Brize Norton issue 1 2022

MESSAGE FROM STN CDR E DITOR’S FOREWORD

With Christmas already a distant memory, we have lots to look forward to in 2022.

Welcome to the first 2022 edition of 51 Degrees North. Before we knew it, 2022 had arrived; quieter than normal but still with a celebration.

With our operational commitments set to continue, A400M capability maturing, some exciting technology and innovation trials starting and plenty of other exercises and events planned, it looks like another packed year ahead!

The sheer number of exercises described in this issue shows not only the breadth of what we deliver from Brize but also how important the exercise programme is in enabling us to generate the capability we require and keep the skills of our personnel honed to the right level. Conducting some of these exercises in far flung and austere places really does allow us to “train as we fight” and work with allies and partners.

We have, yet again, seen many of our personnel recognised for their superb endeavours and hosted community groups, said goodbye to those departing for pastures new and played host to some magnificent sporting events. There really is never a dull moment at Brize and our people continue to be the

thing that makes it all work. Whether on operations, exercise, delivering innovation, supporting the local community or in sporting excellence, our people deliver it all. You certainly are why we can “Transire Confidenter” and why I have no doubt 2022 will be yet another year to remember.

DEADLINE

PLEASE SUBMIT ALL ARTICLES BY 12TH MARCH 2022

Your article should aim to be between 300500 words in length, with a high resolution picture over 1MB for every 100 words you write. You should ensure that personnel/activities in photos are named and that you provide the

author’s details, in case we require any more information. Send your completed articles to BZN51DegreesNorth@mod.gov.uk. We look forward to receiving your articles and make every effort to publish as many of them as possible.

Ido hope that despite restrictions still in place you all had a wonderful time over the festive period with family and friends and took the opportunity to recharge your batteries.

With the end of the pandemic now in sight and hopefully a return to normality, 2022 will be the year that we all come together once more. The Station remains as busy as ever and there is a flurry of activity as we start preparing to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, II Squadron joining in the celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the RAF Regiment and 40 years since the Falklands conflict.

January/February are busy periods with various Exercises taking place, working with our NATO counterparts across the globe and with our very own RAF Falcons currently deployed as they continue their winter training ahead of their new season. We will ensure we share the successes of these with you. We said a fond farewell to an array of personnel since our last magazine, including our very own Deputy Media Officer, Leanne King, who has moved on to pastures new. You will most definitely see many new faces across Station as we welcome many new colleagues.

Please continue to send us your stories, successes, events and images; it really is, without a doubt, your support that enables us to produce such an amazing magazine.

2022 is undoubtedly going to be one of our busiest years; as a Station we will have so much to celebrate.

next time ...

Anita – MCO

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Ex CLOCKWORK

Delivery of British Personnel for Norwegian cold weather training.

The RAF Brize Norton based Air Mobility Force has deployed personnel from all three services to northern Norway for the annual Exercise CLOCKWORK cold weather training.

The deployment will involve RAF C-17, A400M, C-130J and Voyager aircraft transporting personnel and equipment to Bardufoss Air Base in Norway to conduct this training. The airbase is north of the Arctic circle and is strategically placed on NATO’s northern flank.

This is the first time that C-17s have taken part in the exercise. The aircraft’s capability to transport heavy and outsize loads allows the deployment of Joint Helicopter Force helicopters, such as the AH-64 Apache, to take part in the extreme cold weather training.

During the exercise, personnel and equipment will be exercised in their war fighting roles in a part of the world where temperatures can fall to lows of -30°C.

Exercise CLOCKWORK is the name given to the UK Armed Forces’ annual Winter Deployment to the Arctic Circle in Norway. The aim of this exercise is to prepare members of all three services for operations in the type of unforgiving conditions experienced in this region.

Wing Commander Will Essex, Officer Commanding 99 Sqn, said: “The C-17 gives the RAF the strategic capability to transport large equipment, such as an Apache, over long distances, that in turn can be rapidly deployed. It is all about adding flexibility to succeed on operations.”

Globemaster at Bardufoss Air Base..

Ex AGILE PIRATE

RAF deploy to an airfield in the Outer Hebrides.

Royal Air Force aircraft and personnel deployed to Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides during the week 29 November to 3 December 21 in a major exercise designed to develop the future Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept. This new concept aims to enable the RAF to operate from a greater number of locations and to provide increased flexibility and resilience. It is being developed and implemented using a series of exercises over the next 3 years.

