OnetoOne Winter 2025 by Lance Media Group

onetoone

Stn Cdr’s Foreword

Gp Capt O'Grady

Welcome to the Winter edition of the station magazine and what for me is my last as the Station Commander of RAF Coningsby.

Before we look ahead to an exciting 2026, I’d like to reflect on some of the events and accomplishments of the last few months.

As always RAF Coningsby remains at the forefront of operational activity and the past few months have seen our Whole Force personnel continuing to work at a high pace to maintain our output both at home and overseas. A significant highlight was the historic ‘Atlantic Eagles’ mission where the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) conducted their first fighter aircraft deployment to Europe in their 71-year history. This was a fantastic achievement for both the JASDF and RAF Coningsby, having the honour to host the deployment and emphasise the strong relationship between our two forces.

Our Squadrons have been engaged in wide ranging operations and exercises including Ex COBRA WARRIOR, a crucial bi-annual multinational event. Ex COBRA WARRIOR provides the opportunity to develop and enhance our operational skillset, combat readiness and cooperation with allied nations including the Italian Air Force who RAF Coningsby had the privilege to host this year. Additionally, our Squadrons have continued to fulfil their operational commitments to the highest level, much of which has made front page news, and once again strong testament to the hard work and professionalism of all the personnel involved. Our Typhoon Display Team and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight complete yet another incredibly successfully display season inspiring millions of people.

We had the honour to host our new Honorary Air Commadore, Her Royal Highness, Catherine, Princess

of Wales on a visit to the station, which involved a tour of our Quick reaction Alert Facility, a flight in the Typhoon Training Facility simulator before meeting some of the Station’s personnel. I would like to thank all those who helped facilitate this visit, but also the many other visits we host that are of strategic value but also a chance to showcase the excellence of the people at RAF Coningsby. Another standout event was the Boxing Night between the Royal Air Force and the Army which I had the privilege to attend. It was a fantastic night with 300 guests and lots of highly skilled bouts which were conducted with great professionalism and comradeship, showcasing exactly what the Armed Forces is all about. I was pleased to see the RAF walk away with overall victory!

As I hand over Command of the Station, I would like to offer my personal gratitude to all of you for your commitment, dedication and unwavering service to RAF Coningsby and the UK. It has been a privilege and an honour to witness all that you have achieved this year through your professionalism and commitment to keep RAF Coningsby at the highest operational capability and our country safe. I wish my successor Gp Capt Andy Hampshire and his family every success in taking the Station onward and upwards.

I am immensely proud of all we’ve accomplished together and of your dedication and professionalism. I wish you all well over the Festive period and hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends. To those who will be overseas over Christmas, you are in our thoughts, and I thank you for your Service.

Thank you, and I look forward to 2026!

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Editor Flt Lt Adam Johnston

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06 BOXING NIGHT AT RAF CONINGSBY

BOXERS STOOD TOE TO TOE on Thursday 9th October as Royal Air Force Coningsby hosted a night of intense and demanding boxing.

07 SPREADING THE SMELLS OF CHRISTMAS

I wonder what you thought when you read the heading ‘Spreading the Smells of Christmas’. Well, don’t worry, the Padre hasn’t gone off the rails. Let me explain!

07 HOPE IS NOT ABSENT IN WINTER

The morning air is cool and crisp. Crowds gather on the fields and before them scores of hot air ballons wait like sleeping giants all in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes.

12 NO.7 FORCE PROTECTION WING HEADQUARTERS

2025 has been another busy year for 7 Force Protection Wing HQ (7 FP Wg HQ) with a transition from the Combat and Readiness Force operations cycle and support to Global Enablement, to a more focussed period of high-level planning and preparation in support of future NATO training and operations.

13 TYPHOON DISPLAY TEAM RAISES RECORD-BREAKING AMOUNT FOR CHARITY, THE MARK LONG TRUST AND FLYING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

The Typhoon Display Team (TDT) has been celebrating their 20th anniversary season throughout 2025.

15 'BIG WINGS' FLY OVER GERMANY

This time around thankfully as firm allies, in what is proving to be another tense time in Europe.

19 BEHIND THE SCREENS: CYBERSECURITY WITHIN TYPHOON

As 2025 draws to a close, the Typhoon Cyber Protection Team (Ty-CPT) is reflecting on a busy year spent safeguarding the cybersecurity of the Typhoon fleet.

BOXING NIGHT AT RAF CONINGSBY SEES RAF DEFEAT ARMY

BOXERS

STOOD TOE TO TOE on Thursday 9th October as Royal Air Force

Coningsby hosted a night of intense and demanding boxing.

Held in 29 Squadron’s hangar, the boxing night consisted of six bouts between the Royal Air Force and the Army. The tournament was organised by Flight Lieutenant Mark Kaberry and a team of dedicated volunteers.

