onetoone ISSUE 1 2016

onetoone
ISSUE 1 2016
The RAF Coningsby Journal
4
onetoone
CONTENTS ISSUE 1 2016
5
OPS WING
Stn Cdr’s Foreword
3(F) Sqn XI(F) Sqn
29(R) Sqn
Group Captain Jez Attridge
08
10
12
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
121 EAW Training
14
BASE SUPPORT WING
Overview16
Feature
Coningsby at 75
20
Base Support wing
Overview24
RAF Benevolent Fund
30
Road Traffic Collision 31
Awarness Training
SPORTS
Coningsby Creates Cricketing History Coningsby Panthers Rugby League Team
This year is the 400th anniversary
of Shakespeare’s death and the
50th anniversary of England’s
(sole!) World Cup victory. But,
more importantly, it is the 75th
Anniversary of RAF Coningsby’s
official opening! W
ork began in 1937; in
1940, Flight Lieutenant
Stotter arrived as the
1st permanent member of staff;
and, on the 7th of January 1941
Coningsby Station officially
opened. Then, it was host to
a few Handley Page bombers
from 106 Squadron. Now,
we are one of the Royal Air
Force’s 3 remaining operational
Fighter bases, home to 4
fast-jet squadrons, the Battle
of Britain Memorial Flight and
several lodger units critical to
UK Defence. Sergeant Andy
Copley has written a fascinating
article to commemorate this
momentous anniversary
But, what of the future? The Strategic Defence and
Security Review was very
positive for the RAF and
particularly the Typhoon
Force. We will see an increase
from 5 front-line Eurofighter
Squadrons to 7 and although
the location for them has
yet to be decided it is clear
that Coningsby will be at the
centre of this activity. I’ll even
take bets that Coningsby will
celebrate a 100th birthday,
although by 2041 the only
people still recognisable from
2016 will be Sheila in Passes
and Permits and Steve the
Barber (although he might
need to exfoliate).
This issue of 121 is a
belter. From new padres to
the Rugby Team’s profile and
the inaugural RAF v Navy
Boxing Night (we won……just
saying) to our Cadet annual
awards, there’s plenty to read. If nothing else the contents of
this magazine exemplifies what
the Forces are good at, doing
more than just sitting around
and excellence.
So, sit back, relax and
let 121 Magazine waft you
towards summer 2016. 75 years
of glorious Coningsby – the
people here in 2016 are worthy
successors to those that have
gone before. This is a vibrant,
busy community, essential
to the defence of the UK –
providing 24/7 protection of
the country and always ready to
deploy 21st century air power. If
he could see Coningsby Station
now, Flight Lieutenant Stotter
would be astounded.
32
34
Coningsby AIR CADETS
Air Cadets Shine
Editorial & Distribution Team
onetoone
Editor
Publishers
Sqn Ldr Edward Morris
Lance Publishing Ltd,
1st Floor, Tailby House, Bath Road,
Kettering NN16 8NL.
Tel: 01536 512624
Fax: 01536 515481
Email: [email protected]
www.lancepublishing.co.uk
Distribution
Lead: Cpl Ian Scott (LS)
Deputy Lead: SAC Graham Dexter (LS)
Distribution Team:
SAC Jez Parkinson-Stuart (LS)
SAC Paul White (LS)
View Onetoone online at
www.onetooneonline.co.uk
Printed By
Lance Print Ltd
Tel: 01733 390564
Design
Sherrie Bacarese
Advertising
Jo Marchant
Lance Publishing Ltd,
1st Floor, Tailby House, Bath Road,
Kettering NN16 8NL
Tel: (01536) 526674
Editor’s Foreword • Sqn Ldr Edward Morris
This is my
final edition
of 121
magazine and
it is good to
sign off on
a high note.
Over the 4
issues that
I’ve edited I’ve
learnt much
about the
wide range of
opportunities
and outputs
that
Coningsby
produces on a
regular basis.
D
espite the high tempo of
work that is required on this
very busy station it is great
to see people still getting out
there and making service life as
rewarding as it can be. This edition
continues the theme with plenty
of awards, charity, education,
sport, adventurous training and
force development.
The ultimate output for
Coningsby is of course Air Power
and that has been successfully
employed on high end exercises
all over the world where our pilots
and engineers have been tested
to their limits whilst also having a
really good time. Back at home 29(R)
Sqn has seen its biggest ever year
with 33 new Typhoon pilots and 7
Weapons Instructors going from
here to frontline squadrons. Many
of those are already on Ops over Iraq
and Syria.
I’d like to thank everyone that
has submitted articles to make
the magazine what it is. The wide
ranging topics and high quality
of prose has made my job easy
during the late nights of editing. I’m
moving onto a 4 month tour in the
South Atlantic and will be handing
36
ISSUE 1 2016
over the reigns to Sqn Ldr Jamie
Green from 3(F) Sqn. I’m sure he
will continue to benefit from the
great support.
Recognition should also go to
the distribution team who ensure
the magazines are spreading
the word on station, in the local
community and the wider RAF. The
job of distributing 1500 magazines
in the short timeline required is a
big ask but is always carried out
with OCD levels of organisation
and good humour. A big thanks to
Cpl Ian Scott, SAC Graham Dexter,
SAC Jez Parkinson-Stuart and SAC
Paul White for finding time in their
busy schedules.
onetoone
EDUCATION FEATURE
Education
Guide
7
If you would like
more information
please contact the
schools direct and
they will be happ
y to
answer any questio
ns
that you may have
.
There are a wide range of educational services on offer to the
families in Lincolnshire, helping parents whose children are
starting school for the first time, those who are transferring
to secondary education and those who are being relocated to
RAF Coningsby and seeking new schools for their children.
Every child is different and each school is different. With help from
the experts you can find the perfect education so that your child
will enjoy their time in school and work to his or her full potential.
Over the next few pages you will see just some of the local
nurseries, primary schools, secondary schools, colleges
and universities that are in your catchment area.
Nurseries
Education can be provided in a range of settings. You may choose to take your
child to pre-school, playgroup, a private nursery or an independent school.
Primary Schools
Covering ages 4 to 11 these are the key years of a child’s educational and
emotional development in preparation for secondary school and where core
subjects such as English, Mathematics and Science are learnt.
Secondary Schools
Secondary school incorporates Key Stages 3 and 4 of the National
Curriculum (GCSE) and in most schools leads to the option of sixth form
studies, with a range of options including AS and A levels, plus in some
cases the International Baccalaureate. Options in the independent sector
include day, weekly boarding and boarding places, with a range of bursaries,
exhibition places and scholarships available. An increasing amount of state
schools are offering boarding places with no tuition fees payable.
FE Colleges
FE Colleges offer an alternative to traditional academic sixth
form education, including a range of vocational courses under
the remit of the Learning and Skills Improvement Service.
Connexions offer a range of advice and services.
Special Needs
There are a range of specialist schools in both the state and independent
sectors offering SEN services.These schools have particularly high
teacher:pupil ratios and a range of facilities to accommodate pupils’ needs.
Certain mainstream independent secondary schools
can also offer excellent SEN support.
Higher Education / University
Primarily covering universities in the UK under the governing body
UCAS there are also post 18 opportunities in vocational courses
at other specialist HE organisations. Students will typically start
considering destinations in the first year of A level study, awaiting
offers in the final year. A good deal who do not received preferred
offers or obtain the necessary grades for their first choice
colleges will go through the clearing process post A level.
RAF Coningsby
Nursery and Kids Club
• Graduate led provision
• Serving the whole of the Community
• Outstanding engagement with parents
• Providing wrap around care for
0 – 13yrs with the family at its heart.
• Dedicated , motivated and
highly qualified Team
• Preschool Free Funded places
available for 2 and 3yr olds*
• Kids Club
handing
I feel like I am
n to ‘family’.
over my childre
azing, very
am
The staff are
ays make
friendly and alw
d your family.
time for you an
My child goes an
d its wonderful
place
and the staff ar
e great, I would
not want
to send my child
anywhere else.
My child goes to
Kids Club and
he loves
it there, cannot
praise it enough
.
Contact
01526 344325
www.nurseryandkidsclub.co.uk
*Subject to criteria
8
EDUCATION FEATURE
3(F) SQN UPDATE ISSUE 1 2016
3(F)
SQN
UPDATE
The Fighting Third’s
main effort for the
past few months has
been the preparation
for and deployment
on Ex RED FLAG 16-1.
D
ecember was a busy
month of two halves
for the Sqn. Socially,
a number of functions
were attended including a
thoroughly successful Sqn
Christmas party at the Hilton
in Lincoln. On the professional
side, the preparation stepped
up for Ex RED FLAG 16-1, the
biggest air exercise in the
World, held at Nellis Air Force
Base (AFB) in Nevada.
Prior to deployment
the Sqn pilots took part in
Ex VIRTUAL FLAG. This was
synthetic training conducted in
simulators at the Air Battle Space
Training Centre (ABTC) at RAF
Waddington. The pilots operated
alongside the ABMs who would
also be deploying on Ex RED FLAG.
This proved a valuable learning
opportunity to practice tactics and
also a familiarisation of the Nellis
AFB procedures.
After a short break for
Christmas, the Sqn deployed to
Nellis AFB on 5 Dec 16 and for
two weeks prior to the Ex start we
worked with the 422nd. This unit
is the USAF test and evaluation
squadron, similar in concept to
41(R) Sqn, but as with so much
in the USA, a whole order of
magnitude bigger, operating A-10,
F-15, F-16, F-22 and F-35. Flying
with and against these aircraft
as well as F-18s from the USMC
and USN was a rare privilege and
valuable training and one that
none who took part will forget. Of
particular note was another first
for 3(F) Sqn when we flew with
and against the F-35.
So, after much preparation,
some excellent steak meals for
Eng management, unexpected
rain storms for MSF, and
some additional thanks to the
armourers, Ex RED FLAG started
on 25 Jan 2016. The first mission
involved over 80 aircraft from the
US and Australia as well as the
UK. The engineers worked round
the clock doing sterling work
in relatively austere conditions
and the serviceability record was
outstanding. For most of the pilots
this was their first experience
of operating alongside such a
large package of aircraft; the first
challenge was taxiing out to the
runway with a traffic jam of jets
all the way down the taxi-way.
Airborne, if not being shot at by
the aggressor jets playing the
enemy, pilots had to avoid being
shot down by the multiple surface
to air missile systems on the
Nellis range. And this was Day 1,
week 1…Over the three week Ex
the intensity of the training was
ramped up significantly and 3(F)
Sqn performed well throughout.
RED FLAG is the most valuable
training that Pilots, Engineers and
Mission Support staff will receive
and will be put to use whatever
faces the Sqn next.
Outside of RED FLAG, our
departing Australian Exchange
Officer Flt Lt Nilson received an
AOC 1Gp’s commendation, with
Sgts Bedford and Shelley, and
SAC(T) Tichband receiving Stn
Cdr’s Commendations in the
Queen’s New Years Honours,
marking some truly outstanding
contributions to the Service. The
Sqn is in fine shape as it prepares
to face the year ahead.
