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The RAF Coningsby JouRnAl

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onetoone4 5CONTENTS ISSUE 3 2014

Stn Cdr’s Foreword Group Captain Johnny Stringer

Editor’s Foreword • Sqn Ldr Matt D’AubynEditorial & Distribution Team

EditorSqn Ldr Matt D’Aubyn

DistributionLead: SAC Paul RaffertyDistribution Team: SAC Graham DexterSAC Matty Thomas

Printed ByLance Print LtdTel: 01480 492183

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AdvertisingJo MarchantLance Publishing Ltd, 1st Floor, Tailby House, Bath Road, Kettering NN16 8NL Tel: (01536) 526674

issue 3 2014

ThIS EDiTion

rEFLEcTS ThE

PLEThorA OF

AcTiviTiES ThAT hAvE occurrED

AT rAF CONINgSby

During A TyPicALLy

hECTIC SuMMEr

PErioD.

The focus of the front-line squadrons has been necessarily on the Baltic

Air Policing mission, Op AZOTIZE, in Lithuania and, hopefully, the articles in this issue give a flavour of the nature of that deployment as well as its importance. The display season has progressed as busily as ever with a superbly attended Families Day and the arrival of the Canadian Lancaster being notable highlights.

Personnel at Coningsby have also engaged in numerous force development, charitable and adventurous training opportunities – too many to include in one edition! However, I hope that the selection of articles in this issue will make entertaining reading and reflect the diversity of challenging activities conducted at station, section and individual level.

Sqn Ldr Matt D’Aubyn

onetooneTime flies when you’re

having fun; it travels at Mach 2 when you add

Coningsby’s routine and operational tempo. Amongst the blur of unrelenting activity over the last 2 years, I take away a few themes in particular.

Leadership is at the heart of success or failure. Not the flashy, showy but thin exterior of false leadership, but the considered, thoughtful yet determined kind that takes responsibility, understands the task and the team, and shows quiet determination and resolve to achieve. It is vital that as leaders we develop and mentor the more junior too, and ensure that the next generation are ready to step up to the mark.

We must challenge convention and never accept poor ways of doing our business. Project GALVANIZE will continue under my successor and we are already seeing the benefits and the necessity of the various elements of this work. Shaw wrote that all progress was dependent on the ‘unreasonable man’; this applies equally to the military, so be politely unreasonable and change things for the better. I am very grateful for the suggestions and ideas from the Wallis Group and we are already incorporating some of

the group’s thinking into our routine business.

Linked to both of the above is the willingness to see the opportunity in things, rather than the risk and threat. Too often, genuinely good ideas are either ignored or dismissed because ‘it’s all too difficult’. I am delighted that the Composites Bay are on the short-list for the Churchill Medal in recognition of their innovative work over the last 12 months; their refusal to accept the status quo will save the RAF millions from their self-generated £200 repair scheme for Typhoon flare magazines. I would far rather that we try and sometimes (safely) come up short, than never try at all. Theodore Roosevelt had it about right with ‘The Man in the Arena’.

Finally, it has been an absolute privilege to have commanded Coningsby and I will take many happy memories of people and events with me to London and the Royal College of Defence Studies. Lisa, James, Henry and I have been delighted to be back in Lincolnshire too, and proud to have been yellowbellies once again, if only temporarily. Our best wishes to all who serve at Coningsby and your families for continued health, happiness and success.

By ThE TiME you ArE rEADing ThiS, grouP cAPTAin JEz ATTriDgE wiLL BE in PoST oF whAT iS ThE rAF’S FinEST STATion...AnD PErhAPS iTS BuSiEST.

FEATURES

Families’ Day 06operation Azotize 08

SqUADRON NEWS

3(F) Sqn 12Xi Sqn 1429(r) Sqn 18

BASE SUPPORT WING

wing overview 20

PEOPLE & ACHIEVEMENTS

what does a Media & communications officer do? 26Poetry corner 27Marathon Des Sables 28Jungle Survival 29Pilots of the car-Ferry 32

FORCE DEVELOPMENT

Kentish Eagle 34c4i visit to Stenigot 35

onetoone6 7FEATurES ISSUE 3 2014

Families’ Day 2014Thanks to some generous

sponsorship from MBDA, Selex ES, Martin Baker, BAE

Systems and ISS, the Station was able to commit over £25,000 of

non-public money into a world-class entertainments package that was free to the families of all station employees, serving or otherwise. The event was held in

a bid to say thank you for all the support our families provide in enabling us to do the job we do. Hope to see you at the next one in 2016!

on ThurSDAy ThE 23rD oF JuLy, SoME gLoriouS wEAThEr PLuS ThE ProSPEcT oF An AcTion-PAcKED ProgrAMME oF FLying DiSPLAyS, grounD EnTErTAinMEnTS, FooD AnD Fun DrEw in ThouSAnDS oF FAMiLiES To ATTEnD whAT ProvED To BE ThE BiggEST FAMiLiES’ DAy hELD AT coningSBy in rEcEnT MEMory.

Legends past and present thrilled the crowds equally.

”So enough about me; lets talk about you….. what do you thank about me?”

Williams Formula 1 stopped off on the way to the Hungary GP to say Hello.

You can’t be a dummy if you are a Typhoon pilot….

Charity begins at home – Supporting the families that serve and have served.

The next generation of fighter pilots got to try a typhoon on for size.

The only people madder than the Breitling Wing Walkers were the two Station personnel who won a Wing Walking experience as a raffle prize! Congratulations on raising nearly £1000 towards the refurbishment of the Station Community Centre!

onetoone8 9FEATurES ISSUE 3 2014

F alling under the command of No 135 Expeditionary Air Wing, made up largely

of personnel from RAF Leeming, the deployment was tangible evidence of the Government’s response to the ongoing tension in Ukraine. This was the first time that UK aircraft had supported BAP since the Tornado F3 had deployed to the same air base in 2004.

The task was to provide quick Reaction Alert (qRA) aircraft alongside those of the other participating nations including Polish MiG29s also at Siauliai, Danish F16s at Amari (near Tallinn) and French Mirage 2000s at Malbork, Poland. Setting up the UK operating location

was challenging although our experience from recent deployments and knowledge gained during Op PROTEGO, where qRA was established at RAF Northolt, was very beneficial. Under close media scrutiny, the UK contribution to the reassurance of the Baltic States was rapidly put into effect.

The main day-to-day task of the squadron was to intercept any ‘stranger’ aircraft that were flying in Baltic airspace, or over the Baltic Sea. Very quickly, the detachment received its first operational tasking intercepting Russian helicopters operating over the Baltic Sea to the west of Lithuanian airpsace. RAF Typhoons intercepted Russian Su-27 Flanker

aircraft for the first time when, in mid June, two Typhoons were scrambled to intercept and escort a formation comprising Russian Tu-22 Backfire and Flanker aircraft, again flying over the Baltic Sea. Flying alongside an armed Russian Flanker was certainly an experience which will live long in the memories of the pilots involved! Soon afterwards, two more lucky pilots again got the chance to intercept multiple Flanker and Fullback aircraft on a similar route. It’s not often pilots hear a ‘picture’ described over the radio comprising multiple heavy groups on a qRA scramble!

