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INSIGHTMAGAZINE 1 2 INSIGHTMAGAZINE INSIGHTMAGAZINE 3 INSIGHT ISSUE 4 2016 From the Editor… Sqn Ldr Simon Nevin

Hello and welcome to the summer This edition you will see an entry from edition of INSIGHT. I hope you are our very own Military Provost Guards. all enjoying a well-earned break or, if Three of the fine chaps who keep us like me, you try and get your summer and our families’ safe at Waddington holiday in earlier to avoid the crowds, attended the Adjutant Generals that you are enjoying a bit of peace Corp Parade of Remembrance at the and quiet in the office with everyone National Memorial Arboretum in July else away. We have had another busy and you can read all about it here. I period on unit with a number of high would commend to you the note from profile visitors and with the recent RAFA – this details some of the tasks return of some flying to Waddington, and responsibilities of RAFA volunteers the place has a real buzz about it. and also provides details on how you Following the recent visit of both the can pursue an interest in becoming new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief a volunteer yourself; they do some EDITORIAL TEAM: Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier and the outstanding work for both the serving [email protected] new Deputy Commander Operations, and their families. External Email: Use personal email addresses listed Air Marshal Stuart Atha, we have had the honour of hosting the new Air Fresh from singing with Lulu back in Tel: +44 (0)1522 728377 Officer Commanding (AOC) Number 1 April, the Military Wives Choir have been Editor: Group, Air Vice Marshal Gerry Mayhew, mixing with celebrities yet again. You Sqn Ldr Simon Nevin at the Annual Formal Inspection can read the article later in this edition [email protected] in July. As well as the usual formal on their attendance at the Armed Forces Deputy Editors: inspection of the unit, AOC 1 Gp took Day celebrations in Cleethorpes in Flt Lt Al Hall the opportunity to meet the fine June, where they were singing in front [email protected] folk of Waddington and also hosted of 180,000 people, including the Duke Sgt Sheree Chick an Honours and Awards Ceremony of Kent and the (then) Prime Minister, [email protected] in the Officers’ Mess, presenting 26 David Cameron. They were also invited Artwork: individual awards, ranging from a to sing at the Lincoln Castle to mark the S Oliver Queens Commendation for Bravery, hundredth anniversary of the start of several Long Service and Good the battle of the Somme, I’m sure a fairly Photography: Conduct medals, as well as a range of humbling experience. Sgt Pugley commendations. Falling on the hottest Cpl Bibby day of the year, it was a challenge for all We have welcomed a new member SAC Pope those who were dressed in their No1 of the team this month in Senior SAC Carruthers uniform to remain looking their best, Aircraftswoman Donna Taylor; Donna is SAC Clarke but I think most managed it. now in charge of sorting and delivering Advertising by: our fine publication and will also be Jo Marchant another set of eyes to help proof read in Tel: 01536 526674 the lead up to printing time. Thank you Designed by: once again for all of your articles, please Dharmesh Mistry do keep them coming in. [email protected] Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts and Published by: please enjoy this edition of INSIGHT. Lance Publishing Ltd, 1st Floor, Tailby House, Bath Road, Kettering, NN16 8NL Tel: 01536 512624 Fax: 01536 515481 www.lancepublishing.co.uk On the cover: Sentinel R1 [email protected] of 5(AC) Sqn over Lincoln Printed by: Lance Print Ltd

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In this issue…

AGC PARADE OF REMEMBRANCE STATION COMMANDER’S AT THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL 08 FOREWORD 14 ARBORETUM 18

HISTORY MADE AT EXERCISE CUMBRIAN CONTROLLERS 09 MEMORABLE AIR TATTOO 15

1 POLICE WING, 5 SQN MARCH 10 8 FP WG 18 & SHOOT

RAF REGIMENT WADDINGTON WIVES CHOIR OPERATIONAL SHINE AT ARMED FORCES 11 SHOOTING COMPETITION 19 DAY

INTRODUCING ATHENA : THE RAF BANDS SHOWCASE AIR ISTAR FORCE INTEGRATION WADDINGTON HORNETS 12 PROGRAMME 20 25 ‘BEST OF BRITISH’

RAF WADDINGTON RESERVISTS VISIT THE NATIONAL FIREARMS RAF WADDINGTON REGAIN 13 CENTRE AND LEEDS ROYAL 24 RAFMSA ENDURANCE RACE 29 RAF T20 CRICKET CROWN ARMOURIES

The magazine is entirely funded by advertising and costs the Station nothing to produce. Insight is not an official publication and, unless otherwise stated, views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent MOD, RAF or Station policy. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the editor or publishers. Advertisements accepted on the understanding that they conform to the British Code of Advertising Practice. Insight is produced by kind permission of the Station Commander, RAF Waddington.

