onetoone ISSUE 4 2020 THE RAF CONINGSBY JOURNAL
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onetoone
ISSU
E 4
2020
THE RAF CONINGSBY JOURNAL
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onetoone4 5CONTENTS ISSUE 4 2020
Stn Cdr’s ForewordGroup Captain Matt Peterson
Editor’s Foreword • Flt Lt Laura SmithEditorial & Distribution Team ISSUE 4 2020
onetoone
AS WE MOVE INTO THE WINTER PERIOD, I WISH TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN THE ESSENTIAL OUTPUTS OF THE STATION.
B ack in February, when I took over the role of One to One Editor, I had no idea that the theme of each of this
year’s magazines would be largely taken over by a global pandemic; I’m pretty sure that wasn’t in the small print when I signed up for the job! I must say though, the RAF Coningsby community has pulled out the stops and delivered some excellent articles, showcasing what we can actually achieve in the face of adversity. This will be my last magazine as One to One Editor, as I move on to pastures new in January. Although I won’t miss the situation the global pandemic has put us in, I will miss reading what you’ve
all been getting up to, even if most of your articles drop into my inbox the day before the deadline! I hand the magazine over into the capable hands of Flt Lt James Hodgon who will take it forward into 2021, where we hope to start producing an online version of the One to One, hopefully giving more people the opportunity to enjoy it. Good luck James! Hopefully normality will resume in due course and people can get back to writing about Adventurous Training expeditions and overseas visits! I hope you all stay safe over this festive period – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Flt Lt Laura Smith
WELL, WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY BIZARRE YEAR THIS HAS BEEN.
EditorFlt Lt Laura Smith
Deputy EditorFg Off Claire Kelly
DistributionLead: SAC Calum Taylor
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This year’s challenges have been unprecedented, complex and not
without personal as well as professional impacts. Your herculean dedication in spite of these challenges has been recognised at the very highest levels of Defence and is testament to the selfless character of our unique station.
Much of these superb feats and endeavours are reflected in the inspiring stories contained in the pages of this edition. From the continued graduations of OpCon students on 29 Sqn; to the exceptionally successful visit by both our Secretary of State and His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister of the State of Qatar and Minister of Defence, to formally open 12 Sqn; as well as a whole host of fantastic initiatives that contribute to the rich fabric of our community. The importance of these latter elements have been brought into sharp focus during COVID where our opportunities to socialise internally and externally, and develop those essential links with our neighbours, have been severely limited. I am therefore extremely grateful to you all for those innovative ways in which you have continued
to deliver a degree of this throughout; it has undoubtedly helped keep us slightly closer together in difficult times, but I entirely recognise that sadly we will not be able to go back to our previous level of activity for some time.
Finally, in this her last edition before a posting to OACTU at RAF Cranwell, I want to publicly thank our OnetoOne Editor Flt Lt Laura Smith for her exceptional efforts - not least in continuing to produce this magazine throughout COVID!
It also allows me to welcome Flt Lt James Hodgon, from 29 Sqn, to the role. In response to your comments, I have challenged James to continue Laura’s great work to date and seek to take this product online; therefore, I very much look forward to seeing the results of this transition next year, hopefully along with an ever increasing readership.
I sign off this last edition of the year by wishing you and your families all the very best for a restful and festive holiday period, and although it will not be the same as previous years, I hope Santa is still kind and you have the opportunity to celebrate your achievements from a challenging year.
YOUTH
Airplay Youth Club – AirplayInterview Themselves! 23RAFBF - Station Youth Worker of the Year 25
FEATURES
Trick or Treat! (Catering Flight Halloween Cookies) 18Turning and Burning! Spinning 19RAF Coningsby Coding Club 17Celebrating Freedom 20RAF Coningsby Apiary and Conservation Garden 27
SQUADRON NEWS
12 Sqn – Top Brass and Top Training! 133 (F)Sqn 0929 Sqn – We’ve got ‘pumpkin’ to talk about 08BBMF 17
BASE SUPPORT WING
Ali Cell Update 147 FP Wing 15
OTHER
SSAFA Contact Poster 25STEM Team – A New Direction forStation STEM 26
RAF RESERVES
611 Squadron – A Blast From The Past 07
A BLAST FROM THE PAST 611 SQN ROYAL AUXILIARY AIR FORCE HAVE WELCOMED THEIR WARTIME TALLY BOARD BACK TO RAF WOODVALE.
O ver 80 years ago, on the 21 September 1940, Plt Off Adams of 611 Sqn
shot down a German Dornier 215 over North Wales, having chased it from the skies of Liverpool. This was one of only three Dornier 215s shot down during the war. Members of 611 Sqn groundcrew rescued the wing panel from the crash site and created the Tally Board now proudly adorning the Sqn HQ. The Tally Board records the names, dates and aircraft type for each pilot’s victory, as well as a Squadron Commanding Officers during WW2. It also states that between 1939 and 1945, 611 Sqn accounted for 122.5 aircraft destroyed, 56 probable and 64 damaged.
611 Sqn played a full part in the Battle of Britain campaign, based at RAF Digby but forward operating from RAF Duxford. On the 15th September 1940, Battle of Britain Day itself, 611 Sqn was in action over London as part of Douglas Bader’s Duxford Wing (12 Group’s ‘Big Wing’ formation).
On 19th September 1940, a 611 Sqn detachment flew up to Ringway (now Manchester Airport) for patrols over Liverpool and the Wirral. It was from Ringway on 21 September that Plt Off Adams took off to investigate the enemy aircraft sighting over Liverpool.
