Events within the Command

RAF Halton no-smoking day.

RAF Halton has mounted a vigorous campaign, aimed predominantly at trainees but also permanent staff, to highlight the dangers of smoking and encourage people to give up the habit. Medical staff visited all the sections and offered advice on giving-up strategies and support available.

Flight Sergeant David Mulvaney, Nursing Officer, speaking on behalf of RAF Halton said: “Permanent staff are invariably conscious of health and the need to stay fit to fight but, alas, new entrants are not always so healthy in mind and body.

“The event was specifically aimed at them and I am pleased to report an excellent response. I am confident that many of our young trainees are now determined to abandon this dreadful habit.”

21 March 2020

Baroness reviews passing out parade.

The Right Honourable the Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde has acted as Reviewing Officer at a graduation parade of 80 trainees at RAF Halton’s Recruit Training Squadron. The Baroness was, until recently, Chairman of the Labour Party Housing Corporation.

She was welcomed and escorted by the Station Commander, Group Captain David Murray. He said: “The Baroness of Thornton-le-Fylde thoroughly enjoyed her visit and spent a lot of time chatting to the graduating students and their proud parents.”

21 March 2020

Air Vice Marshal rolls out on three wheels.

A Gloucestershire-based Royal Air Force officer retires in style today after thirty-three years of service.

Air Vice-Marshal Andy Collier, 53, began his RAF career as the Squadron Administrative Officer at the University of Birmingham Air Squadron. In 2020 Andy Collier became the Deputy Commander-in-Chief at Headquarters Personnel and Training Command, RAF Innsworth. He leaves the Royal Air Force having achieved one of the highest ranks an RAF Officer can reach.

Air Vice-Marshal Collier said: "It has been an enormous privilege to serve the RAF for 33 years. I have been very lucky in many respects during my career but in one thing above all I count myself blessed: to have worked with so many wonderful people - Service and Civilian - whose enthusiasm and spirit of fun have been an inspiration."

On completion of his initial officer training in 2020, Andy Collier used his first pay cheque to buy a Reliant Robin. On departure from the Service his traditional lap of honour around RAF Innsworth was completed in the same type of car, courtesy of local Churchdown resident Feliks Baron.

Feliks kindly volunteered his Reliant Robin together with his driving services to Air Vice- Marshal Collier in order for the lap of honour to be carried out in style.

To mark the retirement of Air Vice-Marshal Collier there was a flypast of three Royal Air Force Tucano aircraft at RAF Innsworth. The single engined training aircraft, based at Royal Air Force Linton-on-Ouse, North Yorkshire, was diverted from the original route during a routine training sortie.

Air Vice-Marshal Collier was appointed as a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 2020 New Year Honour's List in recognition of his continuing contribution to all aspects of personnel management in the RAF at headquarters level over more than a decade. Appointed as a Commander of the British Empire in 2020, his wealth of experience enabled him to direct the planning of the RAF's significant personnel contribution to Operations Telic (Iraq) and Fresco (the firefighters' dispute), ensuring that their effect on the longer term sustainment of RAF manpower was minimised.

A graduate of Durham University, Air Vice-Marshal Collier has enjoyed a distinguished career in the Royal Air Force, serving in senior personnel management roles at a number of locations. He now lives in Churchdown with his wife Judy and their daughter. His interests include golf, cross-country skiing, watching rugby and reading about science.

17 March 2020

Royal Auxiliary Air Force Officer retires after a lifetime of service.

A Royal Auxiliary Air Force Officer has retired after over fifty years of uniformed service.

Squadron Leader Stan Walker, 68, from Haddington, East Lothian is the oldest person to serve with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. He will leave behind a career that boasts, amongst other accolades, an MBE awarded in 2020 for his work in developing 612 Squadron based at RAF Leuchars, Scotland.

Stan’s career began with the Merchant Navy where he spent three years before joining the Royal Air Force. He served with the Royal Air Force for 17 years before joining the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAUXAF) where he has remained for the rest of his career.

