Lookout
2CFCAE86_5056_A318_A8124C3E289F73CA 2CFCAE86_5056_A318_A8124C3E289F73CA
The Lookout The Magazine of RAF Boulmer Issue 3 - 2016 Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 1 16/08/2016 11:49
- Page 2 and 3: Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 2 16/08/2
- Page 4 and 5: Station Commander’s Foreword Grou
- Page 6 and 7: CarrillionAmey provide a valuable s
- Page 8 and 9: Improving the Additional Needs and
- Page 10 and 11: Remote Radar Heads in the Spotlight
- Page 12 and 13: Force Command Force Development Day
- Page 14 and 15: Exercise BORDERS IMPACT 16 RAF Boul
- Page 16 and 17: SABM personnel take the plunge. Adv
- Page 18 and 19: ‘Think big - let’s have a Famil
- Page 20 and 21: Birds eye view of the Moray Firth F
- Page 22 and 23: Rugby Match vs Officers Airmen The
- Page 24 and 25: Boulmer out batting against Benson.
- Page 26 and 27: GBM MOTOR REPAIRS (Alnwick Ltd) Est
- Page 28: SALES TAKE OFF AS SHOW HOMES OPEN T
The <strong>Lookout</strong> The<br />
Magazine of RAF Boulmer Issue 3 - 2016<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 1 16/08/2016 11:49
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The <strong>Lookout</strong><br />
Issue 3 • 2016<br />
Editorial Team<br />
Editor<br />
Flight Lieutenant Tony Spooner<br />
Tel: 01665 607365 or 95818 7365<br />
Email: Bou-<strong>Lookout</strong>-GrpMbx@mod.uk<br />
Deputy Editor<br />
Sergeant Lisa Cavill-Eardley<br />
Tel: 01665 607433 or 95818 7433<br />
Email: Bou-<strong>Lookout</strong>-GrpMbx@mod.uk<br />
Contents<br />
Station Commander’s Foreword 4<br />
From the Editor 4<br />
CarillionAmey 6<br />
Remote Radar Heads in the Spotlight 10<br />
Force Command Force Development Day 12<br />
Exercise BORDERS IMPACT 16 14<br />
SABM Adventurous Training 16<br />
Publisher<br />
The Boulmer Bonanza 18<br />
Flying for Freedom 20<br />
RAFA 21<br />
© This magazine contains official information and should<br />
be treated with discretion by the recipient and the views<br />
expressed in this magazine, unless specifically stated otherwise,<br />
do not reflect MOD, RAF or Station policy and are the personal<br />
views of the author. No responsibility for the quality of goods<br />
or services advertised in this magazine can be accepted by<br />
the publishers or printers. Advertisements are included in<br />
good faith. Published by Forces and Corporate Publishing Ltd,<br />
Hamblin House, Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northamptonshire<br />
NN10 0RU.<br />
Tel: 01933 419994. Fax: 01933 419584.<br />
E-mail: sales@forcespublishing.co.uk<br />
Managing director: Ron Pearson<br />
Design: Jo Glen<br />
Sales manager: Sally Haynes<br />
Officers Vs Airmen Rugby Match 22<br />
RAF Boulmer Cricket Club 24<br />
RAF Boulmer Football Club 25<br />
ON THE COVER…<br />
Face painting at The Boulmer Bonanza,<br />
page 18.<br />
Cover Photo by Anne Russell.<br />
Submission deadlines:<br />
Please send all submissions for Issue 4<br />
2016 of The <strong>Lookout</strong> to the Editor by 20th<br />
October 2016.<br />
p20<br />
THE LOOKOUT 3<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 3 16/08/2016 11:49
Station Commander’s Foreword<br />
Group Captain Rich Jacob<br />
It was over 12 months ago that I received a phone call from Air Officer Commanding<br />
Number 1 Group that I was to be afforded the honour and privilege of being Station<br />
Commander at RAF Boulmer and I don’t mind admitting that it was the longest 12<br />
months of my life! However, the waiting ended a few weeks ago and I now find<br />
myself writing my first foreword for The <strong>Lookout</strong>. RAF Boulmer is a Station with an<br />
enviable reputation. Its operational output is, to be frank, second to none, with our<br />
personnel ensuring the integrity of UK airspace 24/7, 365 days a year. Furthermore,<br />
Trade Group 12 and Aerospace Battle Manager personnel are most definitely in<br />
high demand; as I write nearly 10% of our regular serving personnel are deployed<br />
in 6 different locations around the world. However, none of this would be possible<br />
without the support of the broader Station. For me RAF Boulmer is the epitome of<br />
the Whole Force as it is a seamless team of uniformed personnel (both regular and<br />
reserve), Civil Service and contractors. We must also remember the wider RAF family<br />
and the vital support we get from home and from the local community in what is<br />
a stunning part of the UK. Together we all come together to play a key role in the<br />
