THE RAF CONINGSBY JOURNAL onetoone · onetoone 7 T he ALI Cell comprises 23 JTACs and 13 TACP...

32
onetoone ISSUE 2 2018 THE RAF CONINGSBY JOURNAL

Transcript of THE RAF CONINGSBY JOURNAL onetoone · onetoone 7 T he ALI Cell comprises 23 JTACs and 13 TACP...

  • w

    onetoone

    ISSU

    E 2

    201

    8

    THE RAF CONINGSBY JOURNAL

  • 4 CONTENTS ISSUE 2 2018

    Stn Cdr’s Foreword Group Captain Michael Baulkwill

    Editorial & Distribution Team

    onetooneTHE LAST 3 MONTHS HAVE BEEN AN EXCITING TIME FOR ROYAL AIR FORCE CONINGSBY, THE SQUADRONS HAVE BEEN AWAY CONDUCTING IMPORTANT TRAINING IN ALL PARTS OF THE GLOBE, ENSURING THAT WE ARE READY TO DEPLOY WHENEVER IT IS REQUIRED, WHILST BACK AT HOME WE HAVE ALL BEEN WORKING HARD TO ENSURE THAT OUR OUTPUT REMAINS HIGH AND WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ALL OUR LODGER UNITS. Editor

    Sqn Ldr Ben Smy

    Deputy EditorFlt Lt Daisy Tidbury

    DistributionLead: SAC Jason KnightDep: SAC Paul BraleyTeam: SAC Dean Bruce SAC Lewis Wilson

    Printed ByLance Print LtdTel: 01733 390564

    PublishersLance Publishing Ltd, 1st Floor, Tailby House, Bath Road, Kettering NN16 8NL.Tel: 01536 512624 Fax: 01536 515481 Email: [email protected] www.lancepublishing.co.uk

    View onetoone online atwww.onetooneonline.co.uk

    Design Amanda Robinson

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

    A ll this activity has wetted our appetite in what promises to be a wonderful celebration of the Royal Air Force’s Centenary.  I am very excited about the upcoming events, be it the parade or flypast on the 10th of July in London, our work at the Royal International Air Tattoo or the many other events around the country.  Suffice to say it will be a chance for us all to join in the celebrations wherever we are in the world and reflect on Service that we can be rightly proud of.  

    Looking further ahead, the new capabilities arriving on our Typhoons later this year will add yet more capability to our aircraft whilst also ensuring that we remain relevant and capable in the rapidly changing and demanding air environment.

    The addition of Stormshadow, Meteor and Brimstone weapons to the aircraft will require us all to embrace these new systems and once again move forward in the development of new procedures and tactics.  The arrival of the Air Land Integration Cell from Royal Air Force Honington also signifies another increase in Coningsby’s capabilities, ensuring that we train and fight with the Land environment as one.  

    Finally, I would like to pass on my personal thanks to you all, the superb work that each of you do, day in day out, is simply outstanding. It is widely recognised both within and outside the Royal Air Force and as the Station Commander I could not be prouder, thank you.

  • onetoone 5

    Editor’s Foreword • Squadron Leader Ben Smy ISSUE 2 2018

    onetoone THE JOYS OF SPRING!?

    This year has been awful in terms of weather but the result has often been an outstanding effort by many members of the Stn, pulling together to produce quite terrific results.

    The snowfall and temperatures during that first few months have not been seen in a long time. The work done by our snow-clearance personnel with vehicles, ATC and Ops meant that we maintained our readiness commitments without pause or impact.

    Stn activity for RAF100 is now in full swing and as I write this, our personnel have already attended a number of high profile events celebrating the RAF’s centenary. I encourage everyone to throw themselves fully into this activity. It is rare that anyone has the opportunity to take part in significant milestones of such magnitude and I believe that we will look back on this year with genuine pride in the part that we played.

    Squadron Leader Ben Smy (and Cassie).

    AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, THE EDITOR WOULD NORMALLY START BY MENTIONING TREES IN BLOOM, BIRD SONG IN THE MORNING AND WINTER COATS BEING STORED IN THE CUPBOARD UPSTAIRS BUT AS I LOOK OUT OF MY WINDOW I CAN SEE UNRELENTING RAIN AND WIND.

    FEATURES

    The Beast from the East 06Air Land Integration 07

    SQUADRON NEWS

    29 Sqn 083(F) Sqn 10XI(F) Sqn 1241 Sqn 14

    BASE SUPPORT WING

    Padre’s Pause 16Les Boxill Retirement 16

    ENGINEERING & LOGISTICS WINGMr Eddie Lowden retirement from MT 18Boston Slog 17 18

    RESERVES

    611 (West Lancashire) Sqn 20

    PEOPLE & ACHIEVEMENTS

    MT Awards 23

    SPORT/AT

    Veteran’s football team 24

    COMMUNITY

    HIVE cinema 26RAF Waddington voluntary band 28

  • 6 FEATURE ISSUE 2 2018

    BEAST FROM THE EASTATC - ON MON 26 FEB THE ‘BEAST FROM THE EAST’ HIT THE UK AND TESTED THE RESOLVE OF RAF CONINGSBY TO MAINTAIN THEIR 24/7 QRA COMMITMENT.

    The task was simple, keep the airfield surfaces clear of snow and ice. Providing a significant management challenge across Station with many personnel living away from camp, a balance needed to be struck between keeping people safe and achieving the task. The ASMT BLACKTOP Quick Reaction Force played a key role; a team of 20, service and civil service drivers, worked 12 hour shifts on rotation to battle the elements. Armed with 4 Compact Jet Sweepers and 2 Large Airfield De-icers, they were able to clear

    the runway and other airfield areas in record time. Ops Wg has been working around the clock for a week, working closely with ASMT and the Squadrons to meet Operational demands. Close liaison between ATC, the Duty Ops Controller and ASMT ensured the right surfaces were cleared at the right time. Coningsby Met Office provided advice to find the gaps in the snowfall allowing effective snow clearing operations which often felt like a never ending task across a 7 day period. Total snowfall at its worst was a depth of 16cm and

    the team’s efforts throughout the treacherous and severe weather conditions, with a wind chill of up to -24oC, can only be classed as outstanding. In addition to the BLACKTOP mission, MT successfully continued to carry out routine tasks on station and support concurrent Operations and Exercises overseas.  Despite these testing conditions the professionalism has been exceptional with moral high, despite the long hours asked of people, those involved should feel proud of their achievements.

    The cold wave combined with ‘Storm Emma’, part of the windstorm season brought chaos to roads and the closures of major airports. RAF Coningsby MT spend months planning Op BLACKTOP alongside ATC to ensure the airfield stays open during

    ominous times. MT personnel are on standby from Oct-Mar and, especially this season, have been called upon to ensure Priority 1 strips are cleared for QRA. With a team of 8 on both day and night cover, prioritisation must be altered from daily duties to stand-down

    personnel to ensure MT staff were fully compliant with driving and duty hours.

