Inside this issue: WWI Commemorations • Eco Sounder • Pathfinder Weekend • FOC • Rat Race The Official Magazine of RAF Wyton eagleyeSept/Oct 2014 Fit for Royalty Brigadier’s Challenge 2 eagleye Sept/Oct 2014 Sept/Oct 2014 eagleye 3 eagleye a tractor towed trailer, WO1 Robinson was Sept/Oct literally sent packing, or is that packaged? For those who missed the outgoing RSM’s formal departure, turn to page 10 for an eye The Commanding witness account of WO1 Robinson being delivered to the Officers’ Mess in his ‘Action Officer Will’, ‘now with eagle eyes’ (it was a 70’s thing!) box, one that some believe he arrived RAF Wyton HQ 2014 in when first enlisted! Also in this magazine we have dedicated Wg Cdr Ola Fashade four pages to Wyton’s commemoration of Editorial Team WW1. We have included 14 Sqn (Geo)’s recent Battlefield Study in this article, in Acting OIC: Sgt Simon Rees From The Editor which they took in sites across England, Editor: Sgt Simon Rees elcome to the September/ Belgium and France, and all undertaken Deadline: October edition of Eagleye. while cycling over 500 miles – great effort Nov/Dec 2014 edition of Eagleye Once again we’ve covered a folks. Closer to home, Padre Steve Radley Article submission date: 06 Nov 2014 number of events which will marked the centenary of the outbreak of Eagleye published: 04 Dec 2014 W give you a real flavour of what’s been going on WW1 in the Station church with a service of around the Station over the past few months. prayers and reflection. Advertising Sales By: Jo Marchant Lance Publishing Ltd Tel: (01536) 526678 From the visit of HRH The Duke of Gloucester, As always, we are very grateful for the input to mark the formal declaration of JFIG achieving of sections and individuals who help make Published By: Lance Publishing Ltd, 10 Full Operating Capability, to a number of charity Eagleye what it is by contributing articles and 1st Floor, Tailby House, Bath Rd, Kettering pushes in aid of some great causes, we’ve put allowing us to come and share in some of their NN16 8NL. Tel: (01536) 512624 Fax: 01536 515481 together a selection of articles and stories which events. However, there are apparently ‘blind Email:[email protected] www.lancepublishing.co.uk 06 Contents we hope you’ll read and enjoy. spots’ around the station where evidently Included in this edition of the Station nothing ever happens… Perhaps if you work Designed By: Sherrie Bacarese Contents magazine, we say goodbye to Campbell in a section or area of the Station that has 05 Wiseman, RAF Wyton’s much loved postmaster had little coverage in Eagleye in the past, you Printed By: Lance Print Ltd Tel: 01480 492183 13 and WO1 William Robinson, 42 Engr Regt might consider sharing your life at Wyton with Full Operating Capability| 06 Copyright: Eagleye is not an official 07 (Geo)’s much respected RSM. Having informed the rest of us. Whether an event or occasion Station magazine with a puzzle or recipe you’d like publication; the views expressed in this you of Campbell’s imminent departure in our is organisational, sporting, charitable or to see published in Eagleye. You can even send RSM Bids Farewell| 10 magazine are those of the authors alone and 07 last edition of Eagleye, in this edition we report recreational, big or small, it matters not; we’d us a photo of you reading Eagleye in an interesting do not necessarily reflect official policy. No The Last Post 13 on his ‘Last Post’, CO RAF Wyton, supported by like to here all about what you or your section location or while on holiday, if only to brag about part of this publication may be reproduced in | 10 over 100 personnel, turning out at the old Post have been up to, so we can share your news where you’ve just been! See page 38 for details. part or whole without the written permission of Eco Sounder 14 the Editor or the Publishers. Photographs are Office on Cornwall Road to say a fond farewell. with the whole RAF Wyton community… We’ll Enjoy reading this edition of Eagleye. Crown Copyright, all rights reserved, unless | 13 While Campbell was being towed off the Station be hearing from you all soon then! Deadline for the Nov/Dec edition: WRAFS on Tour 15 credited to an individual photographer. Eagleye on a makeshift chariot, or rather a chair atop Don’t forget you can also contribute to your 6 Nov 2014 is published by permission of the Commanding WWI Commemorations| 1518 Officer RAF Wyton HQ. CO RAF Wyton HQ and Station personnel turned out to wish Campbell and Loraine Wiseman a fond farewell. 