In addition to qRA, there was exciting and beneficial training available with the plethora of

fighters from other NATO nations involved in the BAP mission; such opportunities are infrequently seen in the UK. Needless to say, the Typhoon was very much sought after as a training partner being a novelty in the region and we were very happy to oblige! Consequently, many sorties consisted of Dissimilar Air Combat Training against fighters such as the Gripen, Mig-29, Mirage and F-16. They were a great way of reminding us just quite how good the performance of the Typhoon actually is! Other sorties provided Close Air Support to some of the Baltic States’ own ground forces. During this time, command of the detachment was held by each of the 3(F) Sqn Execs which was a great experience.

OPERATION aZOTiZe

An important secondary task was to engage with the people of Lithuania, and the detachment had a large presence at many public events across the country. Personnel were on the ground at airshows, country fairs and state events demonstrating to the local public the role of the RAF and the Typhoon and how effective it can be in the air-policing arena. This was all part of the reassurance task

we were deployed to support and we were received exceptionally well on all occasions.

in LATE APr 2014, ELEMEnTS oF no 3 (FighTEr) SquADron, ABLy ASSiSTED By PErSonnEL FroM ThE wiDEr TyPhoon ForcE DEPLoyED To SiAuLiAi AirBASE, LiThuAniA To PArTiciPATE in ThE nATo BALTic Air PoLicing (BAP) MiSSion.

in A BiD To ouTDo ThE EngLAnD nATionAL FooTBALL TEAM, noT APPArEnTLy A TALL orDEr, A TEAM FroM 3(FighTEr) SquADron, DEPLoyED on oP AzoTizE, EnTErED ThE užvEnTiS ciTy cuP FooTBALL TournAMEnT FoLLowing An unEXPEcTED inviTE FroM ThEir LiThuAniAn hoSTS.

After many of the team members made a last minute purchase of

football boots, the team set out on the short drive to the Užventis stadium – a grand name for the town football pitch.

As they arrived, an unexpected confidence filled the bus as they realised that the other teams were ‘seniors’ who were all over 35 years in age!

After the opening ceremony, raising of the Lithuanian flag, playing of the national anthem and some words from the tournament organisers, the teams got down to business. The first match was against the team from Klaipeda, a port town on the Baltic Sea coast. The team from 3(F) Sqn started strongly, demonstrating that they had some skills and pace, but following an awry attempt on goal the boot was soon on the other foot. Despite having an average age of around 45, the Klaipeda team worked in tight, well drilled units, passing the ball around the 3(F) Sqn team with ease eventually ending up 2-0 winners.

After some searching words between games, the 3(F) Sqn boys faced the team from the Polish Detachment also based out of Siauliai Air Base. Initially the 3(F) Sqn team passed and moved in a way that would have made Roy

Hodgson proud and it paid off with a well hit goal. The second half started in the same vein seeing the Polish chasing the ball but then some slick footwork drew a foul on the edge of the area from which the Poles equalised. The match stayed that way to the end, meaning that the 3(F) Sqn team had already done better than the England World Cup team by not losing 2 games on the trot.

The 3rd and final match saw the team from 3(F) Sqn take on FC Aitvaras from Siauliai. It proved to be an evenly fought match with both teams having chances on goal, but failing to convert. The second half saw more heroics in the 3(F) Sqn goal, which ensured a draw and resulted in the dreaded penalty shoot out. Unfortunately, in true English style, this didn’t go well for the 3(F) Sqn team, seeing them go the way of Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle in 1990.

Whilst the performance of the team might not have been as successful as hoped, the day proved to be an enjoyable break from the daily routine on Op AZOTIZE and we were grateful to the organising committee of the Užventis City Cup for extending the invitation to play in the tournament.

UŽVeNTis CiTy CUP FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT 2014

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onetoone12 133(F) Sqn uPDATE ISSUE 3 2014

on SATurDAy 16Th AuguST

2014, FLighT LiEuTEnAnTS

STEvE KEMP AnD DuncAn wALKEy,

BoTh FroM 3(F) SquADron

TrAvELLED To ST AchEuL nATionAL

cEMETEry in AMiEnS, FrAncE,

To TAKE PArT in A MEMoriAL SErvicE To coMMEMorATE

ThE cEnTEnAry oF ThE DEAThS

oF 2nD LT EvELyn PErry &

Air MEchAnic hErBErT PArFiTT.

T hese two soldiers hold a unique although somewhat dubious

honour in that they were the first Royal Flying Corps fatalities of WWI and, as a result, their names lie first on the role of honour. They were both members of 3 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, which subsequently became 3(F) Squadron, Royal Air Force. The service was held exactly 100 years to the day after they died in a flying accident shortly after take off less than a few miles from where they are buried.

The memorial service was organised by a local French school teacher, Monsieur Gerard Lobry, as part of a project being undertaken by his school class on the history of the Great War. For those involved, it was truly an honour to have the chance to commemorate the first 3(F) Squadron personnel to lose their life in the service of their country.

s ince the last time of writing, as part of the long-standing NATO air

policing mission in Europe, four Typhoons from 3(F) Squadron along with pilots from across the Typhoon force have deployed to Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania to provide air policing support to the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Whilst some of 3(F) Squadron were deployed in Lithuania, other members of the Squadron, along with pilots from XI Squadron, deployed to Exercise Anatolian Eagle in Turkey as part of the summer Exercise season.

At home, Squadron life has been equally fast paced. As the Squadron works up to become the high readiness Squadron in October, and as part of the new ‘adaptive phase’, the Squadron has become the first to undertake Exercise Virtual Fury, a synthetic exercise based at the ABTC at RAF Waddington. This exercise gives the Squadron the opportunity to work alongside crews from the E3-D in order to plan and execute missions that are typical of likely contingent operations but difficult to replicate during normal training sorties. Such scenarios include complex rules of engagement and integration with the Navy’s Type 45 destroyer.

The Squadron has also been busy outside of flying. As a way of further air-land integration, Flt Lt ‘Wally’ Wallingford & Flt Lt James Kingswood went down to Exercise Mended Spur on Salisbury Plain as a guest of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry. Sharing a historical tie at Lark hill as well as having identical colours of green, yellow and red, the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry were the perfect regiment to hold affiliation with 3(F) Sqn. Exercise Mended Spur was a unique opportunity to undertake a three day mobile regiment field exercise focused on vehicle-based offensive tactics in the Salisbury plains exercise area. Being offered the role of vehicle commander and leading a new group of individuals from a different service in a very alien environment was an amazing chance to test leadership skills outside of the daily comfort zone. Both pilots got the opportunity to be part of a scouting troop with Challenger II tanks but sadly, despite Wally’s requests, they wouldn’t let a Typhoon pilot drive!

The Squadron was also visited by three members of the

Japanese Air Self Defence Force in return for a visit to Japan we took part in last summer. The Squadron has a rich history with Japan, having had the first foreign Exchange officer in the 1920s. So, in July, Lieutenant Colonel Jun Hamaya, Captain Keigo Itoh & First Lieutenant Masashi Kosodo from the 201st Tactical Fighter Squadron spent four days experiencing 3(F) Squadron hospitality as well as all getting the chance to fly in a Typhoon. Thanks must go out to Flt Lt Tris Simkins who put the whole visit together!