    Sgt’s Taylor, Ella and Wiles led and co-ordinated an enthusiastic team of 27 service and civilian personnel over a 5 day period to battle through the snow and ever changing conditions.  With the immense snow drifts powering through the Lincolnshire area due to its flat terrain, their plan of action had to be dynamically re-assessed to keep on top of the mounting snow.

    Night shift took over the reins at 18:30 and SNCO/JNCO BLACKTOP ensured their team was fully aware of the latest MET report alongside information delivered through DEOC. A Priority 1 area consisting of the routes used by 3 Sqn was the first task to be cleared. 4 Schmidt Airfield Snow Clearing Vehicles (ASCV) and 2 Large Airfield De-icer Sprayer (LADS) were being put through their paces throughout the night and in a 24 hour period resulting in ISOMEX being laid. The amount of ISOMEX being laid comes with its environmental factors which need to be mitigated as much as possible through ATC and SNCO BLACKTOP.

    Overall, the MT team covered 200 Miles, laid 20,000Ltrs of ISOMEX and utilised 100 manpower hours with little disruption to normal working tasks. It goes to show that sufficient planning and training leads to a seamless transition between ideas to motion.

    SQN LDR RICH ‘KINNI’ KINNIBURGH

    THE MEDIA DUBBED ‘BEAST FROM THE EAST’ BROUGHT WIDESPREAD UNSEASONABLE LOW TEMPERATURES AND HEAVY SNOWFALL TO LARGE AREAS ACROSS THE UK.

    CPL GRIFFITHS, ASMT

  • 7onetoone

    T he ALI Cell comprises 23 JTACs and 13 TACP Signallers that have moved from RAF Honington to RAF Coningsby in preparation for a transition of authority on 1 Jun 18 to fall under command of 7 FP Wg HQ. As well as rotating JTACs through task lines in support of Op SHADER, Op TORAL and Op BLANCA, the ALI Cell has executed several Close Air Support (CAS) focussed exercises both in the UK and overseas. Ex GALEA LIGHTNING was the first this year and was conducted using Observation Posts (OPs) and training areas in the east of England, followed shortly after by an overseas exercise where JTACs deployed on Ex EAGLE LIGHTNING with CAS being provided by the 190th FS (A-10) in Boise, Idaho, USA.

    The aim of both exercises was to conduct focussed ALI training to facilitate mutually beneficial Training Objectives for JTACs and aircrew.  Both exercises involved elements of Counter Insurgency (COIN) and Major Combat Operations (MCO)

    scenarios which prepared JTACs for Certified Qualified (CQ) checks and deployments whilst regular liaison with the supporting sqns ensured that aircrew could complete their own pre-deployment training objectives.

    The coming months will see the ALI Cell remaining busy with more UK and

    overseas exercises, Short Term Training Team deployments

    to Jordan and JTACs deploying to current operational task lines in Afghanistan.

    If you have any questions about the ALI Cell or would like to arrange a visit then please contact

    2IC ALI Cell, Flt Lt Tom Macer on x7027.

    AIR LAND INTEGRATION

    (ALI) CELL“TO TRAIN AND DELIVER JOINT TERMINAL

    ATTACK CONTROLLERS (JTACS) AND TACTICAL AIR CONTROLLER PARTIES

    (TACPS) IN SUPPORT OF RAF AND JOINT OPERATIONS AND PROVIDE ALI SPECIALIST

    PRACTITIONERS FOR THE RAF FP FORCE”.

    Children are welcome from 6 weeks to 8 years of age at our Tattershall Nursery

    and up to 11 years of age at our Horncastle Nursery.

    Open from 07.30-18.00 with competitive pricing and sessions to suit all needs.

    15 hours funding for all eligible two, three, and four year olds, and from September 2017, 30 hours funding for all eligible three and four year olds.

    Breakfast club and school pick up available for Holy Trinity Primary School Tattershall and

    Horncastle Primary School.

    Bearhugs NurseryHorncastle and Tattershall

    For more information and to make an appointment please call:

    Be sure to check out our facebook pages and website at

    www.bearhugsnursery.co.uk

    Tattershall01526 344885

    [email protected]

    Horncastle 01507 523844

    [email protected]

  • 8 29 SQN UPDATE ISSUE 2 2018

    29 SQNUPDATE

    THERE HAS BEEN A REAL BUZZ AROUND 29 SQN OVER

    THE LAST FEW MONTHS IN ANTICIPATION OF THE

    UPCOMING RAF100 FLYPAST.

    FLT LT RYAN LAWTON

    T here hasn’t been a day go by recently, without some form of planning meeting on the Squadron to discuss the intricate details involved in putting 22 Typhoons in the sky over Buckingham Palace in the shape of a “100”.

    THE NUMBERS INVOLVED ARE SIMPLY STAGGERING: • 390 engineers deployed to support 32 Typhoons all operating from the 29 Squadron pan.

    • 22 Typhoons (with an additional 4 as airborne spares) flying in a formation the size of 3 football pitches!

    • 16 days of preparation and 2 full rehearsals at RAF Coningsby to ensure the formation flypast looks perfect in front of Her Majesty The Queen, and the hundreds of thousands of people lining The Mall and attending the Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford.

    • 8 minutes for Air Traffic Control to launch all 26 aircraft.

    • The largest formation flypast of Typhoons ever to be flown, anywhere in the world.

    OC 29 Squadron, Wg Cdr Andrew Chisholm has the auspicious task of leading the formation on the day; “I am immensely proud to have been selected to lead the Typhoon formation and it will be the culmination of many months of meticulous planning and preparation”. 

    One of the other formation pilots will also be marking a significant achievement; Flt Lt Richard “Killa” Watts flew in a Hawk T Mk 1 for the 75th anniversary of the RAF and will be taking part in the centenary celebrations. Killa says “to be able to take part in 2 significant milestones in the history of the RAF is a real privilege.”

    The RAF100 flypast this Summer is a fitting way for Killa to finally draw stumps on a flying career spanning 4 decades (none of the Student Pilots on 29 were even born when Killa joined the RAF in 1983)! His initial tour was on Phantoms, before being selected as one of the first pilots to fly the (now retired!) Tornado F3. Killa amassed over 2000 hours on the F3 as well as over 1000 hours instructing on the Hawk T1. In 2005 he crossed over to the Typhoon and last year he became the first Pilot in the world to clock up over 2000 hours on Typhoon.

    After a remarkable 35 year flying career and nearly 7000 hours on fast jets, Killa has finally been recognised with a Chief of Air Staff commendation, to be presented by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier this summer.

    Everyone on 29 Sqn wishes Killa a relaxing and thoroughly well-deserved retirement. A replacement is currently being sought to lock up the Squadron at 10pm on a Friday evening - a job normally done by Killa after he’d finally finished typing up his final sortie report form for the week!

    IMPIGER ET ACER

  • onetoone 9

    We are super excited to announce that we will be employing a Qualified School Teacher, to run our Pre School room in September. Ailsa commences employment on the 1st September, and will be inviting you all to a presentation on what to expect over the next year.

    So without further ado, let’s take a peek at her bio...