Approximately 60 personnel deployed as part of the exercise, known as Exercise AGILE PIRATE, which practised ground refuelling and rearming of Typhoon fighter jets from a forward location. Operating from Stornoway Airport, the Island of Lewis played host to visiting Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth and an A400M from RAF Brize Norton.

refuelling teams, armaments experts, logisticians, Force Protection and not least civilian cooperation and support from Stornoway Airport. The Exercise was designed to test a fundamental question: what is the minimum footprint of people and kit and processes required to successfully deploy to and sustain aircraft at a temporary location at short notice?

Sqn Ldr Astle, one of the Exercise planners, said: “The next few days will test our ability with the minimum footprint of people and kit to receive, debrief, re-arm, refuel and rebrief a Combat Air capability”.

“In short bursts of activity, we will use an A400M to bring in kit and also directly refuel our in-situ fuel bowser to support the Typhoon – an activity delivered by 1 Expeditionary Logistics Squadron from RAF Wittering. At the same time, 6 Sqn

engineers will service and simulate re-arming the aircraft while the crews take advantage of our deployed comms capability to debrief and rebrief prior to re-launching. All of this under the watchful eye of a deployed team from 34 Sqn RAF Regt and other security specialists providing an enclave protection and counter-intruder capability.”

The RAF have chosen to use Stornoway as a location due to its relative remoteness; this has forced the deploying elements to make use of Air transportable options because the easy solution of deploying support by road from known main operating bases was not available. Although currently local to the UK and utilising RAF assets, Agile Combat Exercises will grow to support USAFE Force Elements and those of NATO and Joint Expeditionary Force partners.

A Headquarters from 138 Expeditionary Air Wing based at RAF Marham commanded the deployment which was made up of specialists in personnel preparation and admin, tactical

Qatar Emiri AAR

Qatar Emiri Air Force.

The RAF Voyager Tanker from 83 Expeditionary Air Group (EAG) refuelled the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) Rafale Fighter Jets on the week-long Exercise GALWAY in Qatar. This is the first time the RAF has conducted air-to-air refuelling sorties with the QEAF.

Exercise GALWAY provided an opportunity for the current Operation SHADER Voyager Detachment from 903 Expeditionary Air Wing, a part of 83 EAG, to conduct Partner Nation Integration on discreet, agile activity. It further demonstrated the ability of 83 EAG to operate across the Broader Middle East.

Detachment Commander, Squadron Leader Prager, said: “It has been a privilege to work with our Qatari allies working up their Rafale capability for air-to-air refuelling. We have had some fantastic moments this week, with the Rafale pilots integrating and debriefing with our crews; understanding how well they’ve done in the air and developing their capability as AAR receivers has been a great opportunity.”

This AAR exercise was the latest bilateral training activity involving the RAF and the QEAF. The Voyager deployment provided a valuable training opportunity for both air forces, enhancing their interoperability.

Exercise GALWAY was the latest demonstration that Qatar and the UK share mutual interests in ensuring stability in the Middle East. Joint operational training seeks to boost Qatar’s ability to tackle the shared security challenges which helps to protect the prosperity and security of the UK at home and abroad.

Rafale fighter 2-seater.

Voyager Mission Support Officer.

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Ex AUSTRAL ENDURANCE

The C-130J Hercules heads back from the Antarctic after a successful deployment.

Exercise AUSTRAL ENDURANCE provides excellent training for C-130J aircrew, but it would not have been possible this year without the support of the Mount Pleasant Complex, the Voyager tanker and Royal Logistic Corps Air Despatchers.”

extremely hard and dense ice that has lost the air bubbles that normally cloud ice giving it a white colour.

ARAF Brize Norton based C130J of 47 Squadron recently deployed to Mount Pleasant Airfield in the Falkland Islands from where it has now completed its 7th and final airdrop sortie in support of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). The airdrops were part of Exercise AUSTRAL ENDURANCE, with 47 Squadron aircrew and 47 Air Despatch Squadron, Royal Logistic Corps, personnel on board the aircraft despatching the loads.

As well as delivering vital supplies to sustain BAS’s scientific research, each of the 10-hour missions provided the crews with invaluable training in long range air despatch, air to air refuelling from a Voyager tanker and remote area procedures.

