Royal Air Force News Friday, November 17, 2023 P9
News
38 Special ‘Danger zone’ drill tests Brize EAW
In Brief
ARROWS ART: Peter Bink, right, presents Wg Cdr Collins with one of his paintings to mark team’s 60th anniversary
Paint it Red
AID MISSION: ATLAS joined the exercise to hone RAF rescue skills with Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade
Alex Gill Brize Norton
A SPECIALIST Air Force unit set up to fly into disaster zones is honing its life-saving skills alongside the British Army’s elite 16 Air Assault Brigade. Crews with 38 Expeditionary Air Wing at Brize Norton launched simulated operations at remote airfields, flying in supplies on board an Atlas transporter and working alongside land forces during Exercise Venture Spirit. The air mobility unit is held at a high state of readiness to deploy anywhere in the world
to deliver humanitarian aid and evacuate victims of natural disasters and conflict. The latest drills are part of the RAF’s Agile Combat Employment concept of operating aircraft from remote locations to avoid detection from enemy forces. XXIV Sqn’s Wg Cdr Gav Anderson said: “We’re confident that should we be tasked to deploy, we are ready, capable and up for the challenge. “We are delighted that 16 Air Assault Brigade
have been able to support us by representing the deployed Land Component. “The end of our Air mission, such as the insertion of troops and equipment by airdrop or airland, is often only the start of the land mission. “By exercising together, our crews and support personnel are exposed to the challenges and rewards of air land integration. Venture Spirit has been a more complete ACE exercise through our collective participation.”
VETERAN RESERVIST and artist Peter Bink paid personal tribute to the Red Arrows by producing a series of 21 portraits of former team members. The original artwork, signed by the Reds, will be auctioned next year to raise funds for the RAFBF, to mark the team’s 60th anniversary. Aviation fan Peter, who served for 20 years before becoming an art teacher at his local grammar school, presented a portrait of 60s Arrows member Sqn Ldr Ray Hannah to current team boss Wg Cdr Adam Collins.
Green machine Female veterans face increased
‘brain-health’ risk, medics say Tracey Allen
RAF MOTORSPORT aces blasted to victory in the gruelling Inter-Services showdown at Silverstone – powered by green fuel. Drivers Sqn Ldr Si Frowen, Chf Tech David Russell, AS1(T) Alexander Smith, AS1(T) James Flint and AS1(T) Alex Waldeck took the chequered flag two laps ahead of their nearest Forces rivals, the Army team. It’s the first time a car powered by sustainable fuel has completed the event. l See Sport p28 for full report.
FEMALE VETERANS suffer worse ‘brain health’ than men of the same age, according to researchers who have launched a probe into the neurological effects of military life. A team led by Northumbria University and Imperial College London will look at the difference between Forces men and women in a bid to improve treatment for the UK’s female veterans who have gone on to develop neurological problems. Dr Tamlyn Watermeyer, Assistant Professor of Neuropsychology at the university, said: “Recent studies have highlighted poorer brain health in
female veterans compared to male veterans and female civilians. “This indicates the need for increased and early screening of the female veteran population;
however, currently health services for veterans have mostly been developed for males.” The survey is being funded by the MOD’s Health Innovation Fund and will examine the psychological, social and biological factors that lead to poorer brain health in female veterans, a spokesman said. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer added: “We know that many veterans’ treatments are often male-focused, so this important work will explore brain health in female veterans. “We will also be publishing the government’s first Women Veterans’ Strategy in 2024, to ensure that the services we provide are best suited to the needs of female veterans.”