    Who is Ailsa?Ailsa moved to Lincolnshire in 2010 after completing her PGCE in Early Years at London South Bank University. Whilst Ailsa loves the vibrancy of London she loves the countryside and space that Lincolnshire has to offer her family.

    Ailsa began her teaching career in various settings as a supply teacher ranging from nursery to year three, however her passion is for Early Years and all her recent permanent positions have all been in Early Years settings.

    Ailsa has experience of meeting and assessing the needs of all pupils, including those with SEN, gifted and talented, EAL and with a disability. Ailsa has regularly taught in classes where there are children with special needs; in particular Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and Dyspraxia.

    What does Ailsa love about working with children?“I love the endless desire that children have to learn and the priceless

    Ailsa also has a passion for gardening and hopes to continue her experimenting with the help of the children over the next coming months – watch this space!

    Ailsa understands that as a setting we are always looking to improve and adapt and we always look forward to analysing our methods and practices. We strive to be outstanding in all we do!

    Ailsa is happy to speak to you about any specific questions you may have about your child’s development; this can be at the beginning or end of the day or by specific appointment.

    access to their unveiling personalities as they discover and experience the world. The joy of being responsible for helping them to create their first sentence and being there to witness all those small steps towards these goals in their learning.”

    What can Ailsa bring to The Little Acorns Day Nursery?Having Ailsa on the team gives us experience of her knowledge of teaching in nursery and how this translates in the future to the reception year and other ages.

    Ailsa is fascinated by the phonics framework for the nursery environment and how important this is for setting the groundwork for literacy in the future. “I love all the activities and games that are crucial for establishing the ability to listen for sounds, they are great fun and the children don’t realise how much they are learning whilst they are laughing and playing.”

    Ailsa also loves teaching maths and combining this with creative and fun experiences for the children. “There are endless opportunities to engage in maths in all areas of the EYFS curriculum, the key is to get it into your provision whether it is whilst cooking, building or making up stories.”Ailsa is very creative and loves using roleplay to engage the children in their learning. “I love engaging the children in making the roleplay for themselves; we have built an igloo, a spaceship, a police station and the ogre’s castle!”

    22 School Lane, Coningsby Call 01526 344118 [email protected]

    Book your place now!

    We have spaces available for children aged 3 months to 12 years.

    Funding is available for eligible 2,3 and 4 year olds. 30 Hour model available.

  • 10 3(F) SQN UPDATE ISSUE 2 2018

    3(F) SQN UPDATE3 (FIGHTER) SQUADRON HAS HAD A CHALLENGING BUT ENJOYABLE PERIOD SINCE THE LAST EDITION OF THE ONE2ONE MAGAZINE WAS PUBLISHED. WE WERE DELIGHTED TO PARTICIPATE IN A SHORT NOTICE DETACHMENT TO PARTAKE IN EX INIOCHOS IN GREECE.

    This welcome 2 week work up Exercise saw us working alongside other NATO and wider regional partners conducting large force serials twice per day. We had the opportunity to conduct Air to Air and heavily opposed Air to Ground missions, whilst testing individual skills and further developing the interoperability of NATO and wider coalition partnerships.

    Back on home soil, our Squadron Engineering team has once again gone ‘above and beyond’, consistently providing the number of aircraft required to achieve the Squadron’s training objectives. It should also be noted that our Engineers have done this despite a number of distractions, whilst retaining their sense of humour throughout. In just 4 days on JOINT WARRIOR the Squadron flew well over 2 weeks’ worth of flying at regular tempo which is a testament to their technical skill and dedication.

    The Squadron has also been able to complete some essential airborne training, dropping a number of live Paveway IV bombs. This included a cross-continent transit to release weapons on a bombing range in southern Germany. This also provided some valuable training for our Squadron armourers in loading live weapons onto the aircraft. We were also grateful for the opportunity to conduct live strafe training in the Holbeach

    range on the Lincolnshire coast, another first for some and a great opportunity to experience live weapons in a controlled training environment. The Squadron dropped further live Paveway 4 drops at Garvie Island during Ex JOINT WARRIOR.

    Teamwork is critical for the success of any Royal Air Force Squadron, and we are delighted that 3 (Fighter) Squadron is clearly working as one. This extends to the support we always receive from our family and friends, an area of the Squadron that we do not always say thank you to enough. We were fortunate to find time to dine out Flt Lts Andrew Fyvie-Rae, Steve Eccles, Steve Iwanek and Will Cambridge. All have made stellar contributions to the Squadron and we wish them well in their future lives both inside and outside the Service.

    Finally, the Squadron was saddened to hear of the deaths of Cpl Jonathon Bayliss from the Red Arrows and Sqn Ldr Stu Hicken from our sister XI Squadron. Jonathon was a much liked ex-3(F) Squadron engineer who counted many friends still serving with us. Stu was very close to a number of 3(F) Squadron personnel and we felt his loss very keenly indeed. The genuine warmth we feel across the RAF brotherhood and especially here at Coningsby has been a source of great comfort as we look towards the future.

  • onetoone 11

    Coningsby St Michael’s Church of England Primary SchoolSchool Lane, Coningsby, Lincolnshire, LN4 4SJ

    Tel: 01526 342312 Email: [email protected]: www.coningsbyprimary.co.uk

    Coningsby St. Michael’s CofE Primary School is a caring and positive school where every child is nurtured and valued. We aim to develop ‘whole’ individuals and promote independent learning. Our topic and learning question approach to teaching the National Curriculum ensures entitlement for all children to an enriched learning experience, appropriate to their individual needs. The Church School values we teach the children are the foundations to our school and underpin our curriculum. Our values this year are: Forgiveness; Perseverance; Thankfulness; Truthfulness; Friendship and Compassion. We teach the children values for life through these making links to bible stories enabling our children to make choices and decisions, both in and out of school.

    Teachers strive to create purposeful and stimulating learning environments, both inside the classroom and by using our generous school grounds. The curriculum is enhanced through a range of visitors into school and a variety of trips throughout the year, as well as a range of extra-curricular activities.

    We aim to offer all the children who come to Coningsby St. Michael’s CofE Primary School opportunities to help them learn new skills and develop these in areas of interest and enjoyment. All achievements are celebrated enthusiastically and parents are encouraged to share these with us. School should be an exciting experience, enjoyed and remembered. We hope your child is happy at Coningsby St. Michael’s CofE Primary School. Together with you, we work hard to ensure they are.

  • 12 XI(F) SQN UPDATE ISSUE 2 2018

    XI(F) SQN Ex RF provided world class high end warfighting training in a contested, degraded and operationally limited environment which truly tests our operational readiness. Additionally, it provided a number of RAF squadrons the opportunity to foster and enhance our coalition partnerships. It wasn’t just the pilots being tested though. The engineering and support personnel of the squadron were also pushed to their limits. Providing the required number of aircraft twice daily demands a lot from both engineering shifts to achieve this. Coupled with this is that the XI(F) Sqn engineering team was doing this away from their main operating base with limitations that they wouldn’t normally experience here at Coningsby. As expected though, this was

    easily handled by all on the engineering side of XI(F) Sqn.