INSIGHTMAGAZINE 5 6 INSIGHTMAGAZINE INSIGHTMAGAZINE 7 Station Commander’s Foreword...

Group Captain Al Marshall

A very warm welcome to this latest edition of INSIGHT and I hope you are benefitting from some well-earned time off over the Summer, or at least enjoying some of the good weather we have had over the last few weeks. This is the time of year when you would be forgiven for thinking that our output reduces, as the Station becomes much quieter and footfall through the gate is less, but the operational output of the Station remains as high as ever, with all of our Force Elements (FE) employed in delivering highly valuable and sought after capability on operations.

The rapid deployment of our included his Annual Formal very own 34 Expeditionary Inspection (AFI) in July; with Air Wing to support 51 a focus on the challenges we Squadron with their Rivet face in terms of infrastructure, relationship with NATO will be Joint operations is another manpower and other resource reinforced rather than diminish. example of the hard work limitations, the new AOC was and commitment involving given a real flavour of the issues Finally, my Station all areas of the Station. Often that we have to manage day Commander’s Forums continue the plaudits for our successes to day, whilst also gathering a at various rank levels and are received by the flying deeper understanding of our the feedback and interaction squadrons, but support operational outputs. He also to date has been first class. I from across Waddington is took the opportunity to conduct value the open and honest essential to the delivery of an Honours and Awards discussions and welcome the ISTAR and I would like to Ceremony, as we celebrated the suggestions and ideas that you offer my personal thanks to personal achievements of some have already brought to my everyone involved in ensuring of our people. It was great to attention. Please remember our Expeditionary Air Wing see so many family and friends that as well as the forums, was able to deploy in time. in attendance and I hope that there are several methods of those of you who were able to reporting or offering ideas, The last few months have seen attend enjoyed the afternoon. including the INFORM (General significant change, not just for Issues) and ASIMS (Air Safety the RAF, but for the country In addition, the BREXIT vote has Issues) processes, or the ability and, arguably, for Europe had an impact with financial to email the Project ATHENA as a whole. The top three instability and uncertainty, team direct to offer a view on commanders in our chain have a new Prime Minister and the future of ISTAR. Please all changed over: Chief of the several changes in government continue to use your chain of Air Staff, Deputy Commander departments. However, there command and/or any of these of Operations and our Air is no change within Defence methods to get your ideas Officer Commanding (AOC) or in Defence output at the heard, so that we have the No1 Group, Air Vice Marshal moment; for us it is ‘business best information with which Gerry Mayhew. Notably all as usual’. Whatever the future to make decisions both in the three have already visited holds, our commitments will near-term and for the future. the Station, highlighting how remain and the relationships we prominent and important have forged with our coalition I hope you enjoy this edition Waddington is within the partners will continue and if of INSIGHT and also the Service. The AOC’s visit anything the Station’s important rest of the summer.

8 INSIGHTMAGAZINE outstanding event. The icing on the cake was the visit on Friday by the Duke and Duchess of HISTORY MADE Cambridge and their son Prince George.