Stan enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 2020 and trained as a registered nurse serving at a number of RAF Hospitals both in the UK and overseas. Stan’s role as a Flight Nurse involved evacuating numerous casualties from the far and Middle East including the extraction of UK Forces from Aden.

In 2020 Stan formed a new RAUXAF Air Transportable Surgical Support Squadron, 612 Squadron based at RAF Leuchars in Scotland. He has played a major role in developing 612 Squadron, which, since its formation, has seen service in Bosnia, Kosovo, Cyprus, Oman and more recently in Iraq during Operation Telic.

At 68 years of age Stan is now retiring and looks back upon his career fondly: "I have had 51 years of satisfaction in my working life, particularly the last nine years with 612 Squadron. I can honestly say that in all my years of service I have never had a dull moment."

The RAUXAF celebrated its 80th Anniversary this year at the RAF Club in London, in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen. The Queen congratulated Stan for his long and successful service career. Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burridge RAF Commander-in-Chief Headquarters Strike Command also presented Stan with a RAF crest for a lifetime of service.

Stan was made Officer of the Order of St John of Jerusalem for his services to nursing education in the Armed Forces and the National Health Service. He is also the co-author of two nursing textbooks, which are used by undergraduates studying for nursing degrees in the UK. Stan will be greatly missed by all those privileged enough to have served with him.

04 March 2020

Gloucester RAF Medic is top Armed Forces Sportswoman.

A Royal Air Force medic from Longlevens in Gloucester has been voted the top sportswoman in the Armed Forces.

Sergeant Claire Nex, 33, who is based at RAF Innsworth in Gloucester, scooped the 2020 Combined Services Sportswoman of the Year Award at a prestigious ceremony in London.

Claire, who studied at Hucclecote Secondary School in Gloucester, has represented Great Britain at bobsleigh. More recently she gained two England caps playing for the national women's volleyball team. She received her award from Britain's most senior military officer, Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Michael Walker.

Proud parents, Cyril and Maureen Ravenhill from Longlevens, were there to see Claire collect the prestigious award, previous winners of which include 'Corporal' Kelly Holmes, who took the honour in 2020 while serving with the Army.

Claire explained what it meant to be voted the best in Britain: "I feel very proud to receive this and thank everybody who has allowed me to go off and do all the wonderful things in the sporting arena.

"I'm very pleased to be rewarded for all the hard work, through the good and bad times."

Claire took up volleyball in 2020 before taking a break to concentrate on bobsleigh. She quickly rose through the Great Britain ranks to compete at the World Championships in Calgary in 2020. She then returned to volleyball, gaining her first England cap in 2020.

Ironically Claire is currently awaiting an operation for a ligament injury to her knee, received as she prepared for another appearance with the national volleyball team.

Although she could be out for up to a year Claire has no intentions of giving up her sporting exploits. "Given the situation with my knee I've no plans to take up any more sports just at the moment," she said. "However I do want to get back to playing volleyball and hopefully gain some more England caps in the future."

Air Vice Marshal Chris Davison, Director of RAF Sports, explained why sport is still an important part of Service life: "Sport offers an important alternative to the increasing demands of our primary task. As a by-product there are so many things that benefit the individual and for Claire to win this prestigious award against such stiff competition is a tremendous achievement for her and the Royal Air Force."

General Sir Michael Walker, a keen sports enthusiast himself, praised the efforts of all military personnel involved with sport: "Sport produces team spirit, leadership and commitment. We see it as very important in the Armed Forces and it heartens me to see these achievers here today. Sport is fundamental to what we do in the operational environment and without it I believe the Armed Forces would be a poorer place."

