking to people about my roles in the RAF over the past 20 years and inspiring them to come and join us. I have had so many wonderful adventures and experiences; five minutes talking to perspective recruits lifts me up when the work is hectic and emails are relentless. You only remember the good things when you talk to an outsider.

2. And the least?

Waste. I hate seeing wastefulness.

There are limited resources in the world and there is lots of wastefulness. Everyone needs to consciously recycle, reuse, plant more trees and walk more. Stop printing things on paper. The RAF had a target by 2020 to be recycling 75 per cent. The best unit is at 25 per cent. We all need to do more.

3. What is the best advice you have ever received?

Be the best version of you.

4. Describe yourself in six words?

Hyperactive, Impulsive, Memorable, Thoughtful, Forgetful, Stubborn.

5. What career would you have followed if you had not pursued your current profession?

I left school without any qualifications. I really had no idea until I was 20 and without a job, I decided to join the Armed Forces.

The RAF trained me in Avionics, qualified me in Engineering and has now commissioned me.

I suppose when I leave the RAF, I would like to pursue sports coaching and officiating as a full-time occupation.

6. Is there one piece of criticism that sticks in your mind?

I was told by a previous line manger I played too much sport at my arrival interview. There was a perception I was not going to be committed to my role. I then worked every hour of the day, fretted about everything in order to remove this stigma. It was to the detriment of my own mental health and personal wellbeing.

When I look back now, I had balance in all my previous roles,

7. What would be your first act as world leader?

Four-day working week.

8. Name your desert island essentials?

Wind-up radio for music and news, some reading material (autobiographies) and maybe a large tub of Liquorice Allsorts.

9. How would you change the MOD? Tell everyone to find one thing to better improve their role or job and implement it. We need to move away from always doing the same things and find easier or better ways of working.

10. What food would you choose for your last supper?

I always fancied trying a vindaloo but worried it would be too hot.

So might as well try it if it is going to kill me.

11. Who do you most admire in the world?

My Wife. In comparison to me she has achieved so much and is not stopping any time soon. She completed her PhD in Switzerland, won a few international awards for her research and is now leading an early detection research facility at Cambridge Uni. She is like a rock star of cancer research and takes it in her stride, while remaining grounded and married to me.

12. Name four people you would like as a dinner guest – and why?

Sir Steve Redgrave – Olympian.

I am a huge sports fan. His five Olympic gold medals, multiple world championships and struggle with diabetes while balancing his training.

John Williams – American Composer. His music scores are iconic and very catchy. He is a pure genius and has his work in every walk of life.

HRH, The Duke of Edinburgh. He was an iconic man who influenced many things during his lifetime, he was intelligent and had a wicked sense of humour.

Roald Dahl – Novelist. I grew up reading his books and it was his characters that are engrained on my childhood.

13. What one piece of music would you like played at your funeral?

It will have to be the John Williams Symphonic Marches by the Massed bands of the Royal Marines. The Raiders of the Lost Ark, Emperor’s March into Olympic fanfare and theme. The transitions are seamless.

Raiders as it’s the last chance to escape the furnace before I am carried in. Bearers carrying me to the Emperor’s march (Star Wars) and the final few minutes with the fanfare for sombre reflection.

14. How would you like to be remembered?

For the good I tried to do.

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feature EXERCISE AGILE PIRATE Personnel from No 1 Air Mobility Wing loading personnel and equipment from No 16 Air Assault Brigade onto a 99 Squadron RAF C-17.

EXERCISE AGILE PIRATE ists Medical personnel, engineers and logistics special first gathered at Wittering for Exercise Agile Pirate, the major collective exercise for RAF Support Force.

The RAF Support Force brings together most of the capabilities and skills needed to sustain modern air operations and exercises - specialist engineering and logistics, advanced military communications and tactical medical services.

Full operating capability was achieved in 2021, and Agile Pirate was the first collective training opportunity for the Support Force. In the exercise scenario, RAF Wittering doubled as an austere airfield in a foreign country, with the Support Force deployed to provide the essential services on the ground to enable air operations.

Air Commodore Neil Grant, who commands the RAF Support Force, said: “We’re a high-readiness organisation, so we have to be prepared to deploy within days, and sometimes within hours.

Therefore, our engineers, logistics personnel and medics need to be trained and experienced – that’s what Agile Pirate is all about.”

