Inside this Issue: OPS/EXERCISE 33 Sqn 12 Days In The Lebanon STATION EVENTS RAF Benson Honours & Awards SPORTS RAF Benson MTB Club The official quarterly publication of Royal Air Force Benson 30 MILES FOR CHARITY Spring 2019 Issue 80 www.raf.mod.uk/rafbenson Who is the Joint Helicopter Command’s support helicopter training partner? We are. CAE is the global leader in synthetic training for military and civil aviation. We train more than 220,000 pilots and aircrew each year in more than 65 training centres around the world. No other company offers a more comprehensive portfolio of training services and simulation products designed to enhance safety, efficiency and readiness. We are proud our Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility (MSHATF) at RAF Benson has played a role in delivering an unparalleled training standard to the UK Support Helicopter Force for nearly 20 years. Both Royal Air Force and Royal Navy aircrews as well as other international militaries have benefitted from the world-class training and pre-deployment mission preparation they have received at the MSHATF. We look forward to continuing our support of training helicopter aircrews at RAF Benson, and to earning our reputation as a training partner of choice to the UK Ministry of Defence. [email protected] @CAE_Defence CAE cae.com/defence-security Your worldwide training partner of choice CONTENTS SPRING 2019 08 From the the station – please keep them Editor… coming in! Whatever you do, Publishing Team we want to hear about it – if Well spring has you need advice with how PUBLISHER certainly sprung here to write it just contact me Lion’s Roar is published by Lance Print at Benson! via email (andrew.lyes254@ Ltd, 1st Floor Tailby House, Bath Road, mod.gov.uk) and I can offer Kettering, Northants NN16 8NL hints and advice. Pictures Tel: 01536 334223 Already a really busy time are great as well as everyone Email: [email protected] and some fantastic articles always wants to see what Visit: www.lanceprint.co.uk from around the station. has been going on! The more Company Registration No.3253372 Special thanks must go to Micheal imaginative the article the better!! Prendergast for his amazing Hopefully we’ll have good weather in ADVERTISING MANAGER article about Flt Lt Gunn and his the spring and everyone will be out and Leonard hugely impressive contribution to about and breaking out their pens and Tel: 01536 680414 12 Bensons efforts during the second paper(or emails!!) Email: [email protected] world war. As I’ve always said the Lions Roar is nothing without the Andy Lyes DESIGNER amazing contributions from around Lion’s Roar Editor/OIC Amanda Robinson Tel: 01536 334226 Email: [email protected] PRINTER Lance Print Ltd, 29/30 Stapledon Road, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6TD Tel: 01733 390564 Email: [email protected] Visit: www.lanceprint.co.uk ALL CORRESPONDENCE AND FEATURES TO… MAcr Andy Lyes, The Editor ‘Lions Roar’ RWOETU, RAF Benson, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 6AA Contents Spring 2019 Tel: 01491 827062 Email: [email protected] PAGE JHSS - EXERCISE PAGE THE CEREMONY 08 HOOKERS HERALD 23 OF THE KEYS PAGE RAF BENSON HONOURS PAGE JHF HQ - EX SAIF SAREEA 24 & AWARDS Don’t Forget! 18 29 10 Look out for the PAGE BEST OF BENSON PAGE 33 SQN - 12 DAYS IN next edition of Lion’s THE LEBANON SUBMISSION OF ARTICLES: 26 Roar which is due Articles for the Lion’s Roar should 12 out in June 2019 30 be submitted by email, written PAGE in Microsoft Word (preferably not PAGE 230 SQN STANDARD PARADE 30 MILES FOR CHARITY the latest version format) and – OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW pictures should be sent as high 14 28 quality original jpegs and attached as separate files, not embedded PAGE 230 SQN - NATO PAGE RAF BENSON MTB CLUB DISCLAIMER: in the text or reduced in size. TIGER MINI MEET This publication is copyright Lance Publishing 17 29 Limited and may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without prior written PAGE FLIGHT LIEUTENANT ALASTAIR permission of Lance Publishing Limited. While every PAGE STN GOLF EXPED care has been taken during the preparation of this DONALD MACINTOSH GUNN magazine, Lance Publishing Limited cannot be held 18 responsible for accuracy of the information herein or 30 for any consequence arising from it. Views Expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the PAGE LOGS SQN THROUGH PAGE SSAFA Royal Air Force or the Ministry of Defence. All images THE YEARS © UK MoD Crown Copyright 2016 unless otherwise 21 31 stated. 4 LION’S ROAR SPRING 2019 Mission: To deliver Support Helicopter operational capability www.raf.mod.uk/rafbenson SPRING 2019 LION’S ROAR 5 REGULARS STN CDR’S FOREWORD Foreword from the Station Commander... Editorial Team OIC/EDITOR Welcome to my first edition of the Andy Lyes Ext: 7062 Lion’s Roar as Station Commander. 