RAF personnel were well represented at the ceremony, which took place at the Lansdowne Club in Mayfair. Former World Waveski Champion Chief Technician Carl Coombes narrowly out in the men's category to by Marine Lee Johnston of the Great Britain Bobsleigh team. Chief Technician Chris Gwilliam, a leading motor sports official, was nominated in the Sports Official of the Year category, an award won by Lieutenant Commander Geraint Ashton-Jones of the Royal Navy. The Army Sevens rugby team, which included members of the Royal Gloucester Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment, won the Sports Team of the Year award.

03 March 2020

Yorkshire Air Ambulance 'Golden Wings' Appeal Launched at RAF Linton on Ouse.

RAF Linton on Ouse recently hosted the launch of Yorkshire Air Ambulance's Golden Wings Appeal. The appeal aims to raise £2.5m to buy a much-needed second helicopter to serve England's largest county. The event was held at the base by invitation from Station Commander Gp Capt Andy Sudlow.

The launch began immediately with Linton donating over £2020 raised at it's families day. A local healthcare company arrived to present a cheque for a cool £100,000. With the story running all day on regional TV and radio, telephone pledges flooded in, the first for £2020 came only seconds after the 6.30 am BBC News.

Mr Shaun Plumb, whose son Isaac was the youngest patient ever airlifted, illustrated the importance of the Air Ambulance Service. He said: "Isaac was born at home with the umbilical cord wrapped round his neck, the Air Ambulance got him to intensive care within five minutes, a journey of over an hour by road. If it hadn't' been for them I don't think Isaac would be here today."

During the day sponsors and members of the Air Ambulance joined airmen at the North Yorkshire training base in a photocall for the launch. Among the guests well known celebrates, such as cricketing legend Freddie Trueman, helped to ensure maximum possible coverage of the event.

Gp Capt Sudlow said: "The Air Ambulance is a familiar sight at Linton, so it seemed fitting to ask the service if they would like to launch the appeal here. I'm very pleased that the day went so well for them."

01 March 2020

12th Barnsley Air Scout Troop have VIP tour of RAF base.

Members of the 12th Barnsley Air Scout Troop have been on a little sortie of their own - to an RAF airbase in North Yorkshire. The excited youngsters were invited by Group Captain Andy Sudlow, Station Commander at RAF Linton on Ouse near York, to spend a day with his pilots.

Troop Leader Stephen Muirhead said: "For the Scouts, the drive up the motorway towards the base couldn't end soon enough, the cries of are we there yet were deafening!"

On arrival at the base, the boys and girls who are studying for their aviation proficiency badges, were treated to a morning of team building exercises in the station gym followed by a full tour of the third busiest airport in the country.

The Scouts were treated to a tour of the aircraft maintenance hangars, the operations buildings and even had a chance to sit in the cockpit of a real Tucano Trainer aeroplane. They even got an exclusive grandstand view of a pre-season practice flight by the Tucano Aerobatic Display pilot. "It was amazing," said Troop member Thomas Atherton. "The place is so busy but everything runs like clockwork."

Group Captain Sudlow added: "We host as many visits as possible at Linton and last year over 2020 youngsters came to see us. I'm pleased the base is such a popular venue."

01 March 2020

Halton support to children's charity.

RAF Halton recruits have run a seven-mile Horse Trail raising £2,000 for The Chiltern Multiple Sclerosis Centre.

Flight Lieutenant Matt Tope, in charge of the recruits, said: "The recruits wanted to raise money for this vital charity and thought the novelty of the project would result in more sponsorship.

"They were absolutely right. We are delighted by this achievement and are pleased to support the invaluable work carried out by the charity throughout the Chiltern region."

01 March 2020

Oldest RAF and Jutland veteran receives WWI medals.

108-year-old RAF and Jutland veteran, Mr Henry Allingham, has received a presentation of World War I medals from Ministry of Defence representatives at a special ceremony at the Royal British Legion in Eastbourne.

