WINTER 2011 Station ying THE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE OF WATTISHAM FL EXERcise Lion sun ARMY helicopter and vehicle mechanics have swapped their spanners for rifles for a gruelling exercise in the dust and heat of Cyprus 656 SQuaDRon 4 Regt aac MARitime stRIKE Army Attack Aviation from the Sea ARmy piLot ALso saVes LIVes in PADRes coRneR EXERcise ALLgau DRagon the SKieS ABOVE OpeRation HERRicK AfGHAniSTAN Unit NewS | MOD POLICE | AWArdS | RAFMSA ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP 2011 THE EAGle CONTENTS THE EAGle CONTENTS 3 2 From the Editor: Lt Col (Retd) RW SILK MBE Station Staff Officer elcome to the winter (Christmas) edition of The Eagle, which again covers operations, W training and a host of other activities back at Wattisham, our Home Base. You will see from the Station 2 Commander’s introduction that the past few months have been somewhat hectic with all kinds of activities, which has pushed the station very much into the media spotlight. Of course on the downside the Station Commander, Col Neale Moss, is preparing to leave us to be replaced by Col Andy Cash in the New Year. I will not dwell on this at the moment as the various reports of the ‘Governor’’ leaving will be carried in the next edition. Finally, the editorial team wishes all our readers a peaceful Christmas and the very best of fortune in the New Year. 30 06 I Foreword 26 I 7 Air Assault Battalion REME 36 I Welfare Matters Introduction by Colonel Neale Moss News and updates from 7 Air Assault News and updates from the various Unit OBE, AH Force Commander, Wattisham Battalion REME, including Exercises Lion Welfare Offices. Merry Christmas Flying Station. Sun and Diamond Seahorse. & Happy New Year! Editorial Jane Weetman 9 I 3 Regiment AAC 3 I 132 AVN Sup Sqn RLC 39 I Honours & Awards Assistant Editor Team: Email: [email protected] News and updates from 3 Regiment News and updates from 132 AVN Sup Honours given out and Awards recieved at HQ Tel: 01449 72(8210) or 8358 Army Air Corps, including Operation Sqn RLC. Wattisham Flying Station. Wattisham Flying Station Email: [email protected] Herrick. Wattisham Airfield The editorial deadline for the next IPSWICH, Suffolk, IP7 7RA issue is 21st February. Advertising by: Kayleigh, Tel: 01536 526666 1 I Regiment AAC 3 I B Flt 22 (SAR) Sqn 7 I The HIVE Designed by: Stephen Lambert, Tel: 01536 521126 Lance Published by: Lance Publishing Ltd, 1st Floor, Tailby House, Bath Road, News and updates from 4 Regiment Army News and updates from B Flt 22 (SAR) Sqn News and updates from the Hive. Kettering, NN16 8NL - Tel: 01536 512624 / Fax: 01536 515481 Air Corps: Exercise Allgau Dragon, 656 RAF Search & Rescue. www.lancepublishing.co.uk / Email: [email protected] Squadron AAC Maritime Strike and Blue Printed by: Lance Print Ltd - Tel: 01480 492183 Hole Challenge. The views expressed by the contributors to The Eagle magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor; MOD, or the publishers and do not reflect Station policy. All precautions are taken to ensure accuracy. Advertisements are accepted on the understanding that they conform to the British Code of Advertising Practice. This magazine is published by the kind permission of the Station Commander. THE EAGLE | 0 THE EAGLE | 0 THE EaGLE watcHes JUST LEARNING NURSERY COVERS ALL NEEDS Aviation capability, typified by his August and September this year Flight Deck Ops - being the first to reach 1,000 hours their energetic and organised ust Learning nursery 656 Ellamy GAPAN on operations, and 656 Squadron Second in Command (Maj Bob in Stowmarket The nursery has fantastic Group caught the selectors eye for Jones) led a Junior Command Jprovides quality facilities, complete with a and flexible childcare for large outdoor play area. It all the work I mentioned above. Leadership and Management nursery children aged two is open all year round with A fantastic achievement, which course on Ex LION SUN in Cyprus. months to five years old. sessions from 7.00am- underlines the teamwork that I am Despite temperatures hitting 44ºF 6.30pm five days a week. so proud of here. REME personnel from all three The nursery, which is based on The Buntings at Cedars Park, is A free weekly Stay and Play On the same day as the GAPAN Station units proved their skills by purpose built with the capacity session is also available at Awards we launched the Suffolk successfully passing the course in to care for 112 children. The the nursery, every Friday RBL’s Poppy Appeal which, of a very demanding infantry based nursery is managed by Amy at 9.30am to 11.00am. The course, coincides with the 90th scenario. A very well done to all of Bowles, who heads