Officer Commanding 47 Squadron, Wing Commander James Sjoberg, said: “It is a great privilege for 47 Squadron to be able help our friends in the British Antarctic Survey with seven long range airdrop missions to resupply them with essential equipment for their research.

During the Exercise, the C-130J Hercules conducted a series of resupply flights to the BAS forward operating base, Sky Blu. In order to extend the range of the C130J, air-to-air refuelling from an RAF Voyager, based at Mount Pleasant, was required.

The Sky Blu base is located at latitude 75 degrees South in southern Palmer Land, Antarctica. The name of the base comes from the area of blue ice surrounding it which is formed from

This C-130J, with external fuel tanks, has an unloaded range of over 3,500 miles; with the Falklands some 7,800 miles away as the crow flies, it made a few pit stops along the way south. The planned route for airframe ZH868, which included equipment movements for another tasking, included Gibraltar, Senegal, Ascension Island and Rio de Janeiro before it finally arrived at RAF Mount Pleasant.

In all, before the aircraft had even begun dropping supplies to BAS, it had flown over 11,000 miles. A true workhorse for the Royal Air Force.

C-130J Hercules shadow over the Antarctic

Armistice France - 5th to 12th Nov 2021. ARMISTICE TRIP

RAF Brize Norton Service personnel and RAFALO’s resumed our normal duties of supporting some of our French counterparts during their time of remembrance after a COVID-19 induced hiatus. The team, led by Station RAFALO Chief Tech Dave Craven of OSW, was composed of Flt Lt Louise Waterhouse, WO Louise Calvert, Sgt Gav Manning, SAC Jack Masterton and SAC Kyle Carlin; they were supported by Mr John Gough, Chairman of the Great Glen (Leicester) RAFA Branch, and VR(T) Flt Lt Anthony Bryan, Ex CO of 1F City of Leicester Sqn ATC, now treasurer. Chief Tech Craven has participated in these visits in some capacity since 2004 and Mr John Gough has an even longer history, taking part since 1994. This longevity and continuous presence have cemented a truly special relationship.

and at which we wore our No1 uniforms. We witnessed the presentation of the Legion d’Honneur to Bernard Richard; this is the highest civilian honour in France. Monsieur Richard, a previous Mayor of Bassevelle, has played a hugely important role in the organisation of this trip and previous visits. Our next official duty took us to the unveiling of Len Manning’s memorial plaque and headstone reveal. Len was the last remaining crew member of a Lancaster which was shot down in 1944.

The visit programme began with a visit to the home of Jean-Thomas. A French Foreign Legion Veteran, Jean-Thomas stood in his living room as he regaled the party with accounts of his time in the French Algerian War, how he was injured in Vietnam and many other experiences which were difficult to describe using just words. During his time in uniform, Jean-Thomas was awarded 12 medals. Even though his English was not fluent, everyone present could not fail to be moved by Jean’s account of his experiences. There is something poetic when someone tells a story in English when this isn’t their mother tongue – this was a no holds barred account with no nonsense or filler and was all the more dramatic for that.

Our first ceremony took place in Bassevelle

He was the rear gunner and was sheltered by the French Resistance until the country was liberated. For its unveiling we were joined by Len’s daughter and her husband. From there we went from cemetery to cemetery and memorial to memorial, paying our respects and laying wreathes/wooden crosses on graves of both WWI and WWII servicemen.

Any written account of the proceedings cannot fail to honour the memory of Anne-Marie. This lady is someone who has been a friend to the ‘Delegation Anglaise’ for many years, welcoming everyone who has taken part in these visits. She has been the instigator of many relationships between both nations but, sadly, Anne-Marie passed away a week before this visit took place. This trip still had many activities that she herself had planned for us to do. She will be sorely missed.

The RAFA team chairman would like to say thank you to RAF Brize Norton for allowing this annual trip to take place and I hope for the continued support of the Station and RAF personnel for the trip to continue long into the future and that the special relationships continue to flourish. As well as a special thank you to Chief Tech Dave Craven for arranging and organising everything, being the English point of contact, driver and translator and brilliant group leader.

Sgt Gavin Manning

Back line - Flt Lt Anthony Bryan, Flt Lt Louise Waterhouse, Chf Tch Dave Craven, Sgt Gavin Manning, SAC Jack Masterton, SAC Kyle Carling, WO Louise Calvert

Front Line – Bernard Richard, John Gough & Jean – Thomas.

Jean-Thomas with his medals.

Commonwealth grave site.

