Home

RAF Prepare For Queens Diamond Jubilee Parade

500 Royal Air Force personnel from RAF Stations throughout the UK have gathered at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire to rehearse their marching routines ahead of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Parade in Windsor on Saturday 19th May.

Drill instructor Sergeant Jono Atherton, charged with putting the troops through their paces ahead of the big day said: “Bringing together staff from across the RAF it is our task to turn them into a smartly turned out team, ready to join their sister Services on parade. We are striving for excellence, arm swings and steps all together.”

Her Majesty’s 60 year reign is an historic milestone and it is a long established tradition for the Armed Forces to pay tribute to the Monarch during a Jubilee year. RAF personnel rehearsing drill today will form part of a tri-service Parade and Muster in Windsor before Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh. The parade route will go through the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle, down through the town of Windsor along Castle Hill, Thames Street and Datchet Road and into Home Park (Private) via Town Gate.

RAF Personnel taking part in Queen's Diamond Jubilee events are representing their colleagues across the World including those currently serving in Afghanistan.

Last year pilot Flight Lieutenant Andy Armstrong flew the E-3D Sentry on Operations over Libya. "We provided command and control airborne service to coalition fast jets and humanitarian flights, passing information and assisting in targeting enemy forces."

Looking forward to the big day on Saturday Andy added; “I'm very proud and pleased to be there on the day, I'll be a bit nervous because there will be a lot of eyes on us; I've got my wife and parents coming to watch.”

New to the RAF, Aircraftman Stefan Connor starts training as an aerospace systems operator at RAF Boulmer next week straight after the parade on Saturday. “I feel really privileged to be able to take part, it's a once in a life time opportunity. I am particularly excited about being in front of the Queen and am looking forward to the "eyes right" as I march past.

Editor: Rebecca Jepps

Photographs: Sgt Ian lang

RAF Diamond Jubilee Parade Rehearseal at RAF Halton.

AC's Brody Jewison (left) and James Hollis Prepare thier uniform.

Aircraftsman Stefan Connor.

RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2012

Cornish Rescue - RAF St Mawgan Survival Specialist Practices What he Preaches

Flight Sergeant Mark Lane, currently working as a survival specialist at the Defence Survival School at RAF St Mawgan recently saved the lives of 2 young holidaymakers at Poldhu Beach, near Mullion.

Mark, who is 50 years old, and who trained as a RAF physical training instructor, was visiting the beach with his family when the rescue took place. He had noticed a family of 5 on the beach as they unpacked a brand new inflatable canoe. Mark lives in Newquay and originates from Bognor, where his parents still live.

Mark recalled saying to his family: “that an inflatable on any beach was a recipe for disaster, but especially at Poldhu because of the strong undertow”.

After some time, Mark, who was just in his normal clothes, noticed the canoe some distance out to sea, but there was no sign of the 2 young boys, who he later found out, were brothers, aged 11 and 13 from Basingstoke.

He realised instantly that there was a potentially life-threatening situation and shouted to his brother-in-law that he was swimming out to investigate. Mark undressed to his underpants and swam out to sea. As he swam, he realised that his worst fears were founded as both boys could be seen clinging desperately to the upturned canoe, but were incapable of swimming back to shore. As he approached, the canoe was hit a large wave and the younger boy lost his hold and was drifting away from the canoe. Mark told the older boy to hold on tight and swam to rescue his brother who could not get back to the inflatable without help as the rip tide was particularly strong.

About this time, Mark’s brother-in-law had found a local surfer who was able to paddle out to provide assistance. He arrived just as Mark recovered the younger boy and the surfer helped Mark get both boys back into the canoe which they had finally managed to recover to an upright position. After calming the boys; who were understandably very frightened, Mark realised the boys were clueless as to what to do, so he instructed them as to how to paddle back while he stabilised the canoe using himself as both a rudder and engine.

All this time the boy’s father had been watching helpless on the beach. He said: “I was desperate to help but I am not a strong enough swimmer”.

The Station Commander, Wing Commander Graham ‘Sheds’ House said “We see examples of heroism daily from our armed forces in Afghanistan but Flight Sergeant Mark Lane has shown that the culture and can do attitude in the RAF is a part of our ethos – it is to Mark’s credit that he had to be persuaded by his peers to even report this rescue.”

Mark said: “this was a classic example of a family who were completely unaware of the potential dangers of inflatable’s on such beaches – both boys could easily have died that day”.

The boys, though very emotional and still in shock: “thanked him for risking his own life to save theirs”.

Flight Sergeant Mark Lane is a maritime survival specialist who is responsible for teaching some of the 5000 service personnel from all 3 services who conduct survival training in all aspects of hostile environments. Mark deals with sea survival, but others at the school teach desert, jungle and temperate survival, including escape and evasion techniques when they find themselves in hostile territory. They teach the best to survive the worst!

Flt Lt Jeff Spencer, the station spokesman said: “RAF St Mawgan is also host to tens of thousands of service personnel and cadets each year – many of them on operational and adventurous training and as we approach the peak summer season, his heroism will serve as a timely reminder that care must be taken in our beautiful Cornish surroundings.”

Mark’s said: “I am so pleased to have been there to help. It’s a great feeling to have saved lives and to have made use of some of my survival skills. I only hope that everyone reading this article learns from the mistakes made by these boys. They were lucky!”

Editor: Flt Lt Jeff Spencer

Photographs:

See Survival Training.

Flight Sergeant Mark Lane

RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2012

Oldest Military Flying School Celebrates Centenary

On Saturday 12 May the oldest military flying school in the world, the Central Flying School (CFS), celebrated its centenary, 100 years to the day of its formation at Upavon, Wiltshire. To mark the occasion a service of thanksgiving took place at St Mary the Virgin Church, Upavon attended by many Royal Air Force (RAF) and civic dignitaries.

Formed in 1912 the CFS started training military aviators for the Royal Flying Corps and now enjoys international renown. Currently based at RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire its role today is threefold – to train flying instructors, examine aircrew and audit training systems; to sponsor the RAF’s world-renowned Manual of Flying (AP 3456); command and control of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows.

Those attending the church service included Air Vice Marshal Mike Lloyd, the Air Officer Commanding No 22 (Training) Group, Councillor Barbara Driver, the Mayor of Cheltenham, Group Captain David Bentley, the current Commandant of the Central Flying School, and many past and present CFS personnel.

During the service the Queen’s Colour for the CFS (one of only seven Queen’s Colours in the RAF) was paraded by a Tri-Service colour party - Lieutenant Commander Adrian Hands, Royal Navy, Flt Lt Duncan Wright RAF and Warrant Officer 1 Angus Bartaby, Army Air Corps.

“I am very proud to be serving with the Central Flying School during this, its centenary year and it is an honour to be part of an organisation with such a distinguished aviation history,” said Wing Commander Darren Arch, Officer Commanding CFS Exam Wing. “The last 100 years has seen the CFS become a byword for excellence in pure flying and flying instruction; a reputation I intend to protect with vigour during my time at the CFS.”

Future events to mark the centenary will include a CFS Association Day and Graduation Dinner which will take place at RAF Waddington, in Lincolnshire on 28 June as well as the biennial CFS Conference to be held at RAF College Cranwell from 1-5 October to which many foreign Air Forces have been invited.

Editor: Ruth Vernon

Photographs:

Air Vice Marshal Mike Lloyd, the Air Officer Commanding No 22 (Training) Group pictured with AVM Dennis Allison, Commandant CFS 1979-1983.

Councillor Barbara Driver, the Mayor of Cheltenham pictured with Flt Lt Keith Frewin, an Elementary Phase Examiner with CFS.

RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2012