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A LOOK BACK ON
CONINGSBY’S AUTUMN
INTERNATIONALS
ISSUE 4 2013
THE RAF CONINGSBY JOURNAL
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ISSUE 4 2013
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CONTENTS ISSUE 4 2013
5
xFEATURES
Ex SAUDI BRITISH GREEN FLAG
06
Coningsby’s Expeditionary Air Wing 08
Stn Cdr’s Foreword
SQUADRON NEWS
Group Captain Johnny Stringer
3(F) Sqn
XI Sqn
29(R) Sqn
12
14
16
BASE SUPPORT WING
Wing Overview
What’s on at the HIVE
Padres Piece
Helpful House Hints
18
20
21
21
ENGINEERING & LOGISTICS WING
Winter Driving
Photographer of the Year
24
26
OPERATIONS WING
A view from the waterfront
28
PEOPLE & ACHIEVEMENTS
60 Second interview
Bomber Command Clasp
Military Wives Choir
Bonfire Night
30
30
30
33
CHARITY
“A REPRISE OF THE YEAR?
HOW BORING.” AFTER ALMOST
18 YEARS OF MARRIAGE,
MRS STRINGER KNOWS HER
HUSBAND FAR TOO WELL, AND
HAS MOVED WELL BEYOND
THE PLACE FOR POLITE IF
FALSE ENCOURAGEMENT.
H
owever, I hope both
she and you will allow
at least some reflection
on a year that had a bit of
everything, including a visibly
moved Chris Evans. Overseas
deployments to the Middle
East and America, and one to
Cyprus replaced by the real
thing...the most significant
RAF/ Royal Saudi Air Force
exercise yet conducted at the
same time...the Dambusters
70th Anniversary, and
Jamie Norris flying the flag
for Service, Force, Station,
Squadron and UK PLC...a record
season for BBMF...success on
sports pitches, athletics tracks
and horse-riding arenas...
EAW duties trained for and
assumed...and more visitors
than I can remember.
more convinced than ever
that we must challenge those
things that hold us back,
and own and be responsible
for those things that we
can. I intend to make this
a cornerstone of how we
approach all of our business in
2014, from providing support
and facilities to our families,
through to maximising
operational capability from
the Coningsby Typhoon Wing
and our lodging units. We
have already kicked off some
work on this and everyone
has a contribution to make
here. I can’t promise jam today,
and some things will not be
quick fixes, but I am convinced
that there are real, tangible
improvements that we
can make.
Little wonder then that
I think Christmas and some
time off will be extremely
welcome for all of us and our
families: it has been hard- and
well-earned and I offer my
sincere thanks to everyone
for the breadth and depth of
achievement. Equally, I am
Enough of the
exhortations: enjoy the break
and time with friends and
families, stay off the scales (it’s
only depressing and the gym is
what January was invented for)
and from Lisa, James, Henry and
me...have a very Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year.
Ex Reds Coast to Coast cycle ride
34
FORCE DEVELOPMENT
Remembering in Luxembourg
36
SPORT
2013 Sporting Roundup
Editorial & Distribution Team
onetoone
Editor
Publishers
Sqn Ldr Thom Colledge
Lance Publishing Ltd,
1st Floor, Tailby House, Bath Road,
Kettering NN16 8NL.
Tel: 01536 512624
Fax: 01536 515481
Email: mike@lancepublishing.co.uk
www.lancepublishing.co.uk
Distribution
Lead: Cpl Ian Scott
Deputy Lead: SAC Graham Dexter
Distribution Team:
SAC Jez Parkinson-Stuart (LS)
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Editor’s Foreword • Sqn Ldr Thom Colledge
EDITING THE
CHRISTMAS
EDITION OF
ONETOONE IS
A FUNNY ONE.
ALTHOUGH BY
NOW EVERYONE
IS FORWARD
FOCUSED ON THE
CHRISTMAS BREAK
AND SOME MUCH
NEEDED TIME WITH
FRIENDS AND
FAMILY, MOST OF
THE CONTENT OF
THE MAGAZINE IS A
RETROSPECTIVE ON
WHAT EVERYONE
HAS BEEN UP TO
SINCE THE LAST
EDITION HIT
THE STREETS IN
LATE SUMMER/
EARLY AUTUMN.
I
continue to be amazed at the
output of the station. In the
short 3 month period since
I last penned this column we
have hosted a major combined
air exercise with the Royal
Saudi Air Force, built and run
a deployed international joint
force headquarters, deployed
on operations in the Middle
East at the drop of a hat plus
a whole host of other exciting
achievements all captured in
the following pages.
As I write these words
in the week of XI Squadron’s
safe return from Cyprus, it is
pleasing to think of all the men
and woman heading off for
some well earned leave, but it
won’t be long before they are
all back at work and focusing
on the next challenge. At times
like these, the importance of a
positive outlook on life reminds
me of a festive tale. A family
I know has twin boys whose
only resemblance to each
other is in their appearance.
In every other way they are
completely opposite; one is an
eternal optimist, the other a
doom and gloom pessimist. In
the name of experimentation,
38
ISSUE 4 2013
last year on Christmas Day
their father loaded the
pessimist’s room with every
toy and game imaginable.
The optimist’s room he filled
with horse manure. Later
that night the father passed
by the pessimist’s room and
found him sitting amid his
new gifts crying bitterly. “Why
are you crying?” the father
asked. “Because my friends will
be jealous, I’ll have to read all
these instructions before I can
do anything with this stuff,
I’ll constantly need batteries,
and my toys will eventually
get broken.” answered the
pessimist twin. Passing the
optimist twin’s room, the father
found him dancing for joy in
the pile of manure. “What are
you so happy about?” he asked.
The optimist twin replied,
“There’s got to be a pony in
here somewhere!”
I sincerely hope that every
one has a wonderful holiday
and a well deserved rest. If
you are fortunate to be sitting
at home on Christmas Day
animatedly discussing with
your loved ones what the best
festive film is*, please spare
a thought for the Coningsby
folk who are working hard
to keep you safe. And finally,
please don’t wish too hard for a
white Christmas; clearing snow
off 9000 feet of runway isn’t
anyone’s idea of a merry one.
Thom Colledge 01526 347506
CON-GMB-121Editor@mod.uk
*The answer is Die Hard by the way.
6
onetoone
FEATURES ISSUE 4 2013
The deployment to the UK was a significant exercise
for the Royal Saudi Air Force. The Station Commander,
Group Captain Stringer, and other RAF personnel join
with Brigadier General Al-Shahrani and RSAF personnel
after the arrival of the RSAF Tornados.
RSAF and RAF personnel joined
together to share a traditional meal
provided by 3 MCS, assisted by
some Saudi chefs.
SAUDI-BRITISH
GREEN
FLAG
“FOR CONINGSBY AND FOR THE
RAF THIS IS A HUGELY SIGNIFICANT
EXERCISE, AN OPPORTUNITY TO
FLY THE SAME AIRCRAFT TYPES
WITH OUR RSAF FRIENDS, TO SHARE
OUR TACTICAL THINKING ON HOW
WE EMPLOY OUR PLATFORMS,
AND FOR US AS A STATION TO
SUPPORT A DETACHMENT AT
SIGNIFICANT RANGE FROM A
FELLOW AIR FORCE. AT THE END OF
THE EXERCISE WE WILL GET TO THE
POINT WHERE SUCCESS FOR US,
AND I THINK I CAN SPEAK FOR THE
RSAF AS WELL, IS THAT OUR PILOTS,
NAVIGATORS, ENGINEERS, FIGHTER
CONTROLLERS - ALL OF THE PEOPLE
WHO THE RSAF HAS BROUGHT
ACROSS THAT WE ARE HOSTING
BOTH AT CONINGSBY AND MORE
BROADLY IN THE UK - NOT ONLY
UNDERSTAND AND KNOW EACH
OTHER A LITTLE BIT BETTER, BUT IF
WE EVER HAVE TO GO AND FLY AND
FIGHT ALONGSIDE EACH OTHER
FOR REAL THEN WE WILL HAVE
THE CONFIDENCE IN EACH OTHER
THAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO THAT.
R
AF Typhoons from the 10th
Sqn, based at King Fahad
Air Base, Taif were flown into
the Lincolnshire base alongside
Tornados from the 75th Sqn, King
Abdul Aziz Air Base, Dhahran. No
3 (Fighter) Squadron supplied the
RAF Typhoon element, alongside
a composite Tornado GR4 force
from RAF Marham. The ten day
exercise saw the Saudi and RAF
crews fly in a series of training
flights of gradually increasing
complexity, during which the
crews gained a wider knowledge
of how the other force works
and also how to use the relative
strengths of their aircraft to
generate greater overall effects.
INSET PHOTOGRAPH: Two
nations working together.
Formation of from front, RSAF
Typhoon, RAF Typhoon, RSAF
Tornado, RAF Tornado.
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- Group Captain Johnny Stringer, RAF
Coningsby Station Commander
God bless you…
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Full framing service. Large selection of open and
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Tornado crews from
RAF Marham were part of
the exercise. Their aircraft
are seen here with Royal
Saudi Air Force C130s
AIRCRAFT, CREWS AND SUPPORTING
PERSONNEL FROM THE ROYAL SAUDI AIR FORCE,
(RSAF) HAVE BEEN OPERATING ALONGSIDE
THEIR ALLIES FROM THE ROYAL AIR FORCE AS
EXERCISE SAUDI-BRITISH GREEN FLAG TOOK
PLACE AT RAF CONINGSBY IN SEPTEMBER.
7
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“ONE VERY IMPORTANT
OBJECTIVE WE HAVE IS
TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR
PEOPLE, FROM AIRCREW,
TO ENGINEERS, TO STAFF,
TO FIGHTER CONTROL
AND ALL THE OTHER
ROLES, WORK SIDE BY
SIDE WITH THE RAF; TO BE
READY IF WE EVER NEED
TO OPERATE TOGETHER.
- Brigadier-General
Mohammed Al-Shahrani, the
RSAF Detachment Commander.
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8
onetoone
FEATURES ISSUE 4 2013
9
Peebles & Hilton
OPTOMETRISTS
EYE EXAMINATIONS
CONTACT LENS PRACTITIONERS
COMPLETE EYE CARE - NHS & PRIVATE PATIENTS
SUPER RANGE OF QUALITY FRAMES
OWN WORKSHOP AND REPAIR FACILITIES
DAVID HILTON BSc FCOptom SUSAN COWAN BSc FCOptom
16 SILVER STREET CONINGSBY TEL: (01526) 344556
“LYNDON” TAWNEY STREET BOSTON TEL: (01205) 365395
Catering was provided by
the excellent 3 Mobile Catering
Squadron, who extended their
already impressive repertoire to
o
include croissants and pastries to
cater for the tastes of our French
counterpart Needless to say,
counterparts.
g
they were greatly
appreciated byy
all concerned and
the standard of
out was
the food throughout
consistently outstanding.
EXERCISE
CAPABLE
EAGLE
SINCE THE BEGINNING
OF APRIL 2013, BOTH
CONINGSBY AND
MARHAM HAVE BEEN
WORKING TOGETHER
TO SET UP A JOINT
EXPEDITIONARY AIR
WING. PERSONNEL
FROM BOTH
STATIONS HAVE BEEN
PROGRESSING THEIR
WAY THROUGH A
SERIES OF EXERCISES,
CULMINATING IN
EXERCISE CAPABLE
EAGLE HELD AT RAF
LEEMING FROM THE
5TH TO THE 18TH
OF OCTOBER.
T
he purpose of the Exercise
was for the MarhamConingsby EAW to achieve
validation prior to taking over from
the Leuchars-Lossiemouth EAW on
the 1st of November this year. To
add authenticity to the validation,
CAPABLE EAGLE was run in
support of Exercise JOINT WARRIOR
which, in turn, formed part of the
work up of the Combined Joint
Expeditionary Force.
The EAW were tasked with
setting up a Deployed Operating
Base (DOB) from RAF Leeming in
support of 1 (Fighter) Typhoon
Sqn from RAF Leuchars and a
French L’Armee de L’Air Mirage
2000-N. More than 600 UK airmen
and women plus 100 French
personnel were involved in the
Exercise – one of the biggest
training events in Europe.
The EAW sent an Advance
Party to Leeming on 17 Sep who,
with expert help from the Royal
Engineers, erected a tented city
which was to be home for over
600 for the duration of the Exercise.
Each tent was reasonably homely;
equipped with one light, a multisocket and a heating system, which
was invaluable for drying out wet
kit as well as keeping warm.
The first week in
J
support of JOINT
WARRIOR gave the
EAW staff time to get their procedures in
place, convert empty shells of buildings
into functional work spaces and sort
out all the inevitable teething problems
that accompany the setting up of a new
IT and secure telephone system. The IT
suite provided the benefit of allowing
access to live messaging systems which
amongst many other things, allowed
Air Tasking Orders to be shared by
all exercise participants, display the
information as a 24hr flying programme.
This was a blessing for the planning staff,
saving them a lot of work in providing
all participants a clear representation of
who was airborne, when their tanking
slots were and when they are due
back at the airfield. Other messaging
systems proved invaluable in keeping
in touch with higher command and
providing situational awareness of
what was happening across the JOINT
WARRIOR exercise as a whole. The EAW
communications contingent alongside
their counterparts at the RAF’s 90
Signals Unit ensured connectivity was
maintained throughout, continually
providing service with a smile under
some very testing conditions.
Banovallum
Veterinary Group
PROSPECT STREET, HORNCASTLE, LINCOLNSHIRE LN9 5AY
TELEPHONE: (01507) 522236 or (01507) 523365
www.banovallumvets.co.uk
47 Sqn, a UK C-130 unit
joined the Deployment on the
second week. Two of their missions
included deploying paratroopers
to Spadeadam and extracting a
group of civilians from an oil refinery
in Stornaway, that was about to be
over-run by the enemy. The EAW
were tasked to provide food, shelter
and medical support for the refugees
on their return.
The 15th of October saw a
visit by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief
Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford and the
French Air Force Chief, Gen Denis
Mercier who were keen to see all
the aspects of the EAW being put
through their paces.
The first week also enabled the
UK EAW staff to get to know their
French counterparts. It’s amazing how
much school French one can recall
when needed. The universal language
of sweets and chocolate should not
be underestimated when cementing
international relations.
There were many elements
involved in the making of the 600
strong team that deployed to
Leeming. These including heavy
transport units, bomb disposal
teams, imagery analysts, medics,
RAF Regiment and police to name
a few. Had the ‘Host Nation’ been
less benign, the numbers would
have been swelled by Air Traffic and
Fire-fighters in addition. It is essential
that each individual element of
the deployment pulls together
as a team, in order to achieve a
successful outcome. Testament to
the professionalism of all involved,
Exercise CAPABLE EAGLE was a
resounding success. Over the course
of the two weeks, over 180 missions
were flown, meeting or exceeding
all of the objectives in support of a
major exercise.