    As well as flying, personnel were also able to enjoy the delights of Las Vegas and the surrounding area. Adventurous training was carried out in nearby Red Rock Canyon as well as the Grand Canyon for those wanting to test their fitness.

    Since returning to the UK the squadron has continued its preparations for operations and has achieved numerous new qualifications for its pilots. Flt Lts Dudley, Kershaw, Le Lohe and Wales have all completed their Pairs Leader work up qualification. Alongside this we have also completed the Fours Leader refresh of Wg Cdr O’Grady and have started Flt Lt Cook’s Fours Leader work up.

    We are happy to welcome Flt Lt Matt Brighty and Fg Off Neil Rapson. Matt joins us from the Tornado GR4 where he flew numerous missions

    on Op SHADER. Matt’s experience on Op SHADER will be invaluable when the squadron returns to operations later this year. Neil joins us fresh from Initial Officer Training but is no stranger to Coningsby as he previously served here as a firefighter. He will be with us for only a few months before completing his Operations Officer training. Matt and Neil, welcome to the finest fighter squadron in the world!

    No sooner have we welcomed our latest arrivals we must say goodbye to Flt Lt Dunc Wylie. Dunc makes the short trip across to 29 Sqn where he will return to instructional duties as a Qualified Flying Instructor. Dunc, it has been an absolute

    pleasure having you on the Squadron (especially on detachment!) and everyone will miss you greatly. Good luck to you and the family for the future and whatever it holds.

    Looking towards the future, we are keeping our fingers crossed for a good weather and a productive Summer. We continue our workup towards the forthcoming deployment to Op SHADER later in the year. As with any deployment there is a lot of hard work that goes on behind the scenes; we thank all that are involved in this for their continued effort.

    That is about it for now, so until next time enjoy the good weather and the RAF 100 celebrations!

    IT HAS BEEN ANOTHER BUSY PERIOD SINCE THE LAST ARTICLE WITH THE SQUADRON RETURNING FROM EX RED FLAG AT NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, NEVADA.

    FLT LT PATRICK KERSHAW

  • onetoone 13

    XI(F) SQN Kirkby on Bain

    Church of England Primary School

    Learning together for lifeAt 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.“There is great emphasis on the development of the ‘whole’ child, with focus given to their

    personal and spiritual development, which is exceptional.” (SIAMS July 2017)

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

    01526 352715 • www.kobps.lincs.sch.uk

    • Small class size in reception (usually 15 children)

    • Brand new purpose-built school hall• Exciting opportunities to learn in the

    school’s nature reserve• Lots of free after school clubs

    including a variety of different sports throughout the year

    • Fabulous outdoor learning area• Before and after school child care

    available (8am-5.30pm)• “Teachers use creative and innovative approaches to capture pupils’ interest and stimulate their imagination” (Ofsted Sept 2016)

    • Learning is shaped around child initiated activities

    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.

    learn together, work together,

    succeed together

    Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted 2016Breakfast Club available from 8am every day

    ‘Children make good progress and behave well’ Ofsted 2016

    Visitors are welcome, please contact us on

    01507 568304 www.mareham.lincs.sch.uk

    ©sh

    utte

    rsto

    ck 2

    017

    - yv

    onne

    stew

    arth

    ende

    rson

    Call Today:

    (01733) 390564

    www.lanceprint.co.uk

    Think PrintLance Print is an established printers based in Peterborough. At Lance we combine skill, experience & knowledge to provide a complete professional service. We aim to fill our clients with confidence in the knowledge that any work undertaken by us, will be completed to the highest possible standard.

  • 14

    The purpose of the deployment was to test the latest standard of Typhoon: the Tranche 2 aircraft known as ‘Phase Two Enhancement(a) or P2E(a) for short. This standard of aircraft makes significant improvements over the previous standard of aircraft, bringing Storm Shadow and METEOR capability, as well as a step change in the Human Machine Interface (HMI).

    The HIGHRIDER trail flew from RAF Coningsby with 4 P2E(a) single-seat FGR4 Typhoons and met with a Voyager tanker from RAF Brize Norton. The trail took the southern route, with stops at Lajes and Bermuda before arriving on US soil. An unexpected weather diversion into MacDill AFB in Florida then saw the trail delay for a couple of days due to Voyager crew manning. The 4 Typhoons arrived at Victorville, California on 10 Feb, before making the short hop to the Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake in the Californian high desert a couple of days later. All in all, an incredibly successful outward trail for 41 Sqn, with the hard working engineering team ensuring 4 serviceable Typhoons on the line each and every morning!

    Whilst at China Lake, the P2E(a) aircraft conducted several trials including a datalink interoperability trial with the F-35 Lightning II, and Paveway 4 (P4) firings. Interoperability trials between the F-35 and the Typhoon are crucial, given the expected frequency of them operating together once the F-35 comes into service. Significantly, this was the very first time that the F-35 Block 3F aircraft had worked with the Typhoon. Block 3F is the final software and hardware iteration required at the end of F-35 development, providing

    for full warfighting capability. The trials tested all aspects of interoperability, including air-to-air and air-to-surface. 41 Sqn testing explored many of the nuances of each aircraft, which will be used to inform and advise on techniques, tactics and procedures (TTPs).

    100 FOR RAF100 It wasn’t all work, work, work,

    however. True to style, 41 Sqn did their bit for charity while on HIGHRIDER.41Sqn conducted a 100 miles for 100 years RAF challenge over the detachment: all deployed members of 41 Sqn were invited to run, cycle or row their way to 100 miles. We had 94 participants of all ages and abilities, sign up and complete the challenge. 41 Sqn raised over $900 for the Sick Children’s Trust.

    INTERNATIONAL FOOTIE CHAMPS

    Whilst deployed the Sqn also competed in an international forces football championship alongside our American and Italian partners. After a close first game with a very experienced American side going to penalties, the RAF pulled out a win. The second RAF game saw the Italians out of the competition before a hard fought final in which the American side finished with a 1-0 victory putting 41 Sqn in second place.

    SIERRA NEVADA AND BEYOND… Nestled in the middle of four

    mountain ranges, every HIGHRIDER detachment to China Lake offers the chance to explore and push the boundaries. As ever, 41 Sqn personnel, both military and civilian, took full advantage of the sport, adventure

    41 SQN TAKE P2E(A) ON HIGHRIDER - DASS, F35 LIGHTNING II INTEROP AND PAVEWAY 4FLT LT JO MURRAY

    ‘HIGHRIDER’ IS THE NICKNAME GIVEN TO THE AIR WARFARE CENTRE FLYING TRIALS CONDUCTED IN THE USA. ON 5 FEB 18, THE MAJORITY OF 41 SQN DEPLOYED ON EX HIGHRIDER FOR A 9 WEEK PERIOD.

    41 SQN UPDATE ISSUE 2 2018

  • onetoone 15

    training and force development opportunities across California and neighbouring Utah and Nevada. There was dirt biking and burro racing, CrossFit and hiking, snowboarding and skiing, visits to the U.S.S. Midway and so much more.

