1 ISR Wing Awards Evening 2022

explained he was from the RAF, whereupon things quietened down. The teacher handed Hunter over to the border post where he was interrogated by a Syrian officer.

In short, the whole episode was deeply embarrassing and needed to be swiftly ended. After treatment and a debrief in a Beirut military hospital, in the presence of the air adviser to the British Embassy and Lieutenant Colonel. Abdel-Kader Chehab of the Lebanese Army, Hunter and Small were quietly repatriated to Cyprus.

Back in Akrotiri, the human side of the story was beginning to play out. The cost of the secrecy was being felt as Mrs Ellen Urquhart-Pullen received news of her husband, Roy’s death aged just 26:

’The Squadron Leader came by the next day and told me the plane was shot down and Roy had not survived the crash’’

she later recalled on the telephone from Holland. To add to her anguish, the sensitivity of the incident meant that her husband was given a quick and quiet burial in Beirut, which she was not allowed to attend (although she was able to choose the inscription on the headstone).

Sqn Ldr Chris Breedon, XIII Sqn Historian

1 ISR Wing

Awards Evening 2022

On Thurs 6th Oct, 1 ISR Wing Entertainments Committee organised the Wing’s Awards Evening at The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Lincoln.

As all great events do, the evening began with arrivals drinks and the chance for all ranks to mingle, before we went through for our delicious 3-course meal. Before the final course, some of the edited name cards which had discretely made their way to the top table were read by the President, Flt Lt Jonathan Evans – which led to much hilarity and allowed us to get to know one another on a much more… personal level! The meal was concluded by Mr Vice, LH Craig Rowan, with port toasts a plenty!

There was a brief from OC 1 ISR Wing, Wing Commander Neil Sefton, giving an overview of what each Squadron had achieved over the last year and their respective successes, before looking forward to what the upcoming year had in store for us all.

Our Wing Warrant Officer, WO Anthony Chivers, then began the awards ceremony, highlighting individuals whose performances had stood out to their colleagues and listing the nominees. The previous 2021 winners then revealed the winners and delivered their winning citation. Wg Cdr Sefton then presented the deserving winner their trophy.

A special mention to those who received awards on the evening: 1 ISR Wg Charities Award – AS1 Rachel Cathro Operational innovation Award – Cpl Ben Bishop Operational Support Award – Cpl Sam Turner Rakesh Chauhan Award for Excellence in Leadership – Cpl Jonathan Davies Balley Trophy for Junior rank of the year – AS1 Nathan Ridley The Phillip Carter Trophy – Sgt Colin Delderfield

To even be nominated for such an award is a huge achievement, so we would like to extend our congratulations to those nominated, as well as the winners. Personnel travelled from all unit locations to attend the evening, providing a great opportunity for the busy Wing to finally get together again. All in all, there were approximately 120 wing personnel in attendance and a great time was had by all!

On behalf of the 1 ISR Wing Entertainments Committee, I would like to wish WO Chivers the best of luck as he is sadly leaving the RAF after 30 years of dedicated service and beginning an exciting new chapter of his life, working with Inzpire. We look forward to welcoming our new Wing Warrant Officer, WO Jacqueline Garland, and are excited for what the future holds.

We look forward to seeing you all at our next Awards Evening in 2023!

Cpl Harriet van Houben Secretary, 1 ISR Wing Entertainments Committee