There was no shortage of physical fitness and determination on display as the audience was treated to some quality rounds.

Group Captain Paul O’Grady is the Station Commander at RAF Coningsby: “There’s a direct correlation between sport and our world class operational output as sport encourages and develops competition, courage, camaraderie, commitment, team work and mental and physical stamina which is essential for our personnel; and we’ve seen plenty of that with the skilful, gritty and professional performances we’ve witnessed this evening. But the power of sport also brings Station personnel together at events such as this to help engender a fantastic esprit de corps and unity which is central to life in the RAF.”

Atmosphere is everything at sporting events, and the military and civilian audience did not disappoint. Boxers were welcomed to the ring with enthusiastic cheers and the victors were applauded at the end of each bout. Judges awarded points for the number of quality blows landed on target, domination of the bout by technical and tactical superiority and competitiveness.

It was a good night for the RAF and for RAF Coningsby in particular. Team Blue won four of the six bouts, with RAF Coningsby’s AS1 Alex Masterman taking home the best boxer award, and the award for best bout.

Group Captain Paul O’Grady concluded: “What an absolutely tremendous evening! Flt Lt Kaberry and the whole team have done an incredible amount of work to plan, organise and execute this event for 300 guests - I am incredibly grateful to the whole team. So a personal thanks to all of the boxing competitors for putting on such a competitive, exciting and inspiring show for the Station.”

SPREADING THE SMELLS OF CHRISTMAS

I wonder what you thought when you read the heading ‘Spreading the Smells of Christmas’. Well, don’t worry, the Padre hasn’t gone off the rails. Let me explain!

Ienjoy Christmas, it’s one of the best times of year for me, from time spent with family and friends to eating those special family treats only eaten at Christmas to the giving and receiving of gifts.

All this excitement starts when I start to smell the smells of Christmas. Like cooking Christmas cake, the smell of cooking fruits and brandy, depending on what alcohol has gone into the cake. As a young boy, it was the smell of burnt Christmas cake, because I knew Christmas was just around the corner.

Other smell are the oranges from Christingles, the smell of pine trees inside the house, the smell of mince pies cooking or sitting waiting for them to cool and the deep rich brandy sauce smell drifting around the house. You may well be thinking of other smells that remind you of Christmas.

Spreading the Smell of Christmas, it would be good to spread some of those Smells of Christmas to others who are struggling for lots of reasons. Maybe their loved one is away on deployment.

By spreading some Christmas love in the form of food or drink will show that people are loved and not forgotten.

One of the other things we do with the Station Commander on Christmas day is give out chocolate and mince pies on Christmas day, for those working at RAF Coningsby. It’s good to encourage others who are working to keep us safe.

Christmas is a real time of joy and hope for everyone, where people may well get together for the only time in the year. Christmas is a time of giving and being thankful. Christmas is when we can show more love to those in need.

So, lets share those special smells of Christmas!

Padre Stewart Shaw

HOPE IS NOT ABSENT IN WINTER

The morning air is cool and crisp. Crowds gather on the fields and before them scores of hot air ballons wait like sleeping giants all in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes.

The sun edges over the horizon and one by one, the burners ignite with a low roar, sending amber flames into the heart of each balloon. As each one rises a hush falls over the crowd. There is something Holy in this quiet ascent, something that stirs a deeper part of the soul. I was recently at a hot air ballon festival in New Mexico and witnessed this extraordinary event and was absolutely awed by the enormity of it all. Perhaps it encourages the child within us all and reminds us just how finite our lives really are. For a moment, time slows. The noise of life fades, replaced by the whisper of wind against canvas and the deep peace that comes when beauty reminds us of heaven.

These bright balloons, carried by invisible air, remind us that faith too, is unseen yet powerful- that God’s Spirit still lifts hearts above the dark shadows of this world. It is in this atmosphere of stillness and expectation that advent arrives – a season not only of preparation but also of hope. Advent marks the beginning of the Christian calendar. It is a time of waiting and watchfulness, of preparing hearts and homes for light to enter in. The world below may at times remain cold and frozen, yet above the clouds, the sun still burns. Hope is not absent in winter; it is hidden in the heart of the cold, waiting for the spark that lifts us into the sublime

Padre Patrick

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NO.7 FORCE PROTECTION WING HEADQUARTERS, RAF CONINGSBY

2025 HAS BEEN ANOTHER BUSY YEAR FOR 7 FORCE PROTECTION WING HQ (7 FP WG HQ) WITH A TRANSITION FROM THE COMBAT AND READINESS FORCE OPERATIONS CYCLE AND SUPPORT TO GLOBAL ENABLEMENT, TO A MORE FOCUSSED PERIOD OF HIGHLEVEL PLANNING AND PREPARATION IN SUPPORT OF FUTURE NATO TRAINING AND OPERATIONS.