Commonwealth – French American War Memorial

Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, Grave site.

Commonwealth Grave site.

The first Didwell trophy has been awarded. DIDWELL TROPHY

The First Annual Didwell Trophy (2020) was awarded to SAC(T) Luke Taylor, a highly talented technician who has demonstrated an excellent attitude to innovation, challenge and accelerating change; he thoroughly embodies the RAF’s ‘Astra’ principles. SAC(T) Luke Taylor is a 99 Squadron B Shift Avionics Engineering Technician who is well known for his hi-tech home-inventions. He modified a 20 year old bicycle with an electric motor; this is capable of speeds up to 30 mph. He has designed a remote control, 3D-printed racing drone with live-streaming camera. He is brilliant at technological innovation and coding, despite having no formal degree level qualification, and, if you come to the 99 Squadron Avionics Team Management Desk, you’ll see a Luke Taylor original 3D-printed C-17 hanging from the ceiling.

Noting the age of some internal communications system cable test kits currently in use on the Squadron, Luke designed and built his own, fully digitized, prototype solution with shelf-bought parts and a programmable circuit board. Having written the code himself, his prototype was designed to carry out a built-in test of C-17 internal communication cable connections and then to provide a clear diagnostic readout on a LCD screen.

The award is in honour of Corporal Norman Didwell who enlisted in the RAF at the end of 1938 and served on 99 Squadron from 1939 to 1941.

Norman was a Flight Rigger and arrived on the Squadron at Mildenhall not long after it become the first Wellington Squadron.

In 1941 Norman was posted to Boscombe Down; he then moved on to various Staging Posts in the Middle East. Norman later served in Transport Command and was at Gatow during the Berlin Airlift where he mainly worked on Avro York heavy transport aircraft. He left the RAF in 1952 but never lost his love for 99 Squadron; he was instrumental in setting up the Association and remained active in

running it and organising the annual reunions in Newmarket for many years.

Following Norman’s death in September 2018, one of his executors, Steve Bond, who himself was an Eng Tech P at BZN from 1975-80, came up with the idea of creating an annual award that is to be awarded to a currently serving 99 Squadron ground crew member in Norman’s memory.

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Pisa Memorial

In 1971, Hercules XV216, a C130K from RAF Lyneham, was one of a number of aircraft taking part in Exercise COLDSTREAM, a large-scale joint training exercise with airborne troops and equipment based at Pisa Airport.

On 9 November of that year, XV216 was due to carry out a parachute drop at Villacidro Drop Zone in Cagliari, Sardinia.

Ten aircraft were to be involved; nine Hercules and one Hawker Siddeley Andover. Their order of take off was marked by a serial number, chalked onto the fuselage of each aircraft. The Hercules known as “Chalk 4” was the fourth of the 10 aircraft which were due to depart at fifteen-minute intervals early that morning from Pisa.

The aircraft crashed near the Meloria rocks, four miles west of Livorno. At Pisa, the stream take-off was cancelled, another four aircraft had followed XV216 into the air but the last two were prevented from departing. At first it was difficult to find the wreckage due to persistently poor weather. The main wreckage was found lying in 200 feet of water, although small fragments had already been recovered.

All 52 on board the aircraft were killed, these included five British aircrew of XXIV Squadron, a British parachute jumping instructor from No. 1 Parachute Training School at RAF Abingdon and 46 Italian paratroopers from the Folgore Parachute Brigade.

At the time it was described by Italian Officials as the worst military air disaster in Italian peacetime.

On 8 November 21, 15 XXIV Sqn personnel flew to Pisa in one of the Squadron’s current C130J aircraft to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Meloria Disaster. The significance of the occasion was not lost on those attending following an absence last year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic as well as the impending removal of the C130J from RAF service.

The start of the remembrance service at the Monument to the Meloria Fallen, Cimitero “La Cigna”, was scheduled to coincide with the exact time of the disaster on the morning of 9th November; XXIV Squadron personnel joined Italian military personnel as well as the families of both Italian and British victims. The service started with a moving tribute to the fallen and a speech by the Folgore Cdr. A roll call of the victims was read out; after each name had been called their former colleagues replied with “Presente”. Families and representatives of all attending organisations then laid wreaths. OC XXIV Squadron, Wg Cdr Andrew Mcintyre, represented RAF Brize Norton.