Defence of the UK and wider operations; we should all share a sense of pride it what<br />
we achieve.<br />
So onward to the latest edition of The <strong>Lookout</strong>. Many members of the Station will<br />
have heard me talk about the need to Challenge, Innovate, Empower and Excel, and<br />
there are examples of this throughout this magazine. Refusing to be constrained by<br />
the norm, the committee who organised the Boulmer Bonanza pushed the boundary<br />
and thought outside the box; the result was a hugely successful day and proof to us<br />
all that we can attract ‘headline acts’ such as the RAF Falcons and the Royal Signals<br />
White Helmets to Northumberland. On the sporting front we have seen Boulmer<br />
teams excel in both football and cricket, whilst there is a fascinating article from Flt Lt<br />
Kat Janes following her participation in the Flying for Freedom round-UK challenge.<br />
As you will read, we have some exceptional people doing extraordinary things. Air<br />
Officer Commanding 1 Group was right – it really will be an honour and a privilege to<br />
be Station Commander of RAF Boulmer.<br />
From the Editor<br />
Flight Lieutenant Tony Spooner<br />
I<br />
remember shortly after arriving at RAF Boulmer, picking up a copy of the<br />
Station Magazine, and thinking “that looks like a lot of work, I don’t want to<br />
ever be responsible for something like that!” Nine years later and look how<br />
things change!<br />
In this issue summer is in full swing and we bring news of a whole gamut<br />
of outdoor activities. From hugely successful and enjoyable events such as<br />
the Boulmer Bonanza (page 18), School of Aerospace Battle Management’s<br />
Adventure Training (page 16), and news from the Station’s various sports<br />
teams, to the more serious business of the Post-Crash Management Exercise,<br />
Ex BORDERS IMPACT (page 14), Boulmer’s personnel have been taking every<br />
opportunity to get outside and take advantage of the warmer weather.<br />
It is an honour to be given the role of Editor, and I look forward to bringing news<br />
of goings on at Boulmer to members of the RAF Family and local community in<br />
the coming months and years.<br />
I hope you enjoy this issue and I look forward to producing many more in the<br />
future. Best wishes<br />
Spoons<br />
4 THE LOOKOUT<br />
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25 Market Street<br />
Alnwick<br />
Northumberland<br />
NE66 1SS<br />
T: 01665 604691<br />
Located in the centre of Alnwick, one of the<br />
most historic and beautiful towns in the north<br />
of England, The Queens Head Hotel is an old<br />
coaching inn dating back to the 16th century<br />
and is the oldest pub in the town. Always a<br />
regular stopping off point for travellers on the<br />
Great North Road – today we proudly continue<br />
the tradition of providing great food, beers and<br />
comfortable accommodation.<br />
Our welcoming staff will happily serve you a<br />
selection of quality cask ales, great wines and<br />
premium lagers in our cosy bars. Alternatively<br />
you can relax and enjoy quality home cooking<br />
in either our restaurant or bar areas. Wherever<br />
you choose to eat you can be assured of freshly<br />
prepared food using locally sourced produce of<br />
the highest standard. Our ever popular traditional<br />
basket meals are a real favourite and our Sunday<br />
carvery is not to be missed! We also have a<br />
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Live music every Saturday night!<br />
Opening &<br />
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We are open:-<br />
Monday to Saturday<br />
12noon – 12midnight<br />
Sunday<br />
12noon – 11pm<br />
Food served times:-<br />
Tuesday to Saturday<br />
12noon – 8pm<br />
Sunday (carvery)<br />
12noon – 3pm<br />
Call for Christmas and<br />
New Year Bookings<br />
www.queensheadalnwick.com<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 5 16/08/2016 11:50
CarrillionAmey provide a valuable service<br />
to service personnel and their families; the<br />
following pages contain useful information<br />
about how they are improving this service and<br />
how you can contact them with any issues you<br />
may have.<br />
Our Front Line Engineers<br />
Delivering Your Repairs<br />
Our engineers are on the front line. They are the face of<br />
CarillionAmey, the key people who come to your homes<br />
and fix your repairs. It’s really important that at the outset<br />
of any appointment, they provide good customer care by<br />