    FOND FAREWELLS AND EPIC ENTRANCES

    On a domestic note, we said goodbye to our SEngO, Sqn Ldr Rob Preston. Sqn Ldr Preston moves to RAF Benson as Deputy CAMO and we wish him a very enjoyable tour. We welcome Sqn Ldr Rob Print who takes the reins as the new SEngO. We also said goodbye to OC A Deputy Flight Commander and Evaluator Pilot, Flt Lt ‘Skins’ Skinner. Flt Lt Skinner joins IV Sqn at RAF Valley as a Hawk QFI, training the next generation of Typhoon and F-35 Lightning pilots. Thank you for all your hard work, not least for overseeing the daily flypro and your work as the Sqn Flight Safety Officer and TyAMPA guru. We miss you already, Skins!

    Flt Lt Helen ‘Hels’ Seymour joins the sqn having returned from maternity leave and will be taking over from Skins as an Evaluator Pilot. 29 Sqn’s loss is our gain - Hels is ALREADY invigorating the

    sqn’s social life and we agree she’s definitely a keeper!

    KEEPING UP WITH THE REST OF THE TEST

    Eighteen personnel attended the Chief Test Pilot’s Test and Evaluation Forum at Boscombe Down in April. This was a chance to see what is new, weird and wonderful in the rest of the test and evaluation community. This certainly educated 41 Sqn as to why we don’t routinely jump out of aircraft with test parachute systems…

    SPORT AND ADVENTURE DOWN UNDER

    41 Sqn’s resident adrenaline junkie, Flt Lt Laura Frowen, completed the revered, epic and brutal adventure race in New Zealand in March. A team of 4 RAF personnel set off from Lake Te Anau in the heart of the Fiordlands National Park on New Zealand’s South Island. They would cover 600km of non-stop multiple discipline action, with mountain biking, kayaking, trekking, packrafting, abseiling and caving stages - all within ten days! As always, Laura represented the RAF, the Officers’ Association, the Sports Lottery and 41 Sqn admirably and we would like to say a massive well done from all of us!

    Three pilots and two aircraft departed to RAF Lossiemouth for one week; and assisted by Staneval delivered P2E(a) Fury package 5.1.1 Centurion Phase One Typhoon Software to 1(F) Sqn.

    During the week they carried out a full day of briefings on the new software and completed the transition to Phase 2 for 16 frontline pilots through 64 simulated events, and exposed OC Ops (RAF Lossiemouth) and two sqn P2E lead flight commanders to the product in the air.

    On completion of this momentous event, 41 Test and Evaluation Squadron returned to RAF Coningsby and immediately started work straight into P3E(a) NDP1(a) testing to maintain the aim of delivering Centurion Phase 2 to the frontline.

    The first stage of this will see the squadron deploy Pilots and Trials Management Officers to Warton for 8 weeks of trial activity on the Warton Test Aircraft before being operationally tested and evaluated at Coningsby in August.

    41 TES PUSH OUT PROJECT CENTURION TO THE FRONTLINESGT MICHELLE RIDGEWAY Televisions

    LaptopsComputers

    Spares and PartsRepairs & Servicing

    * Standard Delivery in UK is Royal Mail UK 1st Class Recorded. For International items standard RM delivery is Royal Mail International Signed For.

    Visit us online today! www.sivillservice.co.uk

    S ivill Service. WEEE recycling & handling specialists. Experts in the sales, repair & Servicing of LCD TVs, Plasma screens, Laptops, Desktop computers

    CALL 01526 344102Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm

    FREE DELIVERY ON ALL UK ORDERS*

    @Sivillservice

    Sivill Service

    • Great value for money• High quality service• High quality products

    12 MONTH

    WARRANTY

    & other electrical goods. Individual tailored quotes for repairs & servicing. Great value services and sales all carrying a warranty!

    We stock spares for all major brands of laptops, computers and TVs. These spares and parts are sold on a global scale to both the public and trade. If you are looking for spares, parts, repairs, servicing or general sales of electrical goods then look no further.

    20a Market Place Tattershall Lincolnshire LN4 4LJ Telephone: 01526 344102

  • 16 BASE SUPPORT WING ISSUE 2 2018

    BASE SUPPORT WING PADRE’S PAUSE

    I don’t know what your Summer plans are but hopefully you’ll get some time to refresh and rebalance your body, mind and spirit. For me it’s a holiday ‘up north’ and I hope to spoil the family by dragging them into a few castles etc. to satisfy my love of history.

    If you’ve ever been in a medieval castle, you’ll know that there is often a room only accessible down through a trapdoor. They tend to be known these days as ‘dungeons’ but they were originally called ‘oubliettes’ – meaning places to forget. This is because Norman invaders would throw troublesome folk down there, perish the thought it could ever be a Chaplain, and when someone later said “Sire, where is thy Chaplain?” the French Lord of the castle would simply shrug in a way that only the French can.

    Well, every office and desk that I have inherited on every posting seems to have an oubliette cupboard or drawer, with bits that predecessors could never

    bring themselves to jettison but no-one knows why they kept it – sound familiar at work or at home?

    If so, maybe the Summer is an opportunity to tidy up and perhaps tidy out. There’s a current social movement that is gathering momentum, ‘less is more’. The more we have, the more responsible we are, the more cluttered life is and the more decisions we have to make or the more we confuse others.

    The church has been guilty of this for centuries, layers and layers of bureaucracy, practices and rules when it’s actually about just 2 things – “love the Lord your God... and love your neighbour as yourself”. Less is more.

    So this Summer, find some time to rest, refresh and renew. Tidy up, tidy out, find time to be a human being not a human doing and, in that, maybe sense that there’s more to life than busyness and ‘stuff’.

    Have a great Summer, every blessing

    Padre David.

    AS I COME TO THE END OF MY FIRST MONTH AT CONINGSBY I FEEL

    THAT I’VE BEGUN TO SETTLE, FIND MY WAY AROUND, PICK UP SOME

    TYPHOON-ISMS AND GET USED TO MY DAILY COMMUTE FROM NEAR RAF

    SCAMPTON. I’VE ALMOST CONQUERED THE OFFICE, DESK AND EMAILS

    THAT I INHERITED TOO, ALMOST.

    Originally from St.Lucia in the Caribbean Les joined the RAF as a 23 year old Medical Administrator. Les began his service at RAF Halton Hospital and fondly remembers his early days on the wards there. Les said, “As your career progresses you end up doing more admin than practical work. I really enjoyed the day to day aspect of working with and looking after people.”

    Les worked at many RAF stations during his service including three tours in Germany. His last day at work is just four days before the RAF’s100th birthday.

    “I’m proud to have directly supported the RAF for 41 years of its existence, it has been part of my life for a long time but I still expect to continue my relationship and come back now and then. My son

    is also in the RAF as an Airframe Maintenance Mechanic and works on Typhoons at RAF Coningsby.”