“My thanks go to all our sponsors, AT MEMORABLE in particular BAE Systems and all the participating air arms Dawn McCafferty and Honorary Air including the US Air Force, who Cadet Gp Capt Carol Vorderman. allow us to stage the event at RAF AIR TATTOO Fairford and the for History was made both in the air were HRH Prince Michael of Kent There were 36 international military all its support. and on the ground at this weekend’s and HRH Prince Feisal of Jordan. chiefs in attendance including Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF More than 230 aircraft, from 37 air Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Once again, the Air Tattoo has Fairford in Gloucestershire. arms in 24 countries participated Chief of the Defence Staff; Air Chief performed an important defence in the Air Tattoo which took place Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, the RAF diplomacy role not only in The airshow, which took place over in warm, largely sunny weather. Chief of the Air Staff (Designate); showcasing some of the world’s three days (July 8-10), attracted a Among the many highlights were and new Chief of the US Air Force, most exciting aircraft but also by sell-out crowd of 153,000 people displays by the F-22 ‘Raptor’, a General David Goldfein. Senior offering the RAF a platform on who enjoyed demonstrations by Polish MiG-29, an RAF Typhoon and industry guests included the which to demonstrate its current – some of the world’s leading pilots. Chinook, a French Rafale and the Chairman of BAE Systems, Sir Roger and future – capabilities. Turkish Air Force F-16 ‘Solo Turk’. Carr; Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Friday’s flying programme featured Hewson and Airbus CEO Mr Allan “I am particularly pleased that the first ever international display by Flypasts included a unique formation McArtor. The UK’s Armed Forces over the three-day airshow our Lockheed Martin’s F-35B Lightning of the Red Arrows, an F-35B and Minister Penny Mordaunt and the parent charity, the RAF Charitable II, the world’s most advanced two RAF Typhoons giving a glimpse Minister for Defence Procurement Trust was able to demonstrate the fighter jet and on the same day, the of the future of the UK’s defence Philip Dunne were also attended. many ways it has touched people’s airshow hosted a visit by the Duke capability. There were also some lives by providing support for RAF and Duchess of Cambridge who notable firsts and lasts, with the RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises’ personnel and encouraging and attended with Prince George on his Croatian Air Force displaying for the Chief Executive Andy Armstrong inspiring young people.” first ever public engagement. first time in the UK with their display said: “This year will undoubtedly team Wings of Storm and the last be remembered as one of the The show received a big thumbs’ A post on the Royal Family’s official ever display by the French Air Force greatest ever Air Tattoos. That up from the many visitors who Facebook page, said: “The Air Tattoo ‘Ramex Delta’ Mirage 2000D duo. such a significant aircraft as attended. is a fantastic family-orientated event, the Lockheed Martin F-35B and The Duke and Duchess knew Croatia became the 56th nation to should make its international Hannah Booth, from Birmingham that George would enjoy seeing take part in the Air Tattoo since it was display debut at the Air Tattoo said: “We’re having a great day! the aircraft up close. Their Royal first staged in 1971. is testament to the incredible There’s a brilliant atmosphere here Highnesses took a closer look at an faith the military and the world’s and so many amazing aircraft to RAF Squirrel helicopter, which The Among the highlights on the ground leading aerospace companies see. I couldn’t believe how much Duke trained upon at RAF Shawbury was a march past by 750 air cadets have in our event. is here and how big it is,” whilst in 2009, met Air Cadets and teams to mark the Air Cadet Organisation’s Tom Newdock, from Cardiff said: involved in the spectacular displays 75th anniversary. Taking the salute “Our 2,000-plus volunteers “It was phenomenal to see the at the show, and even tried out an were the RAF’s Chief of the Air Staff and small team of permanent F-35 and, as always, a fantastic job RAF Red Arrows Hawk for size.” Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, staff deserve a huge pat on by the Air Tattoo organisers. I can’t Other Royals attending the airshow Commandant Air Cadets Air Cdre the back for delivering such an wait for next year!”

INSIGHTMAGAZINE 9 Ex JOINT WARRIOR

No 8 Force Protection Wg recently disrupt Air Operations, which gave participated on Exercise JOINT the Wing a highly realistic scenario WARRIOR at Kinloss Barracks to counteract. Morayshire. The deployment included the full Wg HQ, 1 Sqn RAF The exercise began with 120 Regt HQ Flt and 2 Rifle Flts, a Tactical individuals who had not previously Air Control Party from the ALI Cell rehearsed or operated together at RAF Honington, plus RAF Police however over the course of personnel from 1 Tactical Provost 2 weeks developed to finish Squadron. The collective mission with a strong deployment to was, within scenario, to provide Force Tain training area for the Non- Protection to Kinloss airfield and its combatant Extraction Order surrounding area. (NEO). This allowed the Wing operational planning group to The exercise saw personnel counter conduct deliberate planning threats, both internal and external, prior to it’s execution. Assets from through a combined and integrated the ISR force at RAF Waddington command and control node. The assisted the ground operations exercise enemy tested the defences and in turn greatly enhanced of the deployed forces right from the the Wing’s situational awareness start and after many failed attempts during the NEO task. Overall the to probe the perimeter they soon exercise allowed personnel the realised that ground attack was chance to integrate across RAF not an option. Instead the threat Force Protection units whilst developed to that of indirect fire and contributing to a major annual Surface to Air Missiles designed to NATO exercise.

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