1 Squadron

from Honington - Winter 2022

at RAF Honington First RAF Eng Tech (Weapons) to train

The Squadron returned from Cyprus and post operational leave to the devastating news of Her Majesty The Queen’s passing and a re-tasking to support civilian security in London during the Queen’s laying in state and the Royal Funeral.

In total, 1500 personnel from across the services supported what was a busy but very fulfilling week. 1 Squadron undertaking different roles around central London, from crowd marshalling, Met Police support and even checking passes on the door of Westminster Abbey to ensure only those invited could attend the funeral itself. All this helped to ensure the smooth running of events and give Her Majesty The Queen the funeral she deserved!

Some uplifting news to return to work was that 1 Squadron’s own Aviation Specialist (1) Ray was awarded the RAF Tedder Academy Leadership talent award! This new award was created to help highlight the very best up and comers from across the RAF and the very first award (naturally) went to 1 Squadron. Ray was nominated in the summer whilst the squadron was in Cyprus and was successfully selected ahead of all other nominees to claim the coveted prize and was presented it by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall Sir Mike Wigston, with Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin in attendance during the Chief of the Air Staff’s Leadership Conference in September.

Throwing themselves straight back into work, members of 1 Squadron and personnel from the Air Land Integration Cell at RAF Coningsby travelled to Belgium on Exercise VOLCANEX, a multi-nation Ex focusing on Air Force Protection C2. Alongside counterparts from Sweden and the Netherlands, the exercise was designed to develop and test commanders in a multinational setting, whilst also helping to standardise the processes used by all allied nations present. With no stops to the momentum of training, personnel from all three flights dived into Ex URBAN CHARIOT, a weeklong Close Quarter Battle exercise held in the Honington CAGE Training facility. This week allowed the gunners to brush off the cobwebs on their Close Quarter Battle skills and they worked up from dry practices in a well-lit and quiet room, all the way to up to simunition training in low red light with heavy music blasting. This ensured the gunners had to rely on their individual skills, use of hand signals and trust in the gunners next to them. This week was then followed by Ex CHARIOT STRIKE, another training week over in the CAGE Trg facility but this time adding an extra complexity of deploying from vehicles. With Foxhounds, drivers and commanders all being provided by the squadron, the exercise provided the realism that helps take training to the next level.

As always, a busy time for 1 Squadron.

1 Squadron’s own Aviation Specialist (1) Ray was awarded the RAF Tedder Academy Leadership talent award! Arkish Surrish - Swift and Sudden

Upcoming Open Mornings

Pre-Prep School: Thursday 2 March Prep School: Friday 3 March Senior School: Saturday 4 March

Forces discount available Individual tours available all year round

Independent boarding and day school for girls and boys aged 1-18.

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