The second week saw the start of
the validation phase of CAPABLE EAGLE,
bringing with it all the testing scenarios
one would expect. All rapidly became
closely acquainted with the floor of the
HQ, due to the regularity of simulated
rocket attacks. 8 Force Protection Wing,
along with the Role 1 Medical facility,
were kept busy dealing with casualties
from these attacks along with the
incredible number of simulated Road
Traffic Collisions that occurred within
such a small DOB.
On the last evening a joint
celebration was held and the French
did excel in providing some excellent
wine, cheese, meat and bread. The
Brits, in turn, introduced the French
to the delights of John Smiths. At the
end of the evening the French sang
a rousing rendition of La Marseillaise.
Of course, once the Six Nations
Rugby starts it will be drowned
out by Swing Low Sweet Chariot.
There are some old rivalries that will
never die!
SURGERY TIMES
HORNCASTLE
Monday - Saturday: 8.30 - 9.30am drop in
Monday - Friday:4.00 - 6.30pm by appointment
WOODHALL SPA
Monday - Friday:1.30 - 2.30pm drop in
CONINGSBY
Monday - Friday:3.30 - 4.30pm drop in
24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE PLEASE TELEPHONE
HORNCASTLE 522236 or 523365
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11 Stanhope Avenue, Woodhall Spa,
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Set in the beautiful village of Woodhall Spa.
With a short level walk to all the village amenities.
24 hour care provided by
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A Home Care Service is also available
taking the same standard of care and
commitment out into the local community
For more detailed information visit our website at
www.russellgreencarehome.co.uk
Telephone: 01526 352879
10
ISSUE 4 2013
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11
12
onetoone
3(F) SQN UPDATE ISSUE 4 2013
Squadrons from Coningsby that
served during the Battle (everyone
except XI Sqn) a hugely enjoyable
night was had by all until the
small hours. The following day
the Officers of 3(F) Sqn and one
stowaway WAAF, Doris Bader,
travelled to London to conduct a
force development day using the
Battle Of Britain Memorial Walk.
Beginning at RAF Uxbridge the
walk encompassed various sites of
significance and included a total of
6 stands where short presentations
were made to reflect on the Battle
and draw comparisons to 3(F)
Sqn’s contemporary primary role of
defending the UK’s airspace.
In September the Squadron
held a combined ‘bottom table’
at the White Hart Hotel in Lincoln.
Newly promoted Sgt Kieron ‘Mongo’
Taylor hosted the night assisted by
SAC(T) Tom Reilly (dressed in a 60’s
silver suit) as Mr Vice. Following a
superb meal, a game of naming the
countries of the Commonwealth
was undertaken and after a few laps
of the room the pressure was on.
Not wanting to lose face in front of
his troops Flt Lt James Kingswood,
3(F) Sqn JEngO, provided his final
answer of…Germany – nice work.
A huge thanks to SAC(T) Ben
Wingfield and SAC(T) Ben Pell for
organising the event.
3(F) SQN
UPDATE
THE RAF’S OLDEST FIXED-WING
SQUADRON (YES, II(AC) SQN. CHECK
YOUR FACTS) HAS, ONCE AGAIN,
BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF LIFE
AT RAF CONINGSBY DURING A
BUSY AUTUMN PERIOD. SINCE
THE LAST EDITION, 3(F) SQN HAVE
PARTICIPATED IN HEAVY WEAPONS
TRAINING, SAUDI BRITISH GREEN
FLAG (SBGF), OVERSEAS TRAINING
WITH THE POLISH AIR FORCE,
THE MALTESE AIRSHOW AND A
NUMBER OF SOCIAL EVENTS.
H
eavy weapons training was
flown in the Aberporth
Danger Area located in
Cardigan Bay. Fourteen weapons
were dropped utilising GPS,
self laser designation and
cooperative laser designation
attacks achieving fourteen direct
hits. This training is invaluable
for refreshing live weapon
experience for all pilots and is a
fundamental part of our capability
as a multi-role Squadron.
Finishing the summer on a
high, Flt Lt’s Kev Broder, Si Taylor,
Gregor Ogston and ‘Grob’Thomas
conducted an Overseas Training
Flight to Malbork Airbase in Poland.
Landing on Friday afternoon the 4
pilots were joined by CT Ady Walker,
Cpl’s Kris Blake and Andy Keighron,
SACs Anderson, Smith, Gardner,
Rawson and Flt Lt Luke ‘D’JEngO’
Bonnett. A thoroughly enjoyable
weekend in Gdansk culminated
in four sorties of 1v1 Dissimilar Air
Combat Training flown on Monday
against the MiG-29, a highly
capable adversary which provided
exceptionally valuable training for the
four pilots.
The next big event that
occurred in 3(F)’s busy calendar was
Saudi British Green Flag. The Exercise
proved to be very successful and
ensured that old acquaintances and
new friendships were reaffirmed in
a tactically relevant exercise. Despite
this commitment some excellent
work by the 3(F) Sqn engineers
ensured that routine Squadron
training continued as normal in
addition to the standing task of
Another social high point
was an impromptu TACEVAL of the
Station Commander at the start of
October. Dressed in a wide variety
of Halloween outfits entertainment
on the night was provided by a
firework competition and Flt Lt
‘Simmo’ Simcox dressed as Miley
Cyrus – the white underpant,
twerking version (nasty).
3(F) welcomed Sqn Ldr
Steve Kenworthy from the OCU in
September, a former Harrier GR9
instructor and display pilot. We’re
looking forward to his endless stories
about VIFF, running out of water
and birdstrikes. Flt Lt Tris Simkins a
former GR4 pilot and OC TTF also
joins from 29(R) to bolster the 3(F)
Junta ranks. When he isn’t flying Tris
runs a small but highly profitable
sideline as a slightly chubby Philip
Schofield lookalike and has already
expressed a strong desire to join the
Cheshire Group.
Focus for the RAF’s first
operational Typhoon Squadron now
moves to the Advanced Tactical
Leadership Course (ATLC), a large
force exercise in the UAE which
will be covered in the next edition.
The 5 week deployment will allow
the Squadron to practice a large
scale deployment of 8 aircraft to
what will be a highly enjoyable and
challenging exercise. Until next time
13
Our best wishes to you
all for a happy 2014
Dates for your diary (booking required for each event)
1st January
New Year’s Day Brunch
with live entertainment,
11am-2pm, £20pp
New Year’s Day Afternoon Tea,
3pm-5.30pm £10.50pp
14th & 15th February
Valentine’s Dinner, £35pp
Sunday 30th March
Mothering Sunday Lunch,
£22.50pp
For details on all our events,
email reception@petwood.co.uk to join our mailing list.
We look forward to welcoming you
– TERTIUS PRIMUS ERIT.
maintaining aircraft for QRA duties – an
excellent achievement.
3(F)’s resident exchange officer, Flt
Lt ‘Fiddy’ Nilson continued his European
adventures (having attended the
Zeltwig Air Show earlier in the summer)
by leading a pair of aircraft to the Malta
Air Show. Accompanied by Flt Lt Tim
Pye and a small engineering team
the 3(F) jets proved to be one of the
highlights of the show.
On the social front the Squadron
supported the Battle of Britain Dining in
Night en masse. Given the Squadron’s
101 year history it is unsurprising to
find that it had a role to play in the
RAF’s finest hour. Joined by the other
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 20012/13) 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 - 2pm
All year round a great place to eat and drink!
(Always advisable to book - Telephone 01526 354560)
14
onetoone
XI SQN ISSUE 4 2013
XI
SQN UPDATE
AFTER AN EVENTFUL SUMMER, XI
SQUADRON WAS LOOKING FORWARD
TO IT’S TIME RUNNING UP TO
CHRISTMAS. WE HAD THE DELIGHTS OF
EX JOINT WARRIOR TO LOOK FORWARD
TO IN THE BEAUTIFUL VALE OF YORK
ALONG WITH OUR OWN EXERCISE
DOUBLE DIAMOND IN DECEMBER.
I
nstead, the Royal Air Force’s premier
Typhoon Squadron were deployed
to sunny Cyprus on Op LUMINOUS
leaving our lucky comrades from 3(F)
Squadron to pick up double Q for us.
We’ve also had 6 people depart from
the glorious XI Squadron, including
a boss and an IntO, but with the
addition of 4 new pilots and the
return of Sqn Ldr Al Allsop from the
South Atlantic.
XI Squadron hosted its annual
ladies guest night at Branston Hall.
Organised in toto by Flt Lt Owen
‘Thompo’Thompson, the evening
saw a much delayed dining out for
Sqn Ldr Matt ‘D’Aubs’ D’Aubyn and a
pre-emptive one for Wg Cdr Rich ‘Wellsa’
Wells. We also saw Flt Lt Dan ‘Daisy’
Hayes, Flt Lt Thompson and Flt Lt James
‘Pearcie’ Pearce declared as Combat
Ready after a busy first few months with
XI Squadron. A superb evening was had
by all due to a very accommodating
host with a flowing bar, although a few
people were mildly disappointed when
a piano duel fell through after a double
booking of pianists.
As the dust settled over the
weekend following the dining in
night, few would have expected to
be in Cyprus the following week. As
the news of Chemical Weapon use
in Syria flooded the newspapers, XI
Squadron returned to work with eager
anticipation. Sure enough, the call was
received and on the 29th of August
all hands went to action stations. After
cancelling 29(R) Squadron’s holiday in
the Mediterranean, we hijacked their
trail plans and deployed 6 aircraft and
a number of personnel, including 12
pilots, to RAF Akrotiri in record time.
After getting the engineers out to
Cyprus shortly after the aircraft arrived,
XI Squadron was ready to do whatever
was required.
XI Squadron settled into a routine
of Q in 40 degree heat with no air
conditioning! It wasn’t particularly
comfortable but the wake boarding
club at the snugs beach out there did
their best to cool us all down. Once
training flying was cleared in Cyprus, the
pilots started to rack up the hours due
to a Tanker being airborne everyday.
With 3(F) Squadron not yet at ATLC,
Cyprus became the place to be for XI
Squadron to fly full stop! HMS Dragon
also saw her 6 month tour extended by
several months in the Mediterranean for
Op LUMINOUS and were keen to work
with XI Squadron. As a result, pilots saw
several air-maritime integration sorties
which culminated in HMS Dragon
hosting a few XI Squadron personnel for
a tour of the ship and most importantly,
the Officers’Ward Room!
On the 24th September, Wg Cdr
Wells had his last flight and handed over
the XI Squadron baton to Wg Cdr Chris
‘Laydo’ Layden who joins us from his year
of Staff College at RAF Shrivenham. For
October, XI Squadron saw some more
good flying out in Cyprus providing
Close Air Support training with ground
troops and even more maritime training
with our French friends in the Chevalier
Paul frigate. The routine of flying and Q
continued while XI Squadron, as part of
121 Expeditionary Air Wing, saw several
senior visits including the Typhoon Force
Commander Air Cdre Gary Waterfall, the
Joint Force Air Component Commander
Air Cdre Phil Beach and Commander
Joint Operations Lieutenant-General
David Capewell. At the time of print
however, XI Squadron are expecting to
come home at the end of November
to enjoy a few weeks of regular training
flying in the run up to Christmas and the
pilots’ lunch.
Unfortunately XI Squadron
has lost a few people. Firstly we said
goodbye to Flt Lt Mark ‘Schlongy’ Long
who heads to 29(R) Squadron to train
some more talent for XI. We wish him
the best over on the other side and
look forward to seeing him on Q! Flt Lt
Giles ‘Crofty’ Croft has also disappeared
into the depths of 22 Gp on the Hawk
T2 at RAF Valley. We shall miss him at
Coningsby but we’re sure he will be a
huge contribution to IV(R) Squadron. We
also lose Major Derek ‘Ajax’ Syswerda our
American exchange officer. He has been
sent back across the pond to become
an instructor on the USAFs latest fighter
aircraft the Joint Strike Fighter. We shall
miss the American banter on Squadron
and we can only apologise to the
USAF for introducing him to alcohol
and cigarettes! Flt Lt Andrea ‘Spy’ Holt
has gone to RAF High Wycombe and
taken her recce briefs with her. How
are we supposed to remember British
Racing Dream Machines now?! Our
devoted OpsO Flt Lt Stuart ‘Stu’ Hicken
has gone to Al Udeid leaving us to learn
very very quickly how to write a flying
programme. How did you make it so
effortless Stu?! Finally we lost our OC,
Wg Cdr Wells, to a desk in RAF High
Wycombe. You will be missed Sir, try not
to get too ground happy!
Despite our loses, we gained 4
new pilots. Capt Curtis ‘Cyprus’ Switzer
replaces Ajax as the American exchange
officer. Flt Lt Mark ‘Suggs’ Sugden and
Flt Lt Scott ‘no-yes’ Noyes join us after 5
long years at RAF Valley on the Hawk.
Finally, fresh off of the QWI course, Flt
Lt Martin ‘Marti’ Geraghty joins us who
is already enjoying ‘the quiet life’ on XI
Squadron. All should be combat ready
before Christmas so hopefully an XI
Squadron patch can be included under
the Christmas tree!
The next few months should see
XI Squadron settling into its normal
training rhythm. Not forgetting the
highlight of January though, a Middle
Eastern training exercise, where XI
should see some live drops and a bit
more winter sun. Let’s hope we find a bit
of time for a social………
OCIORES ACRIORESQUE AQUILIS
15
16
onetoone
29(R) SQN UPDATE ISSUE 4 2013
Tattershall
29(R) SQN
Primary School
A
As part of the ever increasing
student turnover we welcome
Opcon 22, comprising Steve
Moore, Wally (not to be confused
with simulator Wally), Wildy, and
finally Yoshi, our American Marine.
Finally a steady flow of Abo’s
instead of crusty old re-treads. We
are also joined by Opcon 23; Jamie
Lenox, Tori, James Milmine and Will
Ricketts. Welcome to you too.
In early September we
sent Pockers and Killa (combined
age: 96) to fly the flag and
re-enforce our presence on the
tiny peninsula of Gibraltar and
partake in the Battle of Britain
celebrations. Their safety pilots for
the journey were Flt Sgt Barker
and Sgt Coots. The 29 team were
also there as part of the renaming
ceremony for the headquarter
building for RAF Gibraltar. The
building had recently been
renamed after a famous French
pilot who managed to flee to the
UK, through Gibraltar. Once back
in the UK he continued his fight in
the war flying Spitfires for the RAF.
With one course arriving
we must inevitably congratulate
another. Opcon 21 recently
graduated, sending Yorkie Beevers
and Scott Noyes to XI Sqn whilst
Bondy joins 3 Sqn. After finally
finishing the course we welcome
Sqn Ldr Batu, Aka ‘Tils’, as our
newest Flt Cdr. It is with the arrival
of our new OC B that we must
say goodbye to Sqn Ldr Ewen
Robertson who departs the Sqn to
continue the good work at Warton.
We wish yourself and the family
all the best as you make your way
closer to your motherland.
In October a small group of
29 personnel enjoyed some AT on
the beautiful island of Ascension.