3(F) sqNAs we head into August, a big

period of change lies ahead for the Squadron. As well as the Boss being replaced by Wg Cdr Chris Moon in October, we are losing our SEngO, Sqn Ldr Hari Raja to the Red Arrows - replaced by Sqn Ldr Kate Macartney. Flt Lt Si Taylor departs to the OCU and Flt Lt Steve Kemp goes to the Rafale exchange in France. Flt Lt ‘Fiddy’ Nilson returns to the Squadron from the qWI course and we are joined by Flt Lt Rich Leask who is soon to complete the OCU. It promises to be a lively Squadron Dining In/Out night in September!

TErTiuS PriMuS EriT

grEETingS FroM 3(F) SquADron! ThE LAST FEw MonThS hAS BEEn A vEry BuSy TiME For 3(F) SquADron BoTh AT hoME AnD

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onetoone14 15 Xi Sqn uPDATE ISSUE 3 2014

whErE DoES TiME go? iT FEELS LiKE yESTErDAy ThAT Xi Sqn rETurnED FroM ThE MiDDLE EAST on EX MAgic cArPET, yET hErE wE ArE wiTh ThE SuMMEr DrAwing To A cLoSE. iT hAS BEEn quiTE A hEcTic TiME For ThE rAF’S PrEMiEr FighTEr SquADron. wE’vE DEPLoyED To BoTh BALTic Air PoLicing (BAP) in LiThuAniA AnD EX AnAToLiAn EAgLE in TurKEy.

F irstly, we’d like to welcome our valiant brethren into our home that is the XI Sqn HAS site on the

south of the Airfield. Due to 3(F) Sqn taking the lead on BAP, we have been enjoying their company on XI Sqn. Since then, we have been training with them day-to-day whilst sharing a laugh or two along the way!

In June, XI Sqn, supplemented by personnel from 3(F) Sqn, took part in Ex ANATOLIAN EAGLE in Turkey. This was a multi-national exercise including Turkish F-16s and F-4s, Spanish Air Force

Typhoons and F-18 Hornets, Royal Jordanian Air Force F-16s, and qatar Air Force Mirage 2000s. Having all of these participants in one place provided great training opportunities for everyone involved and, thanks to sturdy work (as always) by the engineers, XI Sqn ensured that our Typhoons were always ready to maximize our contribution. The 3 week exercise saw our pilots hone their skills in the multi-role environment but, despite a hectic flying schedule, we all managed to find a bit of time for socialising as well.

At the beginning of July, XI Sqn hosted the XI Sqn Reunion Day. This annual event gives an opportunity for all previous and current members of XI Sqn to get together. The day saw attendance of Sqn members from many periods of XI Sqn’s history, from the Spitfire days in Burma during WWII to the Lightning era at RAF Binbrook. We all enjoyed a spectacular display (as always) from a BBMF Spitfire before retiring to the Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa to enjoy a dining-in night. We had a fantastic turn out for the event and it is believed to have been the best attended reunion for many years. One guest of particular note is Peter (Percy) Proctor who announced his plans for a charity parachute jump celebrating his 91st birthday! Percy will be jumping on 3rd Sept 2014 and is raising money for the Royal Air Forces Association

(RAFA) - a very worthy cause by an incredible man. Details of his jump and donations can be found at www.justgiving.com/PeterProctorSkyDive/.

As always, we have had people leave and join the squadron. We say goodbye to two of our Flight Commanders, Sqn Ldr Andy King and Sqn Ldr Andy Chisholm. Sqn Ldr King has left the RAF to instruct our allies in Saudi Arabia whilst Sqn Ldr Chisholm has also been posted abroad to enjoy a posting in Washington DC. We wish them both the best of luck and look forward to catching up with them at the next XI Sqn reunion! Replacing them are Sqn Ldr Paul Gardiner and Sqn Ldr John Cockroft as Officers Commanding A flight and B flight respectively. We welcome them to the Sqn and look forward to what they can offer. We also welcome our

newest ‘Junior Pilot’, Flt Lt Phil ‘Birdy’ Bird who joins us from the OCU. Birdy brings lots of experience from both instructing the Hawk at RAF Valley and his previous tours on the Tornado F3.

The closing of the summer months sees no let up for XI Sqn as we begin thinking about our upcoming deployment to the United Arab Emirates for the Advanced Tactical Leadership Course (ATLC) in November. It’s another fine exercise where XI Sqn can fly in a multi-national environment, providing us with plenty of good training opportunities, whilst inter-operating with foreign Air Forces. Plus, we’ll get a nice bit of winter sun. Until next time!!

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onetoone18 1929(r) Sqn uPDATE ISSUE 3 2014

o ur first stop was at the Sherwood Pines trail centre on the far side of Newark

for a skills lesson where newly qualified Trail Cycle Leader, B-Dubs, assembled a scary assortment of cones for the team to negotiate. Post lunch, we tackled the 13km “Kitchener Trail” which proved a good warm up for the week ahead.

That evening, after a quick trip to a well-known budget supermarket to stock up on provisions, the team arrived at the self-catering accommodation on the edge of the National Park that would be a comfortable home for the rest of the week (did we mention the hot tub?!).

Day 2 was the 24km Bakewell Circuit, where Ratner was able to show off his “Cover of shame” – a luminous rucksack cover awarded every morning to the most inept rider from the previous day. This was to be short-lived, however, after the Trail Cycle Leader gave a demonstration of how to fly over the handle bars and end up in a pile of nettles.

Day 3 was to separate the men from the boys with a 38km slog. Starting from Ladybower Reservoir, there were endless gruelling climbs in the relentless midday heat over a very technical

moorland trail. After a rewarding descent, the faces of the group dropped when Iain (The Trail Cycle Leader who wasn’t wearing the “Cover of Shame”), informed us that the only way home was back over the same peak that we had just descended from. The bracing dip in the river Derwent at the end of the day had never felt so good!

By Day 4, those members of the group who had not opted for the gel seats were walking like John Wayne and dreading another day in the saddle. A shorter, but incredibly hilly trail near Ashover ended in the grounds of Chatsworth House and another refreshing dip in the river.

The final morning was spent back in Sherwood Pines,

where the improvement in our Mountain Biking ability was evident, completing the Kitchener Trail in half the time of our first day, although the incentive for an early finish prior to the weekend should not be discounted when comparing times… Over the week we completed over 110km of trails and well over 4000ft of ascent – cycle shorts and gel seats were essential!

If anyone is keen to go Mountain Biking then they should contact the PEd section which has all the equipment required as well as contacts with many instructors on base. A trip to the nearby Sherwood Pines makes a great section force development day and the Peak District is a blast!

A s ever, 29(R) Sqn made hay whilst the sun shone flying over 1150 hours in a

3 month period. This enabled us to graduate 2 conversion courses (OPCON 24 and 25) and the 2 pilots on a refresher course. On behalf of the staff, congratulations to everyone, especially the engineers on what was a hugely successful and productive period for the Sqn.

Of course, out with the old and in with the new - the OCU wheel keeps turning! Hopefully, by the time this article goes to press, OPCON 26 should be complete and off to the ‘sharp end’ whilst OPCON 27 (aka “the herd”) are just starting the combat phase. The course consists of Flt Lts Nic ‘Cal’ Callinswood and Chris ‘Jenks’ Jenkins who join us from the TTF, and they are accompanied by Niall ‘Nyall’ Pairman and Steve ‘Steccles’ Eccles from the GR4 front line. All jokes aside, this is the first time 4 ex-GR4 pilots have arrived on the same OPCON together so welcome (and good luck) to operating a jet with more engines than crew members and experiencing life above 30,000ft for the first time. OPCON 28 are almost ready to join the Sqn from groundschool and more banter will follow in a later edition.