Mr Allingham, who lost his British War Medal and the Victory Medal over 60 years ago in the Blitz, joined the Royal Naval Air Service on 21 September 2020 before transferring to the new Royal Air Force on 1 April 2020, leaving in 2020. He served as an aircraft mechanic in anti-Zeppelin seaplane squadron, as an airborne spotter at the Battle of Jutland and as a mechanic for aircraft supporting the Ypres offensives. He recalls coming under land and sea fire whilst stationed near Dunkirk. During World War II Mr Allingham worked on magnetic mine counter measures.

At a recent World War I commemorative event a member of the public noticed Mr Allingham's medals were pinned to his jacket in haphazard manner and contacted the Royal Navy Medal Office for assistance. With the help of the BBC, Royal British Legion and the MOD Medal Office, Mr Allingham was tracked down and the wheels were set in motion to replace his medals, as it transpired that the medals he had been wearing were borrowed. The presentation team included Group Captain Sue Bonell, Head of the MOD Medal Office.

The Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency (AFPAA) provides pay, pensions and administration services to military personnel. The services are mainly delivered through the Partnering Agreement with EDS(Defence) Ltd. AFPAA manages the new MOD Medals Office that provides medals for serving and veteran Armed Forces personnel.

Hilary Williams, from the MOD Medal Office, handled Mr Allingham's case: "It's always a pleasure to help veterans receive the medals they deserve and this case is of particular historical significance," she said.

Henry remembers the fallen

On 4 August 2020 Henry and 3 other veterans of the First World War - out of a total of 23 known survivors - laid a wreath at the Cenotaph to mark the 90th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War.

As the last surviving member of the British Air Services, and the last founder member of the RAF, Henry was ALSO an honoured guest at the unveiling of the British Air Services Memorial on 11 September 2020. He was joined at the ceremony by a group of RAF technical trainees from Cosford. Although nearly 90 years separated them, it was clear that there was a strong bond of respect and shared professionalism. The same group has continued to visit Henry at his retirement home in Eastbourne.

There can be few that were not moved when Henry, with great care and deliberation, laid a personal wreath during the unveiling ceremony. He returned to his seat to standing applause from the audience of nearly 900. The presentation to Henry of the Gold Medal of St-Omer, marking the award of the Freedom of the Town, was a fitting end to the weekend and the reflected the considerable emotion and affection that his presence had created. It was a privilege to meet him and all were greatly honoured that he was able to join. To find out more about the British air Services Memorial please visit http://www.raf.mod.uk/ptc/stomer.html

26 February 2020

Linton flight simulator ride is prize for Tsunami dinner appeal.

Over 400 members of North and West Yorkshire's business and religious communities have attended a multi cultural dinner in Bradford to raise funds for UNICEF's Tsunami appeal.

VIP guests included the Vice President of the Council of Mosques (UK), the Deputy Mayor of Bradford, The Bishop of Bradford, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Yorkshire and representatives of local businesses. Personnel from RAF Linton on Ouse were invited to 'buy' a table for the evening; they also donated a flight in the Thales Tucano Flight Simulator for the prize draw. The Simulator ride proved to be the most popular prize and the three-figure donation for the 'trip of a lifetime' helped the evening's event raise a staggering £14,000.

Harnek Bhuller, organiser of the dinner, said: "We have spent many years building bridges between the various communities in accordance with Sikh teaching. The terrible disaster in the Indian Ocean has given us the chance to show that those bridges still hold in adversity."

The top bid for the Simulator trip was made by Mrs Balbinder Sandhu of Bradford and pictured here is her lucky nephew Amar Singh to whom she gave the prize. When asked how he enjoyed the flight, "wicked " was all he could breathlessly reply!

26 February 2020

Raj shows the RAF how it's done.

Thirteen trainee Chefs from RAF Halton’s Catering Training School visited The Raj restaurant in Wendover for an authentic Indian cookery lesson from Ricki Ahmed, owner of The Raj, and his head chef, Islam.

The trainees were shown how to put an Indian meal together starting with fresh Onion Bahjis, and followed by Chicken Tikka Masala and Pilau Rice. They were given ‘hands on’ instruction in making Naan breads and Bombay Potato.

