Insight Spring 2025 by Lance Media Group

Station Commander’s Foreword...

Gp Capt Dominic Holland

With the clocks going forward, the longer days, and the gradually improving weather it really does feel like Spring has arrived at RAF Waddington. Despite our busy schedule and relentless operational output, I hope that many of you have been able to capitalise on the Spring Bank Holidays and enjoy some leave over Easter. For those on deployment I send my thanks and hope that you can put those additional days leave to good use upon your safe return!

The variety of articles in the Spring edition of Insight magazine highlights what a busy start to the year we have had on Station. Operationally, 51 Squadron were able to fly the Chief of the Air Staff on a mission from RAF Waddington over Romania and the Black Sea. This was a great opportunity for the personnel of 51 Sqn to demonstrate their operational capabilities and showcase their contribution to Defence to Air Chief Marshal Knighton, who also took the time to speak with many of those on the ground who

support these sorties including operations staff, intelligence analysts, and engineering ground crew.

Domestically this magazine boasts sports and charity articles from the RAF Waddington Running Club and the RAF Benevolent Fund. As ever it is good to see the Running Club representing our Station in competition, but also demonstrating the positive attitude which our personnel have toward fitness, sport and competition. Like the Running Club themselves I would encourage everyone at RAF Waddington to take advantage of the sports opportunities available to them, both in order to represent our Station and also reap the physical and mental benefits which sport and exercise offer. At RAF Waddington we work hard, it is important to play hard too! This is also demonstrated in the RAFBF’s article about their Heritage Ride which will run later this year – this is a great opportunity to raise some money for the RAF’s leading welfare charity whilst having some fun and enjoying cycling. The Station are also raising money for RAFA Rides which will feature in our next edition of Insight magazine.

I will part with a request that you continue to submit your articles to this publication, it is your Station Magazine and a space for you to celebrate the things that we achieve.

CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF FLIES WITH 51 SQUADRON

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Sir Richard Knighton, joined 51 Squadron on an operational mission from RAF Waddington on Friday 14th March 2025.

Arriving in the early hours, around dawn before most day workers at RAF Waddington start work, CAS joined the crew for its pre-mission briefing. The mission for Friday, tasked by 11 Group, was to fly in Romania and the Black Sea to collect information, intelligence, and insight for the UK and its allies.

Before the flight, Sir Knighton took time to meet many of those on the ground who support the aircrew including operations staff, intelligence analysts, and engineering ground crew. Warrant Officer Engineering discussed the engineering required to ensure that the UK Rivet Joint is mission ready. A team of over 150, in several shifts, of mechanical, avionics and mission systems specialists have ensured that 51 Squadron has achieved their operational hours this year; given their outstanding effort the 51 Squadron engineers were awarded an engineering excellence award in late 2024 for their recordbreaking achievements over the last three years.

CAS discussing engineering practices with Warrant Officer Engineering.

CAS climbing the steps to the Rivet Joint; we were not planning on sharing the other guest’s name so likely better to crop out the lowest person

The crew tool off on time at 8am and routed to an Air-to-Air Refuelling Area over the North Sea to conduct a fuel upload from an USAF KC-135 tanker from the 100th Air Refuelling Wing at RAF Mildenhall. The boom tanking was quickly completed by Flight Lieutenant Dan and the Squadron Executive Officer, including achieving some

Library picture off AAR over the North Sea.

Wg Cdr Keith Bissett welcomes CAS to 51 Squadron.

Wg Cdr Keith Bissett and the Chief of the Air Staff walk out to the UK Rivet Joint ahead of the mission.

training requirements for both crews, before the 51 Squadron Rivet Joint flew East Southeast towards Romania.

On task, the crew described how they collect, refine, and then share their insights with

to issue a Chief of the Air Staff commendation to 51 Squadron in the 2024 New Year Honours List for its very significant operational output and effect.