The remembrance programme then moved to “Duomo di Livorno” for a service led by the Head Archbishop of the Italian Military. Following the service, Archbishop Santo Marcianò spoke to the XXIV Squadron personnel and give thanks for the close collaboration and friendship between the British and Italian Militaries. The final remembrance event took place at the monument to the disaster in Livorno. The event culminated in the flypast of an RAF C130J of XXIV Sqn.

Throughout the event, members of the Squadron heard accounts from the families of Italian and British families alike and were touched by the words and stories of their loved ones. XXIV Squadron will continue to support the memory of those lost in the disaster and remember not only those who were lost, but also their families.

In omnia parati

RAF Personnel lost in 1971: Captain: Flt Lt C G Harrison Co-Pilot: Fg Off M Swann-Price Navigator: Fg Off M F Fawcett Engineer: FS B D King Air Loadmaster: Sgt P Fulford Parachute Jump Instructor: Sgt R Lee

OC XXIV Sqn joins Italian military and Folgore veterans to salute at Cimitero “La Cigna”.

RAF Brize Norton Wreath placed at Cimitero “La Cigna”.

Archbishop Santo Marcianò thanking XXIV Sqn for their attendance.

Discover something for everyone in the Oxford Playhouse Spring Season!

Dazzling drama includes Private Lives, starring Nigel Havers and Patricia Hodge, The Wellspring, an intimate, autobiographical exploration of the relationship between fathers and sons and Nicholas Nickleby, an adaptation of the classic novel by Charles Dickens. The biggest names in comedy and entertainment, including Reginald D. Hunter, Lost Voice Guy, Craig Revel Horwood and Pam Ayres are sure to bring a smile to your face.

entertainment comes in the form of Oh No, George!, a playful tale of a dog who just wants to be good but can’t seem to keep out of trouble, incorporating Sign Supported English and live music. Opera newcomers and afficionados alike will be dazzled by The Magic Flute, and Michael Morpurgo’s award-winning novel Private Peaceful comes to life in a stage adaptation by Simon Reade. An Oxford Playhouse co-production, magical children’s story The Flower, comes to the Burton Taylor Studio in April.

at Oxford Playhouse are priced from £10 and are available from the Box Office on 01865 305305 or book online at www.oxfordplayhouse.com

4624 Sqn Graduation

On Sunday 23rd January, 4624 Squadron marked the completion of Basic Movements training for 11 trainees with a graduation ceremony held at RAF Brize Norton.

Guest of honour was Gp Capt Nick Huntley, the A4 Force Elements Commander and Deputy Support Force Commander. The 11 graduating trainees have completed the course over 13 weekends and a residential period of 17 days during the last 10 months, fitting it around their civilian employment and family commitments.

During the course, the trainees also undertook several charity fundraising activities and raised an impressive £2,040 for the charities - Blind Veterans UK and the Alzheimer’s Society. The graduating trainees will now join 4624 Squadron Operational flights and, after some consolidation training, they are all looking forward to supporting 1AMW with taskings and mobilisations.

In addition, the Gp Capt presented Support Force Commander commendations to AC Jamieson and AC Spake (photo above) for their actions following a local road traffic accident where they stopped to offer support, helped to make the scene safe and directed the traffic away from the incident.

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BIRMINGHAM VISITORS

Community and Religious Leaders from the Birmingham area visited RAF Brize Norton on 23 November 21 for a familiarisation event which was designed to highlight the wide range of branches available to the young adults in their communities.

of careers, but to raise awareness of the Service lifestyle with a tour of the Junior Ranks and Officers’ mess, the sports gym and the accommodation.

they can go back and share their knowledge. I served for 24 years and I experienced a wonderful time in my life, I got to travel and received good training. So far we are having a fabulous time and they are getting to ask lots of question.”

Doleres Cameron said: “It’s wonderful to see what goes on in the background and to see how it all works, I have been speaking to a pilot who is 24 who joined when he was 18 which I think is absolutely fantastic. I am looking forward to seeing how people live as a community. I wish I had known about this when I was younger because it could have been a career move for me.”