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9
Holy Trinity
Church of England Primary School
Tattershall
Our school, which has a strong Christian ethos, is a happy
place where children enjoy learning and playing together.
We pride ourselves on academic achievement and
the quality of our relationships within the
school and the wider community.
We offer a ‘Bluey Club’ for Service families and a
New Pupil Mentor for all families joining our school.
Visits to the school are very welcome.
Telephone: 01526 342349
Email: [email protected]
www.holytrinity.lincs.sch.uk
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XI SQN UPDATE ISSUE 1 2016
these one on one debriefs,
sharing tactics and the
strengths and weaknesses of
our respective systems. We
also had the benefit of a more
favourable pilot/flight hours
ratio, allowing a very steep
learning curve to improve our
knowledge and preparation
exponentially throughout the
phase. Conversion made, points
on the board.
After the all important first
period of the second half was
through, the fuel tanks were
fitted back onto the jets, rather
like a fresh bout of subs coming
off the bench, and we entered
the Counter Air phase of the
Exercise. This time we were now
working with the Rafales and the
Raptors to defend against (and
then attack) a simulated enemy
force, created from US F-15s and
T-38s. With the French alongside,
we practiced the tactics one
requires when integrating with
the 5th Gen Raptor; tactics that
are subtly different to the way
in which the Typhoon Force
normally operates, not least
because “stealth” is a two-way
attribute! One could say the
mind is inherently more focused
when you can’t ‘see’ a friendly
asset until it flies back past you.
Solid performances and
great charges up the field from
the RAF and FAF in the final
throws of the game led to a
very hasty build up of respect
across the forces, and this was
mirrored on the other side of
the fence with many a hearty
rendez-vous in various local
establishments. Despite initially
calling on Marco (the former
FAF Typhoon exchange pilot) for
interpretation, we realised there
aren’t really many words one
needs to know when hands and
shouting are available.
XI(F)
SQN
The Three Nations
Flt Lt Bobby Neaum
This most recent quarter
was a game of two halves:
the colossal engineering
task of the forwards pack
that preceded the trail
to the States, followed
by the heavily scrutinised
performance of the backs
in the company of France
and America’s finest.
N
ovember kicked off as an
exceedingly busy month
where the engineering
team were at times responsible for
up to 22 aircraft. Whilst 3(F) Sqn
were deployed on Ex ATLC in Abu
Dhabi, XI(F) took their remaining
aircraft and rear party personnel
to support the flying programme.
This enabled aircraft nominated for
the USA detachments of Ex TRILAT
and RED FLAG 16 to be correctly
prepared, upgraded and cleared
of major scheduled maintenance
accounts to see them all the way
through to Mar 16. Small hard yards
were being gained against many
challenges. The team had to supply
aircraft for QRA, aircraft to leave
behind for 3(F) Sqn when they
returned, and the 8 jets nominated
to fly to the USA. A task met with
haste, remarkable engineering skill
and as ever, an overflowing dose of
character and good humour. Come
the end of November, the whistle
blew and the Squadron ran back
down the tunnel to see families for
a final time.
Half-time couldn’t come soon
enough however; the trail across
the ‘Pond’ is no mean feat and
the weather in the Azores nearly
knocked the stuffing out of our
surge forward, not least due to
the possibility of our prized new
signings Voyager 1 and Voyager 2
being dragged back East to help
with the more pressing matter of
Operations. However, with some
strong supervisory work the trail
set the ruck and cleared our lines to
Bermuda. It was here that a couple
of jets took a knock and 2 crews
remained for an extra day or two to
see them over the last stage. While
the majority pushed to Langley
AFB on time, a few poor souls had
to contend with Bermudian Dollar
rates and an awfully over the top
selection of lobster, steak and the
ever elusive Red Snapper fish.
However, the magic sponge came
out and in true egg-ball style those
jets got up on their feet and cracked
on to the eastern sea-board.
With the players all back out
on the pitch at Langley Air Force
Base for the second half, the focus
switched to a more tactical mindset.
The first three flying days involved
1v1 air combat versus the French
Rafales and American Raptors. As
with every great set-piece move, the
engineering forwards had
laid the foundations and
now the ball was spun out
to the pilots, chomping
at the bit to make their
mark on a bubbling game.
What is said in the debrief
remains inside those four
walls and this Squadron
will always remain
magnanimous, but the
reputation of XI(F)’s aerial
prowess is resting high
across the Atlantic and
also the Channel. The
weapon system of the
Typhoon was used to full
advantage by the crews
allowing an enviable
head to head record to
be amassed. However,
it was not without
lessons learned, and
valuable relationships
were formed with our
coalition partners in
11
In the final minute, one last
scrum five beckoned. We still had
to get the Typhoon aircraft across
the States for Ex RED FLAG 16.
The forward pack leaned in, set,
and once the push came on the
backs went flying in to help drive
the chosen 8 magnificently over
the line for a superb team try in
Nellis AFB, Nevada. There you go
3(F) Sqn, you’re very welcome.
Wild celebrations erupted as the
crowds got to see how a real
RAF Fighter Squadron celebrates
their hard work. A successful
trail, all personnel embarked
on board the 2 Voyager aircraft
(whose crews are also due a
huge amount of credit for their
efforts) and back home in time
for Christmas; the final whistle
blows. What a game!
The Exercise was nothing
short of glorious and victorious
and although the Q shed
beckoned once more, XI(F) Sqn
kept high the reputation of the
Force in less obvious areas while
our Scottish colleagues continue
to do such a sterling job East of
the Med. I say it beckoned, some
people just don’t have their
priorities in order and Shippers
deserted his post to welcome
into the world his first child,
Arthur Duncan Slugdog Shipley.
Congratulations old boy, a fitting
end to a fantastic season.
Whilst in January we
face the continued fight of
training back up to speed
after a hard match and a long
break, the Squadron is riding
a wave of professional pride
and the Engineers are once
again proving their weight in
Gold Crude Oil Justin Bieber’s
record company stocks as we
fight to provide the aircraft and
standard of training required
of a Squadron on the build up
to a higher readiness when the
season starts again in May.
12
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EDUCATION FEATURE
29(R) SQN UPDATE ISSUE 1 2016
13
Tattershall
Primary School
We are a small village primary school with
enthusiastic and committed staff, all prepared to
‘go the extra mile’ to provide a learning experience
that your child will enjoy and remember.
At Tattershall Primary School we work
in close partnership with parents and
carers to help all children achieve their
full potential in a happy and caring
learning environment.
High standards of behaviour
Small classes,
high percentage of
Teaching Assistants,
many out of school activities,
good links
with the community.
We set high expectations for learning and
behaviour and continually strive to raise
standards through providing a relevant,
varied and stimulating curriculum.
Visits to the school are
warmly welcomed.
Breakfast Club available from
8am every day
29(R)
SQN
Please contact Mrs A Porter or the
headteacher Mrs J Davey who
will be pleased to show you around
the school and answer your queries.
Visitors are welcome,
please contact us on
01507 568304
www.mareham.lincs.sch.uk
A small nurturing school with fantastic results
The month of January is widely
accepted as being the most
depressing month of the year,
especially with the recent
invention of “Dryanuary”.
R
eturning to work after the
festive season, with failed New
Year resolutions still niggling
our conscience, tax returns, short
days/long nights and terrible
weather all combining to create the
perfect storm of melancholy. In the
words of Alan Partridge, it’s enough
to make anyone “clinically fed-up”!
Indeed, for a couple of members of
29 Squadron, returning to work in
plaster, the festivities of the previous
month didn’t just leave a dent in
their bank balance. Heads, wrists,
legs and ankles, were all to bear the
brunt of some over–exuberance
during the Christmas party season
(not to mention the numerous
sprout-related injuries at the
Squadron Christmas Draw!).
Thankfully, there was at least
one person on the Squadron who
seemed fresh and motivated to start
the New Year, our new commanding
officer Wing Commander James
Bolton. “JB” takes command of 29
straight from a year spent at the
Advanced Staff College, and we can
only assume that Santa brought him
a lot of power tools for Christmas
as he spent the entire 2 week break
redecorating the Squadron!
With JB’s arrival, we must bid
farewell to Wing Commander James
Heald after 2 years of command. His
leaving gift to the Squadron is a new
Outstanding comments from Ofsted:
picnic bench, which is only fitting
since he destroyed the last one with
his bizarre regime of lunging on it 20
times a day with a can of coke in one
hand and a copy of AP3000 in the
other…
Wing Commander Heald leaves
us to take up a very important desk
job at High Wycombe, and was last
heard to mutter “kill me in the face”. He
did however convince AOC 1 Group
that he should return for a week in
January, to accompany the Typhoon
Display team to Bahrain for “extra
supervision”. We’re unsure whether
he will offer to do the same for the
Prestwick Air Show later this year…
In lighter news though, the
rumours of 29 finally getting an
overseas detachment later this year,
were enough to raise the spirits of
even the most dejected an armourer
(a tactical move by OC Eng to let
that slip out and improve morale
just after the NEM pay review
announcement?!). A few weeks of
sunshine is just what the doctor
ordered for a Squadron that has seen
its last three detachments as boltholes
to Lossiemouth, Waddington and
Leeming respectively!
Wishing you all a happy and
prosperous 2016 from 29(R)Sqn.
IMPIGER ET ACER
“Pupils enjoy school very much,
behave impeccably and feel very safe.”
“Pupils’ excellent attitudes and behaviour have a
very positive impact on their learning and progress.”
“Staff provide an interesting and exciting
programme of lessons and extra activities.”
Secure links and positive relationships
with many RAF families.
Tel/Fax: 01526 342045
Our children were invited to play their
brass instruments at The Royal Albert Hall.
Headteacher:
Mrs Janette Davey
www.tattershallprimary.lincs.sch.uk
[email protected]
Tattershall, Lincoln LN4 4QZ
14
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EDUCATION FEATURE
ISSUE 1 2016
121 EAW
TRAINING
AT LEEMING
To prepare
Coningsby’s
121 EAW for
deployment
anywhere in the
World at short
notice, the HQ
element spent
a week being
put through
their paces by
the Operational
Training Centre
at RAF Leeming in
November.
T
he 5 day exercise
replicated working
in austere conditions
in the fictitious country
of Djalim providing air
operations against a
terrorist organisation in the
region. Injects were added
to test each of the HQ
components such as an
aircraft crash and regular
visits from the Host
Nation Base Commander
whose working practices
differed somewhat
to the EAWs. His light
fingered bodyguards
also tested the security
of the HQ tent.
Often the scenario
crossed over into the
real world to add that
extra bit of pressure. There was
a VIP visit from Air Cdre Cooper
OC JFACC who was briefed on a
NEO that the HQ was planning
and a local press reporter also
visited to interview individuals on
their roles on the EAW whilst the
injects kept coming.