15 Helping Danny to Hear1522 Eagleye Magazine Is | 100% Recyclable The RAF Way Round 25 | 16 Pathfinders 27 18 | News from 57(R) Sqn 28 2124 Sports Roundup| 30 27 28 Charity Car Wash| 32 Lance 28 Energy Really Does Matter 32 HOW MANY | IDDEN IN Youth Club 34 FALLINGFIND LEAVES H CAN YOU | HE MAGAZINE? RAF Wyton Community Support 36 T AT THE BOTTOM ANSWER AGE 36. | OF P 32 Leisure Corner 38 4 eagleye Sept/Oct 2014 Sept/Oct 2014 eagleye 5 has achieved Full Operating Capability through a combination of great vision and sheer hard work.” “The premier facilities that JFIG now operates from are admired and valued by a number of national agencies and partners. Our thanks must go out to all which will allow you to be better informed. Those Engineer Regiment from Brampton, Feltham and within JFIG and at Wyton who have made this work.” who come to work here in the future will be very Hermitage to new purpose-built facilities at Wyton.” After unveiling the new Pathfinder Building sign, grateful for all your efforts.” “Within the new Pathfinder Building at Wyton, HRH The Duke of Gloucester said: “It gives me great Brig Nick Davies, Comd JFIG, has overseen the the Joint Intelligence Operations Centre coordinates pleasure to join you in your day of celebration to mark restructuring of JFIG over the past three years. Writing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for the achievement of Full Operating Capability.” ahead of the ceremony, he said: “17 September Defence, while the Defence Intelligence Fusion Centre “It provides you with an opportunity to look back to 2014 marks the completion of the PRIDE (Wyton) brings together geospatial intelligence for the nation where you came from; the early days of photographic Programme, the restructuring of Joint Forces and intelligence fusion for Defence.” reconnaissance and Defence Intelligence, and Intelligence Group and our achievement of Full “Wyton is developing as a geospatial and its journey through events in WWI and WWII to its operating Capability.” intelligence hub, collocating elements of Defence development today.” “The PRIDE (Wyton) Programme was a £308m Intelligence, Service intelligence organisations, “We live in an uncertain world and it must give project to relocate JFIG Command elements, agencies and allies.” you great reassurance to see this new facility, one geospatial intelligence, human intelligence and 42 “Although we have made significant progress already, none of our achievements would have been Joint Forces Intelligence Group Achieves possible without the commitment, long hours and hard work of all our personnel. We have grown closer to the rest of Defence Intelligence, the single Services and our ‘5-Eyes’ partners. We have also enjoyed excellent support from industry.” “However, I would characterise Full Operating Full Operating Capability as the ‘end of the beginning’ of JFIG’s development. Over the coming years we will continue to evolve and move forward. We must be ambitious, not at the expense of Capability other organisations but to drive continuous improvement, constantly pushing the boundaries On 17th September 2014 HRH The Duke of of what we can achieve as a key part of Defence.” Gloucester formally declared that JFIG had achieved Full Operating Capability (FOC). RH The Duke of Gloucester was guest In his introduction to the ceremony, CDI, Vice of honour at a ceremony at RAF Wyton Adm Alan Richards underlined the importance of to mark JFIG’s achievement of FOC, the JFIG and the Pathfinder Facility to Defence, both H Group having completed its programme nationally and internationally. His Royal Highness of restructuring. The ceremony also marked the was then invited to unveil the new Pathfinder Building completion of the PRIDE (Wyton) programme. sign, complete with an engraving acknowledging The ceremony was held in front of Pathfinder HRH The Duke of Gloucester’s declaration of FOC. Building, headquarters to JFIG and home to DIFC. In his address to HRH The Duke of Gloucester A parade by Wyton-based JFIG personnel was and those attending the ceremony, Vice Adm supported by the Wyton Area Voluntary Band. His Richards said: “Having embarked on a particularly Royal Highness inspected the parade. special, challenging and exciting project, JFIG 6 eagleye Sept/Oct 2014 Sept/Oct 2014 eagleye 7 Joint Forces Intelligence Group Achieves Full Operating Capability JFIG Honours & Awards Ceremony he visit of HRH The Duke of Gloucester concluded with an Honours and Awards ceremony. His Royal Highness was T delighted to make the presentations to the seven Servicemen and women from JFIG; honours which included two Royal Warrants, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, an Accumulated Brigadier’s Campaign Service Medal 2011 and two Afghanistan Operational Service Medals. Challenge To celebrate JFIG achieving Challenge 2 - Tug-o-war FOC, a number of events 1st 42 Eng Regt (Geo): 9 pts, 2nd Northolt: 6 pts, 3rd DIFC: 3 pts, 4th HQ: 0 pts were organised for after (Win: 3 pts, Lose: 0 pts) the ceremony, including (Best of 3 wars – Round Robin) a sports afternoon and a party in the Sin Bin.