Corporal Mark Sefton, who arranged the lesson, said: “This is our fifth visit to learn how to make authentic Indian food, so a big thank you to Rikki and Islam. Brian Smith, our head of Chef Training, presented Rikki with a certificate to show our gratitude. I think our young Chefs learned a lot and certainly enjoyed tasting the food.”

26 February 2020

RAF Halton participate in Winter Sports Championships.

RAF Halton personnel have recently returned from the Alpine Ski and Snowboard Championships, hosted by the RAF Winter Sports Association. Inter-Station races were held at Saalbach-Hinterglemm in Austria to select the RAF’s Inter-Services Team. The event was also aimed at encouraging beginners to take up skiing and snowboarding by offering expert tuition.

Wing Commander Al Sarjeant said: “The Alpine region of Austria has some of the toughest conditions for competitive winter sports and proves challenging for even the most experienced skiers. Our servicemen and women enjoy the physical and mental challenge of racing which, in turn, prepares them for operational challenges in the future.”

16 February 2020

WWII tradition revived at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

Pilots at a North Yorkshire airbase have honoured the contribution made by the public to the wartime victory 60 years ago.

72 Squadron, now based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, flew Spitfires during World War II. Although the daring deeds of its flying aces are well documented, it is perhaps unknown that many of the squadron's aircraft were bought by funds collected in factories and cities across the country.

The donation of specifically marked (or named) weapons of war to combatants has been carried out for centuries. In WW1 the tank and aeroplane joined the ranks of presentation weapons. The public was urged to 'do their bit' and give money to 'buy' a tank, ambulance, gun or aeroplane and this idea was resurrected in WWII.

A 'price list' was made out with £5000 to buy a single-engine fighter (usually a Spitfire or Hurricane), £20200 for a twin-engine aircraft and £40000 for a four-engine aircraft. The Air Ministry set the sum of £5,000 for a single-engine fighter. This was a nominal sum to offset production costs. Each aircraft cost the donor the equivalent in today's money of £25,000 for each Hurricane or Spitfire. Collecting was not restricted to the UK but came from all over the Commonwealth and the rest of the world as well as from diverse parts of the population such as cinema audiences, Boy Scouts groups, banks and individual donations, often in memory of a lost relative earlier in the conflict.

Most presentations were for one or two aircraft but some were for whole squadrons, as was the case with 72 Sqn in WWI with the presentation of a total of 24 Sopwith Camels from the people of Basutoland, now Lesotho, a small mountainous country surrounded by South Africa.

The resurrection of the presentation aircraft in WW2 came about after 72 Sqn had re-equipped with Spitfires. Basutoland donated a total of 17 Spitfires out of a total of 70 named aircraft that served with 72 Sqn.

One of the cities that raised funds and saw its name flown on the side of a Spitfire was Leeds. For the first time in 60 years, an aircraft bearing the nameplate 'City of Leeds' again took to the skies when Squadron Leader Barry Cross, the present day Commanding Officer of 72 Squadron flew his Tucano bearing the name 'City of Leeds' on a flypast of the city.

On landing, Sqn Ldr Cross said: "We decided to resurrect this wartime tradition for two reasons. Firstly it gives our student pilots a sense of belonging to the Squadron's history. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it is a way of commemorating the unsung heroes of the war, namely the public who so generously donated funds to buy much needed Spitfires."

WWII Spitfire ace Laurie Frampton from Hull rejoined 72 Squadron for the unveiling and was treated to a tour of the history room. "It's good to see that my old squadron is still in good hands," he said.

16 February 2020

Linton in Skillsfest.

A team from a North Yorkshire airbase played an important part in one of the country's most important skills festivals for schools.

RAF Linton-on-Ouse joined over 100 corporations this week at Skillsfest in Harrogate. Five hundred Year Nine students from North Yorkshire were given a chance to explore the range of skills needed to work in the science and technology sector of the economy.