During their sub-aqua adventures
they managed to write themselves
into the history books by not
only catching one of the largest
Hawksbill turtles on record, but also
by helping to fit the second ever
GPS tracker to such a turtle!
A special mention must
also be made to congratulate
the engineering team, headed
up by Flt Sgt York and Flt Sgt
Proctor, for their labour of love
getting the 29 Sqn Gate Guard
into its current glorious state.
Although the Lightning has
been on display for a little while
now, it has nonetheless recently
been awarded with a Station
Commander’s Commendation.
Congratulations to all involved.
As Wg Cdr Pemberton’s time
in charge of 29 Sqn draws to a
close, he, along with a select team,
recently spent the weekend in
Austria furthering Anglo-Austrian
relations whilst gaining an insight
into how one of the other Typhoon
nations run their Sqn. He took
with him the XO, to carry his bags,
Stuka, Ben W-B, Mike Mason, and
8 engineers under the guidance
of Flt Sgt York. On an aside, for
those few he is yet to tell, Mike is
soon to pack his bags and fishing
rod and depart to Australia on
exchange flying F-18s. Also making
the journey to Austria were Strats’
pants, which by the looks of it had
some pretty good chat. Rumour
has it that the pants took them
both home that night. It has been
a strong finish to the year and we
look to continue the good run long
into the next. Who knows, next
year we may finally get to Cyprus!
Merry Christmas!
Kirkby on Bain
Church of England Primary School
Learning together for life
IT HAS BEEN A BUSY PERIOD FOR 29. THE SQN
HAS GRADUATED 2 COURSES, SAID GOODBYE
TO SEVERAL OF ITS STAFF, WELCOMED SOME
MORE, AND OF COURSE, GOT WITHIN TOUCHING
DISTANCE OF CYPRUS. HOWEVER, ALL WAS NOT
LOST, AND WHILE XI SQN SUNNED THEMSELVES
ON THE BEACH, 29 DEPARTED CONINGSBY
TO OPERATE FROM RAF WADDINGTON.
s with any change of
scenery, morale rocketed
and the Sqn was on a high.
It was during this time that we
said goodbye to Opcon 20 and
we wish you all the best. As a
result of that course’s careful
deliberation, Nick Graham sets
a new record for the longest
consecutive run of B*****d Pot
awards. Congratulations Nick!
17
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 behavior and
continually strive to raise standards through providing a
relevant, varied and stimulating curriculum.
Visits to the school are warmly welcomed.
Please contact the administrator Mrs A Porter or the
headteacher Mrs Janette Davey who will be pleased to
show you around the school and answer your queries.
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
“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)
01526 352715 • www
.kobps.lincs.sch.uk
W h a r f L a n e , K i r k b y o n B a i n , Wo
odhall Spa LN10 6Y W
Tattershall, Lincoln LN4 4QZ
Tel/Fax: 01526 342045
Email: enquiries@tattershallprimary.lincs.sch.uk
Headteacher: Mrs Janette Davey
The Frithville and
New York Federation
Executive Headteacher: Mr P Bargh
Please take a look at our two wonderful village schools!
Our Vision
Amongst the 100 top performing
schools based on sustained
improvement in Level 4+ each
year from 2009 - 2012
Attitude, Belief and Commitment are the ABC of our Federation.
We care, we hope, we respect, we create.
Together as a community we learn!
100% of children made the
Governments required 2
levels progress in 2012
Good Church of England
Primary School
High standards of behaviour
Small classes,
high percentage of Teaching
Assistants,
many out of school activities,
good links
with the community.
Breakfast Club available from
8am every day
Enquiries and visits
welcome.
01507 568304
www.mareham.lincs.sch.uk
Frithville Primary School
New York Primary School
Frithville, Boston,
Lincolnshire, PE22 7EX
Telephone and fax: 01205 750291
E-mail: enquiries@frithville.lincs.sch.uk
www.frithville.lincs.sch.uk
New York, Langrick Road,
Lincs LN4 4XH
Telephone/fax 01205 280320
E-mail: Lisa.Hawkins@newyork.lincs.sch.uk
www.newyork.lincs.sch.uk
18
onetoone
BASE SUPPORT WING ISSUE 4 2013
BASE SUPPORT WING
OVERVIEW
IF RAF CONINGSBY IS ABOUT AIRCRAFT,
EQUIPMENT AND PEOPLE, THEN BASE
SUPPORT WING IS VERY MUCH AT THE
FOREFRONT OF SUPPORTING THE LATTER.
IN THIS EDITION WE DESCRIBE THE RANGE
OF WORK THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON
IN BSW IN SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO
SERVE AT RAF CONINGSBY AS WELL AS
THE FAMILIES THAT SUPPORT THEM.
N
ever is there a greater need to
support our people and their
families than during operations
and as the RAF moves from deployed
ops onto a contingent footing,
exercises such as the recent CAPABLE
EAGLE in support of the contingent
Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) ensure
that we are all working to the same
operational end.
When the EAW is called upon
to deploy, either on exercise or for
real, we have 2 sets of people to look
after. Our ‘home team’ caters for, and
supports, the needs of our families
and those left behind and the ‘away
team’ is responsible for looking after
FORMAL RECOGNITION FOR
RAF CONINGSBY HIGH FLIERS
RAF Coningsby personnel
are deployed across the Globe
365 days a year in support of
operations. In recognition of the
effort and sacrifice made by both
those deployed. When deployed
the role of my staff is just as broad as
back at base, albeit more complex. We continue to deliver routine
personnel services, along with
arguably one of our most important
roles - dealing with compassionate
and welfare cases, whilst also
managing personnel movements,
the accommodation plot, flight
bookings, arrivals briefs, soft facilities
management, infrastructure issues,
disciplinary casework and, close
to everyone’s hearts, the provision
of welfare and fitness training and
equipment. This is just a flavour of
the diverse work we do.
our Service personnel and civilian
colleagues, we have a prestigious
Honours and Awards system to
ensure that those most deserving
are fully recognised. This ranges
from personnel deployed overseas
on operations, to those who have
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR
CONTINGENT OPERATIONS?
The Marham Coningsby
Expeditionary Air Wing stood up
on 1 November 2013 under the
leadership of Stn Cdr RAF Coningsby
and from the outset BSW personnel
played an integral and important part
in the planning and coordination. With people as our most important
asset, it is vital that we get our job
right! Firstly, we need the right mix
of people and that includes ranks,
trades/branches, competencies and
experience. Secondly, we need to
ensure they are trained and prepared
for their roles. Finally, we need to
ensure they are adequately provided
for and supported when called upon,
either in an Exercise environment or
on Operations. With the constant changing
demands on our people, our
Operational Establishment Table
(OET) (the list of people and skills
needed from both Stations to meet
the EAW commitment) changes
by the day; as therefore do the
associated preparation and training
requirements for those people. All
those on the OET are held at high
readiness so if called upon they must
be ready to move within a very few
days. It is therefore essential that our
people remain fully prepared to avoid
any delays to the deployment which
could adversely impact operations.
This is where BSW come
in. Passports, driving licenses, fitness
testing, medical and dental checks
plus vaccinations, common core
skills training, individual contingency
readiness training and weapon
handling tests must be in date
whilst personal details including
next of kin and emergency contact
details must be up to date. All of
this preparation must be fitted in
around the routine business of
BSW as well as the primary duties
of all 80 RAF Coningsby EAW
personnel. Flexibility therefore is
the key to ensuring that the Station
can continue to maintain its Force
Elements @ Readiness posture. served with loyalty and distinction
throughout lengthy careers, or
those who have served above
and beyond the call of duty
either in the workplace or in their
local community. RAF Coningsby
is blessed with dedicated and
hard working people and
accordingly we are proud to have
a significant number of honours
and awards to present to our
personnel each year. Starting 2013 with a
considerable backlog, legacy of
a tremendously busy 2011 and
2012 on Operations ELLAMY and
OLYMPICS, the BSW team have
worked hard this year to clear
the backlog as well as ensure
that awards are received in a
timely fashion and in a manner
befitting of the recipient’s
achievements. Accordingly, BSW
have held 6 Honours and Awards
ceremonies in 2013 at which the
Force Commander and Station
Commander have between
them presented 124 medals
and 23 commendations. These
range from Operational to
Meritorious Service Medals, and
Commendations awarded by the
Stn Commander and Air Officer
Commanding Number 1 Group.
The last ceremony of
the year is scheduled for 5
December 2013. However, the
team still have a large number
to award and already have 10
ceremonies scheduled for 2014. Each ceremony is held in the
Officers’ Mess and the families of
recipients are invited to attend
along with work colleagues and
bosses. The nature of each award
is explained and each recipient
receives their award in person
from the presenting officer and
following the formal ceremony
refreshments are served for all
attendees. All details of future
ceremonies are available on
the General Duties Team page
of MOSS or you can contact
the Station Adjutant or her
Administrative Office for details.
THE SHAPE OF THINGS
TO COME…
You’ve got to be fit to fight,
whether that fight is at 39,000 feet or
just 3 feet above sea level. Physical
training is a fundamental part of
Service life and being fit to fight is also
about being well educated on the
best ways to train and achieve your
goals. It is not all about being ‘beasted’
into shape; it is about pushing
personal stamina and capability, but
not breaking people in the process!
That is what the Station Physical
Education Flight is here to do – to
provide training and education.
Having recently welcomed
several new members of the
team, namely Sgt Rob Gale, Cpl
Andy McMahon and Cpl Sadie
Williams, the Physical Education
Flight has started to deliver a more
diverse programme of training
and education as part of the new
PEd timetable. That includes more
frequent circuit sessions that are
spread out across the week and
scheduled to cater for day and
night shift personnel, and yet more
to come as new ‘core strength and
stability’ sessions will appear in the
timetable in the New Year. Keep an
eye out for announcements.
A NEW FACILITY AND A NAME
REMEMBERED THE FRAZER LODGE
With a fair wind and dry concrete,
by the time this edition of One-to-One
hits the streets the Station will be well
on the way to having a new facility.
The Frazer Lodge is being built next to
the existing pavilion near to the sports
pitches. The Lodge will be a small but
welcome addition to the Station’s
infrastructure, and will facilitate a variety
of uses. For example:
• Post sporting fixture recreation,
somewhere warm and dry to
celebrate or commiserate.
• For the use of the wider Station
community – for example ‘Gym Tots’.
• A facility for Air Training Cadets/
Combined Cadet Force on Summer
camps
The need for the Lodge was
identified by the Station Training
Officer; Flight Lieutenant Chris Williams.
The scheme was then taken up
by OC SSS, Squadron Leader Nikki
Duncan, who sourced funding for
The support of squadron sports
and fitness reps has been immense
and generated significant increases
in fitness testing and pass rates. In
October alone the PEd Flt tested
over 30% of the Station population
yet still ran a full programme of
daytime and evening sports and
fitness sessions. There is much work
going on behind the scenes as the
PEd Flight is working to improve
the existing gyms, including the
Typhoon Aircrew Conditioning Area
and the Health and Fitness Suite, by
rationalising all of the equipment and
sharing it out across the Station. The
aim is to distribute more equipment
across more floor space to maximise
the numbers of people who can
take part in physical training. On
the teaching side
‘survival training’
will be returning
to the main
gymnasium and it
will be delivered by
qualified members
of PEd Flt using
a new parachute
training rig. New
Adventurous
Training (AT)
equipment has
the project in partnership with one
of our contractors, Lend Lease. Lend
Lease are the contractors on Station
currently building the new SLAM
accommodation. The Station is paying
for the material for the Lodge with
Lend Lease supplying the materials
for the foundation and hard-standing.
Lend Lease are also providing the
building expertise to complete the
work, along with volunteers from the
Station, coordinated by Flt Lt Williams,
to assist with the labour. The work was
due to begin in November.
The Lodge has been named
to remember Flying Officer Robert
Frazer DFC, who was killed in action
on his 63rd operation, flying from RAF
Coningsby in April 1944. Post war, his
name was inscribed on the Honours
Board in the foyer of SHQ, but due to
an error he was recorded as ‘R Iraler’. As
the Lodge will be open for the Spring
season around the 70th anniversary
of his death, and as an opportunity to
remember one of our own who was
in a way ‘forgotten’, the decision was
made to name the building, ‘The Frazer
Lodge’ in his memory.
been purchased and will go into a
new AT store. With 3 AT instructors
now based at RAF Coningsby the
Station is well placed to make the
most of arduous and experimental
activities to train and develop
people to be fit for ops.
PEd Flt will be making the very
best use of existing facilities and
working to continuously improve
services, so if you want more
details about taking part in formal
and informal physical training,
education and development at
RAF Coningsby please speak to Sgt
Gale and his team in the Station
Gymnasium. That’s the shape of
things to come for PEd and PT here
at Coningsby: more choice, more
options, more people, more often!
WE’RE ALL GOING ON A
SUMMER HOLIDAY
BSW are pleased to
announce that RAF Coningsby
will soon take delivery of its
very own motorhome thanks
to a grant from the RAF Central
Fund, additional funding from
our Local Initiative Grant and
much hard work and effort by
the Community Support
Team (CST).
The upshot of all of this
has been the purchase of a
brand new Elddis Autoquest 180
which will be available for RAF
Coningsby personnel to hire
from early 2014. This 6-berth
motorhome can be driven by
personnel aged over 25 years
who hold a full car licence and
so should prove attractive to a
wide audience of families and
friends. As well as all the basics,
the vehicle will also benefit from
cabin air conditioning, cruise
control, a 4 place bike rack and a
TV and DVD player. The RAF Coningsby CST
placed the initial bid for the
grant from the Central Fund in
Summer 2013 and since then
the bid was approved and a
committee formed under the
leadership of FS Ridley (Safety
Cell) and CT Hartley (MSC) to
take the project forward. Expect
to see some advertisement soon
and be sure to book early to
avoid disappointment. Prices
are expected to range from
£290-390 per week.
If you have any ideas for
other projects that could benefit
RAF Coningsby personnel and
which could be paid for by an
RAF Central Fund grant, please
contact either OC PMS, Sqn Ldr
Warner, or the SCSO, WO Jenkins.
19
JRS HAVE THEIR SAY WITH
THE NEW JUNIOR RANKS
COMMITTEE (JRC)
The newly established Junior
Ranks‘ Committee (JRC) aims to
provide the JRs with a coherent
voice, sprinkled with a bit of muscle
so that they own what functions
happen in their bar and also what
food choices they have in their
mess. This is nothing new for Sgts
and Officers but for JRs this is a
complete step change and a shift
into the 21st century, whilst seizing
the opportunity to get the most out
of the CRL partnership. The JRC might be at the
embryonic stage but the initial
meetings have sparked enthusiasm,
vision and future plans; the first being
the JRs’ Christmas Cocktail Party. Gone
is the traditional Living In Christmas
‘sprout throwing’ Dinner in the JR
Mess as the JRC are proposing a
Cocktail party with Christmas themed
canapés and cocktails on 12 Dec 13 in
the Typhoon Bar and Heroes. Another
step change is that the function will
be open to all JRs and provide the
opportunity to get dressed up for a
function that will not be too dissimilar
to Sgts’ and Officers’ Mess Christmas
draws. Sadly the greatest challenge
facing the JRC is ‘hard cash’ as JRs do
not have the luxury of generating
money in the same way that messes
can; however, a number of options are
currently being explored with the Stn
and CRL – so watch this space!