    18 years ago Les left the RAF as a Sergeant and began a new chapter as a MOD Civil Servant. Les has worked in a variety of roles culminating in his current position as the Station Admin Officer. At the tender age of 65 Les is looking forward to starting a new chapter in his life but will miss the people he has worked with.

    Officer Commanding Base Support Wing, Wing Commander Claire O’Grady said, “Les is one of those fixed points on the station that allow us to operate as smoothly as we do. We very much appreciate his contribution to Coningsby over the last 18 years. His hard work and infectious giggle will be sorely missed.”

    MR LES BOXILL

    RETIREMENTAFTER 41 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE ROYAL

    AIR FORCE AS BOTH SERVICEMAN AND CIVILIAN, MR LES BOXILL HAS RETIRED WITH HIS LAST ‘POSTING’ BEING RAF CONINGSBY.

  • onetoone 17

  • 18 ENGINEERING & LOGISTICS WING ISSUE 2 2018

    In 1997 Mr Lowden took up the position of Shift Supervisor at Coningsby MT where he remained until his retirement on 31 Mar 18. Mr Lowden completed a total of 43 years’

    service for the RAF and MOD Civil Service. Stn Cdr and MT would like to thank Mr Lowden for his outstanding contribution to the RAF and especially his services to MT.

    ‘BOSTON SLOG 2017’ PAYS - UP

    MR EDDIE LOWDEN RETIREMENT FROM MT

    SGT LEE WILES

    MR EDDIE LOWDEN JOINED THE RAF IN 1975 AS AN MT DRIVER; HE RETIRED AS A CORPORAL AFTER 22 YEARS’ SERVICE.

    Logistics Sqn’s Annual Charity ‘Boston Slog’ races have raised over £30K since they began in 1987. Last year saw the 30th consecutive event which in itself raised over £500. April saw the Chairman of the Committee accompanied by other key event organisers present a cheque for £300 to the Cancer Research UK regional representative at RAF Coningsby. The remainder of the monies raised will be presented to the British Heart Foundation in May. This years event will take place on the last Thursday in September over the same course as previous years. There is a Team Event Shield held by HR Flt for the best combined overall time for each of the events, so the challenge is on for any Sqn to get their name on the Trophy this September.

    BY FSGT PAUL FIDO

  • onetoone 19

  • 20 RESERVES ISSUE 2 2018

    No 611 (West Lancashire) Sqn formed in 1936 at RAF Speke, now Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and had a very distinguished history as a Spitfire squadron during the Battle of Britain and throughout World War 2. Following disbandment in 1957, the Sqn reformed at RAF Woodvale in Merseyside in 2013 under the RAF’s FR20 programme as a RAuxAF General Support Sqn (GSS) within No 1 Gp. The last 5 years have seen the Sqn rapidly and successfully develop towards full operating capability, as well as the fulfilling of its secondary engagement mission to reconnect the RAF to long-neglected communities in the North West of England.

    At the heart of 611 Sqn’s success has been the quality of its reservists, recruited to fill roles across 10 different ground branches and trades. The reservists from a very diverse range of backgrounds: many are specialists with many years of experience in their own civilian fields, some are experienced ex-regulars, some are recent graduates who are looking for a taste of RAF Reserve service before joining for a regular career. They are all dedicated to giving up their spare time to train, backfill and mobilise in support of RAF operations in the UK and overseas.

    During the last financial year, 611 Sqn personnel undertook 19 mobilisations (i.e. they were

    temporarily called into full-time regular service, usually for 4-6 months) across a range of trades including FOA, Gen Tech Mech, Chef, Pers Spt, PTI and Media. Five of these mobilisations were in support of operations overseas including: Op SHADER, Op KIPION, Op BILOXI and the Falkland Islands. Over the same period 611 Sqn personnel also undertook short term support tasks totalling over 1000 days of output.

    611 Sqn has great working relationships across the regular force, but enjoys a special relationship with RAF Coningsby, its affiliated station. RAF Coningsby is a firm favourite with 611 Sqn’s reservists as the Stn provides fantastic opportunities to demonstrate their hard-won trade skills on the Front Line. They also enjoy the Stn’s excellent facilities and the general atmosphere of a Main Operating Base which boasts the noise of both the Typhoon and the Spitfire flying regularly overhead. Most importantly, they enjoy the warm welcome of the regular sections at RAF Coningsby where they have been placed to work. It is this friendship and encouragement at an individual level that keeps our reservists volunteering again and again to backfill vacancies at RAF Coningsby. It is also why the Stn accounted for 7 out of last year’s 19 mobilisations by 611 Sqn personnel, as well as over one quarter of their total days spent on output.

    NO 611(R) SQNWHO ARE THEY AND HOW DO THEY SUPPORT RAF CONINGSBY?SQN LDR LEE RIMMER

    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 InnLittle 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

    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 - 2pmAll 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

  • onetoone 21

  • 22 PEOPLE & ACHIEVEMENTS ISSUE 2 2018

    J.W.L. PERKINS & SONEstabli shed 1920

    7 Market Place, Horncastle Tel: 523291

    Newsagent, Stationer,Bookseller

    alsoGreeting Card Specialist

    NHS & Private patients welcomeContact lens practitioners

    Large range of frames availableDigital retinal photography and field screening

    Catherine McMahon BSc (Hons) DOptom MASC

    David Hilton BSc FCOptom

    Dyslexia assessments availableDetails on request

    16 Silver Street, Coningsby 01526 344556

    Email [email protected]

    © In

    ga D

    udki

    na/s

    hutte

    rsto

    ck

    Richard Sivill Galleryinc 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 [email protected]

    Tazmania50 High Street, Lincoln LN5 8AN

    Tattoo and Body Piercing Studiowww.taz-tattoos.co.uk01522 510488

    FORCES DISCOUNT WITH VALID SERVICE IDwww.algarve-retreats.com/

    property-to-rent/apartment-meia.htm

    Phone Judith on01536 711884

    A spacious 1 bedroom apartment with shared swimming pool. The apartment is situated on the top floor of a 3 storey block. Quiet location, but only 5 mins walk to the marina and another 5 mins to the town centre.

    Self Catering Holiday Apartment• 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.

    You could be in the Algarve,relaxing in the sun...

    PRICES:Jan - March £225April £300May £325June £375July/August £475Sept £375Oct £325Nov/Dec £250

  • onetoone 23

    CONINGSBY ELITE DRIVERS ACHIEVE SUCCESS

    RAF 100 CENTENARY APPRENTICE AWARDS 2018 ON 13 MARCH, AS PART OF THE RAF100

    CENTENARY APPRENTICE AWARDS 2018, SAC LAUREN ARNOLD AND SAC REBECCA GRAY OF THE RAF CONINGSBY MT FLIGHT DESERVEDLY

    RECEIVED RECOGNITION FROM CAS FOR OUTSTANDING WORK TOWARDS ATTAINING THEIR

    DRIVING GOODS VEHICLES APPRENTICESHIP.

    S AC Lauren Arnold was awarded TG6 (Logistics Driver) Apprentice of the Year. SAC Rebecca Gray was awarded Highly Commended (Logistics Driver) of the Year.