The crew returned back to RAF Waddington just before 6pm,

Following the mission CAS said "The Rivet Joint is a remarkable capability, and it was fantastic to see first-hand how 51 Squadron execute their mission in the Black Sea. Their focus, professionalism, and intelligence output are exceptional and invaluable."

our allies and partners including importantly NATO. The Chief of the Air Staff discussed with the crew why he was delighted

almost 10 hours following their departure and around 14 hours since arriving into work for preflight planning.

Officer Commanding 51 Squadron, Wing Commander Keith Bissett said "51 Squadron delivers almost exclusively on operations from its home base at RAF Waddington, or overseas as required. It was fantastic to be able to show the Chief of the Air Staff the exceptionally effective team I am privileged to lead on an operational mission."

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For me, the time came when the pressures of a corporate career, the demands of being a single mum, and some pretty tough life events caught up with me. My health rapidly declined as a result, and something had to change. Having tried yoga before and honestly not enjoying it, I never expected to be where I am now. Due to years of chronic stress, and quite frankly, an unhealthy relationship with myself, my body finally shut me down through burnout. I was on long-term sick leave, and for the first time in my life, I was forced to sit with myself. I had a lot of time to think, and my nervous system was dysregulated. Burnout meant I was unable to do my usual high-intensity workouts, so one day I switched on YouTube and started doing yoga. In my darkest hour, just like that, yoga became my light. It led me back to myself, enabling profound healing – physically, emotionally, mentally, and yes, spiritually. Finally knowing who I was beneath the expectations, I quit my job and took my career in a new direction, one that was aligned with my values: yoga.

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Heritage Centre

Following a lot of success with several projects last year the Heritage Centre has continued in the same vein over the winter period.

With the heating issues fully resolved we were able to carry out external visits all year. Whilst we were quieter in December we had plenty of visitors in January and February before we got to our naturally busier parts of the year and we even had a few overseas visitors very much out of season.

Our Community Engagement has continued throughout the last six months and with assistance from the Photo section we were able to create a display for the Waddington village church. This year we have also supplied items and information for both the IBCC and Lincoln Cathedral as part of their Women in War and VE80 commemorations respectively as well as giving assistance to

a University of Lincoln student. We have also been lucky enough to be involved in the 102nd birthday celebrations of the original pilot of the Lancaster which we hold the substantial remains of in the Heritage Centre.

We have commissioned a very large artwork for display in the Heritage Centre which will be formally unveiled in August, but if you would like a sneak peek then it is very easy to arrange a family or Section visit to the Heritage Centre, just contact us via wad-heritagecentre@mod.gov. uk. Equally TDF are arranging visits throughout the year so you can join in one of their dates via their FD page on the main Waddington SharePoint site. We also have the Canberra cockpit section fully set up

so any aspiring aircrew now have the opportunity to sit in a 1950s cockpit. Canberra’s have a good connection with RAF Waddington with two Sqn’s based here in the 1950s just prior to the Vulcans arriving, additionally several of our current Sqns have Canberra’s in their history. This is all documented in the display

in order to bring the links up to date. The Heritage Centre covers the full history of RAF Waddington so should have something of interest for the majority of visitors.

If you would like to get involved with the Heritage Centre, then please get in touch by email or via any of the Committee.

where some of our Network members came together to help raise £27k at King’s Cross, and contributed to helping the Royal British Legion raising nearly £1.3m on the day. My personal highlight is when I take time to stand back and see how far the Network has come in 18 months. We are growing both our membership and committee which will ensure we can be an influential and useful Network.

What are your plans for the future of the network?

As a Network, we have laid the foundations from which the Network can grow, but our focus is on building upon the success thus far and continuing to develop and strengthen our offer to our members. We want to help improve transition

support to Service Leavers; signposting/welfare support; networking opportunities and being an influential voice for Veterans policy matters. We have already provided input on matters such as Civil Service Recruitment policy, and Barriers found in transition leaving the Service.

We have also begun liaising with foreign Allied Air Forces to see if reciprocal networks can be established so we can foster and build on the shared bonds of friendship and esprit de corps, and coming together in shared times of Remembrance.