The group visited many sections and areas across the Station in order to better understand the opportunities that the Royal Air Force can offer; these included a tour of a C-17 Globemaster aircraft, hosted by Number 99 Squadron. The event was designed to not only demonstrate the wide range

Throughout the day serving personnel were available to talk about their personal experiences in the RAF. The Reverend Bryan Scott, Pastor at the Cannon Street Memorial Baptist Church (Former RAF Chief Technician), said: “The people I have bought here today are from Birmingham and they have influence in our community and the reason I wanted to bring them here is to show the opportunities that are available to our young people; by bringing parents and grandparents

Bishop Desmond Jaddoo said: “It’s important to understand the opportunities that are here and the warm welcome that we have received is one thing, but we have also asked difficult questions and there has been no hesitation to answer them. So, there is that commencement of the all-important dialogue crucial in terms of ensuring reflective representation.”

Sgt Neil Guest, an Aircraft Technician, said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to re-engage with the community and I am from a similar area in Birmingham so it’s nice to connect with people and explain what we do in the Royal Air Force and break down some of the myths and stereotypes people may have regarding joining the military.”

Members of a Birmingham community visit RAF Brize Norton.

FS JANE CORBAN

On the 11th November, Flight Sergeant Jane Corban, based in Community Support at RAF Brize Norton, received the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers / RAF Brize Norton Person of the Year Award 2021 at a ceremony in London. This accolade is presented to the member of RAF Brize Norton who has done the most over the past year to enhance the efficiency of the Station.

Flight Sergeant Corban has continued to support personnel through deployments, Community outreach and

wellbeing activities both on and off the Station. Her support to the Station COVID effort has been exemplar; she has managed a team who operated seven days a week, providing meals, groceries and medication. They offered welfare support by calling all personnel in isolation, at one point this was in excess of 900 people, including families and personnel living on Station. The team ensured that all personnel and their families were contacted, offered entertainment ideas including virtual coffee mornings and competitions, whilst focusing on mental health

support and ensuring that personnel knew they were not alone.

Flight Sergeant Jane Corban said: “I am honoured and humbled to have been nominated and chosen to receive this award. It was very much a team effort from many areas at RAF Brize Norton and I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank everyone who helped out during this period to help make the lives of anyone who was alone and isolated during the lockdown period that little bit more bearable.”

Flight Sergeant Jane Corban receives award.

SUPPORT

OPERATION TIDY UP FOR ELY CLOSE OUTREACH HUB

This month, a team of small team of volunteers from across Stn volunteered to revamp one of RAF Brize Norton’s community facilities.

Ely Close Outreach Hub is home to several support agencies and community groups including: Airplay and Got2B Youth Club, Citizens Advice, SSAFA and Thrift Shop. The area was in desperate need of some TLC and following a generous donation of £20,000 in 2020 from the NAAFI Welfare Fund awarded to RAF Brize Norton, this was put towards a programme of improvements to the community facility. The team of four Service personnel and 1 civilian carried out a full-scale renovation, which included complete resurfacing of the entrance area, a cleanup of the surrounding area, preparing and planting a large flower bed, building outdoor seating and restoring the basketball court to its former glory.

Flt Lt Dunkley, Project Lead said: “Once the initial paperwork was in place and a

contractor selected, the project quickly came together and became a real team effort by everyone involved. Once the resurfacing was complete it took a full day of hard graft in the cold and rain, to get the area clean and flowerbeds planted, but the team pulled together with a few favours from around Station and the end result has delivered a huge improvement to the facility.”

After 4 weeks of paperwork and planning, on a cold and very wet day in December 6 bulk bags of top soil and bark, countless wheelbarrows of rubbish, hours of jet washing and a few well-earned cakes ensured the Outreach Hub was completely overhauled ready to welcome the community to the facilities within.

CITIZENS ADVICE: SUPPORTING SERVICE FAMILIES

In 2021, RAF Brize Norton received generous funding from the RAF Benevolent Fund to continue working with Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire to employ a Case Worker that’s available to support station personnel and family members two days per week. COVID-19 has had a huge impact on charitable funding but we’re proud to announce that the service is once again secure for another 12 months.

From April 2022, the service will be funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund trust thanks to their Sustaining Support for Armed Forces Communities fund. The funding will also allow us to increase capacity, with more

opportunities for group workshops for individual squadrons.

Jessica Price, Community Development Officer added: “We’re incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated Case Worker on station, providing a highquality service to our community. Julie has a wealth of experience working with services families and combines her expert knowledge of civilian housing, local authority procedures and benefits with a unique understanding of how the military operates. We see first-hand the impact that her support has on the community.”

For more information or to book an appointment, please contact Julie Rogers at: RAFBrizeNorton@ citizensadvicewestoxon.org.uk.