Feedback from the exercise
Directing Staff was extremely
positive and the preparation
work and planning of the EAW
was complimented. With much
of the EAW HQ staff being first
tourists or having not been on an
operation before, the experience
was invaluable and undoubtedly
everybody involved feels more
prepared to perform their roles
for real should it be required.
Bardney Church of England
and Methodist Primary School
Henry Lane, Bardney, Lincoln, LN3 5XJ
01526 398255
[email protected]
www.bardneyschool.co.uk
• Happy children, happy
parents, happy staff
• Consistently outstanding
results and progress
• Established RAF
nurture groups
• Small class sizes
• Breakfast club from
7:30am and afterschool
club until 5:45pm
• Teaching assistants
in every class
• Positive church
school ethos
What our parents say about us…
“A great place to start life’s learning”
“Small, personal, friendly school.
The headmaster knows all the children’s names”
“Good quality teaching and
excellent facilities for the children”
“The children are happy to come to
school and really enjoy being here”
“Opening the door to learning”
- NEW NURSERY CLASS OPENING SEPTEMBER 2016 -
15
16
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BASE SUPPORT WING ISSUE 1 2016
BASE SUPPORT WING
OVERVIEW
As we enter 2016, Base Support Wing hopes
to improve how we keep you in the picture
on issues and topics of interest. With
the help of the Wallis Group, the Station
Chief of Staff has launched an internal
communications leaflet called ‘keeping
you in the picture’ covering topics such
as ‘what really matters around here’,
‘you said we did’ and ‘did you know?’.
W
e also recognise the need
to increase the amount of
face-to-face engagement
that happens, so for 2 weeks in
early January my Human Resources
Flight staff came out to over 30 teabars and crew rooms to discuss the
Christmas Present Drop
Corporal Colin McLoughlin
from 29(Reserve) Squadron
has once again arranged a very
successful Christmas present
collection to provide Christmas
cheer and gifts for ill children in
the Paediatrics ward at Pilgrim
Hospital, Boston.
Corporal McLoughlin
approached the Royal Air Force
Coningsby Station Charities
Committee earlier in the year
and they kindly donated £250 for
him to purchase Christmas gifts.
Colin explained why he was keen
to make sure this project went
ahead this year:
“My youngest sister spent her
first two Christmases in hospital;
she didn’t get anything like this so
I thought if I have an opportunity
to cheer up a few poorly children
then I should help out!”
recent Armed Forces Pay Reform
2016 announcement concerns that
our people had – more on both of
these things to follow.
ISS UK ended the year with
a fantastic awards Ceremony to
recognise the contributions of
Organising the event, buying
the gifts and liaising with the
hospital was all managed by Colin:
“I bought a wide array of
Boys/Girls presents aged 4-12,
including Frozen, Barbie, Marvel and
Avengers. I also included painting
and drawing sets and board games
for the children to play with.”
both Service and contract teams
and individuals to the delivery
of Catering, Retail and Leisure
across the Unit. Then at the start
of the year, some of our chefs
were successful in competition at
getting 4 winning dishes added to
the ‘we love spring’ retail menu.
2015 ended with a grand
total of over £45,000 raised for
a variety of national and local
charities, the final event after the
Annual Turkey Trot being a present
drop to children at Boston’s Pilgrim
Hospital. 2016 started well with a
Charity Boxing Night, kicking off
our 2016 Station totaliser with over
£3,300 already.
Pilots from 29(Reserve)
Squadron provided additional
help to give out the presents,
along with Wing Commander
Keri Spencer Thomas,
Officer Commanding Base
Support Wing and head of
the RAF Coningsby Station
Charities Committee.
Armed Force Pay Reform –
What does it mean to you?
By the time this article goes to
print, we should all have had time to
come to terms with the Armed Forces
Pay Reform of 2016. I don’t think any of
us were expecting it to be released when
it was or without Human Resources (HR)
staffs having had some prior knowledge
of its content. Regardless, it certainly
created something of a talking point for
us all (unless you happened to be on a
desert island!). Upon receiving the news,
HR quickly got to work deciphering
the details; this was vitally important as
there was an imminent danger of the
announcement being only carried out
via social media networks where fact was
quickly becoming clouded by rumours. Following a specialist brief at
Headquarters Air Command, the RAF
Coningsby New Employment Model
(NEM) Champions (pictured) got their
heads together and took the decision to
hold a series of discussion forums within
squadrons, flights and sections to allow
our people to have a voice.
The aim of these forums was in
part to ensure that the Armed Forces Pay
Reform 2016 was understood as well as
providing an opportunity for people to
raise their issues and concerns. This latter
part was especially useful for our NEM
Champions to assess both the morale
ISS Coningsby Awards the Best
At the end of last year, ISS
held its third Annual Catering Retail
and Leisure (CRL) Team Awards
Ceremony. The purpose of the event
is to celebrate the fantastic efforts
made by all the team in 2015, and to
recognise some outstanding individual
contributions. The CRL Team is headed
up by the ISS General Manager, Mr
Jim Howarth; the team comprises of
both RAF and contracted personnel,
all of whom were in with a chance of
winning an award.
Planning began in the Autumn
and included confirming the
award categories and booking the
entertainment. Nominations where
supplied by the respective Managers,
and it was then left to the ISS general
Manager and Warrant Officer Caterer
to make the final decisions.
As the date fast approached, a
real buzz started to spread amongst
the team, with talk of who was
nominated and who they thought
may win. One person said it was like
the build up to the BAFTAs.
Envelopes sealed, the stage is
set and all that was left to do was
to get the event underway. The
fantastic turn out saw upwards of
130 people don their finery and
congregate in Heroes Bar. Supported
by Mums, Dads, Husbands and Wives,
Boyfriends and Girlfriends, all of my
team members waited with some
anticipation. Hosted by the ISS General
Manager, and supported by the
Station Commander, the ceremony
began. The Station Commander
opened proceedings by welcoming
everyone and by passing on his
gratitude for all the CRL Team do in
support of the Station. 12 Awards
were handed out on the evening
and the categories were as follows
and the impact of the announcement
on our Service personnel. So far, 31
forums have been held across the Unit,
attended by 1297 Station personnel;
these were headed up by Squadron
Leader Nikki Duncan, Warrant Officer
Jon Sykes and ably assisted by Corporal
Gaz Jones and SAC Danielle St Hillaire.
FS Scott Murray and Sgt Adam Wilson
assisted with capturing the entire
Q&A in the background, which was
as equally as important to assist those
who could not attend.
Whilst it is acknowledged that
for some of you, the Pay Reform is
not well received, the forums have
ensured the facts were delivered to
you and enabled your comments to
be consolidated. The RAF Coningsby
findings have been sent to the Centre
NEM Team on your behalf.
promotion but the cash values have
been equitably re-valued to enable
us to achieve the higher values earlier
in rank.
• There are now only 4 trade
supplements, thereby removing
the 128 different pay journeys it was
possible to take under Pay 2000.
• Pay protection has been granted to
ensure no Service person will take a
gross pay cut in their core pay. This is
in place until 2019.
• Future NEM strands include the Future
Accommodation Model and Future
Engagement Strategy; these will be
advertised once findings are known. Armed Forces Pay Reform
Summary
• The officers pay system is not broken
hence there was no need to change it.
• Rank is the main determiner of pay;
there has been a removal of personnel
of a lower rank within trade being paid
more than a higher rank.
• All airmen will receive a 2% (5% to
Sergeant) pay rise on promotion.
• Incremental rises remain in place with
a biannual stall at increment 1 on
:- Award for Best Compliance,
PMC’s Award for Excellence, CMC’s
Award for Excellence, 6 x Awards
for Outstanding Contribution, Best
Newcomer, Award for Best Sales
Growth and the main award of the
evening, The 2015 Employee of
the Year.
Jim Howarth, the ISS General
Manager, said “The best part of the
evening for me is seeing just how
proud my people are when they
win an award. Some are completely
shocked that their efforts have been
rewarded; there are even tears from
some. It really is a very humbling
experience. What is also pleasing
is the gratitude my team show for
the event itself. One of my team
said, “It really is special that we have
this event for ISS and the General
Manager to show their gratitude for
us in such a way. The team really do
enjoy these nights, it’s even more
special if you are lucky enough to
win something. ” After the awards,
the team were treated to their very
own Funny Fokker’s comedy night,
with Chris Gilbert, Bob Mills and Milo
McCabe entertaining the team.
The ISS General Manager, Jim
Howarth said: “This event is one of
my favourite nights of the year, I
have a great team and celebrating
their efforts and success is special
for me, so much so that we have
already named the date for next
year’s ceremony”.
Charity Boxing Night
During the evening of
Thursday 28 January, RAF Coningsby
hosted a very special event in the
41(R) Squadron hangar. After months
of planning, a Charity Boxing Night
between the Royal Air Force (RAF),
the Royal Navy (RN) and the Royal
Regiment of Fusiliers (RRF) was ready
to commence after the first ring of
the bell.
Station Warrant Officer, Trevor
Shippey and Corporal Pete Lownie
had been planning this event for
the last four to six months with
representatives from the RN and the
RRF. The evening consisted of ten
bouts, with competitors weights
ranging from 61 – 91 kilograms.
WO Shippey explained the range of
experience within the teams,
“We had some elite and very
experienced boxers, including the
Combined Service Champion, but
there were also some boxers who
were stepping through the ropes
and into the ring for the first time.”
In the RAF team, there was
support from RAF Coningsby,
Cranwell, Marham, Honington
and Wittering.
The procedures leading
up to the first bout were carefully
controlled and in line with the RAF
Boxing Association guidelines. All
competing boxers had a medical
at the Station Medical Centre, prior
to being weighed by RAF Boxing
Association Officials. Once weighed,
their opponent was confirmed,
making sure weights and experience
matched, to ensure a fair bout.
The bouts were made up
of three by two minute rounds,
with a minute interval in between.
Following each bout, the runner
up and winner collected a
trophy, presented by the RAF
Coningsby Station Executives and
representatives from the RN and the
RAF Boxing Association.
The second half of the
evening was purposely planned for
the more experience boxers, with
the final bout being between two
elite boxers, one from the RAF (the
combined services champion) and
one from the RN as a fitting finale to
this unique event for RAF Coningsby.
RAF Coningsby had two
boxers entered into the competition,
Senior Aircraftman (SAC) Ollie Kirk
and Leon Sait.
SAC Kirk is based on 11
Squadron as an Avionics Engineer
and is from Eckington near Sheffield.
New to competitive boxing,
Ollie said,
“I’m feeling really excited
about the competition. I only
started boxing 13 months ago
17
and it’s my first competition. My
goal is to win and carry on boxing
for the Royal Air Force.”
SAC Leon Sait is based on 41
Squadron as a Survival Equipment
Fitter and has been boxing for
nearly 2 years. From the Wirral,
near Liverpool, Leon explained the
preparation he had done ready for
the competition.
“I’ve been training for the
fight since before Christmas. This
is my first boxing bout; I’ve had a
couple of Thai boxing fights but I
haven’t fought for two years so it’s
good to get back into it.”