up a fully session is open to any parents qualified care team which is and carers in the local area birthday celebrations of RBL. A them and for making the passionate about children’s who want to meet others with Yak fixed wing aircraft (well done front page! education and well-being. children of a similar age. the intrepid Andy Warburton), Meanwhile, literally back at normally based at Elmsett, did a the ranch, Exercise CRIMSON A recent Ofsted inspection Amy Bowles, Manager at graded the nursery Just Learning in Stowmarket, couple of low passes over the rugby EAGLE is being completed near ‘Outstanding’ in ‘effectiveness said: “Our nursery underwent pitches. During the second pass, the Mexican Border. This year we of the setting engagement with substantial refurbishment at at low level, thousands of poppy seem to have had more than our parents and carers. Ofsted also the beginning of the year and leaves were despatched and rained fair share of un-serviceabilities and awarded the nursery a further the facilities are fantastic. We 16 ‘good’ ratings, including the want to invite prospective Introduction by down in a most impressive screen to adverse weather conditions, but effectiveness of safeguarding, parents to visit the nursery for Colonel Neale Moss OBE much clicking of camera shutters. the team headed up by my Chief of the extent to which children a look around. Our helpful and AH Force Commander Wattisham Flying Station The results are described elsewhere Staff (Lt Col Peter Bullen) and the make a positive contribution knowledgeable staff will be but it was a timely reminder, if irrepressible Major Marc Briggs and the effectiveness of able to answer any questions leadership and management they may have about their one was needed, that this year’s have really dug deep to achieve as in embedding ambition and child’s nursery needs.” Oh, dear reader, I really can’t believe that this is going to be my last ever introduction to this illustrious magazine. I arrived here in Remembrance Day fell on 11th hour much as humanly possible. Sadly, driving improvement. April 2010 and it is already time to bid farewell because I leave here for civvie strasse in March 2012. of the 11th day, 2011, so I think at the time of writing it looks as if that it has a special and resonating we will only qualify 16 students as e have, together, Not long after 663’s return, 656 The most important thing is that The Guild of Air Pilots and Air significance. Thank you to the GSM opposed to the 24 we had hoped achieved much to Sqn Group headed up by Major Libya enjoys some much needed Navigators and I happen to be (Mr Balcomb) and all of you that for. During the exercise we hosted be proud of but Mike Neville arrived back from peace and stability; but that peace fortunate enough to be an Upper represented all of us during the long many VIPs including Commander there is still a lot their Mediterranean cruise to and stability, to some extent, is Freeman. The Guild goes back Remembrance weekend this year. Joint Helicopter Command (AVM Wmy successor (Col Andy Cash, ex-CO high acclaim and huge applause. only possible because of the work to the 1930s and represents the Let us continue to ensure that those Carl Dixon), and Commander 16 Air 4AAC) will need to get on top of The plaudits are still streaming in of the entire 656 Sqn Group and all interests of aviators in business who paid the ultimate sacrifice are Assault Brigade (Brig Giles Hill). The quickly – most particularly a busy because 4AAC pulled the rabbit of you back here who supported it, and governments worldwide. I never forgotten. scale of the visits just underlines commitments plot. But, I want to properly from the bag. from the DSU through to believe that there are over 2,000 Whilst still in the thanking how important this training is for take this opportunity just to dwell When you consider the Welfare Officers active members who quite literally mode, I just wanted to take time us, the JHC and the Field Army. on the highlights of the Autumn. that they and ever patient span the globe. GAPAN hold a out to thank 7 Air Asslt Bn REME We say good bye and fond Firstly, we set 653 Sqn safely departed on families. Some glitzy annual awards dinner in The commanded by Lt Col Chris Platt, farewells to Lt Col Paul Tennant THE MOst ImpOrtAnt on their way to Afghanistan, and an exercise of you will Guildhall for over 700 people. This for once again organising a most and his lovely wife Camilla. Both THING IS THAT LIBYA ENJOYS welcomed back 663 Sqn from a (COUGAR) SOME MUCH NEEDED know that year you, The Attack Helicopter memorable (if a bit damp) Fireworks Paul and Camilla have put a huge long, hot summer there.