    The event was held at RAF Museum Hendon, which celebrated the RAF Apprenticeships and Training Scheme, with a total of 29 awards being presented across various trade groups. The evening commenced with a champagne reception, followed by the awards ceremony and a three course meal in what was a historical setting. In attendance were a number of VIPs, including CAS, as well as the proud family and friends of our apprentice winners. All guests dined under the wings of

    the Hendon Museum Lancaster Bomber while being serenaded by the Salon Orchestra of the Royal Air Force. The event was hosted by a professional Compere and proved to be a stylish celebration worthy of the occasion.

    SAC Arnold and SAC Gray rightfully earned their places at the awards table. By continuing with their determination to complete the apprenticeship and develop themselves professionally, alongside giving their best to maintain high standards in the workplace, the awards really are a credit to them and an example to others. It was a pleasure to see Lauren, Rebecca and all the award winners receiving their awards.

  • 24 SPORT/AT ISSUE 2 2018

    T he team now has lowered its age limit to ensure an 11 a-side team can always be available for all fixtures. Competitively, for the last few years the team has always entered the seven a-side Veteran’s tournament at RAF Brize Norton, and the Leonardo tournament held at RAF Coningsby each year. Unfortunately, they have never got their hands on any silverware (although they have come close). Prior to entering

    the Lincolnshire Services Football League (LSAFL) the team wasn’t entered in any official league, playing as many friendlies as possible. Playing games against RAF Coningsby first and second teams, Section sides, local village teams, Lincolnshire Police/Fire Services. We have also travelled to Boston, Spilsby and Lincoln for other team’s pre-season friendlies. Always wanting to play football, and playing under the motto “Just enjoy it”, I can’t remember a time where we have been totally embarrassed with our performance.

    In Season 2017/2018 the Legends were invited to join the LSAFL. After consultation with the players it was decided that we would enter, but under the new name of “RAF Coningsby Veteran’s Football Club”. Many thanks to Leonardo, who donated funds to enable us to buy a new full kit for the season. Prior to the start of the season there were comments from other teams in the league that we would be the “Whipping Boys” of the league. Proving many of our doubters wrong, we went on to win 4 out of 5 of our 2017 matches, and

    RAF CONINGSBY VETERAN’S FC“JUST ENJOY IT”RAF CONINGSBY LEGEND’S (VETERAN’S) FOOTBALL CLUB, HAS BEEN PLAYING FOOTBALL MATCHES FOR THE LAST 7 TO 8 YEARS. ORIGINALLY STARTED AS AN OVER 35’S TEAM TO ENTER THE ANNUAL VETERAN’S TOURNAMENT AT RAF BRIZE NORTON. BY SGT JONNY GUITE

  • onetoone 25

    finish the year top of the league at Christmas. As it stands we can finish as high as third in the league and our next match is the LSAFL Div 2 Cup final, which will hopefully bring us some silverware.

    In summary, our first season in the LSAFL has been a complete success, and will hopefully be finished off with an end of season function at the

    Waterpark on Tattershall Lakes, followed by a meal and awards presentation event.

    LSAFL matches are played on Wednesday afternoons (if not it will be training), with training also taking place on a Monday lunchtime 1200-1300. If you are aged around 30(ish) and over, and are interested in playing for the veteran’s, contact the following:-RAF CONINGSBY VETERAN’S FC

    “JUST ENJOY IT” Richie Newall: [email protected] Ext 6618Jonny Guite: [email protected] Ext 7152Julian Bennet: [email protected] Ext 6625Paul Flesher: [email protected] Ext 7453

    Looking for something different?Open 7 days per week... ‘Arrive & Drive’

    Mini Grand Prix. Corporate eventsStag parties arranged for any number of people

    Children’s parties - minimum age 8 years.

    Tattershall Kart Centreplease call 01526 344566 www.tattershallkartcentre.com Lodge Road, Tattershall, LN4 4JS

    Post OfficeNow open,

    Mon - Sat 6 - 6pm Sun 6 - 4pm

    CafeNow open

    Market Place, Tattershall01526 348822

    Barrack News

  • 26 COMMUNITY ISSUE 2 2018

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

       

    Come and join us at the RAF Coningsby Cinema! Located in The Lounge (above Heroes’ Bar). Be entertained by the HD quality picture on the large screen, great sound and comfortable seats. Enjoy the popcorn, snacks, hot and cold drinks we have available. We offer films recently released in the cinema and soon we will start introducing showings of classic and popular movies. The best part about the cinema is that it is FREE! We only ask for a small contribution to help this to continue and grow with more funding. We plan to improve the facilities with a bigger screen, a new paint job, soundproofing and better sound equipment. We currently have showings on a Monday and Tuesday evening as well as Sunday afternoons for our children’s movie. We can also set up the cinema to be enjoyed whether you are off-shift, on-duty, have a day off or the weather warrants a film night. So please get in touch and let us know if you would like to take advantage of the facilities and we can be sure to accommodate you and your friends or colleagues. Be sure to experience these amazing facilities and enjoy the latest movies you won’t find anywhere else around here for FREE! Once you do, be sure to spread the word and get your friends and family involved. We can then continue to offer this great activity to all of you, whilst further improving the quality of all aspects of the cinema. The cinema club is a fairly new enterprise and is looking for willing volunteers to help run the organisation of film nights, publicity and ideas to help improve the facilities for the people who use it. If you would like to join our team, contact FS Paul Fido (ext 5158) to get more details and we look forward to seeing you! This May, be sure to catch:

    AVAILABLE  FROM  4th  MAY   AVAILABLE  FROM  11th  MAY   AVAILABLE  FROM  18th  MAY   AVAILABLE  FROM  25th  MAY  

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

       

    Come and join us at the RAF Coningsby Cinema! Located in The Lounge (above Heroes’ Bar). Be entertained by the HD quality picture on the large screen, great sound and comfortable seats. Enjoy the popcorn, snacks, hot and cold drinks we have available. We offer films recently released in the cinema and soon we will start introducing showings of classic and popular movies. The best part about the cinema is that it is FREE! We only ask for a small contribution to help this to continue and grow with more funding. We plan to improve the facilities with a bigger screen, a new paint job, soundproofing and better sound equipment. We currently have showings on a Monday and Tuesday evening as well as Sunday afternoons for our children’s movie. We can also set up the cinema to be enjoyed whether you are off-shift, on-duty, have a day off or the weather warrants a film night. So please get in touch and let us know if you would like to take advantage of the facilities and we can be sure to accommodate you and your friends or colleagues. Be sure to experience these amazing facilities and enjoy the latest movies you won’t find anywhere else around here for FREE! Once you do, be sure to spread the word and get your friends and family involved. We can then continue to offer this great activity to all of you, whilst further improving the quality of all aspects of the cinema. The cinema club is a fairly new enterprise and is looking for willing volunteers to help run the organisation of film nights, publicity and ideas to help improve the facilities for the people who use it. If you would like to join our team, contact FS Paul Fido (ext 5158) to get more details and we look forward to seeing you! This May, be sure to catch:

    AVAILABLE  FROM  4th  MAY   AVAILABLE  FROM  11th  MAY   AVAILABLE  FROM  18th  MAY   AVAILABLE  FROM  25th  MAY  

    RAF CONINGSBY CINEMALocated in The Lounge (above Heroes’ Bar). Be entertained by the HD quality picture on the large screen, great sound and comfortable seats. Enjoy the popcorn, snacks, hot and cold drinks we have available. We offer films recently released in the cinema and soon we will start introducing showings of classic and popular movies.