Over £3,300 raised from
the evening, which will go to
the following national and
local charities:
Breast cancer, SSAFA
In-Service Volunteers and
Lincolnshire Emergency
Medical Response.
Boxing Results:
Bout 1 Winner:
Cpl Andrew Foley (RRF)
Runner Up:
SAC(T) Connor Hutton (RAF)
Bout 2 Winner:
SAC(T) Leon Sait (RAF)
Runner Up:
SAC(T) Ben Bailey (RAF)
Bout 3 Winner:
SAC(T) Matt Muddiman (RAF)
Runner Up: Marine Om Khan (RN)
Bout 4 Winner: Marine Dave
Caldecout (RN)
Runner Up:
LCpl Ishmael Griffiths (RRF)
Bout 5 Winner:
SAC Jack Wilkes (RAF)
Runner Up: Cpl Adam Miles (RRF)
Bout 6 Winner:
SAC(T) Ollie Kirk (RAF)
Runner Up: AB2 Will Jones (RN)
Bout 7 Winner:
Cpl Gary Howes (RAF)
Runner Up:
SAC Rhys Banfield (RAF)
Bout 8 Winner:
Cpl George Westphal (RAF)
Runner Up: AB2 Rhyden Teal (RN)
Bout 9 Winner:
AB1 Iain McCondichie (RN)
Runner Up:
SAC Sergio Gugliotta (RAF)
18
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20
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FEATURE ISSUE 1 2016
21
Handley Page Hampden being
bombed up, 2 August 1940
© IWM HU 104647
This year RAF Coningsby celebrates its 75th Anniversary. To mark this occasion the RAF
Coningsby Aviation Heritage and Ethos Group will produce a series of articles focusing on
the history of what is one of only 3 surviving Operational Fast Jet RAF Stations.
Coningsby
at
75
Sgt Copley
We are at war with Germany.
Lincolnshire’s patchworks of
fields are not just woven by
numerous dykes and rivers but
are now being stitched with brick,
concrete and metal. These are the
materials required to build our
defences and base our attacks
against the growing might of the
German war machine.
O
No. 106 Squadron RAF, including
CO, Wing Commander Guy
Gibson (standing middle, front
row), celebrate on their return to
Coningsby, Lincolnshire, from the
‘Thousand Bomber’ raid on Cologne,
Germany. © IWM ZZZ 6965C
ur means of attack are the
numerous aircraft designed
before the war and the new
types being developed to fight
the Luftwaffe, disrupt the German
war effort and reduce the output
of German industry. These aircraft
required a whole network of support
just like today and the RAF bases
of Lincolnshire provided not just a
home for these aircraft but also the
home for the heart of the whole
operation, its people.
Construction work at
Coningsby started in late 1937
during the second phase of the
RAF’s expansion in Lincolnshire. The
first entry in the operations record
book states on the 4th November
1940 ‘Flight Lieutenant L.W. Stotter,
equipment officer, arrived at RAF
Station to form an advanced
party’ but it wasn’t until the 7th
January 1941 when Coningsby
officially opened due to a delay in
essential services.
The build-up of personnel
continued on the 20th January with
the arrival of the Royal Welch Fusiliers
to carry out station defence duties.
By the end of the first month there
were 625 RAF personnel including
176 Army personnel with February
seeing the arrival of 65 Royal Artillery
personnel which were to carry out
the role of Anti-Aircraft Defence. On
the 23rd February 1941 the Handley
Page Hampden bombers of 106
Squadron arrived from Finningley
and Coningsby’s 75 year history as an
operational flying base began.
On the night of the 1st/2nd
of March eight aircraft from 106
Squadron were detailed to take part
on its first operation from Coningsby
with a raid on Cologne. During this
stage of the war the destruction
of synthetic oil plants was the
main focus of Bomber Command
operations, but if the weather
conditions did not favour these
targets, then Cologne was chosen.
This was due to being classed as
a short range target and located
outside the Ruhr Flak and searchlight
defences. Only five aircraft got
airborne with two having engine
trouble and the other bogged down
prior to take off in what was then
an airfield without a hardened
Avro Manches
running up theter Mark I while
Vulture II engineport Rolls-Royce
© IWM CH 3879
er in
Flight Lieutenant R A Fletchester
the cockpit of Avro Manchof No.
Mark IA, OF-P-Sri Gajah-Jil,ingsby,
97 Squadron, at RAF Con 4
Lincolnshire © IWM CH 415
22
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FEATURE ISSUE 1 2016
By the end of 1941 RAF
Coningsby was well under way
creating the history which we are all
part of now. From 75 years ago facing
the risks of the Second World War
right up to today’s operations around
the world, our station personnel have
passed the baton of history and it is us
now, continuing that story for future
generations to look back on us, just
like we do today on our forbearers.
Early days aerial of
Coningsby Mr Len Sutton
runway. All five successfully
reached Cologne with four aircraft
dropping their bombs, and the
fifth aircraft piloted by Sgt Howard
bringing back its bomb load.
The personal experience report
from this crew states: “The target was
identified by the glow of fires and
during the bombing run the bridges
were identified by the light of a flare
dropped by another aircraft. Bombs
were seen to burst in the target
area and as the distributer panel
worked correctly it was presumed
that our bombs had been dropped.
The aircraft appeared to be flying
slowly on the return journey and
the bomb inspection covers were
removed during the return crossing
over the sea. The bombs were all
brought back.”
The second operation was
conducted on the following night
with the target being another raid
on Cologne. This Bomber Command
raid consisted of 71 Hampdens,
Wellingtons and Whitley’s but this
time out of the 9 Hampdens which
took off from Coningsby to take part
in the raid that night, only 8 returned
safely and this aircraft was the only
one to be lost that night. This loss is
just one example of the multitude
of sacrifices made by the crews of
Bomber Command during the war
and this loss was notably the first
aircraft and crew not to return to
Coningsby from operations. That
aircraft was Hampden X3002 and
crewed by Sgt Good, Sgt Ward, Sgt
Crouch and Sgt Essex. 106 Squadron
records show the same crew flew
together on this aircraft during the
Squadron’s movement to Coningsby
only 9 days before. They are buried at
Schoonselholf Cemetery in Antwerp,
Belgium and believed to have been
taken down by Flak during their
mission.
By the end of the first month
of operations from RAF Coningsby a
total of eight missions were carried
out but it was just over a month
since 106 Squadrons first mission
from Coningsby that they were to
lose their Commanding Officer, Wing
Commander Polglase who did not
return after a low level attack on the
German battleships “Scharnhorst” and
“Gneisenau” near Brest, France. His
Hampden aircraft AD738 was crewed
by Sgt Holman, Pilot Officer Brown,
and Flight Sgt Allanson. The crew
are buried in St. Renan churchyard,
Finistere France.
The 11th March 1941 saw the
arrival of 97 Squadron who would
operate the Avro Manchester. They
flew their first operational mission
from Coningsby on the 8/9th of
April with a raid on the German
shipbuilding works at Kiel in Germany.
This raid and the preceding night of
attacks on Kiel were part of a wider
effort to reduce the threat on British
shipping losses after Winston
Churchill stated in a directive to his
military commanders “We must take
the offensive against the U-Boat and
the Focke-Wulf wherever we can
and whenever we can. The U-Boat
at sea must be hunted, the U-Boat in
the building yard or in dock must be
bombed”.
The station operations record
book states a visit the next day by
Viscount Hugh Trenchard, which was
also described in the 97 Squadron
record book stating that he “Lunched
in the officers mess after chatting
to the men in the Ante room and
afterwards interviewed the aircrews”.
RAF Coningsby Aviation
Heritage and Ethos Group
At the end of last year the RAF
Coningsby Aviation Heritage and
Ethos Group was created to focus
the development and promotion of
the history of RAF Coningsby. The
group consists of civilian and service
personnel with an interest in aviation
history and are all passionate about
preserving our station’s heritage. We
have established relationships with
the counties other aviation heritage
centres and we are part of a larger
network coordinated by Aviation
Heritage Lincolnshire. Since our
creation we have received immense
support from the station commander
as well as a wide range of station
personnel. Our research has recently
been enhanced by an unpublished
book about RAF Coningsby written
by the extensive knowledge of
Len Sutton who in his past was the
Warrant Officer at BBMF. We are all
part of RAF Coningsby’s heritage and
if you think you could give some time
to help preserve that history then
please contact us via our email to:
CON-GMBHERITAGEGROUP@
mod.uk
Coningsby Domestic site
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24
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BASE SUPPORT WING ISSUE 1 2016
BASE SUPPORT WING
OVERVIEW
Coningsby welcomes
Padre Al Nicoll
As I write this I’m looking
out my office window at RAF
Brize Norton at a cold and very
windy Oxfordshire day. By the
time this article is published,
many things will have changed. For one thing, it will be nearly
Easter time; the weather may
have changed…or maybe
not! One change that is for
certain is that I’ll no longer be
looking out the window of the
Chaplaincy centre at RAF Brize
Norton – I’ll be looking out on
RAF Coningsby.
My wife Fi and I are
very happy to be coming
to Coningsby to join the
chaplaincy team there. Along
with Padres Ian and Rachel I
look forward to serving the
station community and making
many new friends.
Change is one of
the relative certainties of
Everything you need
to know about health
monitoring and
surveillance
In accordance with JSP 375
Part 2 Volume 1 Leaflet 14 it is the
responsibility of Line Managers to
identify if their personnel should
be undertaking health monitoring
(HM) or health surveillance (HS). If
Line Managers are unsure if HM/
HS is appropriate, advice may
be sought via the Station Health
and Safety Officer or the Station
EH Technician.
The MOD has established 2 levels
of monitoring/surveillance:
Level 1 – This is a self assessment
conducted by individual
themselves using questionnaires.
Completion of these
questionnaires is to be recorded
by Line Management using an
MOD Form 5051 which they then
retain and questionnaires are to be
passed to the RMC for inclusion on
the individual’s medical records.
Should any adverse health
effects be identified during the
completion of the questionnaire
the Line Manager is to refer the
individual to the RMC (for Military
Personnel) or the Defence Business
Service (for MOD Civilians).
Level 2 – This is a targeted
medical assessment conducted
by a suitably trained medical
professional. (See list
below for the current list of
assessments provided).
the military lifestyle which
many of us share. Postings,
detachments, promotions,
new jobs, new colleagues. I’ve
had my fair share – 8 stations,
7 different houses (from South
Oxfordshire to the Moray coast),
4 out-of-area detachments
(from the heat of an Afghan
summer to the distinctly
blustery and chilly South
Atlantic summer).
Through all the change it
helps to have some fixed points
on which to focus. Our families
contribute to that; rekindling
old friendships forged on
ops or previous postings; the
familiarity of our daily routines. For many of us our faith can be
an important fixed point too. The station church community
exists to offer a family-friendly
environment in which to share
that faith.