The HQ hosted a visit at RAF Coningsby from the United States Air Force Security Forces, who spent valuable time with the Officers and SNCO’s of 7 FP Wg discussing future exchange opportunities for both nations. It was a great mutual insight into how the USAF Security Forces and the RAF Regiment are structured differently but still achieve a similar output, with key learning taking part on both sides.

The HQ Operations Officers alongside the Force Protection

Centre at RAF Honington delivered an Air FP Estimate training package to students from a partnered nation, with the support of international linguists. Meanwhile, 7 FP Wg OR’s provided real life support ensuring all students were accommodated and supported for the duration.

Concurrently, 7 FP Wg continued to develop Project RED with the Wg Chief of Staff and Operations Officers providing direction and guidance to RAF Coningsby Stn Executives. Cpl Burns produced Stn ground overlays using the Force Protection planning software, which provided the Stn Cdr with a detailed representation of the ground and threats to RAF Coningsby.

Cpl Burns supported Ex TOXIC TRIP at Orland Air Base, Brekstad, Norway. Ex TOXIC TRIP is a bi-annual NATO CBRN Exercise, hosting up to 500 SP from multiple NATO nations. Cpl Burns deployed for a second time in the role of Directing Staff to NATO exercising troops, providing incident control, safety supervision and enhanced CBRN mentorship.

Despite a significantly busy period on the HQ, sport is still seen as an important aspect of service life. Flt Lt Eyett continued to represent the UK Armed Forces (UKAF) and the RAF Senior Representative

(SRT) football teams. FS Morton prepared the RAF Regiment football team for another season in his role as manager and Cpl Burns and L/Cpl Scott attended the RAF Regiment Association Golf Championships.

Overall, a busy and rewarding period for the HQ with its Force Elements continuing to operate at

extremely high levels. II Sqn RAF Regiment continue to hone their skills with remarkable results within the International Drone Racing environment, Air Land Integration Sqn remain at the forefront of Defence and RAF Regiment output while TacATC continue to enable air operations globally.

The Typhoon Display Team (TDT) has been celebrating their 20th anniversary season throughout 2025. They have performed 43 public displays over 24 locations, including Finland, Denmark and Türkiye. All corners of the British Isles have been covered too, with a display at the Isle of Mann Classic TT Races for the first time ever, and a return to Jersey and Guernsey International Air Shows for the first time in many years. At each display, the Engineering Teams look after the jets whilst the Public Relations Teams are out at the show location, speaking to the public and raising money for charity. This year’s chosen charity was The Mark Long Trust, raising money for an extra scholarship in Sqn Ldr Long’s Memory, this opportunity provided by the wonderful charity Flying Scholarships for Disabled People (FSDP).

A Scholarship from FSDP involves flying training, undertaken at flying schools in the UK between May and October. They will be of three or four-weeks duration and will include a maximum of 16- or 20-hours flying tuition and associated ground school in either a PA-28 or a Microlight aircraft. To find out more about the FSDP and the amazing scholarship opportunities they provide, please visit https:// fsdp.co.uk/

The Typhoon Display Team are incredibly proud to report that they have beaten all records over the last 20 display seasons of charity fundraising, by raising a breathtaking £61,817.92. Sqn Ldr Long was a previous Typhoon Display Pilot in 2016 and remained a TDT Supervisor up until his sad passing in May 2024. If you would like to donate to the Mark Long Trust, you can do so here: https://marklongtrust. org/donate.html

Hemswell Antique Centres brings together Europe's largest selection of antique furniture and vintage collectables.

Hemswell Antique Centres is the ideal venue for a wonderful day out! Once part of RAF Hemswell, the home of the Lancaster Bomber during the Second World War. The Centres are regularly featured on television and now offer a wonderful mix of items from bygone times.

Explore the maze of rooms in each of our four buildings which feature an unrivalled choice of beautifully presented high-quality items to give you some Christmas gift inspiration. Take time to relax with freshly prepared food and homemade cakes washed down with a Stokes Coffee at one of our two Coffee Shops in The Guardroom or Building 1.

Dine alfresco or enjoy a glass of prosecco on a sunny autumnal afternoon outside on the terrace. Why not book an Afternoon Tea with a festive twist to complete your antiquing adventure with us. Speak to our Coffee Shop today on 01427 666017 who will happily discuss any dietary requirements.

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'BIG

‘BIG WINGS’ FLY AGAIN OVER GERMANY!

This time around thankfully as firm allies, in what is proving to be another tense time in Europe.

Six aircraft from 3(F) Sqn along with an additional four from 11 Sqn made their way to Laage, northern Germany, in what was a significant Typhoon deployment - demonstrating the ability to work with our European partners with a minimal footprint and at short notice. Not just a proof of capability, it was an excellent opportunity to develop bonds with German counterparts, who proved themselves truly excellent hosts showing off the sights of a charming nearby town named Rostock, along with the ‘meaty’ local cuisine.