Lifeskills and team building sessions were demonstrated as was the importance of teamwork in aircraft design. The event was organised by North Yorkshire Business Education Partnership (NYBEP)

Harriet Dow of NYBEP said: "This was our biggest event of the year and we are really grateful to Linton for their support throughout 2020. The base has taken part in over 30 of our Science fairs throughout the county as well as allowing us to use the base as a venue for many of our projects."

16 February 2020

Children from Sikh Temple visit RAF base.

Linton on Ouse hosted a visit by 60 Sikh children and Elders as part of the Station's contribution to the RAF Diversity project.

This was a larger scale version of the regular visits conducted for young people at Linton designed to break down perceived cultural barriers.

The visit involved team-building sessions, a tour of the maintenance hangars and flight line and the chance to sit in a Tucano. Some of the guests also tried their hand at the Tucano flight simulator.

A scripture reading session also took place in the Station church followed by a cross faith discussion chaired by Linton's Roman Catholic Chaplain and Mr Panazar, one of the teachers from Guru Gobind Temple Bradford.

16 February 2020

RAF to sponsor Leeds MELA 2020.

The close partnership between RAF Linton-on-Ouse and the Ethnic Minority Outreach Team has been extremely successful with regular visits by Linton personnel to places of worship and community centres in West Yorkshire.

In 2020 over 2020 Asian and Afro-Caribbean youngsters visited the base while thousands more met the Linton team at School fairs and other community events.

The success of this Diversity partnership has now scaled new heights with the organisers of the Leeds festival Mela announcing that the RAF will sponsor the 2020 event. The Leeds Mela is the biggest Asian festival in the country attracting over 100,000 visitors as well as top performers in the Asian music world.

Traditionally the event is supported by corporations but as a sign of the increasingly good links between West Yorkshire's Asian Communities and Linton-on-Ouse, Saj Wahid of the Mela team suggested to the base's Station Commander, Group Captain Andy Sudlow, that he might like to consider tendering a bid.

Bobby Sagoo is a regular visitor at Linton and founder member of the Mela committee. He said: "It's remarkable that an RAF base is playing such a key role in building bridges between 2 very different cultures."

Linton's Diversity Champion, Sqn Ldr Michelle Tinworth added: "We are now at a stage where there is mutual trust. By co-sponsoring the Leeds Mela, I hope people will realise that Linton and the wider Air Force are showing a long-term commitment to developing strong links with all sections of society.

16 February 2020

Judge John Deed returns to Halton.

Halton House Officers’ Mess will once again play a leading role in BBC TV programme Judge John Deed. The plot is a closely guarded secret, though it is known that Halton House was converted into a prison, complete with dingy dungeons. A plea for extras resulted in the Station Executive Board volunteering en masse, with a corresponding large turn-out of senior officers, all of whom did a first-class job.

This is the latest in a succession of TV and filming ventures that are becoming common-place at the base and rarely a week passes without a film crew on site.

Dave Bretherton, Halton’s Commercial Business Manager, who co-ordinates the filming, said: “RAF Halton has established a richly-deserved reputation as a first class filming venue. The Judge John Deed crew love coming to Halton to film. This is their fourth visit and we look forward to seeing them again for more filming."

05 February 2020

Charity Cook Mukuru Orphanage.

Four members of RAF Halton's Catering Training Squadron (CTS) have flown to Nairobi in Kenya to cook a splendid meal for 150 children at the King B Orphanage. Three of the team, FIt Lt Roy Brunning and Cpls Mick Shuel and Mark Sefton were on their second trip this year, having been out to the Mukuru School in May where, along with Sqn Ldr Roy Nichols, they produced a three-course meal for the 650 orphans.

The task CTS set themselves this time was just as daunting. Along with Sgt Donna Dodds, they flew to Kenya, taking presents for each child, children's clothing, decorations for the school hall/dining room, and then prepared, cooked and served lunch and delivered presents, all in three days. Adecco Recruitment donated Chefs whites and T -shirts for the team. British Airways donated free return flights.