There will be plenty
opportunities over Holy Week
Specific Health Surveillance
Medicals (as set out in AP 1269A)
1.Metals (Beryllium, Cadmium,
Lead and Chrome Oxide)
2.Asbestos
3. Exposure to CS Gas
4.Respiratory Sensitisers
(Isocyanates, Solvents & Rosin
Based Solder Flux Fume)
5.Noise
6. Hand Arm Vibration
7. Ionising Radiation
8.Electromagnetic Radiation
Below 300GHZ
9.Laser
10. Pressure Testing Aircraft Cabins
11. Vocational Driving
12. Confined Spaces
13. Sewage Workers
14. Whole Body Vibration
and Easter to join us at the
Church of the Holy Spirit on
station. Look out for notices
announcing when those
will be.
I look forward to meeting
and getting to know all of the
RAF Coningsby community as I
visit around the Station.
The most common form
of surveillance/monitoring
required at RAF Coningsby is
Level 1 health surveillance for
personnel exposed to skin and
respiratory irritants as this will
include almost every technician.
This is closely followed by
personnel exposed to respiratory
sensitisers, for which they require
a Level 2 assessment at the
Medical Centre.
It is imperative that
all personnel working in
roles which require health
surveillance complete the
required questionnaires,
attend the RMC for Medical
Assessments and complete an
MOD Form 5051.
Winning Team!
Winning Dishes!
Royal Air Force Coningsby
Chefs recently entered 4 tasty
dishes into a national competition
run by ISS Defence UK, the
company responsible for all
Catering, Retail and Leisure outlets
on Station.
The chefs, from across
the Station, had the chance to
showcase their dishes in front of
a judging panel which included
senior Food and Hospitality
Managers from ISS Defence UK, RAF
Catering Managers and customers.
The theme for the competition was
“We Love Spring!”
SAC Lisa Howarth had created
a Pulled Lamb Pitta, SAC Al Bryson
had created a Chicken and Chorizo
Salad, Sgt Stan Bradder, from the
Officers’ Mess had created one dish
but actually executed two, as SAC
Josh Spencer who had also entered
the competition was off unit on an
Advanced Skills catering course.
Stan’s dish was Chive Risotto with
roasted broccoli and chicken, Josh’s
dish was a Warm Potato Salad with
plaice and radish.
The panel of judges were
so impressed with the standard
and level of cooking that they
decided they couldn’t pick one, so
have put all 4 dishes through as
winners! Now our Winning Chefs
dishes will be available in all Junior
Ranks Messes at all Royal Air Force
Stations that work in partnership
with ISS Defence UK.
The chef’s names will appear
on the recipes giving them credit
for the dish, the chef creating the
dish that sells the most in the UK
will also receive a prize for their
sterling efforts!
ISS General Manager for RAF
Coningsby, Mr Jim Howarth said
“I’m really delighted that
once again my Team have shown
their high levels of training and
skill – for all 4 dishes to be judged
to be winners is excellent news
for the chefs and catering staff at
RAF Coningsby.”
The RAF Families Federation
Visit RAF Coningsby
RAF Coningsby was a welcome
location for the RAF Families
Federation to hold its annual
Strategy Day, including a buffet lunch
where members of the Community
Support team joined us as an
opportunity to catch-up. A fantastic
finalé to the day was included - a
tour of the behind-the-scenes Winter
Servicing Programme on the Battle
of Britain Memorial Flight.
Evidence Manager, Colin Jones
commented on the day’s event:
“Our Strategy Day always gives
us the vital time to sit down as a
team and discuss what worked in
2015 and what can be improved
upon for 2016 and beyond. It was
a chance for all of us to consider
how the Families Federation can
be of more value to our customers,
the RAF Family. We all had a chance
to voice our opinions and we can
now go ahead and make firm
plans to take forward over the
coming months.”
“We will be contacting units,
to share our intentions, and put our
2016 visit programme in place. Our
Evidence Specialist on Reserves,
Todd Fellows has already started
with his programme of contacting
the RAuxAF Sqn’s to arrange visits
to meet their families which is also
extremely important to us. There will
be lots more which we can report
on as we progress through our early
planning stages of 2016.”
“The last phase of our day took
me completely by surprise. Our visit
to the BBMF was for me out of my
‘Boys Own Book’ of excitement, and
I’m certain that our two ladies who
are our Covenant Coordinators felt
the same, having been moved aside
to see a picture our volunteer tour
guide, Phil Tetlow was sharing. A
wonderful visit and one that I would
strongly recommend to anyone
interested in the RAF.”
The Federation is funded by
the RAF but sits outside the Chain
of Command as an independent
organisation. All RAF personnel be they Regular, Reserve, single,
married or in a partnership, together
with their families. It provides a
voice for the issues and concerns
you have about life in the RAF
and has direct access to senior
RAF and MOD staffs as well as
Government Ministers.
Telephone lines are open
Monday to Friday between 10 am
and 3 pm. Voicemails and emails are
responded to as a priority, during
the next working day: enquiries@
raf-ff.org.uk or if you have a specific
issue they can be logged and taken
forward with you.
What can 20 Wks Group do
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(STRE) share and rotate through this
high readiness responsibility. 529 STRE
(Air Support) is currently at readiness
and 532 STRE (Air Support) will take
over the role in Sep 16. Both are
based alongside 12 (Force Support)
Engineer Group and the RAF A4 Hub
at RAF Wittering.
On both Main and Deployed
Operating Bases the main focus of
20 Works Group RE (Air Support) is
in the planning, assessing, designing
& procuring of solutions to the ‘Big
6’ infrastructure components of an
airfield. These are:
Air Operating Surfaces
Fuel Storage
Ammunition Storage
Technical Accommodation
Domestic Accommodation
Force Protection
delivers infrastructure
management for RAF
Coningsby and RAF
Waddington. 534 STRE
(Airfields) does this for
RAF Marham and Wattisham Station.
Each of these teams work alongside
the Station Executives and also act as
Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s
representative on the site; as such they
forecast, plan and oversee the delivery
of infrastructure. The teams have a
hybrid structure of civil servants as well
as military personnel from the Royal
Engineers. Potentially, in the worst case,
all the military personnel could deploy
overseas in support of operations
whilst a skeleton team manned by
the civil servants is retained on each
site. Importantly, working on the Main
Operating Bases allows the Royal
Engineers to remain competent and
confident in maintaining airfields. It
also enhances the essential bond
between the Royal Engineers and the
RAF. The Royal Engineers on the Main
Operating Bases routinely deploy as
part of the LASTRE to provide key
specialist knowledge.
Working on Main Operating
Bases provides essential training
experience to both managers,
designers and tradesmen. In essence
all their work is ‘live training’ which
develops them as SMEs with good
baseline Air knowledge. They do this
alongside the RAF personnel who
would also deploy to activate Main
Operating Bases. The experience that
these personnel gain in commercial
matters, contract management and
supply chain engagement are all skills
that are drawn upon on operations. In the last two years the Works
Group has supported 15 major
Operations and numerous other
exercises and planning activities.
The Works Group supports
four main operating bases in the
east of England. 531 STRE (Airfields)
An Arresting Job!
Behind the Scenes with
Royal Air Force Coningsby Officer
Commanding Police and Security
Flight – Flight Lieutenant Sara
Daunton
My Role
I am currently serving as
Officer Commanding Police and
Security Flight at RAF Coningsby,
home of the Quick Reaction
Alert Fighters (QRA). Part of the
QRA mission is to protect UK
airspace and my job is support
this mission by providing both
a policing and security service
to the station. This could involve
the investigation of offences
committed by service personnel,
providing a community policing
service to our families and
providing crime prevention
advice and guidance. We are not
responsible solely for policing; in
fact, that’s only one aspect of the
job. Our other role is to provide
security – of aircraft, people and
information. We also protect
classified data – computer
security in particular is a rapidly
expanding and challenging field.
In addition, we’re responsible
for security education – making
people aware of any threats
and ensuring, for example,
that no sensitive information is
divulged over the telephone.
As a Police Officer you will
generally have a large number
of people under your command
and you are responsible for their
welfare, career development
and ensuring that daily
operations run smoothly. It’s
a big responsibility at an early
stage in your career but you will
be supported by those under
your command and by your own
leadership. No day is the same
and there is no telling what each
day may bring!
25
My Day
My day starts by reviewing
any incidents that occurred
the night before, allocating
the resources required to deal
with the incident and reporting
to the relevant departments.
If something serious has
happened I will inform the
Station Commander and advise
him on his courses of action. I
oversee all policing and security
operations on station and I
will check in with my section
heads to find out what they are
working on and agree what our
priorities are for the day. As the
security subject matter expert I
will be asked to provide security
advice on a wide range of issues
from Royal visits to overseas
exercises to social events and
even how we go about filming
the BBC’s Antiques Road show
here at Coningsby. I will also
check our ongoing investigation
files and provide the lead
investigator with any guidance
or support they may need.
I normally fit in a visit to the
gym for a circuit training session
in the day and often meet up
with my fellow junior officers
from across the station for lunch
or coffee.
The thing I love most
about my job is that my flight is
involved in nearly every aspect
of the daily running of the
station. I genuinely feel that I
make a difference every single
day and there is no better feeling
than being a key part of the
Coningsby team.
26
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BASE SUPPORT WING ISSUE 1 2016
BASE SUPPORT WING
OVERVIEW
With your permission,
the Dentist will use your
score to discuss your personal
alcohol consumption levels
and if necessary, will offer
advice as to how to reduce
consumption and reduce
health risks for example:
Don’t Walk By Campaign
The ‘Don’t Walk By’ campaign
was introduced in 2015 to inform
all Station personnel that it is
everyone’s responsibility to report
any infrastructure problems across
the site. You do not need to be a
building custodian, just attentive
and keen to make the Station
cancer (91% of oral cancers
are preventable!)
In Feb 16, the Defence
Dental Service will commence
offering advice to patients about
their alcohol intake and ways to
reduce alcohol consumption.
When you visit the dental
centre, a member of the dental
staff will provide you with a form
to complete regarding your
current alcohol consumption;
the form enables the Dental
Officer to review your alcohol
intake and assess any risks to
your health.
• Have
alcohol-free
days every week.
• Have a smaller/lower strength/
soft drink.
• Have a drink with your evening
meal only.
• Monitor drinks on a night out with
the ‘One Drink, One Click’ App.
a better working environment
for all. Any Potholes, Broken
Pavements / drain covers or
grounds maintenance issues etc
should be immediately reported
to the Carillion Amey helpdesk on
0800 707 6000 (option 2, option
2). Lets all make RAF Coningsby
an awesome place to work!
RAF Coningsby
Keeping You in the Picture
‘What Really Matters
Around Here?’
‘The quality of our fitness facilities’
• Some of the infrastructure which
accommodates our fitness facilities
is old and in need of replacement,
but…
• The Health & Fitness suite above the
JRM is equipped with a wide range
of free weights, resistance machines
and CV equipment to help provide
all personal fitness needs.
• The Fitness Suite changing rooms
are programmed to be refurbished
but because the cost is more than
£25K authorisation is being sought
from AIR Cmd.