As you read this the JRC
are planning and preparing a
comprehensive entertainments
package coupled with regular theme
nights in the mess but the largest
venture over the course of the next 6
months will be the transformation of
the Typhoon Bar. With the full support
of the Stn and CRL, the JRC hope to
change what is currently a dark and
dismal bar area into a multi-functional
inviting environment that JRs will
want to use and chill out in. The future is very exciting; we
have a JRC which has a vision and is
currently planning to make this vision
come to life and supporting them in
the process is the Stn and CRL.
20
onetoone
BASE SUPPORT WING ISSUE 4 2013
HIVE
INFORMATION
the interests of the single living-in
community are addressed.
Contact details: 01526 347211
Mob:
07919 301832
HIVE INFORMATION SERVICE
The RAF HIVE Service supports
the Chain of Command and tri-Service
community through the provision of
up to date and relevant information.
RAF HIVE Information Officers
are able to provide an extensive
range of information on relocation,
local facilities, schools and further
education, housing, healthcare
facilities, employment and training
opportunities. Information on future
relocations is one of the key areas of
information support and is available
either in advance or on arrival at the
receiving unit. RAF HIVE staffs are also
involved in providing Operational
deployment support, including
distributing deployment support
resources and providing information
on ways of communicating with
deployed personnel.
Contact details:
Station HIVE
01526 347868
Coningsby HIVE
01526 342679
SSAFA
SSAFA provides a confidential
service to the RAF community,
dealing with issues including:
Relationship difficulties
Bereavement and loss
Childcare
Housing
Separation
Special needs
Benevolent Fund applications
Contact details:
Office:
01526 347846 / 347193
Mob:
0777 594 8269
Out of hours:
0207 463 9358
SSAFA Volunteer
Co-ord:
0776 899 6738
SERVICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT
OFFICER
The role of the Service
Community Support Officer (SCSO)
is to assist in the provision of ‘first line’
support to Service personnel and
their families, including acting as an
interface between SFA Occupants and
the Housing authorities, coordinating
stress management events in line
with current policy, and ensuring that
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
OFFICER
The role of the Community
Development Officer (CDO) is to
promote a sense of community and
general well being for personnel
and families of people living and
working at RAF Coningsby through:
• Networking and supporting
access and development of
community provision
• Ensuring community provision is
complying with best practice and
government guidelines
• Managing the Airplay project and
the Youth Engagement Team
Contact details: 01526 347865
Mob:
07799 273033
THE LOUNGE
The Lounge is a modern
‘living area’ for livers-in (all ranks) at
Coningsby and is situated above
Heroes Bar. A non-alcoholic facility,
The Lounge has a staffed Coffee
Bar, wide screen TV, Playstation 3,
Wii, games and Wi-Fi.
Open weekdays 1130—1330
The Lounge is run by volunteers
in the evenings so opening times
may vary. See doors for times.
Bring Your Own Lunch!! Add a
delicious hot or cold drink from
the menu and enjoy a relaxed
comfortable lunch break.
RAF CONINGSBY NURSERY &
KIDS CLUB
Registered to provide services
for 50 weeks of the year, closing for
two weeks over Christmas. Providing
nursery education funded places
for children aged 2—4 yrs for 38
weeks of the year, following the local
schools term times.
Clinton Park, Tattershall, LN4 4QZ.
01526 344325
www.nurseryandkidsclub.co.uk
info@nurseryandkidsclub.co.uk
RAF Coningsby Nursery and
Kids Club
21
LOOKING FOR A VENUE?
The food and beverage team at
The National Golf Centre
Are able to cater for
Private Parties, Weddings,
Balls & Dinner Parties in our
Beautiful Hotchkin Suite
Seating up to 125 for a dinner dance
Or 150 for a formal dinner
For smaller parties we can cater for
Your requirements in the
Clubhouse Dining Room
We also cater for conferences
& business seminars.
Our bar is fully licensed until 1am
COMMUNITY CENTRE DIARY CLINTON PARK, TATTERSHALL
Monday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Tiny Typhoons
Tales & Tunes
Youth Clubs 8 - 12 yrs
12 - 15 yrs
Thursday
Rainbows
Thursday
Pilates
Thursday
Zumba
Friday
Community Support Clinic
Friday
Tiny Typhoons
Mon, Wed - Fri Cupcake Café
0930 – 1130
0930 – 1045
1730 – 1900
1930 – 2100
1800 – 1915
1915 – 2015
2015 – 2100
0930 – 1130
0930 – 1130
0930 – 1230
COMMUNITY CLINICS
Solicitors Office
Tuesday
0900 – 1200
Wednesday
0900 – 1200
Clinton Park
Community Centre
Solicitors Clinic
Wednesdays
1200 – 1300
Station HIVE
RAF Coningsby
Mortgage Clinic
Last Tuesday monthly
1200 – 1330
Station HIVE
RAF Coningsby
RBL Clinic:
Friday
0930 – 1130
Clinton Park
Community Centre
Community
Support Team Clinic
Fridays
0930 – 1130
Clinton Park
Community Centre
For a brochure and further information
Please call Denise on 01526 351825
e-mail: d.rayward@woodhallspagolf.com
PADRE’S PIECE
PADRE MARK KENNARD
COMMUNITY SUPPORT TEAM BOARD
Chair - Wg Cdr Beer
OC PMS - Sqn Ldr Warner
Station Medical Officer - Wg Cdr Davies
Station Chaplaincy - Padres Elliott, Kennard & Hall
Air Cadet Liaison Officer - CT Russell
OC PSF - Flt Lt Jim Schofield
Station Training Officer - Flt Lt Chris Williams
Service Community Support Officer - WO Al Jenkins
Youth Activities Liaison Officer - Flt Lt Garland
Community Development Officer - Lou Henderson
HIVE Information Officers - Tina Proctor & Ann Parkinson
SSAFA Personal & Family Support Worker - Jean Pattenden &
Dan Parkinson
DIO Housing Officer - Kate Ellis
CONTACT:
CON-BSWHiveHIO1@mod.uk
RAFConingsbyHIVE@
btconnect.com
Coningsby HIVE
01526 347868 / 342679
RAFConingsbyHIVE
TRAVELLING ROUND
THE STATION IN
OCTOBER I WAS
GREETED WITH THE
NEWS THAT THERE
WERE ONLY TWO
PAY CHEQUES UNTIL
CHRISTMAS.
T
his completely new thought
on the approaching season
gave me pause to think.
The “built in” response that
I found myself thinking was that
Christmas is much more than
spending money and gifts. However
in the harder times that many of us
live in now there are thoughts that are
almost alien to us: we can’t afford to
do that this year, we can’t manage a
present like that.
Christmas is about a gift but
one which relates directly to us now,
a father gave his son to the world. A
gift that almost certainly involved
heartache, probably tears, and no
little cost to the giver. Giving is never
without cost.
Any parent will eventually be
able to recount the story of letting go
of a child to allow them to make their
own way in the world.
What could I put under the
tree that might make a difference
for more than just Christmas this
year? The TV remote (so others can
choose)? A night’s family ironing
(every week)? A cherished memory
in a photo frame? Nights out as
“named driver” (or nights in as baby
sitter)?
Blessings for a Happy Christmas
CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT
RAF CONINGSBY
1st December - 1000 Christingle
18th December - 1600 Station Carols
(at SHQ)
24th December -1500 Crib Service
- 2300 Midnight Mass
25th December - 1000 Family Service
THIS WINTER
PROTECTING
YOUR FAMILY
AND HOME
D
uring the winter and
particularly over the festive
season when you may
be leaving your Service Families
Accommodation (or private family
home) empty there are a few
things to consider:
PREPARE Test your heating and report any
faults to the MHS helpdesk on
0800 707 6000
(For Bardney Occupants call 0800
027 2057)
PREVENT Consider leaving your heating on
permanently and turning down to
a low setting when out or at night
(never below 15°C)
Isolate and empty outside taps
PROTECT If you are going away leave the
heating on constant and set the
thermostat to a minimum 15°C
Turn all your radiator valves on to
full and leave internal doors open
Turn your water off at the
stopcock
PATCH MATES If you are away leave spare keys
and contact details with a trusted
friend or neighbour and ask them
to check the house and report
any problems
CONTACT NUMBERS
Station Contact Number
01526 342581
Duty Personnel
Guardroom
24 hours: 01526 347212 / 347411
PSF duty clerk /orderly officer Via Main Guardroom 01526 347212
01526 347346 / 347533 / 347208
Chaplaincy
Duty Chaplain: 0777 5946573
Station Medical Centre
01526 347217
Out of Hours
0845 045 0281
NHS direct
111
Community Support Personnel
SSAFA Support Worker
01526 347846 / 347193 / 07775 948269
SSAFA Out of Hours
0207 463 9358
Service Families Accommodation (SFA) Fault reporting
Modern Housing Solutions
(MHS)
Coningsby / Tattershall /
Horncastle / Sleaford SFA
ACIS – Bardney SFA
HCR maintenance –
Substitute SFA
0800 707 6000
0800 027 2057
01256 313764
Security
Police
RAF Police - 01526 347588
Lincolnshire Police - 101
Lincs Beat Manager - 07500 920076
In an emergency dial - 999
22
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ISSUE 4 2013
NTH
12 MO TY
AN
R
R
A
W
FRE DELIVERY ON CALL 01526 344102
FREE
AL
ALL UK ORDERS* Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm
• Great value for money
• High quality service
• High quality products
S
ivill Service. WEEE
recycling & handling
specialists. Experts in
the sales, repair & Servicing
of LCD TVs, Plasma screens,
Laptops, Desktop computers
38 High Street,
Coningsby, Lincoln,
LN4 4RA
01526 345456
01526 345355
CONINGSBY POST OFFICE carries Euros and
US Dollars on demand, with other currencies on
preorder by 1pm for next day collection. We also now
have PASSPORT FORMS and carry out a CHECKING
SERVICE for them.
THE BOOKSHOP has a wide range of titles but
will order others in if requested to.
& 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.
Televisions
Laptops
Computers
Spares and Parts
Repairs & Servicing
Visit us online today! www.sivillservice.co.uk
* Standard Delivery in UK is Royal Mail
UK 1st Class Recorded. For International
items standard RM delivery is Royal Mail
International Signed For.
@Sivillservice
Sivill Service
Can be in stock the next day.
We also take in SHOE REPAIRS as an agent for
LOCKS + LEATHERS OF HORNCASTLE.
They are quick and professional.
20a Market Place Tattershall Lincolnshire LN4 4LJ
Telephone: 01526 344102
Sixth Form boarding at one of
England’s top State schools
The Robert de Cheney Boarding House
is situated in the grounds of The Priory
Academy LSST, an academy in Lincoln which
is consistently among the top five performing
non-selective State schools in the country.
It provides a wonderful opportunity for Sixth
Form students to develop and flourish, both
academically and socially.
• Academy and Sixth Form rated
outstanding by Ofsted
• 99% A-Level pass rate (three subjects)
and 99% GCSE pass rate
(5+ A*-C, including English and Maths)
• 94% first or second choice university success
rate in 2013, with 34% of Y13 students
obtaining places in the Russell and 1994
Groups
• Modern, home-from-home boarding
comprising 60 single en-suite study
bedrooms with internet access
• Kitchen, dining area and laundry
plus a Common Room on each floor
• Designated Sixth Form support and pastoral
staff to ease the transition from school to
university, employment and independence
• State-of-the-art Sixth Form science facility,
with research laboratories, a planetarium
and a debating chamber
• Spectacular sports provision including a 60m
indoor sprint track and a 400m synthetic
outdoor running track, plus excellent field
athletics facilities
• Swimming pool, fitness suite,
climbing wall, spinning suite,
dance studio and badminton courts
• Stunning residential centre in Normandy
• Thriving CCF, DofE and pastoral programmes
To arrange a visit or to apply for a place in September 2014, contact Mr Chris Liston (Head of Boarding)
The Priory Academy LSST, Cross O’Cliff Hill, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN5 8PW
Telephone: 01522 889977 l Email: boarding@prioryacademies.co.uk l Visit: www.prioryacademies.co.uk/boarding
23
24
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ENGINEERING & LOGISTICS WING ISSUE 4 2013
Abbey
School of
Motoring
Longest established
Driving School in
Coningsby, Horncastle
and Woodhall Spa
Tim Stebbings
Friendly, patient tuition
Competitive prices with
discounts for block bookings
Diploma in Driver Education
Birthday Gift Vouchers
Phone: 01526 353550 • 0778 4648 426
Email: abbeysom@btinternet.com
D&M T WING
A GUIDE TO
WINTER
DRIVING
THE BRITISH WINTER IS
UNPREDICTABLE. SEVERE WEATHER
CONDITIONS CAN ARISE WHEN
LEAST EXPECTED AND CAN
BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS
IF YOU’RE ON THE ROAD.
riving is a risky business at
the best of times- 9 people
die on UK roads every day, so
hazards such as darkness, rain, fog,
ice and dazzling sunshine only add
to the danger.
If you must drive, make sure you
are prepared for the conditions:
D
• Only drive if it’s absolutely necessary
and don’t be afraid to turn back
if you think the conditions are
too treacherous.
• Make sure your windows are
completely clear before you
start driving.
• If you’re driving to meet someone, let
them know where you are travelling
and when you expect to arrive.
• You may need to leave as much as 10
times the normal recommended gap
between you and the car in front.
• If you do encounter a skid. Steer into
it- for example, if the rear of the car is
sliding to the right, steer to the right.
Do not take your hands off the steering
wheel or stamp your foot on the brakes.
• Controls such as brakes, as well as the
steering, accelerator and even gear
changing should be operated both
smoothly and slowly.
• A higher gear may be more appropriate
to aid the tyres gripping when moving
off on packed ice.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Certain precautions need to be
taken when driving in different weathers:
• RAIN: Potentially dangerous, Spray off
vehicles, standing water, Aquaplaning,
Use dipped headlights and reduce
your speed.
• HAIL: Unpredictable, can cause
absolute blindness to drivers, normally
advisable to pull over and wait, Always
use dipped headlights, slow down
and increase your stopping distance,
Beware of the road conditions after the
storm has passed.
• FOG: More frequently in winter, density
may vary, freezing fog is extremely
dangerous, reduce your speed, use
dipped headlights and Fog lights
(100m), take extra caution at junctions.
• SNOW, LARGE WET FLAKES:
Slow down and corner gently, Use
the same tracks and beware of the
snow compacting.
• SNOW, POWDERY SNOW: Initially
blows over the road surface, very quickly
fills gaps in road surface, can become
sheet ice, drive with extreme caution.