The Royal Saudi Training Flight also continues apace, with 2Lts Shatoor and Muzini almost complete on the OPCON. They are now joined by 2Lt Al Harbi who has successfully passed his first solo

on-type and is making excellent progress through the course.

Notwithstanding the amazing amount of flying we do, the Sqn still finds the time to get people away for adventure training and, of course, take part in the inaugural ‘29(R) Sqn World Series 20/20 Cricket Match’. One sunny Friday, the whole Sqn departed for Woodhall Spa cricket ground to play the friendly (honest) match with bats, pads and gloves at the ready. Never has Woodhall seen such a fine display of co-ordinated athletes in one place. In all seriousness, the unlikely heroes’ of Colin ‘the cat’ Brough and budding ‘Wg Cdr Desig’ Westoby-Brooks put on a great final wicket pairing to clinch victory for the pilots by 3 runs from the final ball of the final over. Many thanks to those involved in the organisation of the event, right down to the hog roast lunch and refreshments - we look forward to the rematch next year.

Finally, on a more sombre note, we say goodbye to part of the 29(R) Sqn furniture – no, it’s not Killa! Sgt Andy Bonny has left the Sqn for pastures new after what seems like an eternity (almost 5 years) of dedicated service behind the Sqn Ops desk. Andy has been posted to RAF Leeming as the Flight Ops Manager in Air Traffic Control and we wish him all the best for the future; he will be sorely missed. Until next time, stay safe from all at 29(R) Sqn.

29(r) sqNUPDATE

wELL, SuMMEr hAS PASSED AnD whAT A SuMMEr iT wAS! i Know SuMMEr hAS EnDED BEcAuSE, AS i LooK ouT oF ThE winDow, ThE TorrEnTiAL rAin AnD gALE ForcE winDS oF

hurricAnE BErThA ArE BAShing ThE AirFiELD, SignALLing ThE DEMiSE oF ThE FAnTASTic wEAThEr wE hAvE rEcEnTLy EXPEriEncED.

29(r) sqN eX bUZZarD Peak MOUNTAIN BIKING AL1AFTEr BEing ForcED To cAncEL ThE Tour DE MonT BLAnc, ThE BAcK-uP oPTion oF 5 DAyS in ThE PEAK DiSTricT MAy hAvE SounDED A LiTTLE TAME. howEvEr, ThE Scorching BriTiSh SuMMEr AnD SoME FAnTASTic TrAiLS DrAMATicALLy iMProvED ThE MorALE oF ThE 7 MEMBErS oF 29(r) SquADron ThAT ATTEnDED “EX BuzzArD PEAK” in MAy.

Contact01526 344325

www.nurseryandkidsclub.co.uk

RAF ConingsbyNursery 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

*Subject to criteria

My child goes and its wonderful place and the staff are 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.

I feel like I am handing

over my children to ‘family’.

The staff are amazing, very

friendly and always make

time for you and your family.

onetoone20 21BASE SuPPorT wing ISSUE 3 2014

BASE SUPPORT WING ovErviEw

I have experIenced a whIrlwInd

couple of weeks as the new offIcer

commandIng Bsw wIth plannIng,

among other thIngs, for op

IsmaY, ex Bersama lIma and the

stand-up of 121 expedItIonarY

aIr wIng.

in spite of this work on station, the sheer amount of other people-led activities has quite frankly

been impressive – a key aspiration is to increase BSW engagement activity with our audience so please share your views with us on how to demonstrate that people at RAF Coningsby are listened to, supported and valued.

In this edition, BSW recalls 2 key engagement activities - the Annual Reception and Sunset Ceremony and the 2014 Young Persons and Families’ Summer Activities Programme - and describes some of the forthcoming improvements within the Coningsby community.

FESTivAL oF FLighT AS ThE Sun SETS AT rAF coningSBy

RAF Coningsby formally thanked local dignitaries, friends and supporters of the Station for their continued and valued support with an Annual Reception and Sunset Ceremony on Tuesday 3rd June. The Station Commander had the pleasure of hosting 165 guests - the most impressive turnout in recent years. During canapés and drinks on the Officers’ Mess lawn, Sergeant Heather Andrews led The Salon Orchestra of the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.

The highlight of the evening was in the capable hands of the Acting Station Warrant Officer, Flight Sergeant Trev Shippey, who marched on the Guard of Honour to conduct the Sunset Ceremony. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight wowed the crowds, as always, with a Spitfire flypast just as the RAF Ensign was lowered. Luckily the weather was on our side and the torrential rain held until all guests had departed. Many thanks to the Project Officers and supporting personnel who should all give themselves a pat on the back for a successful and thoroughly enjoyable evening!

ArE you rESiLiEnT? RAF Coningsby facilitates

a programme of personal awareness courses which could help to enhance your resilience to withstand or recover quickly from difficult situations or help support our families who also experience these challenges with us. These range from a basic listening skills course to anger

management, a mental health first aid programme or becoming a Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) Practitioner. Details of these and other courses can be found on MOSS within the PMS page Training Calendar or you can contact WO Al Jenkins the Community Support Warrant Officer on ext 7211 to discuss what is available.

After a delay of several months, the long awaited refurbishment of the Clinton Park Community Centre has begun! Groups, volunteers and members of the Community Support Team have taken on the challenge with enthusiasm and, with the support of Barrack Stores, the Station Waste Management team and the SWO’s gang, we are underway! We’re also really pleased to be able to help local charities by donating old items for future use by others.

The works are anticipated to take approximately 20 weeks from August and will provide additional office space, a new heating system, replacement of the lighting, flooring, doors and windows as well as full disability access and a disabled toilet. The kitchen is also due to be completely refitted with new storage and appliances.

All existing groups will continue during the refurbishment; the local community have been a great support and offered a variety of venues. Airplay and Rainbows will take place in the Kids’ Club. Tiny Typhoons and Crafty Critters will be located at the Lions’ Den community building next to the New Coningsby Surgery.

To run the ‘new look’ Community Centre we intend to set up a committee to govern the use of the building; if you require further information regarding the refurbishment, the existing groups, or wish to volunteer to join the committee, please contact the HIVE on 01526 347868 or the Community Development Officer on 01526 347865. Regular refurbishment updates will also be posted on the HIVE Facebook Page.

iT’S chocKS AwAy For cLinTon PArK coMMuniTy cEnTrE!

croSSFiT iS coMing To rAF CONINgSby

Why stick to the same old routine of weight training or cardio for minimal results?

CrossFit has been incorporated into many military stations and will be available at the newly renovated Ped Flt at RAF Coningsby from October 2014.

CrossFit Conz is aimed at forging broad and inclusive fitness

for everyone, making it perfect for any committed person, regardless of experience or fitness level - even those returning from injury. Workouts will include Olympic weight lifting, plyometrics, powerlifting, gymnastics, calisthenics, strongman exercises and other cardiovascular exercises.

Anyone interested should contact Cpl Murray at the Physiotherapy department or ask staff in the PEd Flt for further information.