• There are 6 official satellite gyms
located across the Station, in
addition to the Main Gym Hall,
Strength, and the Conditioning and
Health and Fitness Suites, which
are all equipped with top-end
modern kit.
• A new Stn Gym is programmed for
delivery in 2019 subject to funding.
• The Station PEd Flt offer: lunchtime and morning circuits; lunch
and evening spinning classes;
Directed Reconditioning Training
Programmes; Aircrew Conditioning
Programmes; personal training
programmes: Adventurous Training
Days; and advice on organising
your own Expeditions and training
classes.
‘JRM evening meal times and the
availability of the Core Meal’
• We recently extended the JRM
evening meal time to 1830 as a
short term measure (until 18 Dec) to
accommodate longer shifts in TMF.
• The Classic meal was offered
during this extended period, but
the average take-up was only 3;
as a result the trial has not been
extended into the New Year.
• To minimise waste, some Core Meal
choices may not always appear to
Bring a bit of colour into your life –
self help opportunities
Have a Word – Alcohol
Brief Interventions
The recommended limit
for alcohol consumption in
the UK has recently changed;
Men and Women are both now
recommended only to drink up
to 14 units of alcohol per week,
and not to ‘save up’ the units but
to spread them over 2-3 days.
Reducing alcohol
consumption not only improves
general health but will reduce
the risk of developing tooth
decay, gum disease, dental
and facial trauma and oral
be available towards the end of meal
times; however Service Personnel can
order Core Meals as required at any time
during the designated Core Meal times.
‘Cold Weather clothing’
• The MOD will not fund cold weather
clothing over and above personal issue
of PCS and associated clothing system.
The revised RAF Working Dress also
unfortunately still awaits funding.
Recommendations:
• For line-ops:
• The Role Office recommends that
personnel wear their scale issue
cold weather clothing (thermals,
Norge shirt and woolly socks)
underneath coveralls.
• ‘Softees/buffalos can also be
worn but RAF uniform policy
states that these items must not
be worn as outer layers as they
are not PPE and are vulnerable to
contaminants.
• For non-line ops: Where authorised
by the chain of command, Personal
Clothing System (PCS) can be worn
with the correct layering system;
this is designed to be suitable for
temperatures as low as -18°C.
How we have helped:
• Clothing stores inspect all returned
combat waterproofs (PCS & CS95) and
CS95 fleeces. Items deemed fit-for-use
(A2) will be laundered and used to
bolster flying sqns as part of a stockpool.
• In addition, all flying sqns have been
issued a pool of “Softee” suits for line ops.
The sqn inventory holder maintains the
stocks and is
• responsible for advising clothing stores
of quantities and sizes of U/S items so
that replacement stocks can be ordered.
- Please remember to take advantage
of this!
• Note: you can exchange your CS95
fleece, for a buffalo, where stocks exist.
• Note: any entitled U/S asset will also
be exchanged. [This does not apply
to garments specifically used on ops,
which will only be exchanged for an
upcoming op deployment.]
‘You Said, We Did’
‘We would like WiFi across the Station’
• Free Media Force WiFi is now available
in Heroes and The Lounge. Also pay as
you go Media Force WiFi is now installed
in all the SLA and Messes and Phase 2 is
being rolled out across Stn into T-Bars.
There are various packages on offer and
these depend on ‘what you want’. This
information can be found on signup.
If T-Bar areas require ‘open access’ this
can be arranged at a cost of £50 per
month payable direct to Media Force.
‘We would like clothing stores to open
longer hours’
• DSF are now open Monday to
Friday 0800-1200 and 1300-1600,
with exception of Wednesday and
Friday afternoons which are closed
for mandated stock-takes and
housekeeping.
‘We would like Costa Coffee machines
at work-place coffee bars’
• The possibility of providing these
machines has been investigated;
however, Costa Coffee will only supply
their machines in locations where
there is likely to be a certain level of
footfall, and teabar locations across
the Station would not be able to
provide this required level of demand.
Also, these remote machines require
expensive supporting infrastructure
(including the provision of a phone
line to allow remote monitoring).
Where can I express my views
or suggest better ways of
doing things?
• With your chain of command;
• Team Meetings;
• Through the Wallis Group (find out
who your rep is);
• During the Station
Commander’s Inspections;
• At the Station Commander’s
breakfasts with WO/SNCOs & JRs;
• Continuous Improvement events;
• INFORM;
• GEMS;
• Welfare Teams; and
• The new Internal Communications
Group Mailbox: CON-GMB Internal
The
27
Comms (MULTIUSER) – We welcome
your feedback!
‘Did You Know…’
• The Station Families Day will take
place on 22 Jul.
• The Command Group has agreed to
extend the ‘on call’ time for the Orderly
Officer from 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• The next Station Commander’s
Quarterly Briefs are on 26 Feb, 27 May,
26 Aug, and 25 Nov.
• Nominations for the next Typhoon
Award are now are being accepted.
• Additional pass-checkers have now
been deployed to the Main Gate
between 0700 and 0830 to ease the
flow of traffic in the morning.
• The Station raised over £45K in 2015
for charitable causes; let OC BSW
know what fund-raising you or your
section are doing this year.
• A Station Photographic Club has
recently been established (contact Cpl
Simon Kitt (x5527) for more details).
• The SPAR has new opening times:
Mon-Thu – 0700-2100
Fri – 0700-1730
Sat – 1000-1600
Sun – 1000-2000
Edited by the Station Internal
Communications Group:
OC BSW (x7203)
Station Chief of Staff (x5147)
Chairman of the Wallis Group (x6459)
Station Adjutant (x7204)
Station Warrant Officer (x7644)
HIVE Information Officer (x7868)
Quality and Continuous Improvement
Team (x6570/7305)
Stn Media & Comms Officer (x7780)
Leagate Inn
16th century in locally
sourced food all home
cooked by our trained chefs.
Come try our
home-made burgers.
Open all day Sundays
Luxury en-suite
accommodation at 16th
Century Inn
Little people eat free
Mon-Friday 6-7pm
Wednesday night
Steak Night 22oz t-bone,
8oz fillet or 10oz sirloin
£17.95 incl drink
MON- SAT 12 - 2 & 6 - 9
SUN ALL DAY
The Leagate Inn, Leagate Road,
Coningsby, Lincolnshire LN4 4RS
T: +44 (0) 1526 342370 F: +44 (0) 1526 345468
A family run award winning traditional pub/restaurant,
serving good home cooked food with a large selection of
cask and keg ales (CAMRA Good Beer Guide for the
last nine consecutive years) 3.5 miles from Coningsby.
Families, children and dogs welcome. The bar has
an open coal fire ensuring a warm friendly convivial
atmosphere in which to enjoy your meal with friend,
family or that special person. Free Wi-Fi available.
Food is served Tuesday to Sunday between
noon and 2pm and 6pm - 9pm
Sunday Lunch available noon - 2pm
All year round a great place to eat and drink!
(Always advisable to book - Telephone 01526 354560)
SEE US ON THE TRIP ADVISER
www.ebringtonarms.com
28
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BASE SUPPORT WING ISSUE 1 2016
29
You could be in the Algarve,
relaxing in
the sun...
A spacious 1 bedroom apartment with
shared swimming pool. The apartment is
situated on the top floor of a 3 storey block.
Sleeps 4
Quiet location, but only 5 mins walk to the
marina and another 5 mins to the town centre
Nov - Mar £190 Apr & Oct £255
May & Sept £290 June £330
July & Aug £410
Self Catering
Holiday Apartment
Phone Judith
on 01536 711884
www.algarveestatemanagement.co.uk
apt meia
Abbey Farm is situated in the beautiful
Lincolnshire countryside and is an
idyllic backdrop for your wedding day.
Offering a unique opportunity for a truly different Wedding Reception venue!
Imagine yourself in the beautiful setting of our stunning Oak Barn with idyllic
surrounding countryside and the historic and romantic backdrop of Kirkstead Abbey ruin.
A tranquil and exclusive venue but just a step away from the delightful Woodhall Spa.
Contact: 07795 396979 or [email protected]
www.abbeyfarmweddings.co.uk
• Twin bedroom.
• Open plan kitchen & lounge.
• The kitchen has a 4-ring hob, oven,
microwave, toaster and washing machine.
• Family sized bathroom.
• The lounge has a sofa (which converts into
two single beds) and a table to seat four.
• A TV, DVD and CD player are also available.
• Patio doors open onto the balcony, offering
views over the pool and across Lagos.
• Ample parking space in front of the building.
30
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ISSUE 1 2016
‘I wouldn’t have the life I do now
without the RAF Benevolent Fund’
HORNCASTLE
RAF welfare charity announces
HORNCASTLE
new online
relationship
support
The RAF
Benevolent
Fund’s Building
Stronger
Families
online course
aims to help
couples facing
relationship
difficulties.
T
he RAF Benevolent Fund
has launched a free, easyto-access, online course to
help RAF couples deal with the
challenges of family life.
The Building Stronger Families
course is tailored to the needs of
RAF families to give couples the skills
and knowledge they need to deal
with common relationship issues,
covering topics like communication,
resolving conflict and family life.
The course is designed to
be the first port of call for couples
in need of extra support and has
been created with the help of
national charity Relate. The RAF
Benevolent Fund has worked with
Relate for several years, providing
free counselling sessions for those
who feel professional help would
be a benefit. Since its introduction,
more than 3,000 RAF individuals
have used the service.
Alison Wyman, Head of
General Welfare at the RAF
Benevolent Fund, said: “No-one
knows the RAF Family like the
RAF Benevolent Fund. We have
been supporting RAF personnel
and their loved ones for almost
100 years. As the RAF’s leading
welfare charity, the RAF
Benevolent Fund knows that RAF
families face unique pressures as
separation and deployment take
their toll on family life.
“This is why we are
launching a new free online
support course to help couples
who are facing difficult times
before the problem develops into
something more serious. Building
Stronger Families is just one
example of new ways the RAF
Benevolent Fund is developing
to support serving personnel
with tailored, bespoke services
designed with the RAF in mind.”
Chris, 33, from Birmingham,
is currently serving with the RAF.
He said: “It really was make or
break for us. The Relate sessions
that we had kept us together
ultimately. We had one-on-one
sessions and sessions together as
a couple. I do not think we would
have our little girl and the life that
we do now if it wasn’t for the RAF
Benevolent Fund. And for that I
will be forever grateful.
“I know it’s not easy to talk
about, I’m the kind of person who
keeps things bottled up, but I
would encourage any couple who
are struggling with the pressures
of military life to take the online
course and take up the offer of
counselling if they need it.”
The service is funded by a
£75,000 grant awarded to the RAF
Benevolent Fund from The Armed
Forces Covenant (Libor) Fund.