611 Sqn would like to thank The Royal Air Force Museum who have loaned this important piece of 611 Squadron history and RAF Heritage who negotiated it’s loan. Sqn Ldr Andrea Watts from RAF Heritage and Mr Guy Revell, RAF Museum Curator, carefully wrapped the Tally Board prior to handing it over to OC 611 Sqn, Wg Cdr Steve Chaskin and XO Sqn Ldr Lee Rimmer.
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3 (F)SQNSUMMER FOR 3(F), AS FOR EVERYONE ELSE, HAS BROUGHT WITH IT A LOT OF CHANGE. ENGINEERS AND AIRCREW HAVE HAD TO WORK HARDER AND OFTEN TO A HIGHER LEVEL TO COVER FOR THE REDUCTION IN MANPOWER CAUSED BY TAKING NECESSARY COVID DISTANCING MEASURES.
Despite these challenges, 3(F) Sqn have a lot to boast about.
The Squadron deployed 2 aircraft and around 30 people to Estonia for Ex HANSEATIC GUARDIAN which was to build interoperability with the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) as part of a wider NATO effort. Following 2 weeks of pre-deployment isolation, the jets and crew trailed to Amari Airbase and flew 8 missions alongside our NATO partners. Some of the profiles included Close Air Support, Quick Reaction Alert training and combat. Lessons were identified and shared, and 3(F) benefited from operating from a new location and in unfamiliar airspace. Whilst aircrew interoperability was a key part of the detachment, a major Typhoon Force focus was on the engineering and logistics elements.
Acting Corporal Dianne Salt was the star of the show on Ex HANSEATIC GUARDIAN. In the highly challenging role of 3(F) Sqn Deputy Unit Movements Officer, Dianne had the unenviable task of herding all the necessary
equipment and personnel together to ensure all people were supported throughout their pre-deployment isolation right through to their return to base. No mean feat, but with the added complexity of COVID-19, she did a sterling job supporting FS John Eaton and Chf Tech Hailey Ross who led the engineering detachment. Her broader support to the entire team ensured that, despite the huge burden on morale of pre-isolation, all personnel benefitted from the squadron movements being made as slick and painless as possible.
During this time, we have said goodbye to Flt Lt Rob ‘Shampoo’ Sampson who briefly held the most Typhoon flying hours on the front line. A new group of pilots, operations staff and engineers have all joined and are busy becoming qualified in their various roles as.
The run up to Christmas includes several UK based exercises where 3(F) Squadron once again find themselves fully involved which is of great benefit to the newcomers as well as effective continuation
training for future operations. Over Christmas itself 3(F), along with other members of Coningsby, will be conducting QRA duties before final
preparations are made to begin the trail to the USA. From every member of 3(F) have a safe and well-earned break this Christmas.
29 SQNAS THE TEMPERATURES DROP AND THE EVENINGS START TO DRAW IN, WE REFLECT ON AN EVENTFUL FEW MONTHS FOR THE OPERATIONAL CONVERSION UNIT (OCU) WHICH CONTINUES TO PRODUCE QUALIFIED PILOTS AND ENGINEERS FOR THE FRONT-LINE SQUADRONS, AS WELL AS FULFILLING QUICK REACTION ALERT (QRA) DUTIES.
In terms of accomplishments, the last quarter has seen the graduation of OpCons 71,
72 and 73, and the Qualified Weapons Instructor Course. Flt Lt ‘Dusty’ Wales also graduated as a Qualified Flying Instructor, and Sqn Ldr Mark Long was announced as the new OC BBMF! All notable achievements given the ‘challenges’ of the current climate.
We bid farewell to Flt Lt Amy Parkinson, who has made the long trip to TSC here at RAF Coningsby, Flt Lt Dave Yule who joins 207 Sqn at RAF Marham and Lt Brendan Kelly, who returns to the US of A after a hugely successful exchange tour from the US Navy.
Speaking of across the pond, three 29 Sqn pilots were delighted to recently find out they had been selected for exchange tour duties in the USA. Flt Lt Luke Keady will be heading off to Lemoore Naval Air Station to fly the F-18, Flt Lt Bri Withington is departing for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina to fly
the F-15 and Flt Lt Luke Carlyle will be heading to Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas to undertake the Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Programme. Good luck guys.
We were delighted to recently welcome Brigadier Mohammed Al Jaloud from the Royal Saudi Air Force, who visited 29 Sqn to see how training is delivered to their pilots. We were privileged to take him flying with us also and show off the range of the Typhoon capability.
In September, the 29 Sqn Standard was on show at Westminster Abbey, carried by Flt Lt Adam O’Hare to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, ably assisted by Flt Lt Steven Inch. It’s great that these events are still able to take place to mark such a momentous occasion in these difficult times.On the horizon is the selection of the Typhoon Display pilot for the 2021 season, so best of luck to all the applicants.
FLT LT JAMES HODGON
9onetoone8 29 SQN ISSUE 4 2020 3(F) SQN
MR VINE GETS AN MSM!