• SNOW, SLUSH: Beware on dry strips
of road they can be just as slippery,
changing lanes can become hazardous,
maintain a slow speed especially when
driving over ridges of slush.
• SNOW, ICE: Normally the result of
overnight temperature drops, most
dangerous at the thawing out stage,
Black ice is an invisible danger, treat all
your controls delicately, avoid braking
on corners.
• STRONG WINDS: Beware of exposed
roads, Try not to move from shelter and
overtake in cross winds, unladen vehicles
with large surface areas are most at
risk, bad cases can cause the vehicle to
wander or even be lifted.
• WINTER SUN: Set lower in the sky in
winter, causes a dazzling glare, glasses
and sun visors are a must, avoid looking
directly into the sun, The effect can
be made worse by wet roads, reduce
your speed.
OP BLACKTOP SNOW & ICE
VEHICLES
RAF Coningsby MT is responsible
for the snow clearing and ice prevention
by pre-treating the Main ASP and
surrounding areas. MT use two main
vehicles in order to maintain the
runways:
LIQUID AIRFIELD DE-ICER
SPRAYER
The Liquid Airfield De-icer Sprayer
(LADS) has been procured to effectively
and accurately apply liquid chemical
de-icer to their airfields. It is self propelled,
equipped with the capacity of 10,000
litres and will be fitted with a hydraulically
controlled airport snowplough. The
vehicle is fitted with a spray system that
can deliver a metered amount of fluid
de-icer media of between 20 to 40 gm/
m2 over widths of 3m,12m and 24m.
Anti-icing is the application of
chemicals that not only de-ice, but
also remain on a surface and continue
to delay the reformation of ice for
approximately 6 hours depending on
temperature and prevents adhesion of
ice to make mechanical removal easier.
AIRFIELD SNOW CLEARANCE
VEHICLE
The Airfield snow clearance
vehicle (ASCV) has been procured to
ensure military runways and aircraft
operating areas are clear of snow. It is
fitted with a 5600 mm airport snow
plough. Between the axles is a 914
mm dia x 4200 mm long broom with
a max speed of 900 rpm, adjustable
and road speed related. At the rear of
the machine high speed jet blowers
are fitted which can produce a max
appropriate velocity of 500 kmh.
This jet sweeper was developed as a
high-performance device for the rapid
disposal of snow on airfields. Clearing,
sweeping and blowing as a compact
unit in one vehicle means high mobility
and high clearance performance.
If you are driving within the camp
area and see any Snow and Ice Vehicles,
please allow them plenty of room. They
are carrying out essential Station tasking
to keep the airfield and surrounding
areas clear and safe.
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25
26
onetoone
ENGINEERING & LOGISTICS WING ISSUE 4 2013
It does what it says on the tin
AJB MOTORS
• GENERAL
SERVICING
AND REPAIRS
• CLUTCHES
SUPPLIED
AND FITTED
• MOT
PREPARATION
• AIR CONDITIONING RECHARGING
AND SERVICING
Finney’s Garage
Car Maintenance
CONINGSBY PHOTOGRAPHER WINS
RAF PHOTOGRAPHER
OF THE YEAR
S
AC Taylor: “It was a massive shock
to win this award, but at the
same time rewarding, to have
your work recognised”.
SAC Taylor has been an RAF
photographer for four years. He said “It is
my job to identify what is interesting or
relevant in a scene and to then find the
best way to convey that to an audience.”
Portrait of SA
C Taylor
SAC GRAHAM
TAYLOR HAS BEEN
ANNOUNCED
AS RAF
PHOTOGRAPHER OF
THE YEAR DURING
THE ANNUAL
CELEBRATIONS
HELD AT THE RAF
CLUB IN LONDON.
CHIEF OF THE AIR
STAFF, AIR CHIEF
MARSHAL SIR
ANDREW PULFORD
PRESENTED HIM
WITH HIS AWARD.
His winning portfolio included
a shot of a Spitfire taken just after start
up, flames erupting from the exhaust
stubs, “This is a shot that I have wanted
to capture ever since I arrived here.
The Spitfire is renowned as a thing of
beauty, but I wanted to capture what
the name represents, a fire-breathing
war machine.”
PHOTO: It does what it says on the tin
His image of a Typhoon at night
during a deployment to the Middle
East. “I wanted to demonstrate that we
are a 24 hour force. I used a time-lapse
technique to contrast the stillness of the
aircraft with the activity behind it. The
stars also produced a lovely effect.”
PHOTO: Night Guardian
The rules of the competition
mean that one non-service photo has
to be submitted, “This was a friend’s
motorbike. The bike is called a Devil
Daytona, so I used the light to produce a
piece that had an ominous quality to it.”
PHOTO: Devil Daytona
SAC Taylor’s final piece is a
desert landscape. An obvious but
important part of the job of an
RAF photographer is to produce
imagery that explains the role the
RAF undertakes, “This Typhoon was
captured against a desert sunset on
exercise. This picture is about the
aircraft in an environment, rather
than just the aircraft itself.”
PHOTO: Typhoon Sunset
Devil Daytona
Typhoon Sunset
• MOT £37.50
• Servicing available
• Competitive rates on tyres
• Small body repairs
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• Full diagnosis service
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• Follow us on Facebook at
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For further information please telephone:
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t: 01526 342665
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27
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28
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OPERATIONS WING ISSUE 4 2013
THE VIEW
FROM THE
ALBERT EINSTEIN ONCE SAID THAT THE ONLY REASON TIME
EXISTS IS SO THAT EVERY THING DOESN’T HAPPEN ALL
AT ONCE. AT CONINGSBY, IT SOMETIMES JUST FEELS LIKE
EVERYTHING DOES, ESPECIALLY WITH THE AMOUNT THE
WING HAS ACHIEVED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.
A
successful visit from the
‘trappers’ under the belt, the
attention of the wing turned
squarely
s
on to the preparation to
host
h our Saudi friends who were due
to
t arrive at the end of August for an
intensive
i
2 week exercise. Whilst most
of
o the attention was focused on the
Tornados
T
and Typhoons they were
bringing,
b
Ops Wing were quietly
chipping
c
away at the facilitation of
a stream of up to four Saudi C130s
arriving
a
and departing every day
in
i the run up all requiring customs
and
a immigration, flight planning
and
a navigation services, loading and
unloading.
u
Even though they fall
under the auspices of Eng & Logs
Wg, respect must be paid to the
Movements Flight. They were easy
winners of the Most Tired Looking
Section at Coningsby award for
much of September yet remained
heroic throughout.
Over the same period the wing
has had individuals deployed all over
the place including, Bastion ATC, FOB
JUNO, the Falklands, Exercise PASHTUN
JAGUAR, Cyprus, the Leuchars Air Show,
Exercise CAPABLE EAGLE, Exercise
CHAMELEON, Exercise JOINT WARRIOR
and Exercise LIGHTNING FORCE which
just goes to illustrate the variety of work
the wing is undertaking.
In amongst all this ‘routine’
business was the excitement of
deploying the Typhoon force to Akrotiri
in response to some Syrian aggression
at the end of August just as Exercise
SAUDI BRITISH GREEN FLAG was getting
underway. Whilst the Wing HQ was
heavily involved in the planning of the
operation, a number of wing personnel
deployed in support, most notably one
of ATC’s civilian assistants, Mr Colin Wylie,
who detached to Akrotiri last-minute to
train runway caravan controllers for the
arrival of the Typhoon detachment. The
devil is always in the detail.
OC Ops Wg getting stuck into some Saudi cuisine.
The Fire Section finally received
a long overdue uplift in manning,
seeing 5 new LAC’s and 2 CPL’s arrive
on section to replace some of the
manpower lost over the summer. They
arrived not a moment too soon as
the section upped its capability from
Crash Cat 3A using 6 crew members to
Crash Cat 4A using 10 crew members
making up 2 crews doing 24 hr shifts
each for the month of September
to enable Exercise GREEN FLAG. In
addition, section personnel were
deployed in 3 crews of 4-5 fire-fighters
to Moreton-in-the-Marsh for Incident
Response Unit training in the build up
to Op Fodient, the military provision of
civil fire and rescue services during the
National Fire Service strike anticipated
in September. The training covered
civil specialisations such as Mass
Decontamination and Hazardous
Material training. After they had received
the training, Coningsby personnel were
deployed RAF Leeming, Cosford and
Dale Barracks on standby for the period
of Industrial Action.
The Battle of Britain Memorial
Flight rounded off another successful
season with the Lincolnshire
Lancaster Association day on the
29th of September. Attended by over
3000 people, the event saw all the
flight’s aircraft take to the sky in an
impressive celebration of history that
we are extremely privileged to have
on our doorstep.
The wing continues to lead the
way with sporting achievements
including representative target
rifle shooting, swimming, boxing,
football, mountain biking, running
plus a host of station team players
especially in football which appears
to be dominated by Ops Wing. If only
crashing MOSS was a competitive
sport; I’m sure we would be
champions at that too.
29
30
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PEOPLE & ACHIEVEMENTS ISSUE 4 2013
31
CONINGSBY ROSES
MILITARY WIVES CHOIR
60
SECOND
INTERVIEW
JIM STEWART, BBMF
STALWART, MODEL
TRAIN ENTHUSIAST AND
WORLD’S NICEST MAN.
THE MEMORIAL FLIGHT
OPERATIONS ASSISTANT
KEEPS THE SECRET OF HOW
TO TAME A SPITFIRE PILOT
FIRMLY UNDER WRAPS IN
HIS 60 SECOND INTERVIEW.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
Queuing at Anfield after school to get
a Football ticket for my father so he
could go & watch the game.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE
OF ADVICE YOU COULD
GIVE SOMEONE? Follow your instincts.
WHAT’S ON YOUR DESK? A load of paperwork & a cold cup
of tea.
WHO’S YOUR WORK OR
PERSONAL HERO/HEROINE? When you have stood beside any
veteran it is a humbling experience.
They are all heroes to us.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PERFECT
DAY AWAY FROM WORK? Completing a DIY task correctly.
WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST WORK
ACHIEVEMENT? Attaining the rank of WO in the trade
of MT Driver.
WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST
PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT? Going back to RAF St Athan as
a Driving Instructor after nearly
being chopped very early on in
my career. My Instructor couldn’t
believe his eyes.
WHAT’S YOUR
FAVOURITE GADGET? House Key
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE
OR MOTTO? Lest we forget
WHAT’S THE WORST QUALITY
IN A LEADER? Bullish behaviour
WHAT WAS THE WORST PIECE OF
ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN? You should retire at 55.
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST MEETING
EVER (AND WHY)?
Numerous Royals, but meeting Clive
Rowley when he was OC BBMF
was a turning point for me & being
welcomed onto ‘The Flight’.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE
PASTIME/RELAXATION ACTIVITY? Model making. I plan to build
another model railway in the not too
distant future.
WHAT’S YOUR ALL TIME
FAVOURITE BOOK (AND WHY)? Red Watch by Neil Wallington. His
son is currently going through 29 (R)
Sqn OCU.
IF YOU ARE WALKING PAST THE CHURCH
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AT RAF CONINGSBY IN
THE EVENING, AND YOU HAPPEN TO HEAR
ANGELIC VOICES FROM WITHIN, PLEASE DO
NOT BE ALARMED. YOU ARE NOT WITNESS
TO DIVINE OR SUPERNATURAL EVENTS,
THE AFTERLIFE IS NOT UPON YOU, AND THE
PADRE IS NOT IN THE SHOWER. YOU ARE
MERELY HEARING THE CONINGSBY ROSES
MILITARY WIVES CHOIR (MWC) IN PRACTICE.
T
he choir is a group of wives,
daughters, fiancées and
girlfriends of personnel based
at RAF Coningsby and the local area,
as well as women either currently or
formerly serving in the RAF.
Choirs are by no means a new
occurrence around RAF Stations, but
they have experienced a surge in the
wake of the TV series of the Choir and
support of Gareth Malone. Inspired by
what was a very successful programme
and how much was achieved by
the original choir; wives, girlfriends
and female serving members at RAF
Coningsby started their own choir, the
‘Coningsby Roses’, in October 2012.
Subsequently, the Military Wives Choir
Foundation was launched uniting all
the Wives Choirs from all Stations, Units
and Services. The Coningsby Roses
NAME ONE PERSON YOU’D LIKE
TO HAVE DINNER WITH (AND
WHY)? Anybody who eats as slow as me, I
love dining experiences.
TELL US ABOUT A TURNING
POINT IN YOUR CAREER
Going to Horncastle Job Centre
in Jan 04 shortly after completing
37 years service & being told they
couldn’t find a job for me & did I
know anybody at CGY who could
help me find one. Thanks to Angie
Walsh & the other Civilian Admin
ladies, I was offered a temporary
position in Works Services before
being offered my present role
at BBMF.
WHAT WAS YOUR WORST JOB? MT Officer at Mount Pleasant Airfield
in the Falkland Islands in 2000/01.
Far too many road traffic incidents; all
down to bad driving practice.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT
YOUR JOB? The interaction with the whole team
& members of the public, I get a
tremendous buzz out of showing
people around the Flight.
WHAT WAS YOUR WORST
MISTAKE (AND WHAT DID
YOU LEARN)? Thinking I could out walk our Border
Collie (I can’t).
WHAT’S THE QUESTION YOU’D
MOST LIKE TO HAVE BEEN ASKED
(AND WHY)? What’s it like when Parky’s on leave.
WWII VETERAN
AWARDED BOMBER
COMMAND CLASP
O
n Friday the 4th Oct WO
D Nicholson (ret’d) visited
RAF Coningsby. He was
accompanied by members of 36
(Hetton-Le-Hole) Sqn ATC. WO
Nicholson served as member of
44 Rhodesia Sqn and took part in
many Lancaster raids over Germany.
On arrival he was given a tour of
3(F) Sqn, to see the sharp end of
the RAF today before being given
the opportunity to revisit his past
at BBMF. After a tour of BBMF and
a reminisce over the Lancaster, the
Station Commander awarded him
his Bomber Command Clasp.
became the Coningsby ‘Roses’ Military
Wives Choir.
RAF personnel deploy frequently
throughout the world and it would
not be possible to do this without
the support provided by families of
Servicemen. The pressures put on
Service families can be enormous,
as for months on end they become
single parent families usually hundreds
of miles away from their own roots,
and dealing with emotional loneliness
and isolation. Through singing, the
Coningsby ‘Roses’ MWC lend mutual
help and support to each other,
providing a sense of belonging
and camaraderie that would be
immediately familiar to their serving
partners. The MWC Foundation
motto is ‘supporting the women who
support our troops’, and fun seems very
much the order of the day, the choir
borrowing the Service ethic of ‘work
hard, play hard’.
The Choir has about 25 members
who meet twice a week to practice
(as well as socialise, drink tea and eat
cake). A choir is not a choir however
until it performs, and the girls perform
regularly around the county, lending
their services for charity and public
events, providing a strong bond and
awareness between RAF Coningsby
and the local community.