Healing Minds

Cpl Hayley Court presents Combat Stress with £30,000 cheque.

Squadron Reservist Cpl Hayley Court from 622 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton launched her fund raising efforts last year to raise funds for Combat Stress, Hayley together with her military friends from across the UK set some ambitious targets. At the start of 2021, Hayley started Healing Military Minds which has now raised £30,000 but she is not stopping there, she is aiming to raise £50,000 by end of the year to help her chosen charity.

When she realised the effect the Covid pandemic was having on Veterans’ mental health, this was her call for action. As a serving member of the Armed Forces for many years, and with many friends in the military who suffer daily with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Hayley decided to start organising events to raise vital funds for Combat Stress.

Combat Stress is the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health which help service personnel with mental health problems including PTSD, anxiety, and depression by providing a 24-hour helpline available to all veterans and their families, Combat Stress provide vital help to so many people each year.

Hayley said: “The charity is close to my heart and many friends and veterans rely on support from them, helping to guide them through their mental health challenges and I simply had to take action and get involved.

My first fund raiser was a Pie Challenge. Not only was this a good reason to have a laugh – watching people pie themselves via Zoom, giving us all a moment of fun during the difficult months of the first lockdown, 10 and 101 Squadron have got involved and £1500 has been raised to get the bosses pied where you will be able to watch on social media, over the coming months her goal is to pie as many bosses as she can to raise awareness for mental health, the SWO has already volunteered.

Last year together with former World Cruiserweight Boxer Glenn McCrory and Army officer turned MP, Johnny Mercer, we started getting sponsorship for the 1,085m ascent of Mount Snowdon. Our climb raised £1,600 which was added to the fund-raising running total. Healing

Military Minds managed to raise £30,000 by the end of 2021 and now we are embarking on several further fund raising events for 2022. If anyone

Hayley with representative from Combat Stress.

would like to get involved with one of our events or even do your own event please get in touch with Hayley. Court846@mod.uk.

BOXING

RAF Boxing Association Championship.

After a 20-month wait, the RAF Boxing Association were delighted to host the Lord Wakefield RAF Novice Boxing Championships for its 102nd iteration, between 5 to 8 Nov 21. The annual competition, normally held early in the year at the RAF College Cranwell (the Home for Sport of RAF Boxing), was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 102nd Championships saw forty-six Class A (less than 5 bouts of previous experience) boxers enter across 8 weight categories. Each would box up to three times during the weekend before one was crowned the Lord Wakefield Champion. This year’s competition was held at RAF Brize Norton by kind permission of its Station Commander, Group Captain Emily Flynn. Boxers from across the RAF came together to compete in one of the toughest sports, both mentally and physically, available to Service personnel. Demonstrations of valour and courage abounded as boxers battled their way through the quarter and semi-finals. The weekend also allowed coaches and officials from across the Association to complete continuous personal development. A safeguarding course was delivered by an England Boxing (the Association’s National Governing Body) Director; officials’ refresher training was delivered by a member of the International Amateur Boxing Association.

‘Finals night’ on Mon 8 November was

watched by 250 spectators in the RAF Brize Norton Gymnasium. VIP guests included Air Officer Commanding No.2 Group, AVM Marshall, and the RAFBA President, Air Commodore O’Donnell. 16 boxers stood toe to toe for 3 x 2-minute rounds battling to become the Lord Wakefield Champion. The first contest of the evening was a 57-60kg bout between SAC Smith (RAF Marham) and Cpl Anderton (RAF Coningsby); both boxers battled it out for the duration, however, Cpl Anderton was crowned the champion. The second bout, a 6063.5kg contest between SAC Riley (RAF Coningsby) and SAC McCormick (RAF Brize Norton), was another challenging contest that saw SAC Riley declared victorious. The third bout of the evening was a 63.5-67kg contest between Cpl Sheppard (RAF Coningsby) and Flt Lt Greer (RAF Odiham). A tough 3 rounds for both boxers during which the energy was electric saw Flt Lt Greer win by a unanimous points decision. In the final

bout before the interval, SAC Lennon (RAF Leeming) and SAC Carrick (RAF Akrotiri) competed to become the 67-71kg champion; after an energetic contest SAC Lennon took the win.