After 34 ½ years, WO Vine’s many efforts have been recognised (aside from promotion to the pinnacle Non-Commissioned rank) with his award of a Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). The citation drew upon his vast experience with highlights including building of 2 successful saddle clubs at RAF Coningsby and RAF Brize Norton. RAF Coningsby’s saddle club developed to a point where they won the inter-station league on 2 occasions. Under Mr Vine’s leadership, RAF Brize Norton’s Saddle Club grew from a membership of only 4 people to over 30 active members. Another highlight was when the RAF Brize Norton Station
workshop building was condemned, Mr Vine project managed with a team of 5 volunteers to move the workshops to a new facility at nil cost to the RAF, saving c.£500k and 8 jobs. There was also recognition of his huge contribution as the Coningsby WO and SNCO mess entertainments chairman for 10 years. His efforts outside of work have included volunteering at Coningsby Village Youth Club and supporting Riding for the Disabled as a volunteer at Louth. An excellent example to us all!
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We have very close links with the local community, including our RAF family. Tattershall Primary is a community school in the heart of the village, with 50% of our intake being RAF children.
In addition to excellent teaching, outstanding behaviour and an ethos built on mutual respect, our safe and secure learning environment also includes:
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12 SQNTOP BRASS AND TOP TRAINING!
WELL THAT WAS SUMMER THEN… SOON 2020 WILL BE DONE AND DUSTED WITH AND, DESPITE IT BEING AN ‘ANNUS HORRIBILIS’ FOR MOST, WE’VE BEEN CONTINUING TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AND THE PLETHORA OF SERVICEABLE JETS THAT THE ENGINEERS KEEP SKILFULLY GENERATING HERE AT THE FOX’S DEN ON 12 SQN.
On 14 October 2020 we were very fortunate to welcome the Rt
Hon Ben Wallace MP, Secretary of State for Defence, His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister of the State of Qatar and Minister of Defence and both the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Qatar Emirati Air Force (QEAF) Chiefs to officially open our new building. Despite the restrictions that COVID-19 have created, an extremely successful day was had by all and everybody left knowing that the RAF and QEAF Typhoon partnership is very strong and has a very bright future ahead of it.
The Qatari pilots’ combat-ready work ups have been continuing in earnest and concentrating on offensive counter-air surface attack and counter-land air interdiction missions. RAF training has also
continued, with 4-Ship Leader status being awarded to Flt Lt Paddy Kershaw. This means that all of the full-time RAF pilots on the Squadron are 4-Ship Leader qualified. Quite something and proof that 12 Sqn is certainly a force to be reckoned with!
Despite being the relative ‘new kids on the block’ we’ve unfortunately been around long enough now that we’ve had to start saying farewell to some of our founding members as their tours have already come to an end. It’s farewell to the original JEngo, Flt Lt Helen Seaman, who has grown the Sqn from a tiny tool stores in the corner of a hangar to the huge well-oiled machine that it is now. We all thank you very much for your incredible hard work and wish you all the very best for your future role on the Red Arrows. Also, it’s bye-bye to Flt Lt Becca Price, our brilliant Ops Officer who leaves us for our sister Station
at RAF Lossiemouth. Good luck! Becca’s leaving means a very warm welcome to our new Ops Officer, Flt Lt Dale Craven who joins the MSF team from
Abbey Wood. Welcome to a real base and fighter squadron!Until next time...
Reynard the Fox
onetoone12 13ISSUE 4 2020 12 SQN
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7 FP WING 7 RAF FORCE PROTECTION WING HQ (7 FP WG) HAVE BEEN TRAINING TO ASSUME VERY HIGH READINESS FOR DEPLOYMENT BY CONDUCTING A RANGE OF EXERCISES ACROSS THE UK.
A s a Force Protection Contingency Wing, 7 FP Wg has seen a
busy few months preparing to assume Very High Readiness this autumn. As part of the training pathway, the Wg deployed to the Force Protection Centre at RAF Honington in order to undertake Air FP Command and Control (C2) training in late August. This included a week of conducting the Air FP Estimate as part of our internal training. For the formal C2 training, the Wg HQ was augmented by an Intelligence Cell, Security experts from the RAF Police, a Tactical Air Control Party to coordinate air operations and elements of 1 Squadron RAF Regiment, providing Active Defence. The week culminated with 2 days in the Synthetic-Complex Air Ground Environment or S-CAGE, a state-of-the-art synthetic C2 training facility used to run simulated Air FP scenarios. This training allowed an opportunity to experiment and revise procedures for operations in the Complex Air Ground Environment, as well as allowing the Wg staff to be stretched in a realistic fashion, as part of their preparation for potential operations.
September saw the Wg deploy to Warcop and
Otterburn with 1 Sqn RAF Regiment and elements of the Air Land Integration Cell to conduct Live Fire Tactical Training. This training represented the culmination of months of preparation and the final training serial before declaring ‘Mission Readiness’. Whilst deployed, the Wg received a visit from AOC 2 Group, Air-Vice Marshall Gillespie and the Force Protection Force Commander, Air Commodore Miller. During the visit, they were given the opportunity to see the full spectrum of the Wg’s capability including the use of long-range precision strike weapons, Close Air Support, operations using night vision equipment and Small Unmanned Aerial Systems, operated by the RAF FP Centre. The success of the training resulted in the Wg successfully declaring ‘Mission Readiness’ to be held at Very High Readiness to support the RAF on operations wherever needed.
In October, Flight Lieutenant Rob Chappell was commended for his contribution to 7 FP Wg in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2020. The AOC 2 Group Commendation recognises Flight Lieutenant Chappell’s work since he arrived at RAF Coningsby in
2018, supporting a number of high-profile Defence and RAF events. This included deploying to Oman to provide FP subject matter Expertise to 140 EAW during Exercise SAIF SAREAA III in 2018, the Typhoon Force NATO STARTASSESS in March 2019, and the NATO formal Capability Evaluation in spring 2020. Flight Lieutenant Chappell was central to the preparation of the Force
Protection Pillar for this very high-profile event. The FP Force Air Land Integration Cell, also part of 7 Wg based at RAF Coningsby, received an AOC 2 Gp Team Commendation for their outstanding work leading UK Joint Terminal Attack Controller training support to the Royal Jordanian Armed Forces for more than two and a half years.