33 SQN REP Flt Lt Dave Rawson 28 Sqn, Ext: 8039 230 SQN REP Benson has lived up to its reputation of that show just why Benson is held in Flt Lt Paul Hutton being one of the friendliest, welcoming such high regard. From the 230 Squadron 230 Sqn, Ext: 7159 stations in the RAF and it’s an absolute Standard Consecration ceremony with 28 SQN REP privilege to be given the job of Station His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Flt Lt Dave Stanford Commander here. Kent to the latest round of honours and 28 Sqn, Ext: 8072 As some of you will know, I arrived awards presented during the Annual LS REP a little earlier than November as I Formal Inspection, the professionalism Fg Off Robin Wilson spent several months working my way and dedication that you are known for is OC M&T Flt, Ext: 7428 through the Puma conversion course clearly evident. EXPEDITION & SPORTS REP with 28 Squadron. Since taking over the Please do keep sending in articles Fg Off Sam Bacon office from Hamish, the pace has been to the editing team as the Lion’s Roar is STO, Ext: 5219 relentless and I’m still learning everything one of the ways that we showcase Team BSW REP about this incredible team and getting Benson to others. I know most of you Ms Nikki Hamilton to grips with leading the many fantastic don’t do these things for recognition SEO, Ext: 7245 and diverse people we have here at but I truly believe that rewarding and OPS WG REP Benson. I’m doing my best to get around recognising the work that people do is Flt Lt Tom Barber Ext: 8139 the Station to meet as many of you as vital, not only to ensure that you feel 606 SQN REP possible but I know that is going to take valued but also to inspire others to Flt LT Rosie Gilmour me some time, so inside this edition achieve the same level of greatness. 606 Sqn Media, Ext: 7238 you’ll find an interview where I answered I look forward to getting to PHOTO & IMAGERY REP some of the questions that have been know you all better over the coming Sgt Malthouse posed by the team. You’ll also find some months and to reading more about your Photo Section, Ext: 7265 fantastic articles amazing endeavours. CARTOONIST FS Dave McCrindle MLO ADJ Ext 7085 DISTRIBUTION Mr Tizzard, Mr Cole, Sgt Fiona Rotherham 606 Sqn COVER CREDIT: RAF Benson Photographic Section. 6 LION’S ROAR SPRING 2019 Mission: To deliver Support Helicopter operational capability JHSS EXERCISE HOOKERS HERALD Exercise Hookers Herald Joint Helicopter Support Squadron (JHSS) have recently completed their annual Continuation Training exercises 1 & 2 (CT 1 & CT2). Image credit: SAC Ryan Murray. Deploying into a frozen -12C Longmoor training area JHSS began their annual back-to-basics field exercise. Testing both RAF and Army personnel in Section battle drills, navigation, patrolling and building clearances, alongside harbour defence and administration in the field, culminating in a Platoon attack. Being a Joint and mixed cap-badge Squadron, it is essential that all personnel are trained to the same standard and are able to conduct these drills effectively in extreme conditions. With JHSS instructors to hand JHSS personnel were soon effectively carrying out Section level attacks, with the Army’s Battlefield simulation adding realism by telling individuals whether they had been hit. The finale of the exercise saw a SNCO deliver his orders and prepare for a Platoon level attack, assaulting 3 separate enemy positions. Each section, under their section commander, assaulted and suppressed the enemy before regrouping in the as both passenger and underslung loads rear. The Sections seamlessly completed were moved across the training area. their assaults and demonstrated a strong This allow new members of JHSS understanding of the tactics involved and to gain additional exposure under the importance of mission command. the disc away from the familiarities The Second week saw JHSS of Odiham and Benson Tac-Parks. redeploy to Salisbury Plain for CT2. In all CT1 & 2 were both hugely This element was directed towards our successful for JHSS who have confirmed specialist role as helicopter handlers, our personnel’s abilities to perform their preparing multi-lane load parks and duties in austere conditions at all hours. complex loads for JHC assets to utilise. Having accomplished this JHSS can look Whilst the weather proved abysmal, forward to yet another busy year supporting with significant snow and fog, JHSS were still Aviation assets around the Globe. able to achieve all of its training objectives, further demonstrating their status as a highly professional specialist unit.