Since July, the Choir’s Musical Director
has been Audrey Wheeler. Audrey is a
singer/songwriter who studied music
in college and was classically trained as
a young girl. Being a choir member has
helped Audrey battle her longstanding
issues with agoraphobia and Bipolar
Affective Disorder, demonstrating the
therapeutic nature of song.
When you join the choir as a singer you
will be placed in a group according to
your vocal range, either soprano (not
the ‘gangsta’ kind), mezzo-soprano,
or alto. For some women thinking
of joining the choir, entering such
a bubbly bunch of ‘sisters’ could be
daunting, so at this stage I think I would
like to introduce just a few of them.
Angela Sowden, currently
the choir chairperson, sings an
understated but sweet soprano,
which she uses to her full advantage
in her solo pieces in ‘Stronger
Together’, which is a firm choir
favourite. As confidence increases,
the opportunity to take the spotlight
opens, so you could end up singing
solo on one of your favourite songs,
like soloists Sally Forder and Stephanie
Eustace. Sally most often sings the
solo on their ‘signature song’, ‘the Rose’.
She brings her wonderful blend of
warmth and gentleness to the song,
and indeed, to the whole choir. Like
many RAF ‘partners’, Sally lives away
from the unit so making friends was
difficult until the choir provided a
vital link into the RAF community.
Steph joined the choir when her
husband was posted to Coningsby in
August and helps as a vocal coach and
provider of baked goodies for the choir.
She performs one of the solo parts in
‘Rule the World’, to which she brings
her astounding range and power.
Other sopranos include
Emma Riley, a wonderfully
pure singer. She performs the
tricky soprano solos in Les Misérables
ables
‘On My Own’, which she does with a
heart breaking humility and depth of
feeling. Her battle with stage fright
brings an added depth to an already
emotionally laden song, and has
grown enormously as a performer
with the encouragement of her choir
sisters. Sonia MacArthur sings in her
gorgeous musical Scottish lilt. She
joined the choir a few months ago
from Islay, on the West Scottish coast,
where she sang in a Gaelic choir.
Not a WAG like the other choristers,
former serving Tornado mechanic,
Hayley Fyfe has music in her blood.
She her tricky soprano solo in
‘Wherever You Are’ with accuracy
and beautiful emotion. The pressure
of singing such a well-known
and tricky solo never affects her
performance, and she never lets her
audience down.
Mezzo-soprano, Yvonne Bates, is
well known locally for her work in local
theatre and charity work for SSAFA.
She sings the War Songs (Vera Lynn)
solo with great emotion, and great
diction, using her stage training and
excellent stage presence to its fullest.
Adding power to the songs, are altos
Bianca Frost, Sarah Rodgers. Bianca has
a phenomenal range and power in
her voice, but prefers to sing alto. She
sings the solo in the War Songs (Vera
Lynn) Medley, in which she lets her
personality shine through and brings
her own blend of fun, enjoyment and
power to the song. Sarah sings a quiet
but pure alto with musical experience
(you have been rumbled Sarah). Her
solo in the choirs’ cover of Take That’s
‘Rule The World’ is a wonderfully simple,
understated performance, where her
lovely pure notes shine through.
Most recently the choir
performed at the British Legion Poppy
Appeal Launch at East Kirby Aviation
Centre, where the choir performed
for 30 minutes to over 200 people
(and had nearly the whole audience
singing along to the Vera Lynn
melody), and at the Boston Festival
of Remembrance, where they
supported the Boston Choral Society
performing five songs, one of which
the choirs combined for, which was a
magical experience. Other events the
choir have performed at have been
at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School
in Horncastle in support of SSAFA,
turning on the Boston Christmas
lights and Tattershall Christmas
lights, a charity fundraiser at Heroes
Bar, alongside the RAF Digby MWC
at the Sleaford Festival, the Armed
Forces Day at Boston, Help for Heroes
Bear-A-Q and at the Boston LIVES First
Responders Funday. They are even
planning ‘flash mobs’ in Lincoln where
they will ‘spontaneously’ perform.
Musical experience is not
necessary to join the choir; you
could be a highly experienced singer
or X-Factor dropout and still find a
place. We teach you to read music,
we help you develop your skills, and
you don’t even have to audition! The
only qualities you need are those
as a military wife (fiancée, girlfriend,
daughter) you will already have in
abundance, a ‘can do’ attitude (or ‘will
try’ at least), a willingness to get out
and make new friends, and a love
of music and fun. The girls meet
twice a week at the RAF Coningsby
Church, on Monday and again on
Wednesday, at 1830 for two hours of
socialising and singing. They prove
time and time again that, as one of
their signature songs say, they are
indeed, Stronger Together.
The Coningsby Roses MWC
can be contacted on coningsby@
militarywiveschoirs.org for booking
requests or for other information.
The next new intake night is in early
January, and details of this and of
other new intake nights and events
can be found via their facebook page
- ConingsbyMilitaryWivesChoir.
32
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PEOPLE & ACHIEVEMENTS ISSUE 4 2013
33
J.W.L. PERKINS & SON
E sta bli s h ed 192 0
Newsagent, Stationer,
Bookseller
also
Greeting Card Specialist
7 Market Place, Horncastle
Tel: 523291
R. WISBY
(FAMILY BUTCHER) LTD
We are a Traditional family Butchers
offering top quality products with polite
and courteous service. A warm welcome
to all our customers, please phone to
discuss your requirements.
Wragby Shop
01673 858968
Horncastle Shop
01507 527371
STATION
• Hot Pies and Food to go
• Bureau de Change on Demand
• Groceries, bread, Milk
• Fantastic Selection of Papers & Magazines
• Wines & Spirits
• Passport Check & Send Service
Post Office, Tattershall
Lincolnshire LN4 4LJ
Tel: 01526 342822
BONFIRE
NIGHT
T
he 7th of November heralded
the annual station bonfire and
fireworks display ably organised
by Survival Equipment Flight with the
help of Depth Support Squadron. The
fireworks were launched by Cadet
Corporal Tyler Spencer who was
granted the honour in recognition
of his sterling work in raising funds
for good causes over the year.
Food was laid on by
Catering Flight, some
of the profits of which,,
along with donations
raised on the night
by collectors will go
towards next year’s
event. An extra big
thank you is owed
to 17 (Coningsby)
ATC Sqn for helping
out with fundraising
and crowd control
on the night.
34
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CHARITY ISSUE 4 2013
EX REDS
COAST TO
COAST CYCLE
SQN LDR DUNC MASON, OC BBMF
AND FORMER RED ARROW SET OUT
TO CYCLE FROM COAST TO COAST
IN SUPPORT OF THE JON EGGING
TRUST. TOGETHER WITH 2 OTHER
EX-REDS AND EMMA EGGING,
THE WIDOW OF JON, THE TEAM
AIMED TO RAISE BOTH FUNDS AND
AWARENESS FOR THE CHARITY
SET UP TO GIVE DISADVANTAGED
YOUNG PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO ACHIEVE THEIR POTENTIAL
THROUGH GAINING ACCESS TO
A VARIETY OF INSPIRATIONAL
ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCING
THE THRILL OF FLIGHT.
T
hese young people are not
achieving their potentials because
of various negative factors in their
lives which are beyond their control. The
students the Trust supports often have
low self-esteem and confidence, they
lack role models, have limited horizons
and struggle with problems such as
bullying and in some cases would drop
out of education to become another
statistic of crime or unemployment
without initiatives such as this.
Setting off from St Bees in Cumbria,
I was travelling light with only a couple of
waterproof coats, a bivvy bag and first aid
kit in case we got in trouble and some
dry clothes and energy bars. At 1210hrs
on the 17th Sep 2013 we dipped our
wheels in the Atlantic and started riding.
The first hour saw us cycling down
tiny lanes that belied the terrain that
was to come but as we approached
Ennerdale Water the peaks of Lank Rigg
and Seatalian were rising into the clouds
to remind us that it wouldn’t be long
before we started climbing and we left
the metalled road and joined a decent
track that hugged the side of the lake.
We weren’t to know at this point that this
was the last decent track we would see
until it got dark!
The Lakes had seen a lot of rain in
the preceding days and it looked like the
hills would be throwing most of it at us!
We had been going just over 2 hours
and had covered just 17 miles when we
started to climb Black Sail Pass it was
evident that we wouldn’t be cycling for
a while, we’d be carrying the bikes and
the question going through my mind
was whether we’d get off the mountains
before it was dark! The terrain was so
steep and slippy that we had to set
up a shuttle run to carry the bikes to
the top of the hill. It was awkward and
very tiring, but we got to the saddle
just under an hour later and started the
steep and difficult descent into Wasdale.
It was going down the wet stony path
that I went over my handlebars not only
once, but twice (careless!) and the other
boys fell too. Nobody was badly hurt
though, just a few scratches and bruises
and we picked ourselves up and carried
on. By this time we all had sodden feet
and crossing the waterfall half way
down the descent meant that our feet
wouldn’t be wetter if we were stood in a
swimming pool!
We had about 2.5 hours of daylight
left. The question was, would we make
it down off the mountain before dark?
We had just under 4 miles to the bottom
of the valley on some of the most
challenging terrain available for a bike.
Our decision? We were all comfortable
with navigating at night and concluded
that if the worst came to the worst we
could leave the bikes and walk off the
hill if necessary. Press on! We managed
to ride some of the downhill sections
but a lot of the terrain meant pushing
or carrying the bike up the hill and soon
we were bantering about changing the
name of the challenge to the Ex Reds
Coast to Coast Mountain Bike Push!
As we began our final descent from
Rossett Pike into Langdale Fell we again
found ourselves carrying the bikes or
negotiating steep descents. I went over
the handlebars again for good measure
and everyone else had a tumble at some
point on this difficult descent. We entered
the valley of Langdale Fell in twilight,
but in the distance we could see a very
welcome sight. The support wagon. And
that meant our first cup of tea in what
was now nearly 8 hours of riding! We
cycled into Ambleside at 2045hrs having
been cycling for 8 hours 40 minutes. A
bath, a bite to eat, a pint and then to bed
as we knew that day 2 was going to be
even bigger! Everyone was delighted
when I told them that they were to be
ready to go at 0615 the following day and
that we were starting with a big ascent!
Everyone was out and ready to go at
0615 (even Emma…). The support team
had cleaned the bikes the night before
and had everything looking like new.
None of us had slept particularly well, the
boys all having woken about 4ish.
We cycled out of Ambleside down
the side of Windermere on a lovely
morning with mist lying over the lake
but no wind, and happily no rain! We
stopped at Troutbeck for breakfast before
setting off up Moor Head. We couldn’t
find the path initially and any thought
of keeping dry feet were scuppered
when we traversed up a hill to get
back to what was the path. All of us
ended up shin deep in mud and so
gained the path with the prospect of
another day of wet feet ahead. The
climb itself was on an old mining
track and was, in contrast to the
previous day, ride-able on the bike,
but it was very hard going, with a
proper burn being felt in both the
legs and the lungs! The climb up
from Low Barrowdale to Belt Howe
was again a push and a carry, but
provided a fast downhill section to
arrive at the M6 where we stopped
for lunch at the 25 mile point and 5
hours of riding.
We stopped only for 20 minutes,
enough to down a hot meal, and
then off again, out of the Lake District
through Tebay and onwards and
Eastwards towards Ravenstonedale.
Another quick cuppa here (we were
doing much better for tea today!!)
before going up into the Yorkshire
Dales, heading towards the high
hills at Woofergill. The track became
very sparse and boggy and in some
places, non-existent, and as we
approached the river we found that
the bridge that had once crossed it
had now gone. Going back through
the quagmire and traversing around
would put us way behind a schedule
we were already behind and it
was extremely tough going, so we
elected to cross the river before
having to push the bikes up a steep
incline to find the line of the woods
and eventually up to the path that
would take us to Tan Hill Inn, the
highest pub in England. We arrived at
the pub after 10 hours in the saddle
and decided that not only would we
have a cuppa here, but a swift beer
too, to bolster the spirits. We had
covered just over 48 miles of the 85
we wanted to ride that day. Finishing
the planned route was going to be a
tall order. Happily, being the highest
pub in England meant that we were
now going downhill. Fast. We hit
43 mph on the stretch between
Tan Hill Inn and Reeth, covering the
distance of 12 miles in just over 20
minutes! This was to be the fastest
stretch of the whole ride! Because
we had been going so long, the
GPS ran out of batteries at this point
and we had to follow the support
wagon for navigation along the small
tarmacked roads to Brompton. On
arriving at Brompton at 2030hrs we
had spent 14 hours in the saddle and
35
had traversed across the Eastern side
of the Lake District, over the Yorkshire
Dales and positioned ourselves
on the Western side of the North
Yorkshire Moors. We cycled over 85
miles and climbed over 10500ft! This
is undoubtedly the hardest days
cycling any of us had ever done! We
got the bikes in the wagon and drove
back to the pub we were staying
at for a pint of Black Sheep, a pie, a
shower and bed!
We were cycling again by
0655hrs heading up to the base of
the first big climb of the day. It was
clear from looking West that we were
in for a very wet day. We began the
long climb onto the ridge. Although
steep and wet, it was ride-able and
after a 45 minute climb through
Arncliffe Wood we were rewarded
with a steep but fast downhill
section in the now pouring rain.
From there it was a really good track
that coasted downhill through the
woods, across fields and onto small
single track roads. It was some of the
most enjoyable riding we’d had yet,
even though we were knackered
and wet! It couldn’t last though and
as we approached Wath, we were
off and pushing the bikes up a very
steep muddy climb beneath Barkers
Crags before finding a more ride-able
track. After just under 4 hours we had
achieved just over 19 miles. When
Angus and Sam arrived around
the corner, they had brought with
them the best bacon baguettes ever
created. I can honestly say that I have
never had a bacon sandwich as good
as that one! We were about to leave
any semblance of civilisation and get
properly onto the top of the moors.
It was going to be very exposed.
Soon after leaving the wagon we
were back to pushing up hill again
up a 400ft incline before picking up
the mining track on top of Urra Moor
and progressing to the top of Round
Hill in thick fog with a strong breeze
in our faces and driving rain. After a
further 2 hours up on the moors, we
found the support wagon and lunch
at about 1300hrs. The afternoon took
us across Danby High Moor and over
Glaisdale Moor and onto Glaisdale
Rigg and down into Glaisdale itself.
Morale was building now as we
knew we had the worst behind us
and were nearly there. We had been
going 7 hours and were 38 miles
in, but with mostly metalled roads
ahead, the going should get better.
We started down the incredibly
steep hill down to Grosmont, which
we worked out translated as ‘Big
Hill’. We hit 47 miles an hour down
the hill into the village but realised
that the downhill part of Grosmont
was not the only hill. We started up
a 25% gradient which set the scene
for no less than 4 25% climbs in the
next hour, of differing distances. As
we got to the bottom of the hill at
Sleights, we knew this was the last
climb, although it was a big one
to the top of Ugglebarnby Moor.