Five years from now, what do you hope the network looks like?

An easy question to answer, but a lot of steps to get there.

We would love to see our membership hit 1000 members, seeing our Network being recognised for what we stand for, and champion.

Equally as important, if not more so, is contributing proactively to the resettlement process; and being seen as being a force for good in supporting our Service Veterans.

How do people find out more and get involved?

If anyone has any questions and/or wish to join our Network, they can contact the Committee at Air-VeteransAirNetwork@mod.gov.uk. They can also find us at Facebook, LinkedIn, and RAF Galaxy

To highlight the Committees plans for the near future:

- The Committee are recognising the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain/Blitz by holding 3x Battlefield Force Development tours of London over the summer of 2025;

- Their Annual Station Engagement event will be held at Brize Norton on 12 June 25, with a formal dinner in the evening;

- The Network have been invited to attend the Battle of Britain Memorial Flights Veterans Tea Party at RAF Coningsby on 9 July 25;

- And have been accepted to march as a recognised group at the Cenotaph in London on Remembrance Sunday.

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RAF Benevolent Fund launches new annual Heritage Ride

On Saturday 27 September, the RAF’s leading welfare charity, the RAF Benevolent Fund, will hold its new Heritage Ride in Lincolnshire.

The Heritage Ride is a 40 or 100-mile cycle challenge taking place both virtually and physically across heritage sites in Lincolnshire.

The physical Heritage Ride will take place on Saturday 27 September starting and finishing at RAF Digby. The virtual challenge will take place the weekend of 27 and 28 September, allowing riders to participate in the event by completing the 40 or 100mile distance anywhere in the world.

The heritage sites will include Wickenby Aerodrome, Scampton Church and the International Bomber Command Centre, as well as passing Woodhall Spa, RAF Fillingham Heritage Centre and RAF Waddington to name a few.

The theme for this year’s ride is ‘Your Heritage, Your Ride’, encouraging participants to

share their personal links to the RAF and inspiration behind their decision to support the RAF Family.

Since its formation in 1918, the Royal Air Force has played a pivotal role in our national heritage. From safeguarding our skies and protecting against threats to preventing conflict and delivering humanitarian aid, RAF personnel have stood on the shoulders of those who served before them. Their bravery, integrity, and unwavering commitment continue to be a source of national pride.

Throughout the decades, the RAF has been defined by stories of fortitude, camaraderie, heroism, and determination. Faced with immense challenges, demanding conditions, and difficult choices, serving and former serving personnel, and their families, have time and again met the challenge.

For 106 years, the Fund has stood beside the RAF Family, providing crucial support to those who serve, have served, and their loved ones. As we reflect on this legacy, we remain committed to honouring their sacrifices and ensuring that no member of the RAF Family faces hardship alone.

The Heritage Ride 2025 is sponsored by Exolum International UK, a longstanding corporate partner of the Fund.

The RAF Benevolent Fund provides financial, emotional, and practical assistance to serving and retired RAF personnel and their families.

To get involved, you can share your stories with the RAF Benevolent Fund on social media tagging them @rafbf and using the hashtag #YourHeritageYourRide.

When: Physical ride: Saturday 27 September | Virtual ride: 27 and 28 September

Where: RAF Digby Routes: 40 miles (short) | 100 miles (long)

You can sign up to take part in the Heritage Ride to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund here.

This includes grants to help with financial difficulty, mental health support, Airplay youth clubs, and more.

Jenny Pearce, Head of Community Fundraising at the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “Following on from our muchloved Dambusters Ride, we are excited to launch our new Heritage Ride which, this year, is celebrating the heritage of the RAF.

“Thanks to our incredible supporters who take part in our fundraising events, we can continue our longstanding support for the RAF Family when they need us most. I’d like to encourage members of the RAF Family and the public to get involved and share your stories of what has inspired you to take on this cycling challenge. Whatever your motivation, we’d love to hear about it – so please share!”

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