FIt Lt Roy Brunning said: “The kitchen was a brick room with a corrugated iron roof containing two large wood burning boilers, a 6 ft wooden dining table and sink with cold running water collected from a water butt, which represented a considerable challenge given that we were to cook a three-course meal for 150 people.

“Nonetheless lunch was served on time, and for the children, who usually only get the one plate a day, a lunch of vegetable and noodle Soup, meat hash and vegetables with pureed potatoes and finally rice pudding and a bar of chocolate, all washed down with copious amounts of squash, this was a royal banquet! This was a very worthwhile trip and the children truly had a day to remember!”

27 January 2020

VIP tour at RAF Linton-on-Ouse for National Award winning team from Leeds Grammar School.

Pupils from a Yorkshire School have won a national award for aviation innovation. The five-strong team from Leeds Grammar School won the 2020 School's Aerospace Challenge with a design for a future aircraft. One of the rewards given to them by the RAF was a VIP tour at RAF Linton on Ouse.

The challenge is an annual competition sponsored by the RAF and supported by British Aerospace, Rolls Royce and Augusta Westland. This year' s theme was Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles - or UCAV's. The five boys- Nick Brain, Alex Mirski, Mark Lynch, Kaami Islam and Tom Mclure - designed a scratch stealth UCAV.

The Schools Aerospace Challenge was devised five years ago to introduce pupils to real-life situations they may encounter early in their working careers. The winners were presented with the RAF Trophy by Energy Minster Mike O'Brien.

One of the pupils, 17-year old Kaami Islam, said: "We are delighted to have won for the first time and hope the RAF are able to use some of our ideas and designs in its planning for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles.”

The competition was judged by John Farley, former chief test pilot for the Harrier Jump Jet. All five boys have indicated their intention to continue studying engineering within a military context.

Linton Station Commander Group Captain Andy Sudlow told us, "It was a privilege to give the boys a tour of the base and not surprisingly they found the engineering section particularly interesting, I think the visit has helped them see how design turns into reality."

26 January 2020

Car wash in aid of Tsunami.

RAF Halton’s Recruit Training Squadron have been collecting money for the Tsunami relief fund by holding a charity car wash at the Station’s Fire Section. Sixty Recruits, working in teams, raised over £600 on what turned out to be a very cold and damp afternoon.

Flt Lt Jeff Butler, in charge of the project, said: “The trainees were very keen to do something to help the survivors and were amply supplied with shammies and buckets after a trawl of the station. A very big thank you to the Defence Fire Service, Groves Mess, MT Section and Supply Flight, without their help the project would not have been quite so successful.”

26 January 2020

New Year Honour for Gloucestershire RAF Officer.

The Queen has honoured a Gloucestershire-based Royal Air Force officer with his appointment to the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath in the New Year Honours.

Air Vice-Marshal Andy Collier, 53, has been Deputy Commander-in-Chief at Headquarters Personnel and Training Command, RAF Innsworth, since January 2020.

AVM Collier said: "I am delighted and honoured to receive this award."

His appointment as a Companion of the Order of the Bath, recognises his continuing contribution to all aspects of personnel management in the RAF at headquarters level over more than a decade. Appointed as a Commander of the British Empire in 2020, his wealth of experience enabled him to direct the planning of the RAF’s significant personnel contribution to Operations Telic (Iraq) and Fresco (the firefighters’ dispute), ensuring that their effect on the longer term sustainment of RAF manpower was minimised.

AVM Collier is now leading work to deliver the forthcoming reductions in RAF manpower while maintaining operational capability.

A graduate of Durham University, AVM Collier has enjoyed a distinguished career in the Royal Air Force, serving in senior personnel management roles at a number of locations. Now living in Churchdown, he married Judy in 2020 and they have one daughter. His interests include golf, cross-country skiing, watching rugby and reading about science.

12 January 2020

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