calling ahead to confirm appointments; are respectful of<br />
your home and your belongings and tidy up when the<br />
job is done. It’s also important that they have the right<br />
qualifications and are security cleared so that you have<br />
faith in them; and they are supported effectively by us so<br />
that they can complete more repairs first time.<br />
So who are these engineers and what do we expect of<br />
them? For those families living in UK Service properties<br />
maintained by CarillionAmey, we employ a wide variety<br />
of engineers from multi-purpose tradesmen; plumbers;<br />
heating engineers and specialists. All their qualifications<br />
are checked, making sure they hold current trade<br />
qualifications and they are all security cleared. For<br />
example, all our gas heating engineers must hold the<br />
nationally recognised gas safe qualification. Our specialists<br />
come from companies that are subject matter experts in<br />
their fields; pest controllers, damp specialists, lift inspectors,<br />
play park specialists, chimney sweeps, radon and asbestos<br />
specialists and street lighting and fire alarm specialists.<br />
Sustain and Improve<br />
Strengthening the links between<br />
CarillionAmey and its customers<br />
CarillionAmey are working more closely with Warrant officers to improve<br />
customer service, which is resulting in positive feedback.<br />
Warrant Officers are experts in their fields. They’ve lived and breathed<br />
Service life for many years and understand the difficulties that Service living<br />
can bring. Within the Housing environment, certain Warrant Officers are<br />
highly trained to offer housing welfare support to members of the Armed<br />
Forces and their families. In the Army, these are the Military Housing Liaison<br />
Officers; in the RAF, the Station Community Support Officers; and in the<br />
Navy, the Base Warrant Officers.<br />
These Warrant Officers (WOs) are an integral part of the housing service<br />
and are there to act as a point of contact for Service families who may be<br />
going through a difficult time. On the whole, most families move in, out or<br />
live in their Service properties without any issues at all, but for some families<br />
this isn’t always the case. Some Service personnel or members of their<br />
family may have a disability that makes living in their home more difficult or<br />
perhaps they are trying to deal with anti-social neighbours who are making<br />
their lives stressful. That’s where the WOs can step in. They work closely with<br />
our local CarillionAmey staff and our team at occupancy services to ensure<br />
that these families are given the extra assistance they need. By working<br />
together, we can ensure that families are given the right support and the<br />
right advice.<br />
John Reynolds, Military Housing Liaison Officer in the North said “My role is<br />
to act as a ‘go between’ for CarillionAmey and local families. CarillionAmey’s<br />
occupancy services team always help as much as they can over the<br />
telephone, but sometimes personal interaction is needed. In these cases,<br />
myself and a CarillionAmey representative will visit the family in their home.<br />
By working together we can ensure that the families understand how things<br />
work, and what they can expect in terms of service delivery”.<br />
CarillionAmey recognises the value of working closely with these WOs,<br />
especially in more complex cases. By drawing on their guidance and<br />
support, we can be confident that the housing decisions we make are<br />
the right ones for Service families. Strengthening the links we have with<br />
them will mean that families will benefit from better communication and<br />
improvements in service delivery.<br />
Some repairs are simply rectified and can be dealt with<br />
swiftly, others take more time because they need thorough<br />
investigation to determine the root cause of the problem.<br />
Occasionally, this becomes an on-going exercise for<br />
the specialist and they may need other engineers to<br />
undertake additional work to assist them. Even with the<br />
best scheduling, this can involve a series of appointments<br />
and this inevitably impacts on you. This is never ideal but if<br />
we can do our best to make sure that all our engineers are<br />
efficient, polite, understanding and customer focused, it<br />
can make things a little easier for you.<br />
Our current improvement plan is aimed at making things<br />