ALI CELL ISSUE 4 2020 onetoone14 15
ALI CELL - PROGRESSION UP THE LADDERTHE ALI CELL HAVE ONCE AGAIN CONTINUED WITH THE DEMANDING TRAINING RHYTHM TO MAINTAIN MANDATORY COMPETENCIES AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT.
FLT LT DAVID MORRISON
7FP WING
Our article this time will focus on our training team and how they
have been able to continue a high tempo of training during testing times for everyone across the UK.
On 8 June 2020 Cpl Shepherd took on Acting Sergeant responsibilities within the ALI Cell training team, where his focus is to maintain training requirements and mandatory competencies for all 37 personnel in line with the RAF Regiment training directive.
As a newly acting Sergeant, often required to work from home due to the current situation, he not only had his new workload to contest with, but three young children running riot. He quickly adjusted to his new work regime and hit the ground running learning his new role. Email and Skype calls became his new best friend whilst organising bi-annual range packages at Beckingham. This range package would be scrutinised more so than usual, as the
Force Protection Force Commander yearly assurance visit was due.
The visit would ensure that all personnel involved with the range package had correctly completed all training prior to undertaking the shoots and that all safety documentation conformed to current RAF policy and training regulations. With a generous amount of help and guidance from Flt Lt Lockhart and Flt Lt Privett, he received outstanding feedback from the assurance team. This resulted in the unit successfully passing their yearly inspection. OC ALI Cell, Sqn Ldr Milne, was delighted with this as it provided clarity for him that the unit are conducting training safely and correctly.
Since taking on responsibilities in his new role as Acting Sergeant, Shepherd has said the following:
“It has been a steep learning curve. I had to adjust and adapt quickly with working from home, where the environment is totally different. I found it difficult to
get in to the work mindset whilst also helping to home school three young boys who just wanted to play and run around all day.
Difficult and very testing at times, I have enjoyed taking on the acting rank and the new responsibilities it brings. It has drastically improved my planning and organisational skills which is crucial to being successful at the rank of Sergeant and can only put me in good stead for the future and my career in the RAF Regiment.”
Continuing in their primary role, JTACs from the ALI Cell supported 29 Sqn in
the Close Air Support phase of a Qualified Weapons Instructor Course for pilots from 3(F) and XI(F) Sqn. This consisted of a full planning process, followed by an execute phase of several complex scenarios over multiple days off the east coast of England. This provided vital training to qualify pilots as weapons instructors for their respective units. A busy period for the unit which will take us right up to Christmas leave, as we continue to support RAF Regiment exercises, Typhoon force and the F-35 force in their CAS training.
RAF CONINGSBY CODING CLUBRAF CONINGSBY RECENTLY CELEBRATED A HUGE SUCCESS WHICH SAW THE PROJECT ASTRA TEAM GRANT THE STATION JUST UNDER £12,000 TO FUND A CODING CLUB, ENABLING THE PURCHASE OF A SIGNIFICANT INVENTORY OF IT EQUIPMENT.
This was a real achievement, as the Station was the first Unit
across the RAF to receive a grant of this type. Following this successful bid, several other Units have followed suit, using the RAF Coningsby Business case and Inventory as a model template. This has resulted in a number of clubs successfully receiving grants in order to further their establishment.
WO John Evans from the Typhoon Mission Support Centre (MSC), is the RAF Coningsby Coding Club Founder and enthusiastically stated - “Having a Coding Club will tactically stimulate interest in programming across all ranks and trades on Unit. The Club members will strategically support STEM Ambassador activities in local schools - initiating interest in both engineering and a potential future career in the Service. Overall, we have undertaken a huge amount of worthwhile effort which will underpin a number of long term benefits. The Club will inspirie interest and stimulate imagination in current and ‘Next Gen’ RAF personnel who will ultimately support future RAF platforms.”
Coding Club Membership includes access to laptops, iPads, Raspberry Pi and some really cool toys to programme, such as Sphero Balls, cars and a robotic arm.
As coding subject matter experts, there are a number of MSC personnel who will mentor new club members whilst they learn programming skills. They will support personnel that sign up to the JHub Coding Scheme courses and will teach personnel a new skillset that will be of significant value to the RAF.
OIC Coding Club, Flt Lt Oxford, states - “Anybody can code, as long as you can think logically and have a basic understanding of Maths and English. We will share basic coding principles and support members as they develop more complicated ideas and projects. We will be looking at a wide variety of programming languages, but the majority share the same concepts, which is where learning will start. It’s exciting to see what we can do together, armed with both professional and amateur coders, the only limit is our imagination. The club is open to all service and civilian personnel at RAF Coningsby and we hope to see you soon”.
The Coding Club is open to Whole Force personnel based on Unit. For further information, please contact Committee Members Sgt MacIntosh x 8165, Cpl Worthington x 8076.
WO John Evans, RAF Coningsby Coding Club
Founder
WO John Evans and Cpl ‘Worthy’ Worthington receive some Coding Club equipment.