SuMMEr 2014 hAS BEEn An AcTivE TiME For young PEoPLE AnD FAMiLiES

The 2014 Summer Activities Programme has been our most successful yet, with many young people and families taking part in a variety of trips and activities. Our Airplay Youth Support Programme has run a 4-week programme of activities ranging from drama and dance workshops to science experiments and sports events. For the first year the Airplay Youth Club have also ventured further away and been on trips to the Parrot Zoo and Chapel St Leonards Beach. Airplay activities at RAF Coningsby are available for all dependants of Station personnel (including civilians) aged 8 plus. During term time, we run a junior and senior youth club and the new school term will see the

development of a Youth Committee who will be responsible for attending a variety of local meetings and providing a voice for the youth of Coningsby and Tattershall.

Many families have attended trips to the Parrot Zoo at Friskney, Skegness and Rand Farm. All activities were provided free of charge for any family who have had a member of family deployed during the summer holiday period.

Our relationship with Tattershall Castle continues to be strong and this year they have been extremely generous and offered all Station personnel (including civilians) entry at child price with up to 3 children free of charge up on sight of a valid ID Card - this offer can be used for the rest of this year.

If you have any ideas for trips and activities for young people or families please feel free to contact the Community Development Officer on 01526 347865. If you would like further information on the Airplay Youth Support Programme please contact the Station Youth Worker on 07887498690.

chAriTABLE FunDing AvAiLABLE

This is your chance to make a positive difference at Coningbsy in support of something you are passionate about!

If you would like more details on how to apply for money to support sporting teams and leisure pursuits, families in difficult circumstances where financial assistance would make a difference to them, improvements to community facilities, or the purchase of more general welfare amenities, please contact OC PMS, Sqn Ldr

Leanne Warner, who can assist in guiding you through the process. Alternatively, you will find details on the RAF Community Support webpage: http://defenceintranet.diif.r.mil.uk/Organisations/Orgs/RAF/Organisations/Orgs/ComSpt/Pages/Homepage.aspx.

Amongst the 100 top performing schools based on sustained improvement in Level 4+ each year from 2009 - 2012

Good Church of England Primary SchoolHigh standards of behaviourSmall classes, high percentage of Teaching Assistants, many out of school activities, good links with the community.

Enquiries and visits welcome.

01507 568304www.mareham.lincs.sch.uk

Breakfast Club available from8am every day

onetoone22 23ISSUE 3 2014

Holy TrinityChurch of England Primary School

TattershallOur 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 342349Email: enquiries@holytrinity.lincs.sch.ukwww.holytrinity.lincs.sch.uk

Tel/Fax: 01526 342045

www.tattershallprimary.lincs.sch.ukenquiries@tattershallprimary.lincs.sch.ukTattershall, Lincoln LN4 4QZ

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.

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.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.

Headteacher: Mrs Janette Davey

TattershallPrimary School

Kirkby on BainChurch of England Primary School

Learning together for life

At Kirkby on Bain Church of England Primary School, children are nurtured and inspired, within a safe and happy

environment, to become well-rounded independent learners who are academically and socially prepared for the future.

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed at any time

Wharf Lane, Kirkby on Bain, Woodhall Spa LN10 6YW

01526 352715 • www.kobps.lincs.sch.uk

“Kirkby on Bain is a happy, inclusive and deeply caring school... The school, through its

distinctive Christian character, is outstanding at meeting the needs of all learners.”

(Church Schools Inspection, July 2012)

onetoone24 25ISSUE 3 2014

Come along to our Boarding Houseopen evening.

Phone for details.

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• Groceries, bread, Milk• Fantastic Selection of Papers & Magazines

• Wines & Spirits • Passport Check & Send Service

Post Office, TattershallLincolnshire LN4 4LJ

Tel: 01526 342822

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R. WISBY(FAMILY BUTCHER) LTD

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onetoone26 27

POETRy CORNER

PEoPLE & AchiEvEMEnTS ISSUE 3 2014

SETTINg ThE ScEnE... ThE cAnADiAn LAncASTEr ‘vErA’ ArrivED on FriDAy 8 AuguST. unForTunATELy iT wASn’T PoSSiBLE To FLy BoTh LAncASTErS on ThAT DAy. SincE ThErE wAS MEDiA inTErEST in whEn ThE FirST ‘Two-ShiP’ FLighT wouLD hAPPEn, iT wAS DEciDED To inviTE MEDiA To ThE FirST FLighT on wEDnESDAy 11 AuguST AT 1600...0700: Listening to the radio while preparing for work. Because the first formation will be happening today, the Station Commander has agreed to do a live BBC Radio Lincolnshire interview this morning; they are trailing this now.

0730: Arrive at work - a scan of the inbox to see what fresh responses there have been from media. The news agenda is such that when we offer a media ‘facility’ the press will often decide at the last minute whether to attend.

0740: A quick discussion with the Station Commander on likely avenues of questioning for his interview, any areas of concern, and the messages we would like to get across.

0745: Listen to the live interview, followed by a quick debrief with the Station Commander

0800-1000: Catching up on emails and telephone calls from the media. I try to have our story disseminated in as broad a way as possible; the better we can satisfy the media’s interest, the better our story is told. VERA isn’t the only thing happening at the moment so I turn my attention to other requests to install cameras in a Typhoon, interview the Typhoon Force Commander and film some interviews on station about the latest Typhoon upgrades.

1000: Visit 3(F) Squadron, MT, and BBMF to check on arrangements. On the way to BBMF I learn from the BBC that, “Twitter is now saying that first formation is at 1300 rather than 1600”. Confirm with BBMF that the time has changed!

1100: Briefing media on the change of plan - we can’t reschedule most of our activity because of limited personnel, so we come up with an alternative plan for the daily nationals and broadcasters. The bulk of the media will catch the first flight outside, and come in for the later formations. Grab lunch at my desk - there won’t be time later. Get a text reminder from my wife that she’s going out for dinner and the table is booked for 1930. Mustn’t be late!

1200: Meet a photographer for the daily nationals at BBMF to get some static photos, ‘in the bag’.

1230: Regional BBC and ITV have arrived, along with local radio. ITN are apparently on the way. They never turn up - they probably received instructions to go to another story while en route.

1300: The two Lancasters take off together for the first time. It is being filmed from two points around the station plus being broadcast on the radio.

1400: Leaving broadcast media with hosts, I return to my office to brief my volunteer assistants for the later events.

1500: Other media begin arriving at the Main Guard Room. Each person has to be given passes and checked in, then parked so we can bus them to the photo site. This is always labour intensive as there is a

requirement for greeters, escorts and car park marshallers.

1600: Now in situ at 3(F) Squadron HAS site. The south side of the airfield is much better photographically because of the position of the sun. At this point I can relax to some degree; the media are in, it is now a case of letting them do their job.

1700: First formation flight is over - now waiting for the second scheduled flight.

1730: Second flight is delayed due to winds. There is invariably a lot of time spent hanging around at these events, but it’s a good opportunity to build relations with colleagues in the media, most of whom are from the aviation press.

1830: Am informed that the second flight will not take place until 1930. Most of the media wish to leave before then so we drive them to BBMF to take static pictures on the way out. The remaining four journalists return to 3(F) Squadron where two of my helpers have volunteered to host them until the last flight. I ensure everyone is content before leaving and returning to BBMF to escort the ITV crew off station.

1915: Meet my wife in the lay-by outside the main guardroom. My wife makes her dinner appointment... just!

SO WHAT DOES AMEDiA & coMMunicATionS OFFICER DO?

JiM roBinSon, RAF CONINGSBY MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

EAST LinDSEy DiSTricT counciL AnD orchESTrA ‘SinFoniA vivA’ hAvE JoinED FORCES TO bRINg An innovATivE FirST worLD wAr cEnTEnAry ProJEcT To ThE DiSTricT.