Following a short interval to allow the guests to recharge their glasses, bout number five, a 71-75kg contest began. SAC Brennan (RAF Leeming) competed against SAC Thubron (RAF Honington). Two tidy orthodox boxers, the airmen

Cpl Anderton recieves his winning medal and trophy from AOC 2 Gp, AVM Marshall.

Flt Lt Fort (Red) battling with SAC Frizzell (Blue).

Flt Lt Greer (Blue) Vs Cpl Sheppard (Red).

SAC Brennan (Red) Vs SAC Thubron (Blue).

SAC Carrick (Blue) Vs SAC Lennon (Red).

SAC Bates (Red) Vs SAC Pitt (Blue).

were relentless for the duration of each round; SAC Thubron was awarded a unanimous points decision win by the judges. Next was a 75-80kg contest between SAC Drake o(RAF Odiham) and SAC Tomkinson (RAF Coningsby). SAC Drake, won when the Referee stopped the contest in the first round of the bout. The penultimate bout, an 80-86kg contest, was between SAC Bates (RAF Northolt) and SAC Pitt (RAF Leeming).

A tough contest for both boxers saw SAC Pitt successful and declared the winner. The final bout of the evening, a 92+kg contest, was between Flt Lt Fort (RAF Waddington) and SAC Frizzell (RAF Marham). Both boxers refused to leave

Boxers

SAC Lennon (Red) Vs SAC Carrick (Blue).

Sqn Ldr Whalley gives the pre bout instructions to SAC Brennan (Red) and SAC Thubron (Blue).

RAF CHAMPIONSHIPS

RAF Brize Norton run away with double gold wins.

On 27 Jan 22, 29 athletes from RAF Brize Norton travelled to RAF Halton for the RAF Cross Country Championships. Competing in a field of 106 athletes, the men’s and women’s races all started together at 1300. The women’s race covered a distance of 6.3k around the challenging hilly route whilst the men ran 11.1k.

First home and retaining her title was our very own SAC Chloe Richardson. She was backed up by great runs from Ruth Tucker of Air Tanker in 5th place, Flt Lt Kimberley Adams in 8th and SAC Rebecca Bracher in 18th.

These impressive performances resulted in RAF Brize Norton’s ladies winning team gold.

As in the women’s race, RAF Brize Norton runners dominated the men’s race with Fg Off Mike Kallenberg coming home in 1st place. He was followed home by SAC Simon Birch in 3rd place, SAC Tom Thayre in 5th place (whilst also winning the U23 gold medal), and Flt Lt Alex Gibb in 8th place to round off the scoring team. Other notable performances included 4th U23 from SAC Aleksander Anastasiou, 37th from Fg Off Tommy Brooks, 61st for Sqn Ldr Neil Merritt and 87th for SAC Max Thompson. Strong packing from the team at the front of the field ultimately resulted in team gold.

This is the first time in a number of years that a station has won both team trophies. Such a result is testament to the commitment shown by the athletes and also to the hard work put in by those who support the team, mainly Carl Thompson of SERCO who can often be found at the gateway fields taking the athletes out for a lunchtime training session.

PEd Flight

Introducing the new S&C class

The new Strength & Conditioning class will consist of a specific warm up leading to a main strength element. It will then be followed by a WOD (workout of the day) and finally a cool down. Expect to learn how to lift; this class will include more technique work.

New class timings: Supple Warrior

Our mobility class combines static stretching and stability work to unlock range of motion that has been lost over time! It can also help improve positioning and your posture. This class will now be at 12:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays and at 17:00 on Thursday evenings and will take place in the Station gymnasium studios. (Located upstairs above the fitness suite.)

Introducing the new CV club

Our new CV (cardiovascular) class will take place between 06:30-07:30am in the Station gymnasium main hall. This class will keep you at a low to moderate heart rate. Expect to be either running, spinning, rowing, or performing bodyweight exercises. This class will run Mon-Fri.

New timetable

** Classes **

Supple Warrior: 12:00-13:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays. Thursdays at 17:0018:00. (Upstairs in the Station gymnasium studios.)

Lunch circuits: 12:00-13:00 on Mondays - Friday. (In the Station gymnasium, main hall.)

Spin: 12:00-13:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 18:00-19:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays. (Upstairs in the Station gymnasium studios.)

S&C: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays at 15:00. Fridays at 14:00. (In the Station gymnasium, fitness suite.)

CV Club: Monday – Friday at 06:30-07:30. (In the Station gymnasium, main hall.)