BBMFT he reason for the long
lead-in is that the role requires four years as
a volunteer on the Flight beforehand on order to gain the necessary experience and instructor ratings on the aircraft types (Chipmunks, Hurricanes and five different Marks of Spitfire). Sqn Ldr Long said: “I am privileged to have the opportunity to join such a dedicated team.”
Sqn Ldr Discombe is the current OC BBMF. Sqn Ldr Sugden, who will by then have completed four display seasons as a volunteer on the Flight, takes over in October 2021.
Despite COVID restrictions, BBMF has been kept busy. We completed filming for the ‘Flying for Britain with David Jason’ documentary, which was shown on television on Battle of Britain Day (15 Sep) and is still available to view on the ITV Hub.
3 x Spitfires and 1 x Hurricane from BBMF flew over Westminster Abbey on 20 Sep as part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Service.
On 29 Sep 20, Air Cdre Flewin, who will be moving to a new role in December, took his last Spitfire flight with the BBMF in P7350, the only airworthy Spitfire that took part in the Battle of Britain.
Chipmunk WK518 returned to the Flight wearing the colours she had when flying with the University of London Air Squadron in the 1970s.
OC BBMF FOR THE 2025-2027 SEASONS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED AS SQN LDR MARK LONG, A TYPHOON INSTRUCTOR AND THE XO ON 29 SQN AT RAF CONINGSBY.
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RAF CONINGSBY CATERING FLIGHT FUNDED BY ESS HAVE JOINED TOGETHER TO PREPARE, PRODUCE AND DELIVER HALLOWEEN COOKIES TO THE CHILDREN LIVING IN SERVICE FAMILIES ACCOMMODATION IN THE AREAS OF CONINGSBY AND TATTERSHALL. CPL JENNIFER GAMBLE CAMEE UP WITH THE INITIATIVE, AS SHE THOUGHT IT WAS A SHAME THAT THE CHILDREN WERE UNABLE TO GO TRICK OR TREATING OR ATTEND PARTIES THIS YEAR DUE TO COVID 19 SOCIAL DISTANCING RESTRICTIONS.
E veryone in the Catering team got involved and we produced two flavours
of cookies -white chocolate orange and a firm favourite, chocolate chip. It took us 2 days of baking and all of the chefs at RAF Coningsby got stuck into the baking and decorating of 1200 cookies! It was an absolutely mammoth task which needed to be carried out in a tight timescale and the catering team banded together with additional hours, dedication and hard work… and plenty of energy drinks!
The Halloween bags were packed and sealed in record time ready to be delivered.
The team delivered 300 bags on Fri 30 Oct 20, there was a limited number of bags left at the hive for families who lived further afield to collect. This huge task was carried out alongside our primary responsibility of providing daily meals for station personnel,
so unfortunately, due to limited staff, we could not deliver further afield.
The spooky Halloween bag contained four scary cookies, a creepy colouring pictures, a Halloween message and allergen information. Hopefully this gesture has cheered up the community and made at least a few children (and maybe even a few adults) a little more excited about Halloween this year!
From all here at the Catering Flight we wish you a Happy Halloween. Watch this space as we have plans for Christmas….
WO Tina Wilson
FEATURE ISSUE 4 2020 onetoone18 19
TURNING AND BURNING! SPINNING CLUBWITH SOME COVID19 RESTRICTIONS BEING LIFTED IN JUNE, THE RAF CONINGSBY SPINNING TEAM WERE ABLE TO RESUME TAKING CLASSES.
WO JOHN EVANS
Adhering to 22 Group guidelines and with the assistance of PEd Flt,
personnel were able to reserve one of five outdoor places available during Monday and Thursday lunchtimes for a ‘500 calorie burner plus’ class, led by our instructors. With booking priority being given to those living on station and totally weather dependant, personnel were able to enjoy a 45 minute outdoor cycling class under the guidance of an experienced instructor, who appreciated that participants lockdown exercise regimes spanned from ‘very little’ exercise through to ‘Training like a Champion’. Throughout June and July our team continued to deliver twice weekly classes in a Covid-19 safe environment.
I recall that it was great to be able to get back in the saddle and lead classes again following lockdown and it was superb to see new participants joining us to give Spinning a try. Teaching outdoors in the fresh air was a nice change to our usual Spinning environment, and the sessions enhanced
participants physical health and mental well-being. The delivery of our outdoor classes was both fun and challenging, I do remember us all being absolutely covered in corn flies by the end of one class! I am itching now just thinking about it!
In August, it was terrific to be able to return indoors as restrictions were eased and gymnasiums reopened. It took a lot of hard work to enable indoor classes to resume, but it was important that we could provide a safe environment for our personnel to exercise. W found a new indoor venue and classes resumed in ‘Winkie’s Bar’. Initially sessions for a maximum of 10 people were held every lunchtime, Monday to Thursday. We have recently expanded our timetable to include Wednesday evenings.
In October, the Spinning Team were delighted to celebrate some great news,as we were awarded a CO’s Commendation Team Award for our contribution to Unit. I was delighted to receive the award on behalf of the team and it now sits proudly on the wall of the new Spinning Studio.
Spinning Classes are currently not running, but will hopefully resume soon,
in line with government guidelines. There will
be no requirement to pre-book, We look forward to seeing you soon.
CATERING FLIGHT HALLOWEEN COOKIES
FEATURE
FEATURE ISSUE 4 2020 onetoone20 21
CELEBRATING FREEDOMIN A TIME OF RESTRICTIONS AND CANCELLED PLANS THE RAF CONINGSBY AVIATION HERITAGE CENTRE LOOK BACK ON BETTER TIMES, TREASURING OUR TRADITIONS AND HISTORY WITHIN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND AROUND THE WORLD.