The ten-ship wave of combat air took to the skies on a sunny Coningsby morning, thundered east and followed the island-riddled coastline of the Netherlands, heading inland once in Germany and passing to the north of Hamburg. The gloomy weather on arrival to Laage was dissipated by a smiling Tomi Toepfer (formerly of 29 Sqn) who showed them around the German Typhoon OCU – an impressive set-up. From there,

off to Rostock - a Bavarian town on the north coast where those brave enough took a dip in the Baltic sea, before taking the edge off with a meat-feast in the town’s superb Ratskellers.

The engineering expertise on 3(F), as ever, took the challenge in their stride, proving once again that they can handle a high demand with a ‘skeleton’ team – at ratio of 1.5 of them to 1 aircraft – no easy feat! They pre-positioned following a stop-off in Hamburg, and were fully primed to receive the six 3(F) jets (along with excitable aircrew…). Seamlessly, come the morning of the RTB, all six were back into the air once the fog had lifted - the engines running smoothly although some of the aircrew slightly less aerodynamic than when they arrived.

The visit was hailed as a great success, strengthening UK-German cooperation and proving, once again, that nothing brings nations together like jet fuel, sausages and steins.

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BEHIND THE SCREENS: CYBERSECURITY WITHIN TYPHOON

AS 2025 DRAWS TO A CLOSE, THE TYPHOON CYBER PROTECTION TEAM (TY-CPT) IS REFLECTING ON A BUSY YEAR SPENT SAFEGUARDING THE CYBERSECURITY OF THE TYPHOON FLEET.

From searching for missing materiel to investigating suspicious network activity, the team has responded to a wide range of cyber incidents—each one a reminder of the critical role cyber defence plays in keeping the fleet secure and operational. The team, based at both RAF Coningsby & Lossiemouth act as the first line of defence for all systems supporting Typhoon activity in the UK and overseas.

The cyber incidents throughout the year have proved to be insightful for the Ty-CPT, in particular, during the summer, with what began as a routine system decommissioning, quickly escalated into a cyber

investigation, when multiple suspicious files were found during a scan of a legacy storage device. The Typhoon Cyber Protection Team responded swiftly, isolating the affected system and launching a full investigation to ensure there was no impact on operations.

When Ty-CPT’s investigation found that the suspicious files stemmed from pirated software that had been replicated across a fleet of systems years prior –the team were quick to conduct a file analysis and report their findings to senior investigators at 591 Signals Unit. Once the team had the ‘all clear’ that the files were suspicious but not harmful, they worked alongside the system owners to develop a

comprehensive plan to remove the affected files and replace the pirated software with an officially licensed solution.

In another instance, the Ty-CPT attended a Typhoon Squadron to conduct routine checks of their IT equipment, only to be informed that one of the assets was missing and had been for some time.

Quick to launch an investigation, the Ty-CPT responded by ascertaining the classification of the lost asset to determine the level of data at risk. After identifying the classification of the asset as OFFICIAL, the risk was determined to be low, buying the team more time to respond. The team used their asset management software

solution to construct a pattern of movement for the asset –mapping its movements against coordinates on a map. Having narrowed the asset down to an address, the team were able to pass the details of the investigation to the RAF Police, and the asset was recovered. Once retrieved by RAFP, the asset was returned to Ty-CPT for recovery. The team rebuilt the asset to ensure no further compromise and returned the asset to its rightful owner.

As we move into 2026, Ty-CPT remains committed to protecting the digital backbone of Typhoon operations and reminds everyone that good cyber hygiene is the responsibility of everybody in the organisation.

A team from Banovallum School proudly represented us at Project X, RAF Waddington. Since embarking on this project, the team have grown remarkably in confidence, embracing every challenge with energy and innovative problem-solving. Their presentation in the Dragons’ Den was a particular highlight, showcasing excellent communication and collaboration. Even when their test run didn’t go as planned, they regrouped, adapted, and worked determinedly to resolve the issue — a true reflection of their maturity and determination.

We are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved and the way they have represented our school.

A group of 10 Y8 students competed at RAF Waddington in the Project X challenge recently. The students had to build an air vehicle, that was capable of travelling down a zip wire and dropping 2 eggs at different points along the journey. They also had to complete a Dragon’s Den style presentation to a panel of judges. The students worked hard through break and lunch times to complete their Chitty Chitty Bang Bang themed idea and won the Dragon’s Den section of the challenge.

Proud members of Horncastle Education trust. We believe that every student whatever their background has the right to flourish, to achieve and to succeed and everything undertaken by Horncastle Education Trust should have this ambition at its heart.

“We invite you to visit our school and see firsthand what makes it special—exceptional students, committed staff, and a broad, engaging curriculum designed to support and inspire every learner.”

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