The music and dance project has been created and led by Sinfonia Viva

and is generously supported by Arts Council England, East Lindsey District Council and the Lincolnshire Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant Scheme. ‘Dark Clouds are Smouldering into Red’ aims to strengthen the ties between members of the armed forces community and the wider community in which they live. 

The project will visit East Lindsey in September as part of a regional tour and will focus on RAF Coningsby which was originally built just before the Second World

War as a bomber command base and is now home to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

 Award-winning composer

James Redwood, professional musicians from Viva Orchestra and acclaimed dancer and choreographer Tom Dale will work with more than 150 people in East Lindsey. These will include school pupils from Banovallum School in Horncastle and Monks Dyke Tennyson College in Louth and Mablethorpe, as well as the RAF Coningsby Military Wives Choir, the Station’s Airplay Youth Club and the Just Sing Louth community choir.

 Each group will compose

its own songs and music, and pupils will also choreograph dance pieces. Airplay Youth Club members will focus on the spoken word reciting key passages from ‘Letter from the Front’. The themes behind the project will be the emotions of separation, loss and social upheaval that the First World War brought to soldiers and their families. 

 The groups will come

together and perform alongside professional musicians from Viva and dancers from the Tom Dale Company at a public performance in an aircraft hangar at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre on November 6. 

Dark ClOUDs ARE SMOULDERING INTO rEDLou hEnDErSon, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

W e want poetry from all corners of military life, whether from

wives and partners or from serving personnel in any service. It is also open to civilian personnel serving alongside the military.

Additionally, we would like a brief introduction of who you are and why you wrote the poem(s). However, if you wish to remain anonymous that’s fine, just let us know first.

Entries need to be sent to Cpl Mike Brooksbank on CD/DVD (no paper copies please) or via email to:

Mikeb_32@hotmail.co.ukCON-C4ISqnISFIXJNCO03@mod.uk

Further information can be found at RAF Coningsby’s Poetry Club team site, found under the ‘clubs and social sites’ tab. Here you will be able to view the book’s progress.

rAF coningSBy PoETS cornEr inviTES you To conTriBuTE A PoEM or

Two.  wE ArE currEnTLy crEATing A PoETry BooK, To BE PuBLiShED viA AMAzon. ThE ProcEEDS wiLL go To

ThE STATion chAriTiES coMMiTTEE, To BE ALLocATED To worThy cAuSES.

onetoone28 29

The Team

PEoPLE & AchiEvEMEnTS ISSUE 3 2014

W hen I entered the 2014 race I didn’t realise that packing would be one

of the biggest challenges. The equipment and calories vs weight conundrum is one that plagues all racers with some going as far as shaving off extra strap length from their pack and cutting the handle short on their tooth brush! I ended up taking 2500 calories of food per day, consisting mainly of granola (which I shall never eat again!), energy gels and one freeze dried meal per day, as well as some recovery powder as a treat in the evenings. When I set off running on day one, my pack weighed just less than 9kg which I felt was a reasonable compromise which included the compulsory distress flare and anti-venom pump!

With a mixture of adrenaline, the amazing views and the apt daily blasting of ‘Highway to Hell’ on the huge start line loudspeakers, it was initially easy to conquer the weight of the pack and the incessant wading through soft sand. But after the first 9 miles over the continuous Erg Chebbi sand dunes, the biggest in Morocco, the enormity of the task set in as well as a healthy portion of cramp! At the

first check point I stopped to eat as many salt tablets as I could stomach; getting cramp this early on was not what I had intended. Others had stopped to be sick and some were already sacrificing time penalties for extra water. The salt tablets worked a treat and in spite of my cramp I managed to finish the first marathon stage in the top third. I subsequently found out that it had been the highest drop out rate ever for the first day, despite an extension to the cut off time.

During the second and third stages I had adapted to coping with the heat but it was evident that I hadn’t done enough training carrying weight and my knee joints weren’t enjoying the variety of terrain and dunes. My lowest point came on stage 4 after completing the first 26 miles of the 55 mile stage. I stopped at a checkpoint to have a ‘crisis meeting with myself’ and sat down to enjoy the sunset. I dug through my bag, pulled out the emergency Pepperami that I had saved for just such an occasion and began to read through some emails. Each night the staff brought out a couple of pages of emails that family and friends had sent via the website. Emails from family were encouraging and mentioned that they had been tracking me on the website

and watching me momentarily via the webcams positioned at the end of each stage. Emails from RAF colleagues and friends back home were more to the point including useful advice such as ‘when you are feeling tired, stop feeling tired’ and ‘run faster’. Both provided a huge morale boost. I got back to my feet and waddled on, navigating across the dunes through the pitch dark with my compass and headtorch. It was sunrise again before I saw the finish line and could finally relax for my delicious freeze dried chicken curry made with cold water and warmed in the sun.

The last full marathon stage was one of the highlights. I don’t know if it was because of the amazing views, the other runners that I ran small sections with throughout the day or the extra energy that I found with the end in sight but I didn’t stop running all day. My pack was lighter and the course felt flatter. The final marathon finished in a small Moroccan village full of local people selling real food and cold beer.

Cradling my beers and a huge loaf of fresh bread I boarded the bus to the hotel for a shower.

The MDS officials mentioned that people will not understand why anyone would sign up to complete the race. During the last 10 miles of the long stage, I specifically remember asking myself the same question. It wasn’t until the flight home that I began to think ‘that was fantastic, I’m sure that I could do it quicker next time…’

I chose to raise money for the Macmillan Cancer Support nurses whose work touches millions of people every year. Thank you so much to everyone that donated, both offline and also online via www.justgiving.com/owensmds. I was absolutely astounded by people’s generosity and over £3000 has been raised. The site will remain open for another few months and any further donations would be greatly appreciated!

Marathon Des sables

‘THE TOUGHEST FOOTRACE ON EARTH’A 156 MiLE rAcE AcroSS ThE SAhArA DESErT in TEMPErATurES oF ovEr 50° c, whiLST cArrying EvEryThing on your BAcK EXcEPT ThE wATEr ThAT you wiLL nEED To SurvivE During 4 MArAThonS PLuS A 55 MiLE run.

owEn ThoMPSon, XI SqN

AS A STATion SurvivAL inSTrucTor AT rAF coningSBy i’vE ALwAyS wAnTED To ATTEnD A JungLE SurvivAL courSE AnD i wAS DELighTED To FinALLy gET ThE chAncE ThiS JunE in BrunEi. AFTEr A MErE EighTEEn hourS oF TrAvEL, ThE courSE ArrivED AT iTS TEMPorAry AccoMMoDATion AT ThE BriTiSh JungLE wArFArE SchooL, MEDicinA LinES, SEriA.

By FS cArLoS ProcTor, EoFfood foraging. I learnt about Heart of Palm which, when cooked, reminded me (and only me it would seem) of crab meat in looks, texture and taste. A fruit called Asampia reminded me of Lychees in appearance but tasted like Haribo Tangfastic sweets. Durian is a huge spiky melon sized fruit which smells of rotting feet when opened and tastes like stilton cheese! Best of all, was Plantain fruit which was basically a small sweet banana; when cooked, it tasted gorgeous. Throughout the whole exercise I never went hungry.