CHF TECH COPLEY
The Lincolnshire town of Boston has a long-established association
with the Pilgrim Fathers and the sailing of the Mayflower, 400 years ago, in their search for religious freedom. On 16th May 1963 Boston would be connected once again with America through an Avro Vulcan named the ‘Mayflower III’ from RAF Coningsby. The bomber flew non-stop over the Atlantic after gracing the skies over Boston, on a day when the Station was given a different kind of freedom, the Freedom of the Borough of Boston. The RAF Coningsby Aviation Heritage Centre has spent the lockdown period researching the Stations history during the 1960s, along the way uncovering new information about the parade, 57 years ago, when the Freedom of the Borough was bestowed on the Station, and the special flight of the ‘Mayflower III’.
The Avro Vulcan was one of the RAFs most iconic bomber aircraft which, during the early 1960s at the height of the Cold War, provided our nuclear deterrent against the Soviet bloc. The aircraft type was based at RAF Coningsby between 1962 and 1964, during which time the Squadrons played a full role as part of the nation’s V Bomber Force.
In days gone by, the Freedom of a Borough was a highly prized privilege and often conferred the right to vote, exception from local taxes and other benefits. In 1885 Parliament empowered the Councils of Boroughs to admit as Honorary Freemen persons of distinction and those who had rendered eminent service to their Boroughs. By analogy, this tradition has become a custom for the Councils of Boroughs to confer a similar distinction on units of Her Majesty’s Forces with which
they have a close association, in order to mark the friendship and esteem of the town.
The Borough of Boston endowed the honour of Freedom holders to the Station and is now a yearly tradition, held as the ‘Freedom of Boston Parade’, which has seen many generations of RAF personnel march through the Market Square of Boston, exercising the right to bear arms, solidifying each year the connection we share.
The crowds on the first parade included 800 school pupils and were witness to 370 RAF Personnel led into the town with the fanfare of the RAF Central Band and, for the first time in a freedom ceremony, the Queens’ Colour and three Squadron standards paraded together.
The ceremony began with the Vicar of Boston performing prayers and the Mayor, Councillor Ralph Jenkin,
addressing the parade with the words,
“Many of our townspeople had sons and daughters serving in the RAF during the last war. Many of them gave their lives for their country. Others of you had airmen billeted upon you and formed friendships which still exist…. Now all that has gone by, but memories remain. It is because of this that our
friendship with Coningsby has led us today to confer the Freedom of the Borough upon the Station. Henceforth the Station will have the right, privilege and distinction of entering the Borough on all ceremonial occasions with bayonets fixed, drums beating and Colours flying”
The Mayor then signed the Scroll of Freedom and gave it to the Station Commander, Group Captain Frank Dodd. Group Captain Dodd declared,
“This is indeed a proud day for all of RAF Coningsby. But we see in your granting of the Freedom not just a present honour, but a tribute to those who have gone before. We also see in this great honour a token of trust in us that we should play our part in preserving peace and liberty for those who follow.
Your Borough has always championed the cause of liberty and men of Boston sailed in the first Mayflower to preserve their right to freedom of speech and worship. Today we are proud to send from Coningsby a new Mayflower
conveying greetings on this freedom day from your worship to the Mayor of the new Boston”
After the signing of the Scroll of Freedom it was paraded through the town and the crowds were to receive their loudest visitors of the day, a three ship Vulcan formation at 12:48pm. The lead aircraft was the ‘Mayflower III’ and held on board relics connected to the early Puritan movement as well as a scroll from the Mayor. As the aircraft flew over the parade the Pilot , Sqn Ldr Ron Dick, spoke over the public address system,
“I would like to assure your Worship the Mayor that the scroll is safely on board and in a very few hours will be safely delivered to America”
The ‘Mayflower III’ and her crew flew across the Atlantic and first landed at Goose Bay in Canada to refuel. The aircraft then flew on to Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, as a static display for the United States Air Force, Armed Forces Day celebrations. The final leg of the journey was to Hanscom
Air Force Base near Boston, Massachusetts, where the crew met the Major of Boston, John F. Collins. There they gave the Mayor a scroll from the people of Boston and the two Puritan relics, an oak carving and a piece of stone taken from churches in the Bawtry area.
The Vulcan crew then went on a sight-seeing tour in Plymouth harbour in Boston to see the ‘Mayflower 2’, a replica of the original 1620 Mayflower, built in England in the mid-1950s and then sailed to America only 6 years before the Vulcan crews visit. The return trip to RAF Coningsby took only 5 hours and 30 mins, compared with the original Mayflower which sailed across the Atlantic in 66 days.
Reconnecting the Boston of the Old World with that in the New World through the actions of an iconic aircraft and its crew, was an event seemingly lost in time, but it’s during challenging times like today when those connections and friendships are most needed. The RAFs close cooperation with the United States Air Force endures and is as important as ever, with our two Air Forces
working together both in the United Kingdom and around the world. Boston’s noisy neighbours often train together over the skies of Lincolnshire, while the people on the ground walk in the footsteps of those who, 400 years ago, set out to create a new life free from religious intolerance.
The Coningsby Aviation Heritage Centre hold a collection of 60s era original documents, photos and artefacts that form part of a new display on this story. At its heart is the original Freedom of The Borough of Boston scroll, as well as the story of the ‘Mayflower III’. If anyone wishes to visit the centre or share any photos/stories about their connection to RAF Coningsby, then please make contact through our Facebook page @ConingsbyHeritage.