If you would like more
information or are interested in
doing the course, visit: http://rafbf.
relate.org.uk
31
Open Monday - Friday 8.30 - 18.30
Saturday 8.30 - 12.00
CONSULTATION TIMES:
Mon - Fri: 8.30 - 9.30 drop in,16.00 - 18.30 by appointment
Sat: 8.30 - 9.30 drop in, 10.30 - 11.30 by appointment
WOODHALL SPA
Mon - Fri : 13.30 - 14.30 drop in
CONINGSBY
• Hot Pies and Food to go
• Bureau de Change on Demand
• Groceries, bread, Milk
• Fantastic Selection of Papers & Magazines
• Wines & Spirits
• Passport Check & Send Service
Post Office, Tattershall
Lincolnshire LN4 4LJ
Tel: 01526 342822
Mon - Fri: 15.30 - 16.30 drop in
DaviD Hilton
BSc FCOptom
J.W.L. PERKINS & SON
E sta bli s h e d 192 0
SuSan Cowan
OPTOMETRISTS
BSc FCOptom
& CONTACT LENS PRACTITIONERS
EYE EXAMINATIONS
CONTACT LENS PRACTITIONERS
COMPLETE EYE CARE - NHS & PRIVATE PATIENTS
SUPER RANGE OF QUALITY FRAMES
OWN WORKSHOP AND REPAIR FACILITIES
Newsagent, Stationer,
Bookseller
also
Greeting Card Specialist
16 Silver Street CONINGSBY tel: (01526) 344556
“lyndon” tawney Street BOSTON tel: (01205) 365395
RUSSELL
GREEN
Re sident ial Ca re Home for the Elderly
11 Stanhope Avenue, Woodhall Spa,
Lincolnshire, LN10 6SP
7 Market Place, Horncastle
Tel: 523291
R. WISBY
(FAMILY BUTCHER) LTD
We are a Traditional family Butchers
offering top quality products with polite
and courteous service. A warm welcome
to all our customers, please phone to
discuss your requirements.
Wragby Shop
01673 858968
Horncastle Shop
01507 527371
Think Print
Set in the beautiful village of Woodhall Spa.
With a short level walk to all the village amenities.
24 hour care provided by
professionally trained staff
A Home Care Service is also available
taking the same standard of care and
commitment out into the local community
For more detailed information visit our website at
www.russellgreencarehome.co.uk
Telephone: 01526 352879
Lance Print is an established printers based
in Peterborough. At Lance we combine
skill, experience & knowledge to provide a
complete professional ser vice.
We aim to fill our clients with confidence
in the knowledge that any work
under taken by us, will be completed
to the highest possible standard.
Call Today:
(01733) 390564
www.lanceprint.co.uk
Road Traffic
Collision
Awareness
Training
Yvonne Masters
The Station
Fire Officer at
Royal Air Force
Coningsby, Flight
Sergeant Price,
has conducted
enhanced Fire
Training, to include
Road Traffic
Collision Awareness
training, with
some of our Senior
Managers acting as
students to see how
the new course will
take shape.
T
he course, taught by the
Station Fire Officer, covered
a wide range of aspects
including; basic understanding
of hazardous vehicle materials
and First Aid aspects specific to
the scene. The students were
then given a demonstration and
an opportunity to practise their
skills on a carefully crafted “crash
scene” outside the Fire Section.
The valuable training was well
received and added another
capability that will help to protect
our personnel. This exercise
will also enable our personnel
to assist if they are ever first on
scene at a Road Traffic Collision.
Flight Sergeant Price said
“Sadly, it is a statistic that the
roads in Lincolnshire have a high
number of Road Traffic Collisions
(RTCs). With this training, I want
to give our personnel an insight
into how they can assist at an
RTC, even in a small way, to
ensure that those involved and
anyone stopping to help is kept
safe until the Emergency Services
arrive. Many of our personnel
travel from different parts of the
County, so this knowledge is
another way the personnel at
Royal Air Force Coningsby can
assist our local communities, if
they ever come across a collision.”
The new course will be added
to the Annual Fire training that our
personnel receive to ensure that their
fire safety standards are maintained.
32
onetoone
SPORT ISSUE 1 2016
up with conservation rangers to
the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, near
Canberra, that is home to mobs of
kangaroo and a key koala breeding
programme. The name translates to ‘the
area where boys become men’ and has
been important to the indigenous clans
for more than 20,000 years. This was
an amazing opportunity for the team
to experience their culture, even for a
brief moment.
The tour gave perfect balance
between play, rest, engagement and
personal development. The British
teams were given a very warm welcome
by the British High Commissioner
to Australia, Her Excellency Menna
Rawlings, who is a keen cricket fan. Later
in the tour the team were invited to
pay their respects to the fallen of the
Australian Armed Forces, and a wreath
was laid at a last post ceremony at the
Australian War Memorial.
Overall, Australia provided a warm
welcome, a warm climate and the
perfect place to improve cricketing skills
against some of the best women’s
teams in the world. All of this
sporting and personal development
was possible because of the huge
support of colleagues and chains of
command to release the Coningsby
Ladies for every training session and
game in the UK. With a bright future
ahead, the 2016 fixture list will set
them against the Royal Navy and
Coningsby creates
cricketing history! RAF Coningsby personnel were the backbone of a
squad who made a historic cricketing first in 2015
when the Royal Air Force Women’s Cricket Club
took part in the first ever International Defence
Women’s Cricket Challenge (IDCC) in Australia.
Cpl C Davies with Sqn Ldr E E Watkins
T
his is a hugely competitive T20
tournament hosted by the
Australian Defence Force in
Canberra. Playing high quality cricket
for your Service is the pinnacle of
representative cricket and it doesn’t
come finer than being part of a
tournament that boasts international
military teams from Australia, Pakistan,
Malaysia, New Zealand, Britain and Fiji.
Four of the twelve women hail
from Coningsby. Between them they
represent a great cross section of the
Station; Cpl Char Davies, an armourer
in DSS; Cpl Afyah Bubb, a medic in the
RMC; SAC Toni Richardson, a supplier
on 3(F) Sqn; and Danielle St Hilaire, a
clerk in PSF. For Char and Afyah this
tour comes after several successful
seasons with the RAF Women’s team,
but Toni and Danielle are newer
members having only taken up the bat
in the last couple of years. That’s the
great thing about Women’s cricket – it
is accessible and full of opportunity.
The tour acclimatisation included
visiting the iconic Sydney Cricket
Ground, before travelling Southbound
to Australia’s capital, Canberra, and set
as the location to host the tournament.
11 action-packed matches were played
in as many days at a range of venues.
Set within a high range of hills and
mountains, this saw the ladies batting
and bowling at grounds around 1800
feet in over 30° heat. Thankfully the
team coped due to the pre-tour fitness
training, but the local shops still made
substantial profits from a run on the
sale of full strength sun lotion!
The tournament began with a
clash against our old foes the British
Army. Cricket is a fair and friendly game,
but with fierce competition and there
was plenty on display during IDCC. The
RAF Women battled bravely, but sadly
didn’t make it into the final. However,
they were there in full force and fine
voice to support the British Army and
Royal Australian Navy in a game that
went down to the very last over. The
atmosphere at the women’s final was
electric and saw the British contingent
providing a ‘Barmy Army’ style support
from the stands. It was good to see
some ‘Poms’ lift the trophy, especially
in Australia, and next time we hope
to do the same again for the RAF in 2
year’s time!
After the main tournament
finished there was some time devoted
to learning about Australian history,
culture and wildlife. The team headed
British Army in T20 and 40 formats, with
the main effort right now to win back
the inter-services trophy. However, the
biggest excitement is building for the
Australian Combined Services Men’s and
Women’s teams’ tour of England this
summer! You can follow all the action
on Twitter @RAFLadiesCC.
You can also get more
involved!
RAF Women’s Cricket promises
to provide players with lively,
challenging and very social sporting
opportunities. It doesn’t matter if you
are an experienced cricketer or you
simply want to take up a new sport
that provides a fun way to challenge
yourself physically and mentally;
you’ll be welcomed. Please go to
the RAF Cricket Association pages
on MOSS or get in touch with Char,
Afyah, Toni or Danielle to find out
more about RAF Women’s cricket.
33
Lovers of fine food
Fine food from the simple
to the sublime. Olives
& antipasti, cheese &
charcuterie, fresh bread,
sandwiches & coffee.
45 Silver Street
Coningsby
LN4 4SG
Tel: 01526 346963
el
5% off to RAF personn
www.silverstreetdeli.co.uk
www.justjillsalternativeremedies.co.uk
GILLIAN R ROBINSON
HMD. DI.HOM. F.B.I.H.
Homeopathic Practitioner
Alternative Remedies
Health Food Shop
Postal Service Available
12 The Broadway, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire
Tel: Shop 01526 353 794 Home: 01526 353 417
Email: [email protected]
Penny’s Place
Cottage Cafe
39 Sliver Street, Coningsby, Lincs, LN4 4SY
Open 8am till 4pm
Monday to Saturday
Breakfast served
ALL day.
Home cooked lunches
served between
12 pm and 2pm
A wide choices of All Day Breakfast
A wide choice of light lunches, snacks,
mouth watering cakes and pastries
available throughout the day
All our food is locally sourced and
freshly made for your pleasure
to eat in or take away
We now take debit cards
And the garden is open for the summer
so we can welcome dogs outside.
Contact 01526 342122
[email protected]
Dry Cleaners
Our staff are trained in all aspects of
dry cleaning and stain removal.
Our Dolphin Lane, Boston shop is fully equipped
to deal with a full range of services, a list of
which is below. We reward ourselves with a
quality service and take pride in our work.
We offer a full range of services including:
• Dry Cleaning
• Wedding Dress
Cleaning and
Boxing Service
• Evening Dresses &
Ball Gown cleaning
• Curtain and Soft
Furnishing Cleaning
• Ironing Service
• Repairs and
Alterations
• Duvets Cleaning
• Collection and
Delivery
(Contact us for details)
24 Dolphin Lane, Boston,
Lincolnshire, PE21 6EU
Tel : 01205 354229
Richard Sivill Gallery
inc Tattershall Engraving
Full framing service. Large selection of open and
limited edition prints including aviation prints.
Passport ID Photos taken.
Full Engraving Service -
Trophies, Hip Flasks, Tankards engraved to your specification
Squadron Crests etc.
Ideal leaving gifts
Quick Turnaround
4 High Street, Tattershall.
01526 345388
34
onetoone
SPORT ISSUE 1 2016
Purring Panthers
looking to pounce in 2016
Cpl Eric Smith
Fresh off the back of a
productive season, RAF
Coningsby Panthers Rugby
League team have set their
sights on bigger things this
time around.
T
he 2015 RAF Inter-Station
Plate Final winners (Courtesy
of SAC(T) Micky Galvin’s last
minute 40m drop goal!) will be
looking to go one better when the
new season starts and have set
themselves the target of winning
the ‘Clayton Cup’, the new name for
the RAF Inter-Station Challenge Cup,
named in honour of the founding
father of RAF Rugby League Warrant
Officer Damian Clayton MBE.
With pre-season training to
start early February, the Panthers are
on the lookout for new players to
bolster their squad and for any new
recruits there is no better time to
get involved.