During the group survival phase, we were left to fend for ourselves for a number of days with very little equipment. We made a four man shelter with a nearby water supply and with means of escape through the canopy if required (for helo extraction). We had a fire which helped with water purification and cooking, but most of all keeping the incessant mozzies at bay. We found at this point that we could sweat more fluid than we could take in. I lost a stone in weight in about six days. Sleeping in the open, wearing a headover mozzie net, tucking my sleeves into my flying gloves and tucking my trousers into my boots became the norm for bedtime.

Next was the evasion phase. Whilst waiting to be air-lifted, we all remarked on how it seemed like a scene from a Vietnam War movie as we watched the Hueys land. To our surprise, a platoon of armed, camo’ed-up Ghurkhas emerged - these guys were going to be tracking us over the next few days whilst we were on the run – great stuff!

We set off with haste as our trackers were minutes behind us. Having had ‘counter tracking training’ we couldn’t wait to set off diversions for the Ghurkhas and successfully arrived at our lay-up Point. Unable to make a shelter and risk them hearing us, we lay up on the jungle floor for the night. My fear of creepy crawlies (in particular spiders) is cured and I consider myself ‘part mosquito’ having had a full transfusion from over 200 or so bites.

JungLE SurvivAL I’M A SEREO GET ME OUT OF HERE!

Finally, the extraction by helo was carried out in true CSAR style and the exercise came to an end as we enjoyed the flight back to the Garrison. During the flight a spider the size of a dinner plate emerged from my kit bag and crawled up the pilot’s seat. The pilot remained unaware, so, now a hardened jungle veteran, I saved the day with a spoon from my pocket, avoiding a major in-flight incident.

Tired and thirsty, we landed back at 7 Flight AAC Hq. We all de-kitted and peeled off the clothes we had worn for the last six days. Whilst taking a shower, I noticed the bite marks and scratches which covered my body made me look like a map of London during the Blitz. With the course over, we spent a day in rest and recovery before setting off back to Blighty. Outstanding!

This has been the best course I’ve done in my career and easily the hardest but one I would heartily recommend to anyone who’s entitled to take it. Thanks go to the staff, clothing stores, the medical centre and also the wife and the travel cell staff for getting me home :)

o ver the next few days our team of fourteen tri-service endured a quick

acclimatisation programme. This included an introduction to ‘secondary’ jungle where we would start training. It became very apparent that the humidity in the jungle can be likened to taking a Nordic Sauna – ‘primary’ jungle being even worse due to the denser canopy! Once this was complete, it was time for the real ‘Jungle Survival experience’. It didn’t disappoint!

We were airlifted into the jungle by two British Army Hueys (Bell 212) of 7 Flight AAC from the Garrison. Touching down, we split into teams and set off with our designated instructor who familiarised us with the local area. After setting up camp we adopted the ‘dry routine’. This involved removing wet kit and donning dry kit for the night ahead. From 18:00L the jungle became pitch black; however, the jungle never slept and the inhabitants made the strangest noises. One insect (which I nicknamed “car alarm beetle”), kept me awake for five nights!

Very few paths exist in the jungle so navigation training was necessary to introduce us to pacing counters and Silva Compasses. We came across the ‘wait a while vine’ – a vine which hung down from trees and had a tendency to wrap itself around our necks, with accompanying spines, which

could rip skin open in the blink of an eye. There were also trees that, if touched, would elicit the most terrible curses due to the pain caused by its plethora of skin penetrating needles.

Over the next few days we studied tracking and counter tracking, shelter making, signal fire construction, water purification, trapping techniques, fishing and food foraging. My favourite subject was the

Harry Trying Cassava

A Rattan Hammock

Our House

Asampia Fruit - Tangfastic

Heart of Palm – Crab Meat?

onetoone30 31ISSUE 3 2014

A family run award winning traditional pub/restaurant, serving good home cooked food with a large selection of 15 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 too.

Food is served Tuesday to Sunday between noon and 2pm and 6pm - 9pm

Sunday Lunch available noon - 2pmAll year round a great place to eat and drink!

(Always advisable to book - Telephone 01526 354560)

SEE US ON THE TRIP ADVISER

16th century in locally sourced food all home

cooked by our trained chefsCome try our full rack of ribs double dipped in our

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Open all day Sundays

New children’s play area

Little people eat freeMon-Friday 6-7pm

Wednesday nightSteak Night 22oz t-bone,8oz fillet or 10oz sirloin

£17.95 incl drink

MON- SAT 12 - 2 & 6 - 9SUN ALL DAY

The Leagate Inn, Leagate Road, Coningsby, Lincolnshire LN4 4RS

T: +44 (0) 1526 342370 F: +44 (0) 1526 345468

The Leagate Inn

Opening times:Monday - Thursday: 9am - 2pm

Friday: 7.30am - 2pmSaturday: 9am - 2pm

Outside Catering:(Weddings, Parties, Christenings, etc)Events trailer serving cold and healthy options only

Shop: Hot and cold food served daily

01526 343744

The Cob Shop

91a High Street, Coningsby, Lincs, LN4 4RH

Book now for• Pre-Christmas lunch & dinner• Christmas day lunch• Boxing day lunch• New years eve dinner

Open for lunch 12.00pm til 2.00pm Mon - Sat 12.00-3.00pm Sunday

Open for dinner 6.00pm til 9.00pm Mon - Sat

onetoone32 33ForcE DEvELoPMEnT ISSUE 3 2014

i n late Jun 14, prepped with well-researched material in order to deliver educational and

mind-expanding ‘stands’, a team of 12 from RAF Coningsby set out on Ex CHESHIRE TIDE. It all began at RAF Digby, in the fantastic WWII ambience of the 12 Gp Sector Ops Room, where Karen Needham and Kirsty Westoby-Brooks discussed first the RAF’s technical edge from WWII to today and then the RAF’s senior leadership during the Battle of Britain. A trip through the Lincolnshire Wolds (yes, hills in Lincolnshire!) then led us to Hull (home to one of the 3 great universities) where Emma Watkins told us of WWI and WWII aerial bombardments that had not broken the resolve of Hull’s population.

After a ticket-faff, the overnight ferry took us to Rotterdam, where Jon Millinson spoke of an aerial bombardment that did lead to capitulation, the key difference from Hull being the immediate threat of German ground forces about to overrun the city. A journey to Steenburgen brought us to Wg Cdr Guy Gibson’s grave, Thom Colledge’s analysis of the Dambuster’s Raid, and a reassuring consensus that the current RAF is not developing ‘one-dimensional’ thinkers.

We travelled on to the ‘tied’ island of Walcheren where 5 stands then covered different aspects of the effort to wrest the island from German hands in autumn 1944. The Allies had taken the port of Antwerp in late Aug 44, but could not use it as the approaching sea lanes were dominated by Walcheren’s

formidable guns. The only other port that the Allies had was the D-Day Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches; any push to Germany would need vast amounts of men and materiel and a second port was desperately needed. The seizing of Walcheren showed daring and initiative, but as with so much in war, was not free from collateral damage.