(Curator of the RAF Coningsby Aviation Heritage Centre)
Vulcans Crown Copyright.
Mayflower 3 crew Crown Copyright.
Heritage centre 60s display. CT Copley.
Boston Market place Crown Copyright.
Boston Assembly rooms Crown Copyright.
Freedom scroll presented to Station commander Crown Copyright.
Parade Crown Copyright.
D: What is Airplay?
E: Airplay is a fun, safe and happy place for relaxation.P: Airplay is a club where kids your age can meet up and do things together. You can do a lot of activities and during the school holidays we go on trips!M: Airplay is a fun and safe place to have fun and learn.F: Airplay is a fun place to be and an enjoyable place.
D: How was lockdown for you?
E: Sad, because I couldn’t see my friends and I had piles and piles of work.F: Lockdown was boring.M: It was fun but boring.P: Lockdown was interesting. It was a good life experience that I definitely won’t forget anytime soon.
D: How did Airplay help you in lockdown/ how is youth club helping you come out of lockdown?
E: Youth club helped me during lockdown as they gave us lots of activities we could do.P: Youth club is currently helping me be more normal, not that there is any such thing as normal.F: Airplay is great, I love it!M: It made lockdown more fun for me.
D: How has your mental state been affected by this year?
E: Youth club helps me mentally as it is a safe space.M: During lockdown I was happy but also worried.
D: What safety precautions are there at Airplay to keep everyone safe in a COVID world?
E&P: Masks unless you are exempt, social distancing, washing hands, one meeting a week so we are bubbled.D: What motivates you to come to Airplay?P: The people and the leaders in the club.E: I come to airplay to see my out-of-school friends and to have fun instead of homework!M: My friends, how much fun we have and Jess (Station Youth Worker).
This article was completely thought of and written by the young people themselves.
Airplay is for young people aged 8-18 from service, ex-service and civilian families. We run sessions weekly and you can apply for a place using the digital application form. We also have a digital platform called Airplay Connect where young people can access virtual sessions, activities, support and much more. For more information please contact our Station Youth Worker (SYW) or Community Development Officer (CDO).
AIRPLAY INTERVIEW THEMSELVES!THE SENIOR GROUP DECIDED THAT TO WRITE THIS ARTICLE ONE OF THEM WOULD BECOME AN INTERVIEWER (D) AND THE OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE, SENIORS AND JUNIORS, WOULD ANSWER THE QUESTIONS…
22 23ISSUE 4 2020 onetooneYOUTH
Jessica Nugent (SYW): Jessica.nugent@
actionforchildren.org.uk
Ben Rossi (CDO): [email protected]
onetoone 25ISSUE 4 202024 RAFBF
Jess worked tirelessly throughout 2019 to provide engaging,
educational and entertaining programmes. One of the standout projects involved the local war graves. Working alongside the Charity War Graves Commission, the young people of Coningsby Airplay engaging in cleaning and maintaining the graves around RAF Coningsby and, with the continued support of the Commission, are responsible for supporting these graves going forward. Jess was the driving force behind this project. She liaised with the Commission and was hands on with the young people, delivering educational experiences through fun activities.
Another fantastic project was the Airplay
Community Christmas Gifts. Over 250 handmade gifts boxes were produced, which included handmade soaps, sweets and a positive/inspirational message. These were all produced by the young people and were handed out to the local community. The response online was overwhelmingly positive with some people posting on Facebook how much it meant to them.
Congratulations to Jess for her Youth Worker of The Year Award! Her creative, dynamic and exciting approaches have led to a quality, well-respected provision within the community. Jess is extremely dedicated, respected, creative, engaging and supportive and this award is thoroughly deserved.
JESS NUGENT - STATION YOUTH WORKER OF THE YEAR AWARD
ON 13 OCTOBER 2020 THE RAF BENEVOLENT FUND HOSTED A VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY AT WHICH THE STATION YOUTH WORKER FOR RAF CONINGSBY, JESSICA NUGENT, WAS NOMINATED AND LATER ANNOUNCED AS THE WINNER OF THE PRESTIGIOUS YOUTH WORKER OF THE YEAR AWARD.
PERSONAL SUPPORT & SOCIAL WORK SERVICES
TEL: 07384237984 07500916698
Single point of contact (SPOC) Service Operates 24/7 03000 111 723A knowledgeable and helpful assistance to service users and professionals wanting to access support.
EMAIL: [email protected]
Web-based refferral form ww.ssafa.org.uk/rafsupport
SSAFA offer a CONFIDENTIAL listening and support service to ALL military personnel on the Unit irrespective of rank, gender or marital status. We are also here to support spouses, partners, children and extended families.