A mile and half, starting at 25%
gradient and then easing off toward
the top to a mere 15%!!
Once gathered at the top
with a new found energy in our
legs for the last 7 miles to Robin
Hoods Bay. As we cruised down the
hill at high speed at Fylingthorpe,
we were a little disbelieving that
we were actually going to make it.
Remarkably, for the final 10 miles,
the weather had cleared and as we
reached the North Sea and with
enormous grins, dipped our wheels
in the water, the sun shone down
and there was hardly a cloud in
the sky. After some hugs, pictures
and having stowed the bikes away,
we had a few pints, and sat in the
sun. We had cycled over 175 miles,
climbed 21,500ft and achieved it in
52 hours almost to the minute!
HELP US REACH OUR £10,000
TARGET BY SPONSORING US AT:
http://www.justgiving.com/
teams/ExRedC2C
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Registered Charity No. 1017501
36
onetoone
FORCE DEVELOPMENT ISSUE 4 2013
reception being held by the British
Ambassador to Luxembourg, Alice
Walpole. On arrival, wearing No 1
uniforms, at the Ambassador’s
Residence we were given our duties,
which largely involved the welcoming
and ushering of the guests which
included two Ambassadors, the
UK Defence Attaché, four RAF
Air Marshalls, two RAF Air Vice
Marshalls and senior members of
the Luxembourg Armed Forces.
After our duties had been satisfied
we were invited to enjoy a glass of
champagne and had an opportunity
to chat with representatives from
RAFA Luxembourg and other
branches of the Armed Forces who
were also in attendance, which was
really interesting. As the reception
drew to a close, the SEngO later
described the panic he felt when
he looked up to see the British
Ambassador stood in group of 7 SACs
all sipping champagne and in deep
conversation; he was less reassured
when he later found out she had
been suggesting a number of venues
EXERCISE
LUXEMBOURG
MEMORIAL
T
BY SGT T. HALFORD
ON 17 OCTOBER, MYSELF AND 15 OTHER
REPRESENTATIVES FROM RAF CONINGSBY’S
TYPHOON MAINTENANCE FACILITY AND MISSION
SUPPORT CENTRE WENT TO LUXEMBOURG TO
REMEMBER BRITISH AND COMMONWEALTH
SERVICEMEN WHO DIED IN THE GRAND DUCHY
DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR.
ravelling by minibus via the Eurostar
to Luxembourg, we took the
opportunity to visit Ypres and to pay
our respects at the Menin Gate Memorial.
We arrived in Ypres in the early evening,
checked into our hotel where the SEngO
and Flt Sgt discovered that whilst there
were certainly two beds in the twin
room they were sharing, the room was
so small they could not actually push
them apart; the SEngO insisted FS Jeffery
had the extra pillow to cuddle to prevent
any awkward encounters.
The whole party then headed
straight out to explore Ypres. The Menin
Gate Memorial in Ypres is dedicated to
the British and Commonwealth soldiers of
World War I whose graves are not known.
The memorial marks the beginning of
one of the main roads that led Allied
soldiers to the front line.
I was unsure what it would be like
before we got there, but walking through
the Hall of Memories, I was staggered by
the number of names on the walls (over
54,000 I later discovered). It occurred
to me that it was a place that my Great
Grandfather would likely have marched
through on his way to Passchendaele and
I was grateful for the opportunity to stand
in the place he might have been. In fact
one of our party, Sgt Phil Lincoln, was able
to find and photograph the inscription to
his grandfather.
After paying our respects at the
memorial itself, two of our party had
prepared a short brief about Menin Gate
and its historical significance; we then
attended a Last Post ceremony. The Last
Post ceremonies are held daily at 8pm
by the citizens of Ypres and are ordinarily
performed by the local Fire Brigade but
on this occasion they were accompanied
by a parade of 40 members of the British
Army Intelligence Corps. It was again
amazing to see approximately 300 people
gather to watch this daily event with
school parties from the UK, Holland and
France in the crowd.
The next morning before we
continued on our journey to Luxembourg
we went to the ‘In Flanders Museum’
where we saw WWI photographs,
uniforms and some of their personal
stories. It was a fascinating and worthwhile
visit. Sadly we could not stay for long as
we had to continue on our journey.
We arrived in Luxembourg in late
afternoon and got ready to go to the
37
that her daughters used to ‘socialise’ in
which she thought we might enjoy if
we wanted to continue our evening
(interestingly, when asked by one
of the SACs if her daughters would
be out that evening, she informed
the group that ALL of her daughters
were away for the weekend).
However, she was spot on with her
recommendations of where a visitor
to Luxembourg may want to visit, or
so I’m told.
On Saturday morning SAC
Liam Atkinson, who was entrusted
with ensuring the party was awake
in time, spent most of the night
worrying about sleeping in but luckily
overcame this and made sure we
were all ready. We travelled by coach
to join the VIPs, RAFA members and
local dignitaries at a wreath laying
ceremony in Hollerich where six RAF
personnel were buried, including
the crew of a Stirling Bomber who
died when their aircraft crashed near
Koerich after being hit by German
flak. This event involved the RAF
Coningsby contingent undertaking a
range of duties from wreath handling,
where SAC Matt Griffin kept getting
mixed up with his VIPs and giving
the wrong wreath to the wrong 4
Star, whilst the remainder of the party
acted as Guard of Honour; the SEngO
was later heard complaining about
how stiff he had got holding the
salute for the full 2 Minutes Silence.
We then proceeded to Marscherwald
to a site where an RAF Halifax bomber
was shot down in August 1943. Three
crew members were killed and four
survived of which one was captured
by German forces and the remaining
three were hidden by the local
population and eventually returned
home. Because of its remote location,
only a small group could attend the
crash site itself but again members
of the RAF contingent provided
the Honour Guard. At the crash
site, wreaths were laid and a small
ceremony was held.
After the visit to the crash site,
the full party moved to the town of
Marscherwald where the community
had gathered again for a memorial
event not only for the downed RAF
airman but also those locals killed
or forced into military service by the
Nazi occupiers. This was a larger
event with more wreath laying at
the memorial in Marscherwald and
culminated in the Coningsby party
parading and Marching Past the
Memorial and VIPs accompanied
b the
by
h Marscherwald
h
ld town b
band.
d
Despite some problems with the
SNCOs struggling to remember which
was left and which was right, the
event was a huge success and was
extremely well received by the local
community. At a reception in the local
community centre the families of the
Marscherwald citizens involved in
rescuing, nursing and concealing the
servicemen gave an inspiring account
of what happened and presented
an information board that was to be
placed at the crash site of the Halifax.
We returned to the hotel in
Luxembourg where we prepared
for the RAFA Wings Ball. When we
arrived we were seated at tables
with an interesting variety of people
all of whom made the Coningsby
contingent very welcome. Members
of our group were again involved in
fundraising by selling raffle tickets all in
aid of RAFA raising an impressive 4000
Euros. Although most of our party
didn’t partake, we certainly witnessed
some dancing and it was a fitting end
to a rewarding weekend.
The trip to Luxembourg was
deemed a resounding success by all
the party; from the poignant trip to the
Menin Gate and Flanders Museum, to
hearing of the often forgotten heroism
of the Resistance who risked the lives
of themselves and also their families to
help save the lives of RAF airmen. The
people of Luxembourg have clearly
not forgotten WWII and the sacrifices
made to free them from occupation,
but it was a real honour for the RAF
Coningsby party to be able to honour
the fallen of both the RAF but also
population of a beautiful but brave
little country.
38
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SPORT ISSUE 4 2013
2013
STATION
started in Jan 13, seeing them progress
through considerable strength and
conditioning programmes to ensure
a high level of physical preparedness.
WO Damian Clayton (MT) had the
prestigious honour of coaching the GB
Armed Forces World Cup side.
SPORTING
ROUNDUP
BY FLT LT CHRIS WILLIAMS
ALTHOUGH SPORTS ARE NORMALLY ALL ABOUT
SEASONS RATHER THAN YEARS; THE FESTIVE
PERIOD IS ALWAYS A GREAT TIME TO TAKE STOCK
AND LOOK BACK AT THE PAST 12 MONTHS.
AS THE STATION TRAINING OFFICER (WHICH
ENCAPSULATES THE TRADITIONAL OFFICER
COMMANDING PHYSICAL EDUCATION ROLE) I’D
LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU A ‘SNAPSHOT LOOK’ AT
RAF CONINGSBY’S SPORTING CLUB HIGHLIGHTS
FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR OF 2013.
S
TRIIIIKEEE! An all familiar
sound that’s been heard at
numerous bowling centres
across the UK and Europe as
bowlers from Coningsby plight
their passion in representation of
both the station, the RAF and in
some cases their country. 2013 has
seen Chf Tech Tony Lee (CAMO)
and Cpl Chris Jaap (GSS), represent
both the RAF and Wales; whilst WO
Paul Maddock (Typh IPT) and FS
Chris Quilter (GEF), have been part
of the RAF’s Development Squad;
competing as well as nurturing the
junior members on route to the full
RAF squad.
In highlighting the major
achievements of the Coningsby side
both Chf Tech Lee and Cpl Jaap were
part of the RAF Red Team that won
the highly contested Composite Team
event at this RAF Championships
whilst finishing 6th at the European
Corporate Championships. In addition
to this WO Maddock formed one of
a development squad pairing that
in March this year won the Division
B Doubles event at the National
Championships. Together with FS
Quilter WO Maddock was a member
of the Development Squad that won
both sport and the divisional awards
as well as a haul of medals at the UK
Corporate Games in July.
The Station team have figured
well in a number of events; not least
2nd handicap and 1st scratch in
the RAF Fours as well as a number
of successes at this years 50th RAF
Championships with Maddock &
Quilter winning the doubles and Lee
and Jaap finishing 2nd in the team
event. In all the events attended scoring
has been high, with all Coningsby
bowlers hitting in excess, or very close
to, 200 averages; the highest of the lot
being Tony Lee’s 233 at the European
Corporate Championships that saw
him finish 7th in the rankings of the
400+ bowlers that took part.
In 2014 the squad look to
maintain and surpass the achievements
of 2013; indeed the season has already
started well with successes at the RAF
Championships. All 4 of the above
mentioned players have once again
been selected for their representative
teams; Lee and Maddock also
managing the RAF and Development
squads respectively.
RAF Coningsby dispatched a
strong continent to the annual Ski
and Snowboard Championships in
Austria, Jan 13. From those participants
Cpl Rathbone and SAC Mather
were selected to represent the RAF
at the inter-Service competition in
Meribel. It was their first year at the
inter-Services competition and they
played a key role in point scoring for
all 3 events: Boardercross, Slalom and
Slopestyle. For some the competition
element has not stopped; SAC Mather
represented Coningsby at the Indoor
Championships at Castleford in Sep
13 where he was placed 1st at the
Slopestyle event and is a frequent
winner of the North v South RAF
Snowboarding Super League.
RAF Coningsby has a large
snowboarding contingent; the North
v South competitions, held monthly
at various Snowzones, are well
represented by Coningsby personnel.
These events are organised by the RAF
Snowboarding Events Co-ordinator,
SAC Mather, and the events are open
to all riders within the RAF. The event
has the aim of promoting year-round
interest in the sport whilst improving
the standard of riding whilst providing
an opportunity to push individuals
to their limits in a competitive and
controlled environment.
As we look ahead to the winter
season Coningsby will once again
have excellent representation within
the RAF Snowboard Squad and the
chances of representation going
beyond Station level is high. There is
hope that Coningsby personnel will
be selected to represent the RAF
at the forthcoming inter-Service
competition and results dependant;
they may be selected to represent
the Combined Services at the 2014
British Snowboard Championships.
The 2014 Ski and Snowboard
Championships will once again host
the Australian Defence Force as they
return to Saalbach Hinterglem to
participate in the RAF competitions,
rather than to Tignes with the Royal
Navy. For those Coningsby personnel
who are participating at the 2014
Championships we now have
the opportunity for an additional
international competition which will
make for a tougher competition and
raise the competitive standards of both
skiers and riders alike.
RAF Coningsby’s Running Club
has had an excellent sporting year, the
team “cleaned up” in the Lincolnshire
Services Cross Country League
(LSCCL), The Mens A, B and C teams
were 1st in the respective team
comps and 1st Male LSSCL, 2nd Vet B
(50 plus) 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 8th Senior
male (18-39).
The RAF XC Champs at Halton
saw Coningsby collect more silverware
with SAC Sam Mitchell the 2013 RAF
XC Champ and the team scooping the
Inter-Station trophy for the first time
since 1986. Inter Service XC saw 2 of
Coningsby team runners representing
the RAF, with SAC Mitchell 2nd and
Cpl Bailey 15th Overall, aiding the RAF
Team to an IS win.
The London Marathon saw Cpl
Bailey competing again for the RAF and
finishing in 2:40, Sgt Plant made his debut
at Marathon Distance with a credible 3:01.
Coningsby also competed in the
Lincolnshire Road Racing League (LSRRL),
with trophies for 1st and 3rd Senior Male
(Sgt Plant and SAC Gambrill) 1st Senior
Lady (Cpl Barnes) and 6th Male Vet A (4049) Sgt Willey adding to the haul for ’13.
Coningsby runners also compete
at various RAF and Civilian races, notably
the Benson 7 mile RR, Honington 10k and
Henlow 10 mile RR. Cpl Ian Bailey finished
2nd overall at the Honington 10 and SAC
Sam Mitchell won the Henlow 10 in 2013
with an impressive finish time of 54mins.
RAF Coningsby running Club
welcomes runners of all abilities and
distances from 5k to Ultra Marathon.
This year the RAF Coningsby Rugby
Club has seen 7 of its players represent
the RAF at all levels and 2 at Combined
Services level and 2 representing the GB
Armed Forces World Cup side.
SAC Jordon Andrade was selected
to play Rugby League for the RAF Senior
team and has also been selected for the
Combined Services side; culminating in his
selection for the GB Armed Forces World
Cup side along with Cpl Nathan Parker.
Both players established themselves as
RAF 1st XIII players and warranted their
selection for this fantastic event. The
World Cup was hosted by Combined
Services Rugby League and was played
at Colchester Garrison in early Jul 13.
SAC(T) Andrade’s performance against
Australia is worthy of special mention,
demonstrating exceptional courage and
playing ability. Both players commitment
and determination to make the squad
Cpl John Ledger and SAC Adam
Flintham were selected to represent
the RAF Senior side at Rugby League.
This saw them play in all Combined
Services fixtures; beating the Navy
at Cranwell on a wet Sept evening.
Unfortunately it was not enough to
stop the Army taking the trophy for
2013. SAC Daniel Gibbons represented
the RAF U23’s and stood in at short
notice to help out the RAF Veterans
presidents XV at Kersteven. This was a
bit of a step up for the youngster who
was not used to playing with such
greats of the rugby field. Age and
treachery will always be the undoing
of youth and speed.