Most of the island lies below sea level, a fact the Allies took advantage of by bombing the sea wall to flood Walcheren and disrupt German forces prior to surface assault; David Hales contrasted the military advantage of this act with the tragic loss of 160 civilian lives and discussed whether unleashing such a force of nature would be contemplated today? Andy Mitchell outlined the RAF’s deception operations that set the conditions for a successful amphibious assault by Royal Marines on the town of Vlissingen. Ben Westoby-Brooks led us to explore the legality of the flooding, considering proportionality, necessity and discrimination and asked whether there had been other ways to dislodge German troops from the ‘concrete fortress’ that Walcheren had become. Unfortunately, alternative plans may well have ceded the initiative and delayed or weakened the Allied push into Germany. Ed Morris (after thrillingly recounting his ejection from a Hawk) discussed

the difficulties of targeting hardened emplacements with the weapons of the day; whilst seemingly crude, the flooding had achieved results that conventional means could not have done at the time. Tom McGowan finished off the Walcheren instalment by describing how RAF personnel were ‘spotters’ for naval bombardment. Bad weather hampered

operations during the campaign and it still

influences operations today. Oh, and there

was a tank – nice!

The last word was left to Matt D’Aubyn (the new OnetoOne editor!) who, from The Hague, took us through the post-WWII Mutual Assistance Programme, the birth of NATO and Coningsby’s current support to NATO’s Baltic Air Policing. Having learnt much, thought much, and eaten much, we came back to Coningsby better-informed, wiser, and perhaps a little fatter…

ON STRINGER TIDESof the

12 oFFicErS, 5 DAyS, 2 MPvS: 1 AwESoME STAFF riDE!

onetoone34 35ForcE DEvELoPMEnT ISSUE 3 2014

in LATE APr 14, 9 MEMBErS oF SAFETy

EquiPMEnT FLighT AnD 1 MEMBEr

oF ThE MiLiTAry ProvoST guArD

SErvicE viSiTED KEnT For A 4 DAy

BATTLE oF BriTAin Tour. KEnT wAS

onE oF ThE MAin BAcKDroPS To ThE BATTLE oF BriTAin

AnD ProviDES nuMErouS PLAcES

OF INTEREST To viSiT.

T hese included Dover Castle with its secret underground tunnels and the Hawkinge

Battle of Britain Museum. Also, the Manston Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial, Swingate Radar Site and the Capel le Ferne Battle of Britain Memorial. At each of these locations, members of the group gave a presentation on a subject that they had researched.

On Monday 28 Apr we departed RAF Coningsby with high spirits and a full tank of fuel. After a quick pit-stop for an obligatory McDonalds breakfast we headed for RAF Uxbridge.

Uxbridge is home to the underground bunker which housed the Ops room for the Battle of Britain. We were treated to a guided tour of the site. The Ops room was maintained in marvellous condition with amazing attention to detail, for example, the Ops clock – with its

coloured segments – was proudly on display. All the different signs and boards were explained, and the procedures for warning of attack and scrambling aircraft thoroughly described. The museum housed a vast array of interesting artefacts and some stupendous framed prints.

The first 2 presentations were from SAC Nathan Lloyd who spoke about Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding (The Dowding System) and Cpl Andy Rae who presented on Reich Marshall Hermann Goering (The Luftwaffe). The latter stand promoted discussion about the Luftwaffe’s air campaign plan against the UK, if it was flawed and whether there were any key lessons for modern air campaign planning.

The next day, Dover Castle did not open until 9.30am so everyone took advantage of a hearty breakfast before setting off. No ‘Pay as You Dine’

here – and no sign of any protein police either!

Dover Castle – what a place! We could have spent all day at this location. The underground tunnels were superb. The 3D exhibition was amazing. The Dunkirk miracle was superbly told. Dover Castle provided the perfect backdrop for LAC Mark Watson and Cpl Dave Bestwick to give their presentations. Mark discussed Dunkirk to Day 1 of the Battle of Britain and Dave spoke about Force Protection and how elements were deployed to defend airfields, towns and cities from attack by the Luftwaffe.

Reluctantly the group left Dover Castle and made the short road journey to Hawkinge Battle of Britain Museum where we enjoyed a 1940s style lunch. The Museum had a vast array of Battle of Britain memorabilia including fascinating personal stories that adorned the walls of the 4 hangars. Four more stands were completed at this site which debated the merits of the various Battle of Britain fighters and the Luftwaffe ace, Adolf Galland.

On Day 3, Swingate Radar station, located in a farmer’s field near Dover (permission granted of course), was the setting for Sgt Richie Lloyd’s presentation on the Chain Home Radar Site. After startling a local sheep population, we negotiated the quiet back roads of North Kent to get to Manston Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial where LCpl Nick Hall gave his second (good man!) stand comparing the leadership qualities of AVMs Keith Park and Trafford Leigh- Mallory. Cpl Ian Ainslie talked about Pilot Off Eric Lock, one of ‘The Few’ and explained some of the actions that led him to becoming the highest scoring RAF Fighter Ace of the Battle of Britain.

On the way back to the Hotel we spotted the Jackdaw Inn in Denton. This pub featured in the 1969 film ‘The Battle of Britain’ with actress Susannah York meeting a Canadian Pilot played by Christopher Plummer, which was deemed sufficient justification for some afternoon refreshment.

The Capel le Ferne Battle of Britain Memorial was our final and most poignant destination. This was opened by the queen Mother in 1993. A statue of a Pilot sitting cross legged looking out on to the English Channel is the centre piece to the Memorial. A huge stretched plaque with all the names of ‘The Few’ that took part in the Battle of Britain are listed which stretches the entire length of the memorial. Sgt Richie Lloyd gave the last stand of the field trip on ‘The Decisive Day: Invasion postponed – the battle is won”. We departed Capel and headed back to Coningsby certainly with a greater knowledge and understanding of the Battle of Britain and its components.

Many thanks go to Sgt Richie Lloyd for all his research and organisation so that this superb trip could take place.

keNTish eagle STAFF RIDE 28 APR - 1 MAY 14

cPL ELwooD

C hain Home stations were usually consisted of a transmitter site and a receiver

site. Today, very few of either the transmitter or receiver towers have survived but one such transmitter tower remains at Stenigot near Louth and is utilised by the RAF Aerial Erector School for climbing aptitude and working-at-height training.

So, 10 members of C4i travelled to meet with a team of Aerial Erectors with the intention of climbing to the peak of the 360ft tower. The weather was definitely not conducive to appreciate the spectacular views from the top and as the time approached for the climb, it became increasingly unlikely that even a view of the ground would be possible! Following a safety brief from the riggers,

climbing harnesses were donned and the team proceeded to the base of the tower. The heavy rain and blustery wind made for a damp climb to the platform at 200 ft but all personnel remained focused and driven to reach the top. The last stretch to the peak of the tower was completed in small groups because of the increasing narrowness of the tower. Located at the summit of the tower is an ammo box containing a book where people can add their name to the list of personnel to reach the summit. Names duly appended, the wet and bedraggled team descended to the base of the tower for a welcome brew and the hint of chips on the way home! C4i at Coningsby would like to pass on its thanks and appreciation to Sgt McAllister and his team of riggers for giving us the opportunity to climb the tower and to appreciate the work of another element of Trade Group 4.

C4i VisiT TO sTeNigOT

ThE EArLy DEPLoyMEnT oF chAin hoME wAS An EArLy APPLicATion oF rADAr ThAT ALLowED ThE uK TiME To DEvELoP A wELL-inTEgrATED coMMunicATion SySTEM To DirEcT rAF FighTErS To inTErcEPT EnEMy ForMATionS During ThE BATTLE oF BriTAin.

FS John croFT

onetoone36 37 ISSUE 3 2014

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