    The best part about the cinema is that it is FREE! We only ask for a small contribution to help this to continue and grow with more funding. We plan to improve the facilities with a bigger screen, a new paint job, soundproofing and better sound equipment.

    We currently have showings on a Monday and Tuesday evening as well as Sunday afternoons for our children’s movie. We can also set up the cinema to be enjoyed

    whether you are off-shift, on-duty, have a day off or the weather warrants a film night. So please get in touch and let us know if you would like to take advantage of the facilities and we can be sure to accommodate you and your friends or colleagues.

    Be sure to experience these amazing facilities and enjoy the latest movies you won’t find anywhere else around here for FREE! Once you do, be sure to spread the word and get your friends and family involved. We can then continue to offer this great activity to all of you, whilst further improving the quality of all aspects of the cinema.

    The cinema club is a fairly new enterprise and is looking for willing volunteers to help run the organisation of film nights, publicity and ideas to

    help improve the facilities for the people who use it. If you would like to join our team, contact FS Paul Fido (ext 5158) to get more

    details and we look forward to seeing you!

    THIS MAY, BE SURE TO CATCH:

    COME AND JOIN US AT THE RAF CONINGSBY CINEMA!

  • onetoone 27

    B. EYRE & SON LTD1 High Street, Tattershall, Lincolnshire, LN4 4LE

    All makes and Models of VehiclesServiced & Repaired

    Bodywork carried out on siteDent Removal to Full Re-spray

    Fast Friendly Reliable ServiceWith Competitive Prices

    Revesby Garage, Boston Road, Revesby. PE22 7NE

    01507 [email protected]

    www.revesby-garage.co.uk

    MOT Testing StationTests Carried out

    Mon – Fri 08.30am to 4.30pmSaturday 08.30am to 12noon

    Tests only £39.99

    Natural Gas, LPG and Oil Appliances,

    Landlord Safety Certificates,

    Install, Service, Repair, System Power Flushing,

    Heating & Plumbing

    Maintenance 303251Business Mobile: 07908 961155 Home Number: 01526 343598

    26376

    Alan TittershillGas Services Engineer

    www.justjillsalternativeremedies.co.uk

    GILLIAN R ROBINSONHMD. DI.HOM. F.B.I.H.Homeopathic Practitioner

    Alternative Remedies

    Health Food Shop

    Postal Service Available

    12 The Broadway, Woodhall Spa, LincolnshireTel: Shop 01526 353 794 Home: 01526 353 417

    Email: [email protected]

    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

    Dry Cleaners

    10% off for all RAF Customers

  • 28 COMMUNITY ISSUE 2 2018

    THE THREE REGULAR BANDS OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE ARE WELL KNOWN WITH THE RAF COLLEGE BAND AT RAFC CRANWELL AND THE RAF CENTRAL BAND AND REGIMENT BAND AT RAF NORTHOLT.

    Also at RAFC Cranwell is the new RAF Reserve Band, the first of its kind in the Royal Air Force but following the ‘model’ of the many Reserve Bands (previously Territorial Army) of the

    Army. Perhaps less well known are the eight Voluntary Bands of the Royal Air Force, which are organised on a regional basis from RAF Lossiemouth in the north to RAF Halton in the south plus at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

    Covering the RAF stations in Lincolnshire is RAF Waddington Voluntary Band, which was based at RAF Scampton until its move to RAF Waddington 35 years ago. The Band’s area includes RAFs Cranwell, Coningsby, Digby, and Scampton. These are the stations from which many its Service voluntary musicians are drawn from and where the Band generally performs in support of a wide range of events. Since March 1999, it has been managed full time by Mr David Jackson, a Civil Servant; he was previously a Regular musician in the Band of the Scots Guards.

    All the Voluntary Bands are tri-Service and a mix of Service personnel, ex-Service personnel, dependants, Civil Servants and local musicians without any previous connections to the RAF. Unlike the

    Regular bands, musicians are not paid to perform but in contrast to many civilian community bands, there are no subscriptions to pay, and uniform and instruments are provided free of charge subject to availability. It is an environment

    where strong friendships are formed whilst following a common interest of music.

    The Band mostly plays sitting down either as background music at functions in one of the local station messes or in concert; the

    WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE PART OF A FRIENDLY, LOCAL BAND? WHY NOT GIVE RAF WADDINGTON VOLUNTARY BAND A TRY…

    SQN LDR SARAH O’DONNELL

  • onetoone 29

    Bands’ favourite venue is the Terry O’Toole Theatre in North Hykeham, often aiding local and national charities. In recent years, the Band has given a concert for over 1000 in Lincoln cathedral to mark the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid, has performed at Lincoln City Football Club, North Weald airfield, Eastbourne and Whitehaven, in Belgium and Cyprus, has twice visited Washington DC, USA, and has even appeared on BBC TV’s Bargain Hunt! Any musician joining the Band will learn new skills one of which is marching on parade. The Band parades several times each year including at Battle of Britain, Remembrance and for individual station Freedom Parades, Annual Receptions and air days. This must be an exacting performance but marching is only one element – doing so whilst playing music at the same time takes practice but plenty of help is given.

    With the Royal Air Force celebrating its centenary in 2018, it is a special year with the Band supporting an array of regular events and extra commitments particularly the opening of the International Bomber Command Centre in April, a Massed RAF Voluntary Band in the RAF’s major London parade in July and, to mark the 1918 WWI Armistice centenary, a public parade and concert in Lincoln. In addition, every very few years, the eight

    Voluntary Bands come together to perform in larger venues including at De Montfort Hall (Leicester), Symphony Hall (Birmingham) and St David’s Hall (Cardiff ). To sit on the stage at any one of these venues is a humbling but fantastic and rewarding experience for any amateur musician.

    Any local musician interested in joining RAF Waddington Voluntary Band should contact the Bandmaster, Mr David Jackson, on 95771 ext 6056, or 01522 726056; alternatively, he can be reached on [email protected]

    D&M T WINGMobile towbar fitting service

    Witter, Brink, & PCT Towbars supplied and fittedVan Ply lining and extra seat fitting.

    Service discount available

    Tel: 01529 306670 Mobile: 07740 683867Email [email protected]

    Unit 3, Pride Court, Sleaford Enterprise Park,Sleaford NG34 8GL

    Web: dandmtowing.co.uk

  • ISSUE 2 201830

    24 HOUR BREAKDOWN SUPPORT

    FREE COLLECTION & DELIVERY SERVICE