The Panthers have been
strengthened by some off season
movements resulting in the
signings of Cpl’s Bobby McGregor
and Tom Moor from RAF Leeming
and RAF Scampton respectively.
Both are established players within
the RAF Rugby League Association
and bring a wealth of experience
to pass on to any new players. To
compliment the new arrivals, the
expected return to full fitness of
SAC(T)’s Dan Collinson and Andy
Holland after long injury lay offs will
be an added boost.
Of the current crop of Panthers
players there is a GB Armed Forces
international, 5 capped RAF Rugby
League players and a further 5 RAF
Rugby League Academy prospects
who are looking to break into
the 1st XIII this upcoming season.
Finally, add the vast experience of
‘the Peter Pan of RAF Rugby League’
WO Damian Clayton MBE to the
mix and the panthers can boast a
squad that will be the envy of many
a station team.
There is no better place to
be than RAF Coningsby for Rugby
League this year. With no fewer than
4 level 2 qualified coaches on unit
new players will be able to learn
the game and develop new skills
at an increased rate. With plenty of
fixtures against both military and
civilian opposition lined up there
will be numerous opportunities for
players to flourish and move on to
bigger and better things within RAF
Rugby League.
Two players who can testify
to this are SAC Joe Grey and
SAC(T) Craig Rutter. In one season
both have managed to establish
themselves as key players for the
RAF Rugby League Academy team.
They started the season playing
for the Panthers, after some stellar
performances they were selected
to play for the RAF North side in
the annual Heritage fixture. Again
after impressing in that fixture
both individuals were called into
the Academy setup where they
became integral parts of the side,
representing the Academy at this
years Inter-Services. Their challenge
now is to break into the 1st XIII. No
mean feat but it proves to everyone
that the opportunities are there.
The coaching staff of SAC(T)
Lee Davies, McGregor and Moor
will not only be looking to establish
the Panthers as the dominant force
within station Rugby League but
also build and sustain a successfully
run club. With rumours of a large
sponsorship deal with clothing
company ‘Beaver Hunter Menswear’
on the horizon and a potential
European tour there are exciting
times ahead.
Pre-season training will
commence from the first Monday
in February 1700 arrival for a 1710
start on the Astroturf pitches. So get
down every Monday and become
part of something pretty special
this season.
Anybody interested in playing
Rugby League for RAF Coningsby
Panthers or helping out within the
club can contact SAC(T) Lee Davies
on x7646 or Cpl Bobby McGregor
on x6601
35
36
onetoone
CONINGSBY AIR CADETS ISSUE 1 2016
Air
Cadets
Shine
at Annual Presentation Evening
Coningsby Air Cadets, (17 Squadron ATC)
recently held their Annual Presentation
evening at Coningsby Village Hall. This
is the one night of the year where the
Air Cadets from the Coningsby get to
celebrate their achievements in front
of their peers, family and friends; along
with special guests, Brian Willis, The
president of the Tattershall / Coningsby
and District British Legion, RAF Coningsby
Station Chaplain Rachel Cook and the
former Officer Commanding FO Rob Eyre.
P
resenting the awards was Wing
Commander Matthew Peterson
who is the Officer Commanding
11 Sqn at RAF Coningsby representing
the Station Commander.
Carl Davis, the chairman
of Civilian Committee said, “The
Presentation evening was a great
success and very well attended by
parents and families. It really was a
celebration of achievement not just
by those Cadets who were deserving
enough to receive a trophy but of the
Squadron’s achievements as a whole”.
The first award was the Royal
Air Force Association (RAFA) of
Coningsby and District award for Best
Sporting Achievement. This award
was presented to two cadets who
are probably used to sharing many
events in their lives, as they are twins.
Not only have they represented the
Squadron on numerous occasions but
have gone on to represent Trent Wing
at football winning the first ever Wing
Blues for the squadron; Cadets Dylan
and Morgan Jessett.
The second award was the Royal
British Legion (RBL) Award for the Best
Non Commissioned Officer (NCO).
It transpired this award was a very
close call but was awarded to an air
cadet who has been outstanding all
year round, who has helped develop
the NCO team and continues to set
the best standard, Flight Sergeant
Robert Davies.
Next up was the 41 Squadron
Award, Cadets Cadet. This award is
voted for by the cadets for the cadet
who in their opinion has given the best
all round performance throughout
the year and went to cadet Corporal
Emma Pybus.
As there are a number of BTECs
that can be achieved throughout a
cadets career and whilst studying
is not for everyone, this cadet has
already achieved the classification of
Senior Cadet in just over one year at
the Squadron. The award for the Best
Academic Cadet also went to Corporal
Emma Pybus.
The Martin Baker Trophy – Best
Attendance award, is presented
to the cadet who maximised the
opportunities available to the
squadron and as attendance is one
of the highest priorities for an Air
Cadet this is a very prestigious award
to receive. The winner Cadet Dylan
Jessett achieved an outstanding score
of 93.62% on parade nights.
All new starters join the Cadet
Training Flight (CTF). For 6 months
they are put through their paces
learning amongst other things; drill,
map reading and how to iron their
uniform. The winner of this award
grew throughout the process. He is
enthusiastic, took on board advice
from others and now sets a good
example for the next CTF. The award
for Best CTF Cadet 2015 went to Cadet
Jonny Owens.
The Award for Best Cadet, is
awarded to the Cadet who on and off
the Squadron shows a great deal of
maturity and commitment. Currently,
she also represents the Squadron very
well at public events in her role as the
“Station Commanders Cadet”. This year
award for Best Cadet went to Sergeant
Jessica Sherwood.
In 2011 the Coningsby
Squadron became a detached
Flight from 1265 Horncastle ATC
Squadron. Part of that legacy is the
1265 (Horncastle) Squadron ATC
– Shield of Endeavour. This award
is presented to the cadet who has
sought to make the most of their
time as a cadet, who is enthusiastic,
keeps the staff on their toes but
has also pushed themselves and
gained the most from what being
Air Cadet offers. This year, the
Shield of Endeavour went to Cadet
Hunter Ayling.
The Civilian Committee award
was presented to the cadet(s)
who over the last 12 months have
supported the Air Training Corps,
Civilian Committee and the wider
community as a whole and who
have taken on the responsibility of
carrying the Royal British Legion flag at
ceremonies throughout the last year.
For this and other community support
the award was jointly awarded to
Cadet Flight Sergeants Robert Davies
and Ryan Fido.
The next award was for The Most
Improved Cadet of 2015. This went
to a cadet who really has blossomed
over the last year gaining maturity
and confidence, since becoming an
NCO a mere 6 months ago he has
taken on more responsibility and is
really growing into the role, Corporal
Chris Sykes.
The Ellis Trophy – The Squadron
Commander’s Cadet. This award
went to a cadet, of whom the Officer
Commanding 17 Squadron; Francine
Mahmud said, “I believe the winner
of this award has a very bright future
ahead of him. I’ve been impressed
with his approach to challenge, his
leadership of the younger cadets and
I have no doubt he will be joining the
NCO team at some point in 2016”.
Cadet Jack Pybus.
The final award of the evening
was for the Station Commanders
Cadet for 2015/2016 taking over from
Sergeant Jessica Sherwood who has
defined this role throughout the past
year. Not only is this award based
on event attendance, it is also vitally
important that recipient be reliable,
sensible, mature and always ready
to represent both the Squadron
and the Station Commander
at formal events. Station
Commanders Cadet for 2015/2016
is Corporal Daniel Arden.
Following the award
presentations the Squadron
Commander Francine Mahmud
said, “I would like to express my
thanks to all our guests, the
committee for their continued
support and organisation. To all
of the cadets who once again have
represented our unit in the best light
and finally to the staff. Whilst it wouldn’t
be appropriate for me to have a “best
staff member” award as they would all
be deserving winners. I think there is
no better time than to acknowledge
the commitment from our staff team.
None of the events we saw on the
presentation earlier would have been
possible without them. So from the
cadets and myself I would like to thank
you and we look forward to your
continuing efforts in 2016”.
Since the beginning of the year
as well as the twice weekly parades,
the Squadron has had several events
including going shooting on the rifle
range at Boston Squadron, where
several cadets received various badges
in recognition of their high standard
of shooting and visiting Newark Air
Museum. Five members of the staff
are now also qualified to take cadets
climbing on the RAF Digby climbing
wall; details of this will be in the
next edition.
Just some of the forthcoming
events at the Squadron include “Airfield Anarchy”, climbing at RAF
Digby, Air Experience Flights at RAF
Cranwell, a Duke of Edinburgh Bronze
expedition, a ‘Greens’ weekend at RAF
Wittering and a visit to the Air Traffic
Control Tower on the base at RAF
Coningsby.
The Corps is open to all young
people between 12 and 17 and
provides a wide range of activities.
We are continually looking to recruit
not only young people but adult
volunteers. If you are interested in
finding out more please call on 07928
214981 or email [email protected] 37
STEM
Ambassadors:
Inspiring the
next generation
On Tuesday 26 Jan, RAF
Coningsby welcomed the
Lincolnshire Education
Business Partnership team
to train up a new batch of
STEM Ambassadors.
A
Science, Technology,
Engineering (STEM)
Ambassador is a
volunteer who uses their
enthusiasm, experience
and commitment to
encourage young people
from age 5-19 to take up
careers and education in the
STEM subjects.
Thirteen Coningsby
engineers from across
the station took part in
the induction morning to
become fully fledged STEM
Ambassadors. The ranks of
those involved ranged from
SAC to Flt Lt and worked in
areas from C4I to TMF to front
line squadrons.
The training involved an
introduction to what STEM
Ambassadors contribute
to their community,
brainstorming ideas for
outreach events and
discussing how to work with
children and teachers.
Flt Lt Luke O’Brien,
OC Information Systems
Flight in C4I Squadron who
organised the training, said
“Military personnel are really
well suited to being STEM
Ambassadors. We have the
right blend of technical and
personal skills to be able to
encourage young people
into taking an interest in the
STEM subjects.”
Becoming a STEM
Ambassador is an excellent
and rewarding secondary duty
opportunity. It is recognised
at the highest levels within
the branch as a good way to
encourage young people into
a technical career in the RAF.
Cpl Naomi Freer,
who has volunteered in
local schools as a STEM
Ambassador and works in
the iHub, said: “Being a STEM
Ambassador for me is really
enjoyable and satisfying, it’s
something totally different to
everyday work and sometimes
a lot more challenging
working with children! It has
made me more confident
and developed me in
presentation work.“
Interested in becoming
a STEM Ambassador? Contact
Flt Lt Luke O’Brien on 7822 for
more details or go online at
http://www.stemnet.org.uk/
ambassadors/
38
39
ISSUE 1 2016
Alan Tittershill
Gas Services Engineer
Natural Gas,
LPG and Oil
Appliances,
Landlord Safety
Certificates,
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Power Flushing,
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26376 Maintenance 303251
Business Mobile: 07908 961155
Home Number: 01526 343598
P.J.B
Clock
Repairs
116 West St.
Boston, Lincs
PE21 8QZ
Telephone:
01205 361555