work more efficiently and with greater understanding of<br />
your circumstances as Armed Forces families. To assist, we<br />
are increasing the number of engineers in certain trades<br />
and in areas where we have a shortfall. We are providing<br />
better customer care training for all engineers and we are<br />
monitoring and measuring our engineers’ performance on<br />
their ability to call ahead to confirm appointments.<br />
We know how important it is for us to deliver the service<br />
you deserve and the performance of our engineers is<br />
key. We would love to hear from you if you have good or<br />
bad feedback on CarillionAmey engineers. For those who<br />
have done a great job, it helps to give them a deserved<br />
pat on the back for a job well done and to flag up best<br />
practice to their colleagues. For those who have failed to<br />
impress, it helps us to investigate what’s gone wrong, why<br />
and what we need to do to drive improvement where it’s<br />
needed. Please let us know about your experiences by<br />
contacting us.<br />
6 THE LOOKOUT<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 6 16/08/2016 11:50
Improving The Way We Manage Your Patch<br />
As part of the improvement plan, CarillionAmey have rolled out a new<br />
initiative which we are hoping will assist with better communication. Each<br />
Accommodation Officer (AO) is responsible for making regular checks on<br />
the Service Family homes and the surrounding communal areas for which<br />
they are responsible. They conduct regular inspections looking out for<br />
things such as graffiti, fallen trees, and potholes in roads. During their walkaround<br />
they also take a look at the exterior of properties, and may often<br />
notice things that families miss, such as a leaking drainpipe or blocked<br />
guttering and should alert the occupants so that a job can be raised.<br />
Nowadays with so many families where both partners work, sometimes<br />
issues are identified when no one is home, and although the AO will raise<br />
the job with the Helpdesk, families may only find out about it when an<br />
engineer arrives to complete the job. We recognise that may be a concern<br />
for some families so CarillionAmey’s new patch management inspection<br />
card aims to solve this problem. Once the AO has identified an issue with<br />
the exterior of a property, the details will be completed on the card and<br />
posted through the letterbox, helping to prevent small repairs becoming<br />
bigger ones.<br />
Here is a<br />
reminder<br />
of what<br />
CarillionAmey<br />
are responsible<br />
for within<br />
your patch:<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 7 16/08/2016 11:50
Improving the Additional Needs and Disabled Adaptation Process<br />
It’s important for the Defence Housing Service to constantly look<br />
at how it can improve. For those families whose family member<br />
needs adaptations to a Service Family home it’s essential that we<br />
are able to provide them with properties that meet their needs.<br />
When work is required either for a property they are due to move<br />
into or more adaptations are needed in their current property we<br />
need to get work done in a timely fashion.<br />
Feedback from families and their representatives showed that<br />
collectively, CarillionAmey and DIO’s processes for funding<br />
approvals for adaptations were not working effectively, process<br />
was hampering progress. Recently, effective collaboration<br />
between the two organisations’ commercial teams has led to<br />
essential improvements. Funds are now being freed up more easily<br />
8 THE LOOKOUT<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 8 16/08/2016 11:50
catering to those families who need adaptations, making sure<br />
that when adaptations are needed they can go ahead faster.<br />
This new improved process will be of benefit to most families<br />
but for some whose needs are exceptional where their<br />
properties require extensive work e.g. lifts or major structural<br />
work, the very nature of the work will prevent swift turnaround<br />
times. However, if you are ever concerned about any issue<br />
surrounding adaptations please contact the CarillionAmey<br />
Helpdesk on 0800 707 6000, view our new infographics at www.<br />
carillionamey.co.uk or if you are able to visit someone in person,<br />
call into one of our Local Customer Service centres, for details see<br />
www.carillionamey.co.uk/service-family-accommodation/contactus/local-customer-service-centres.<br />