With its long runway and 28 WITTERING VIEW SPRING 2022

including No 605 Squadron, wide taxiways, RAF Wittering’s which has an RAF Police Flight. l usefu is d airfiel spacious Flight Lieutenant Chris ding unloa for loading and Halliwell, an RAF Reserve Police wide-bodied aircraft. But Officer with 605 Squadron at there was also intense activity RAF Cosford, said: “On a real While d. airfiel the from away operation the RAF Police would Air 1 No the personnel from be doing force protection, Mobility Wing practised the making sure the camp is secure loading and unloading the inside and out and that our Brize RAF from ft aircra C-17 people and equipment are safe. s Medic Force Norton, Support As a reservist I need to be able to set from Tactical Medical Wing do this whenever I’m needed so up a working medical facility. this training is an absolute must s Jame nant Lieute Flight for me.” al Boyd, an RAF Medic After four days of concentrated Support Officer from Tactical training, Ex Agile Pirate came to Medical Wing, said: “This is an end having met all its training valuable training because objectives. The next phase of the all we’re working with Agile Pirate was conducted other units; communications, on the remote Scottish island engineering, logistics, in the of Stornoway, where the RAF the if would we that way same Support Force enabled the So d. abroa RAF was operating operation of Typhoon jets. is everything that you see here Air Commodore Grant like a realistic approximation of uded: “Our business is concl deal to ted expec be we’d what ing the deployment of UK enabl ” . world with in the real Space Power, wherever and Air Agile Pirate is also an and whenever it is needed. opportunity for RAF Reservists Exercises like Agile Pirate to train alongside their Regular allow us to refine our output and tics Logis ve counterparts. Reser demonstrate that we’re ready.”

Support Wing is based at Wittering and manages three reserve logistics squadrons,

Personnel from RAF Tactical Medical Wing in training during Exercise Agile Pirate.

The Mayor (Cllr Mrs Gloria Johnson) and Deputy Mayor (Cllr David Taylor) of Stamford in the cargo area of an RAF C-17 during a visit to RAF Wittering.

feature ex agile pirate 2

EXERCISE AGILE PIRATE 2

Cpl David Cunningham reports on the Fuel Support Team’s role in Ex AGILE PIRATE 2.

Cpl David Cunningham and SAC Tom Roberts of the Fuels Support Team (FST), No 1 Expeditionary Sqn (1ELS), travelled to Stornoway Airport, located in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, as part of the 1ELS deployment to Exercise AGILE PIRATE 2, designed to trial and further the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept.

1ELS rendezvoused with 2MT colleagues under the command of Sgt Aaron Gaskin at Elgin. 2MT’s journey had started at RAF Brize Norton, conducting ALARS (Air Landed Aircraft Refuelling System) training with 1 ELS and 70 Sqn; afterwards their fleet, consisting of two CSTs (Close Support Tanker) carrying F34 Aviation Fuel, travelled north.

The following day the convoy made its way across the top of Scotland to the port of Ullapool for a very arduous ferry crossing over to the Isle of Lewis.

The main party of Ex AGILE PIRATE 2 arrived the next day on an A400M aircraft transporting not only personnel, but equipment, including the fuels equipment for the exercise. FST and 2MT worked in unison to set up a bespoke combination involving a CST and a HeavyDuty Filter Water Separator (part of the Joint Operational Fuels System (JOFS)), with the relevant hoses to allow refuelling and

defueling of aircraft. Getting the equipment set up can be a slow and methodical process, necessary to check for any leaks in the hoses, pipework and equipment.

Using the bespoke fuel delivery system, 1ELS and 2MT personnel successfully completed four refuels for two 6 Sqn Typhoon aircraft. They also used this method to receive fuel from the A400M aircraft into the CST using the fuel hoses. FST earthed and bonded the CST, and then attached the hose on to the A400M aircraft to allow fuel to be received into the CST, which was under the control of a 2MT driver. Although only trialled in full days before the exercise, the whole process went smoothly.

1ELS personnel performed quality checks on the fuel to ensure it was within the correct

parameters; once cleared it was used to successfully refuel Typhoon aircraft prior to their departure home to RAF Lossiemouth.

Agile Combat Employment (ACE) is the rapid deployment of small numbers of highly skilled personnel, across various professions, to support RAF Combat Air assets at remote and challenging austere locations.

Stornoway Airport was a perfect location to test the adaptability and agile response of the RAF. 1ELS and 2MT proved on this exercise, and in the future, that they can provide tactical aviation fuels support in challenging and austere environments to air assets, with hopefully further ACE exercises planned for 2022.

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