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MAGAZINE INSIGHTISSue 4 2012 RAF RUGBY MORRIS SHIELD 8 SQUADRON OPERATION OLYMPIC RAF WADDINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW 2012 InsIghtMAGAZINE 1 THE MAGAZINE OF RAF WADDINGTON IS noW onLine: WWW.THEINSIGHTONLINE.CO.UK 2 InsIghtMAGAZINE InsIghtMAGAZINE 3 INSIGHT MAGAZINE Issue 4 2012 From the Editor… Who would have thought? s we find ourselves halfway and Spitfires blazing across the through 2012, a comment Channel, a visit to the trenches at made last year by Insight’s the Somme and the WWI monuments outgoing Editor, Sqn Ldr expressing new hope for lasting Vanessa Plumley, continues to ring peace bring home the brutality Atrue, yet again: “changes continue and tragedy of the total war that at RAF Waddington.” As I sit here gave birth to the Royal Air Force. alongside our new Deputy Editor, Fg Similarly this edition, we have a Off Anna Sznerch, with me pondering few modern day beginnings. These EDITORIAL TEAM: my broken foot and Anna considering include the international debut at [email protected] who in their right mind named myself, the Waddington Airshow of the External Email: Use personal email addresses listed someone whose native Yank-brand outstanding Korean Black Eagle Tel: 01522 720271 (7801Ext No.) English is anything but the Queen’s, Display Team, our own Sentry’s Editor: as the new Insight Editor, we bring overflight of the Olympic Torch relay, (Sqn Ldr) Mark Brammer you an August Edition of many ‘firsts’ and the passing of another kind of [email protected] and ‘beginnings’ from across RAF torch at North Hykeham Air Cadets. Deputy Editor:Flying Officer Anna Sznerch Waddington and our wider community. Thank you to each contributor and [email protected] Since my introduction to all things to the RAF Waddington Photography Distribution: Insight for the last edition, I’ve had Section who helped put the pictures Corporal Stephen Calvert another first of my own, apart from to the articles this month. Ext 6495 [email protected] a rather self-induced visit to A&E. We hope you enjoy the contents Artwork: S Oliver Along with 54 (R) Sqn, I undertook and invite you to make your own Photography: my first-ever staff ride, following submissions to the editorial Sgt Karl Whitelaw, Cpl Loz Platfoot, Cpl Sarah Draper, the WW I roots of the Sqn through team. We accept articles from SAC Chris Davidson, SAC Lauren Pope, SAC Andy Belgium and France. For each of us all sections of RAF Waddington Stevens, SAC Ben Stevenson who seem to think of European War and the larger aviation-interested Advertising by: as full of swastika-branded troops community. The deadline for Jo Marchant goose-stepping across the Continent October Insight is 4 September. Tel: 01536 526674 Designed by: Mukesh Randev Tel: 01536 521126 Published by: Lance Publishing Ltd, 1st Floor, Tailby House, Bath Road,Kettering.NN16 8NL Tel: 01536 512624 Fax: 01536 515481 www.lancepublishing.co.uk Email: [email protected] On the cover Printed by: Lance Print Ltd OLYMPIC TORCH 4 InsIghtMAGAZINE 07 19 09 37 Please send your contributions to: The Editor, In this Issue… Insight Magazine, RAF Waddington, Lincoln, LN5 9NB. Station Raf disabled Commander’S 12 hoLIday trust 06 Foreword Aviation 14 SQUADRON 17 HeritaGE PAdre’S 07 KING OF THE SKIES Lincolnshire 30 PAtter NOTTINGHAM AND 56(R) RAF WADDINGTON WALK 08 SQN REMEMBER CAPTAIN 19 INTERNATIONAL 31 THE ALBERT BALL VC DSO** MC AIRSHOW 2012 WALK EXercise OP Black 8 SQUADRON 24 CloSE 33 FesterinG 09 Operation OLYMPIC RELATIONS DOG N0. 51 Sqn Receives PIPES RAF RUGBY Morris 11 Honorary Freedom 27 AND 36 Shield Champions of the Town of Snaith DRUMS READING WaddinGton 12 community Matters 27 ROOM 37 WelsH WIN 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 14 S QUADRON Station KING OF Commander’s THE SKIes Foreword... Flight Lieutenant Gav Scott Group Captain Al Gillespie Station Commander Welcome to RAF Waddington’s Insight magazine. As I write, the Station has almost returned to normal after the 2012 RAF Waddington International Airshow. This year over 125,000 people attended and I have been inundated with letters of congratulations and thanks which are testament to the professionalism and dedication of all those that helped present the Royal Air Force and the Station in the best possible light. am very grateful for the endless Royal Flying Corps’ activity during WWI goodwill and support from all those and finishing at a remote cemetery in that work on the Station – everyone Verdun to pay respects to the War Grave should take pride in what we