SAC’s Fraser Welsh and Sam
Smith were selected to represent
the RAF Hawks U20 XV and also
represented the RAF Eagles
Divisional side.
Coningsby also had SAC’s Jason
Phillps, John Watt, Joe Gray and Ryan
Batchelor selected for the RAF Eagles
Divisional rugby XV side. This team
is made up of the best players from
Coningsby, Cranwell, Digby, Scampton,
Honington and Waddington; players
attend a 2 day training camp before
being selected to play at Halton over a
3 day event which establishes the best
divisional team in the RAF. Out of the
25 man squad Coningsby provided 6
personnel who played in all 5 matches.
The RAF Eagles side is
managed and coached by
Sgt Kev Wynn (QCIT) who
is also the coach of the
Coningsby Panthers XV.
From Rugby League to Union
RAF Coningsby was integral in keeping
grass roots rugby alive across the
board with some exceptional talent
showing through. The individuals
above have shown a fantastic work
ethic and willingness to push that little
harder than the rest which has reaped
much deserved rewards. Coningsby’s
Rugby Team hope to build on this
success in the coming season and
hope to regain the RAF RL Inter Station
Cup lost this year for the first time in 3
years. Rugby Union wise we hope to
see more new players turn out for the
Station and help get Coningsby back
to the forefront of rugby in the RAF. What a season for the RAF
Coningsby Football Club (FC). RAF
Coningsby FC entered 4 competitions
during the calendar year season and
won them all.
The hard work which lead to this
success started way back in July 12 as
the squad began pre-season training.
The manager, Cpl Graeme Hodgson
(LS), put a lot of hard work into getting
the Station players comfortable on
the ball, he also ensured the hard
miles were put in to bring the players
fitness levels up to scratch. This was
fundamental in maintaining the ‘high
tempo’ game plan used throughout
the season.
After an unconvincing start;
an away defeat, a home draw and
then a 5-0 away win at local rivals
Waddington, the team embarked on
an impressive 10 game unbeaten run
in all competitions, a feat that was set
to continue.
This excellent run of form
enabled progression through the RAF
Challenge Cup group stages; the team
m
amassed an incredible 21 goals whilst
conceding only 2 over 3 games to
ensure passage through to the RAF
Challenge Cup Quarter final.
The RAF Challenge Cup Quarter
Final win over RAF Brampton booked
Coningsby a place in the Semi-Final,
away, at RAF Leeming. A last minute
winner from SAC Green sent the
Station through to the RAF FA’s
prestigious Final.
The Club secured
the Lincolnshire Services
Association Football League
(LSAFL) Division 1 title,
the LSAFL League
39
Cup, the RAF 5-a-side ‘Festival of
Football’ trophy before beating RAF
Lossiemouth in the RAF Challenge
Cup final 2-0; which was held at RAF
Cranwell in May 13.
An unprecedented 4 trophy haul
was a great reward for all the efforts
players and staff put into the season.
RAF Coningsby continues to supply
players for both the RAF U23 Mens and
RAF Senior Mens Football sides with
SAC Jack Debnam also representing
the Combined Services team.
All of these sporting
achievements wouldn’t be possible
without the continued support of
sporting personnel’s Line Managers.
The release of these players is key to
providing an inducement to physical
fitness which in turn contributes to
military effectiveness by encouraging
personal qualities such as courage,
resilience and esprit de corps.
On a personal note I’d like to
thank all of the staff within MT Flight
and especially WO Clayton who
continues to provide a first class travel
service to all of our teams and sporting
representatives. Without Mr Clayton
and his staff’s support many of our
fixtures would be unable to take place.
As incumbent in the role of Officer
Commanding Physical Education I’d
like to thank MT Flight on behalf of
the entire sporting fraternity here at
Coningsby for their continued support
and faultless service.
40
SPORT ISSUE 4 2013
ICE HOCKEY
TRI-SERVICE
CHAMPIONSHIPS
BY CPL KARL ELLIOTT
ALL THE ICE HOCKEY
TEAMS WITHIN THE
ARMY, NAVY AND
RAF CONVERGED ON
SHEFFIELD FOR THE
ANNUAL TRI SERVICE
CHAMPIONSHIPS.
DUE TO THE CURRENT
HIGH OPERATIONAL
TEMPO, LESS TEAMS
TOOK PART THAN
NORMAL, BUT 11
SQUADS STILL
MANAGED TO TAKE
TO THE ICE.
T
he standard was high with
some teams boasting semipro English National Ice
Hockey League players amongst
their ranks. The format involved
teams representing Corps, Bases,
Units or regions from of each of
the three Services playing each
other in a preliminary league
competition. League positions
then determined who competed
in a playoff for the Cup. The RAF
managed to field 5 teams this
year: RAF Scotland (a combination
of the Lossiemouth Jets and the
Leuchars Knights), the Benson and
Brize Bluewings, RAF Cosford Stars
and RAF Eastern Crusade (who
were large enough to enter 2 full
teams).
RAF Eastern Crusade are a club
based at Peterborough Ice Rink and
represent all RAF bases in the East of
onetoone
COMPETITION
England. Drawing from Coningsby,
Waddington, Wittering, Marham
and a number other smaller bases
in between, the team have evolved
from the perennial whippings boys
of Services Ice Hockey, to emerge as
regular trophy winners and a wellrespected developer of new players.
When the trawl for available
players took place, it soon became
apparent that the club would be in the
luxurious position of having more than
enough players to enter 2 teams. The
problem faced by management now
was who would make the ‘A team’. This
proved very difficult due to the calibre
of players available, most of whom
were easily good enough to represent
the first team. The decision was made
to put out 2 evenly matched teams
that could both be competitive. One
would be called RAF Eastern, the other
RAF Crusade. Airman 1st Class Anthony
Poissant (RAF Lakenheath) captained
Eastern, Corporal Karl Elliott (RAF
Coningsby) captained Crusade. There
was a concern that we were ‘watering
down’ what could be a very strong first
team, but we agreed that team spirit
was more important, and we went
ahead regardless, hoping to meet each
other in the final.
The first day saw all the teams
split into 2 groups. RAF Eastern and RAF
Crusade were fortunate to avoid each
other in the group league. Each team
set about their separate campaigns,
with a shared goal of bringing the
Cup back to Peterborough. After
an explanation of how the group
positioning effected playoff match
ups, it was soon evident that the best
way for Eastern and Crusade to avoid
each other was to simply win their
respective groups. Simple! Not quite,
especially after Eastern began with
2-1 loss to a very fit Royal Marines side.
Crusade started with a bang, leaving
the Royal Navy all at sea with a 12-1
thumping. Both teams went from
strength to strength, with Eastern
winning the remainder of their games,
and Crusade winning all save a 2-2
draw against the Army Allstars. This
left both teams top of their respective
groups as hoped for. Most importantly
they were in separate quarter finals,
meaning they could only meet in the
final. The way both teams were playing
a final playoff was a likely bet.
of the game but the Army team posed a
constant threat from breakaways. It was
tense stuff, as any mistake could cost the
team dearly. They conceded against the
run of play, but remained calm and kept
probing at the Army defence, keeping play
mostly in the opposition zone. Always
ones for drama, it was 2 late goals from
Sgt McDonald (RAF Waddington) that
sealed the victory and RAF Crusade were
crowned Tri-Service 2013 champions!
RAF Eastern eventually come 4th overall
meaning the trip back down the A1 could
be conducted with heads held high after a
fantastic club achievement.
RAF Eastern took on an RAF
Scotland team not short on talent,
but unfortunately, short on players.
The pace and intensity of Eastern’s
play proved too much for the Scottish
team who conceded 3 goals to
one. RAF Crusade faced the newest
addition to Tri Service Ice Hockey,
the Sappers. Possibly the worst
performance of the tournament from
Crusade left the team 1 goal down
with a minute left to play. Coach, Sgt
Marcus Barnes (RAF Marham), made
the decision to pull the goalie, leaving
us with and empty net, but with one
extra man on the ice. Good possession
was key with this strategy, and all the
play was contained to the Sappers
end of the rink. With the boisterous
crowd on the edge of their seats,
the equalizing goal came with just
15 seconds left on the clock. It was
now down to penalty shots to decide
the tie. Crusade were able to seal the
victory with 2 penalty shots to 1.
Ice Hockey is a growing recognised
sport in the RAF, and players of all levels are
welcome. If anyone with previous Ice or
Roller Hockey experience, or feels they are
a strong skater, get in touch.
CPL Guscott x8156 or SAC Dunn x7239
So on the semi finals. Eastern
faced CCS Army Chieftains. Crusade
faced the Army Allstars (who they
failed to beat in the group stages).
Crusade had really zeroed in their
shooting by this point and swept
the opposition aside 6-2 to make the
final. Eastern dominated CCS Army
Chieftains, but mistakes cost them
dearly, and they went down 4-1. The
final score was not a true reflection of
the game at all but the dream of an all
RAF Eastern Crusade final was over.
RAF Crusade focused their
thoughts towards their Cup final
opponents, the CCS Army Chieftains.
Crusade had already beaten them 2-1
in the group stages, but were painfully
aware that they had been outplayed
in that game and had benefitted
from some dubious refereeing
decisions. Knowing that Army teams
are extremely strong and fit, the
players knew they had to dig deep. A
promising start put them in control
RAF EASTERN RESULTS:
GROUP:
Lost to Marines 2-1
Beat Army Chieftains 13-1
Beat RAF Bluewings 2-1
Beat Army Sappers 4-1
PLAYOFFS:
¼ FINAL:
Beat RAF Scotland 3-1
SEMI FINAL:
Lost to CCS Chieftains 4-1
3RD PLACE MATCH:
Lost to Army Allstars 6-5
RAF CRUSADE RESULTS:
GROUP:
Beat Navy general service 12-1
Beat RAF Scotland 6-1
Beat CCS Chieftains 2-1
Drew with Army Allstars 2-2
Beat RAF Cosford 13-0
PLAYOFFS:
¼ FINAL:
Drew 2-2 with Army Sappers.
Won shootout 2-1
SEMI FINAL:
Beat Army Allstars 6-1
FINAL:
Beat CCS Chieftains A 2-1
41
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
ONCE AGAIN
CONINGSBY’S
AWARD WINNING
PHOTOGRAPHIC
SECTION HAVE
ALTERED ONE OF
THESE IMAGES.
f you think you know how many
differences there are, email the
editior of the OnetoOne magazine
(CON-GMB-121 Editor) stating the
number you can spot. Be warned,
some of them are pretty subtle.
I
prestigious prize of a limited edition
Royal Air Force hat. Up for grabs this
time is a fabulous Royal Air Force
Official Calendar*. All competition
entries must be received before
Monday 20th of January 2014.
Mr Les Anderson of the Visiting
Aircraft Handling Flight was the lucky
winner of the last competition. He
was thoroughly overwhelmed by his
*No, not a 2013 calendar
you cynics. An actual 2014 version
featuring all the latest and greatest
aircraft (and Tornado).
42
onetoone
ISSUE 4 2013
Lincolnshire Course 4-12
Wadd = Waddington
Con = Coningsby
THANK
YOU
FOR
YOUR
SUPPORT
We are happy to discuss putting
on courses at a place and time
that suits you
ILM Leadership and Management award level 2 £175
3 - 4 Feb Wadd
ILM Leadership & Management award level 3 £750 & level 5 £950
10 - 13 Feb Wadd
ILM Coaching award level 3 including NLP Practitioner £1500
ILM Coaching award level 5 including NLP Practitioner £1700
NLP Practitioner only (not ELC eligible) £895
3 - 7 Mar (Part 1) Wadd
31 Mar - 4 April (Part 2) Wadd
Starting an On-line Business & ILM Enterprise & Entrepreneurship level 3 £1500
12 - 16 May Wadd
Continuous Improvement Manager £2200
24 - 25 Feb (Part 1) Con
24 - 25 Mar (Part 2) Con
£250 discount
if 2 courses
are booked
together
We are fully approved so you can use SLC’s, ELC’s or Resettlement grants to fund training
For further info contact your Learning Centre or Andy Greene
Inspired2Be on 01522 501886 or email info@inspired2Be.com www.inspired2be.com
P.J.B
Clock
Repairs
116 West St.
Boston, Lincs
PE21 8QZ
Telephone:
01205 361555
Alan Tittershill
Gas Services Engineer
Natural Gas,
LPG and Oil
Appliances,
Landlord Safety
Certificates,
Install, Service,
Repair, System
Power Flushing,
Heating &
Plumbing
26376 Maintenance 303251
Business Mobile: 07908 961155
Home Number: 01526 343598
Broken, leaking or blocked
guttering at your home or
business? Conservatory roof
needing cleaning or fixing?
Don’t know who to call?
GUTTERCLEANSE
CAN HELP!
• Emergency callout • Gutters cleaned
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Full Public Liability Insurance
No job too small or too big
Call Dave
01529 410380 07877 362941
Dry Cleaners
www.justjillsalternativeremedies.co.uk
GILLIAN R ROBINSON
HMD. DI.HOM. F.B.I.H.
Homeopathic Practitioner
Alternative Remedies
Health Food Shop
Postal Service Available
12 The Broadway, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire
Tel: Shop 01526 353 794 Home: 01526 353 417
Email: info@justjillsalternativeremedies.co.uk
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
Penny’s Place
Cottage Cafe
39 Sliver Street, Coningsby, Lincs, LN4 4SY
Open 8am till 4pm
Monday to Saturday
Breakfast served
ALL day.
Home cooked lunches
served between
12 pm and 2pm
A wide choices of All Day Breakfast
A wide choice of light lunches, snacks,
mouth watering cakes and pastries
available throughout the day
All our food is locally sourced and
freshly made for your pleasure
to eat in or take away
Wishing you a prosperous New
Year from Penny and all staff.
Home delivery service now available
We now take debit cards
Contact 01526 342122
75-77 High Street, Coningsby, Lincs. LN4 4RB
Telephone: 01526 344414
CHRISTMAS GIFT SETS NOW
AVAILABLE IN BOTH HAIR &
BEAUTY PRODUCTS.
These gift sets are now in stock
and are an excellent idea for that
special Christmas present.
Do not delay contact Cherries
now as these gifts are available
to purchase from the Salon.
Golden Dragon
Chinese Restaurant
Opening Times:
Tues - Sun 5.30pm - 10pm
15 THE BROADWAY,
WOODHALL SPA,
LINCS LN10 6ST
Tel: 01526 352148
POYNTON’S
SHOES
The
King’s Arms
18 HIGH STREET
HORNCASTLE LN9 5BL
Church Road • Martin Dales
• Woodhall Spa
Lincolnshire • LN10 6XZ
01507 522582
Tel: 01526 352 633
A surprising selection of
footwear for all the family.
Also Clarks’ childrens
shoes fitted by trained
staff.
www.poyntonsshoes.co.uk
Riverside Pub
Evening meals available
Traditional Sunday lunch
Themed evenings including Quiz
Nights & Bingo
Local Historical Attractions
nearby
Mark and Lynda Limb
43