THE MAIN AREAS OF WORK ARE AS FOLLOWS:
• Family, relationships and personal difficulties;• Stress, anxiety and depression;• Financial, debt and benefit advice;• Applications to the RAF Benevolent Fund and other charitable
organisations;• Illness, disability and additional needs;• Housing, resettlement, admin and medical discharges;• Bereavement, loss and grief;• Equal opportunities, discrimination and harassment;• Support groups and referral to other agencies;• Childcare issues;• Adoption and fostering;• Preferential Treatment and other welfare reports;• Issues arising from Deployments;
Our aim is to assist service personnel and their families, in the prevention and resolution of issues, through a non-judgemental approach, ensuring that everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
MEET
CONTACT USLorraine Grantham Alex SharpAdvanced Practitioner Personal & Family Support Worker [email protected] [email protected] 347846 01526 347193
FIND USWe are located in Building 62
within the Catering Flight, but are happy to conduct home visits.Monday to Friday: 0830hrs - 1700hrs
www.ssafa.org.uk
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It has a twin bedroom, open plan kitchen and lounge. The kitchen has a 4-ring hob, oven, microwave, toaster and washing machine. There is a family sized bathroom, the lounge has a sofa (which converts into two more single beds) and a table to seat four, a TV and DVD are also available. Both the lounge and Bedroom have Patio doors
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onetoone 27STEM ISSUE 4 202026 FEATURE
A NEW DIRECTION FOR STATION STEMOVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS, THE RAF CONINGSBY SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) TEAM HAVE DELIVERED FACE-TO-FACE STEM ACTIVITIES, PRIMARILY ON STATION, TO OVER 600 STUDENTS AT 25 EVENTS.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in our usual (up to weekly) on-site
activities being temporarily paused. So, what has the RAF Coningsby STEM Team been up to in 2020 and how do we plan to continue to support STEM activity in the local community now and in the future?
Consisting of an army of Station volunteers, the newly formed STEM Committee has been assessing the the art of the possible, seeking to create new and innovative ways of championing STEM in our local community and assisting the wider RAF Youth STEM engagement.
Restricted face-to-face activities has seen a marked increase in virtual activities. This has included the filming of an interactive Typhoon and Spitfire virtual reality experience, expected to be released by the end of 2020; ‘Unbox Your Future’ - an initiative involving the biographies of two of our Station engineers, which is shortly going to be launched to inspire 1300 students in Leicestershire to continue
in further education after leaving school.
In support of Women in Science and Engineering, Flt Lt Amy Parkinson conducted an online Q&A session for young people wanting to know more about careers in STEM. Our very own SAC Dale Taylor featured in the Engineering ‘Fairy Tales’ initiative – a range of STEM stories and challenges helping children understand about the world of engineering and develop their teamwork and creative problem-solving skills. This has been made available at www.baesystems.com/en/careers/careers-in-the-uk/getting-ready-for-work/home-learning.
We have more recently been involved with the Lincoln City Foundation (a registered charity based at Lincoln City Football Club who inspire lives with sport in Lincoln) and the Air Defence Careers College. On 14th October, for the first time, a bespoke Typhoon aircraft building activity (specifically designed for the event by our own STEM Ambassadors) was delivered using some newly
acquired MTa kit, which help to deliver experiential activities. Groups were split down into three different teams who designed and built one section of the aircraft each that would be assembled together at the end. Some challenging scenarios were introduced which prevented the two teams designing and building the wings from communicating directly with each other. The results were fantastic; but we do not expect to see the new twin right-winged Typhoon variant to be in service anytime soon!
We will continue to offer local schools/youth groups
STEM activities on Station (as soon as it is safe to do so), and we are now offering for STEM Ambassadors to conduct STEM activities at local schools or via virtual methods. STEM sessions can be tailored to any age group, ability or subject and we are keen to get involved with all areas of our community. Whether it’s a one-hour session or a whole day, we have a programme to suit. We are currently reaching out to local schools and would encourage those in the local community or those personnel on Station with a keen interest to contact us at [email protected] for more information.
RAF CONINGSBY APIARY AND CONSERVATION GARDENBEES ARE VITAL TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT; PERFECTLY ADAPTED TO POLLINATE SOME OF OUR MOST LOVED FOOD SOURCES, INCLUDING APPLES, PEAS, STRAWBERRIES AND RASPBERRIES.
However, our growing population has impacted on the bee’s
natural habitat and there has been a decline in bee numbers across the world; compounded by the extreme weather conditions of climate change. A team of passionate RAF Coningsby personnel have started a project to create an apiary and conservation garden, with an aim to establish several beehives and provide a garden full of invaluable pollinating flowers and shrubs.
The project began its journey at the end of 2019, when it was decided that an apiary and garden would be established in an area of land behind RAF Coningsby’s church, adjacent to the Tornado ‘gate guard’. Initially, the project gained momentum, and funding was quickly sourced to purchase several essential items, including beehives and garden tools. Specialist PPE, to protect the wearer when handling the hive, was kindly funded by BAE. As the word slowly spread, more people became interested the project, and the group expanded to include those who already keep bees and could provide specialist knowledge, and those who have never kept bees but wanted to be involved and learn more about these fascinating creatures.
Unfortunately, the unavoidable happened, and the project was put into hiatus as the UK got to grips with the ongoing global pandemic. However, the Bee Troupe remained ever optimistic and continued to progress the project as much as possible under the circumstances.
The team undertook almost weekly hunts for bee swarms in the local area, with some of the more adventurous members balancing precariously on ladders, with outstretched arms, gathering up a rabble of bees.
As restrictions began to ease, work could progress, and the first step was to dig the beds for the garden. In principal, this was straightforward, apart from the fact that the task was carried out during the hottest part of the year. The ground was almost like concrete, but with determination and a lot of sweat, the garden started to take shape.
Now that autumn has arrived, the empty beehives are in place ready to receive their occupants and the garden is being prepared with flowers and shrubs to nourish the bees throughout the year. The RAF Coningbsy Bee and Conservation Project aims to reduce the impact climate change is having on the bee community and provide a rewarding and environmentally friendly activity. If you would like to become involved, or if you have any questions, please contact the ProjO Flt Lt Rob Chappell.
BY FLT LT ROB CHAPPELL
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