achieved. of - current sqn member - Corporal Back in the UK we can’t keep our personnel in one place too long as After such a busy 6 months, culminating Shane Mitchley’s grandfather. No we’ve been taking part in everything from Skeleton bobsleigh in Austria Iin the Airshow, I am hopeful that my 56(R) Sqn remember a WWI flying ace, to Swimming, Cycling and Running in Israel, Walking in the Lakes, staff rides to personnel will find an opportunity to Captain Albert Ball VC DSO** MC. Ball take a well-earned break over the Summer graduated from Central Flying School, London, sky diving all over the UK and even a night at the Dogs in Peterborough! and recharge their batteries. which celebrates its 100th Anniversary Inside this issue, 14 Sqn personnel this year, in 1916 and served in Nos find time amidst their busy operational 11 and 13 Sqns before joining 56 Sqn, resh from her debut in Insight schedule to visit the Ministry of serving on the Western Front. He was Magazine earlier in the year Defence’s Crisis Management Centre, credited with an impressive 44 kills Rachel Mills has continued the No.10 Downing Street and, hosted by before being killed in combat, pursuing relentless push for more silverware Rt Hon Leon Brittan of Spennithorne, Lothar von Richtohofen, brother of the on her mantelpiece. This time she’s been enjoy a tour of the House of Lords. My Red Baron. 56(R) Sqn personnel joined Fin Austria as part of the RAF Skeleton congratulations also to Flt Lt Sarah with the Nottingham branch of the Bobsleigh team and she’s been on the trophy Hazell of 14 Sqn for her 7th place in the Royal Air Forces Association on the 95th hunt again. We’re very proud to say she’s European Triathlon Championships anniversary of Albert Ball’s death. one of ours as she came back clutching and 3rd place in the Lanzarote News from the Community Centre a 2nd place in the Royal Navy Champs Endurowoman Ironman event! No. includes details of summer events and a Bronze in the Inter-Services. She 51 Sqn personnel continue to train including trips to Alton Towers, Summer was also an integral part of the RAF team with their United States Air Force Olympics, Fantasy Island, Skegness, who claimed victory in the Inter-Services counterparts at Offutt Air Force Base, Yorkshire Safari Park and much Team event. All this from someone who’s Nebraska, while at home the Squadron more. My congratulations to the RAF only been involved with the sport for 18 has enjoyed the Honorary Freedom Waddington Karting Club who won the months! Truly impressive Rach, well done. of the town of Snaith in memory of 2½ -hour endurance race in Llandow, Given our wealth of riches in the talent the sacrifice made by members of the South Wales and the Station Rugby Team department on 14 Squadron we have another Squadron whilst serving at RAF Snaith who were crowned RAF Waddington elite sportswoman that we are very proud of over the period Oct 42 – Apr 45. No Morris Shield Champions – more with - Sarah Hazell has just returned from a trip to 54(R) Sqn say farewell to their Boss, ‘meet the team’ inside. Well done also Eilat where she was representing Team GB in Wg Cdr Anne-Marie Houghton, who to the Learning Centre and Training Triathlon. Whilst Sarah has been competing recently featured in the RAF News Development Flight team who walked for a number of years at the highest level we reflecting on her experiences as the through London by moonlight to help are always humbled to have her as one of first female navigator and (currently) raise funds for a Breast Cancer charity. ours, having finished an amazing 7th in the the only female squadron commander. I wish you an enjoyable Summer and European Championships. She also competed 54(R) Sqn personnel also enjoy a staff good luck to all the UK Olympians in the in the Enduroman in Lanzarote finishing in a ride to Belgium and France tracing the London Games. tremendous 3rd place and has just finished a full ironman event, probably as a warm down - keep up the great work Sarah! 6 InsIghtMAGAZINE KING OF THE SKIes Back in the UK we can’t keep our personnel in one place too long as we’ve been taking part in everything from Skeleton bobsleigh in Austria to Swimming, Cycling and Running in Israel, Walking in the Lakes, staff rides to London, sky diving all over the UK and even a night at the Dogs in Peterborough! We don’t let the ladies hold all the 2 months of intensive training and strict expecting Zinky to ‘pop the question’ soon, limelight across on 14 Squadron though, adherence to the new protein based diet, he so keep your diary free for an invite.