THE LOOKOUT 9<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 9 16/08/2016 11:50
Remote Radar<br />
Heads in the<br />
Spotlight<br />
A BBC production team recently visited Remote<br />
Radar Head (RRH) Staxton Wold to film for a<br />
documentary to be shown next year.<br />
Fronted by explorer Paul Rose the documentary will follow the route<br />
of the Yorkshire Wolds Way which runs from the Humber Estuary<br />
to Filey on the Yorkshire coast, highlighting points of interest along<br />
the way.<br />
RRH Staxton Wold comes at either the beginning or the end of the<br />
Wolds Way – (depending on which direction you do the walk!) and<br />
the base is possibly the world’s oldest radar site. The site has been<br />
helping to keep Britain safe since before the start of WW2, but its<br />
history goes back even further, with the Romans having used the site<br />
as a beacon in the third century.<br />
The development of radar in 1935 was instrumental in preventing<br />
the UK’s air defences from being surprised by providing advanced<br />
warning about enemy attacks.<br />
The initial deployment of radar in the UK was based upon a chain<br />
of radars known as Chain Home. By the time of the Battle of Britain<br />
some 32 Chain Home radar units along the east and south coasts of<br />
the UK covered all the possible attack routes an enemy could take at<br />
that time. A key link in this chain was the site at Staxton Wold which<br />
was completed in early 1939 and operated 24/7 throughout World<br />
War 2, providing early warning of German air raids for 12 Group,<br />
Fighter Command.<br />
Without the radar system, the heavily outnumbered British fighters<br />
during the Battle of Britain would surely have been overwhelmed by<br />
the enemy’s onslaught.<br />
Paul Rose speaking with Wing Commander Darren Phelps.<br />
10 THE LOOKOUT<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 10 16/08/2016 11:50
From the earliest days of the war the Luftwaffe was carrying out<br />
mine laying along the East coast; the site at Staxton Wold provided<br />
excellent radar coverage of approaches to the Tyne, Tees and the<br />
Humber estuaries and was a key component in countering this threat.<br />
During the Battle of Britain the Luftwaffe mounted a major flank attack<br />
in the North on the 15th August 1940. Staxton Wold was at the very<br />
heart of the action and the raids were repulsed so effectively that the<br />
Luftwaffe never tried such an attack again. Staxton Wold also made a<br />
significant contribution to defending Hull during the Blitz.<br />
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Today and every day, just as during the Battle of Britain, RRH Staxon<br />
Wold is still playing its part and the UK maintains the highest level<br />
of readiness to respond to threats. The Royal Air Force’s primary<br />
responsibility is to defend the UK’s airspace, 24/7, 365 days a year<br />
and it remains constantly alert and ready to intercept any potential<br />
airborne threat around UK airspace.<br />
The Remote Radar Head at Staxton Wold is one of an integrated<br />
system of many military and civilian radars dotted across the length<br />
and breadth of Britain which provide valuable input to the RAF’s Air<br />
Surveillance and Control System.<br />
Data gathered from these radars, with input from Royal Navy ships<br />
and RAF air surveillance aircraft, is routed through a network of<br />
digital data links and used to compile a Recognised Air Picture (RAP),<br />
essentially a radar picture of all aircraft within the United Kingdom<br />
Flight Information Region and its approaches. RAF personnel in the<br />
RAF Control and Reporting Centre at RAF Boulmer monitor the RAP<br />
24/7, 365 days a year to detect and identify all aircraft within it.<br />
QRA aircraft are launched to intercept unidentified aircraft when<br />
identification cannot be obtained by any other means ie the aircraft is<br />
not talking to civilian or military air traffic control, has not filed a flight<br />
plan or is not transmitting a recognisable secondary surveillance radar<br />
code.<br />
After all these years, RRH Staxton Wold still plays its part in securing<br />
our skies.<br />
Watch out for the programme in Spring 2017!<br />
Article & photos by Anne Russell.<br />
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Air Commodore Gillespie inspecting the TPS-77 radar inside<br />
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Meanwhile closer to home …….<br />
Air Commodore Al Gillespie, Air Officer Battlespace<br />
Management, conducted his Annual Formal Inspection at<br />
Remote Radar Head Brizlee Wood recently. Brizlee Wood, like<br />
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THE LOOKOUT 11<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 11 16/08/2016 11:50
Force Command<br />
Force Development Day<br />
Earlier this year members of ASACS<br />
Force Command visited 2 locations<br />
in Newcastle as part of a Force<br />
Development day. In the morning,<br />
the group of 16 personnel, led by Wg<br />
Cdr Duncan Sackley and including all ranks,<br />
visited Trinity House which is near the Law<br />
Courts on the Quayside. Trinity House is one<br />
of only three similar establishments in the UK<br />
who look after maritime law and of all things,<br />
lighthouses, the other two being at Hull and<br />
London. The master of Trinity House, Captain<br />
Stephen Healy and the deputy master, Captain<br />
Ray Nelson gave us an excellent tour of the<br />
historic building on Broad Chare, outside which<br />
there is an actual anchor taken from a Spanish<br />
Armada Galleon sunk in battle. Both masters<br />
were exceptionally proud of the heritage which<br />
they protect and preserve and a list of masters<br />
in the drawing room shows the lineage from<br />
Capt Healy right back to the first master in 1505.<br />
Perhaps the most startling artefact though<br />
was in the library of the drawing room which<br />
contained the original hand written journals of<br />
the voyages of Capt Cook. I first became aware<br />
of this great establishment whilst laying a<br />
wreath on Remembrance Day on behalf of the<br />
station. That particular ceremony took place in<br />
the wonderful small chapel within Trinity House<br />
which also dates back to the 16th century. A<br />
retired Royal marine pointed out the exquisite<br />
stained glass window which portrays Christ<br />
holding a lantern. He told me that the lantern<br />
has been designed so that the lantern shines<br />
out whatever the weather outside.<br />
If you ever get a chance to visit the House<br />
and chapel I would urge you to do so, they<br />
open their doors to the general public once<br />
a year when the City of Newcastle has a free<br />
Force Command personnel line up in front of HMS Calliope.<br />
Force Command personnel on the steps of Trinity House.<br />
12 THE LOOKOUT<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 12 16/08/2016 11:50
day. Alternatively, you could do as we did and<br />
organise an FD trip there.<br />
From Trinity House we made our way to HMS<br />
Calliope which sits below the Sage concert<br />
hall on the Tyne River. Our party stopped on<br />
the Gateshead Millennium Bridge where SACs<br />
Joe Spink and Ben Carnochan gave an account<br />
of WWII tank building in the North East. This<br />
was followed by an informative account of the<br />
contribution to the war effort made by the<br />
mighty North East shipyards. I have inserted<br />
the following quote from WO Dean ‘Geordie’<br />
Littlewood from his brief.<br />
“The war record of North-East shipyards as a<br />
whole, deserves a mention, bearing in mind<br />
that during the conflict Britain lost more than<br />
4,000,000 tons of shipping – it must be a matter<br />
of pride that more than half of this total was<br />
replaced by the North-East where during the<br />
war years some 545 new ships were built in<br />
North-East yards.”<br />
Following these ‘stands’ we walked over the<br />
bridge to HMS Calliope where we were given<br />
a briefing on the role of the Unit in attracting<br />
and training cadets and reservists before being<br />
taken on board fast patrol boat HMS Archer.<br />
Each vessel carries a 30mm Oerlikon gun and<br />
can fire 1000 rounds per minute whilst cruising<br />
at 25 knots. The boat is commanded by a<br />
Lieutenant which is the equivalent rank of<br />
an RAF Flight Lieutenant and can be used for<br />
fisheries protection and cadet training.<br />
The party enjoyed a splendid evening meal<br />
together before heading back to Alnmouth<br />
train station. Force Development is a great<br />
force multiplier which does not necessarily<br />
have to be arduous. What it does do is help<br />
engender team building and spirit and add to<br />
our overall knowledge of Service matters, or in<br />
our case the impact and immense contribution<br />
made by civilians to our nation’s defence. Sqn<br />
Ldr Rich Lewis and his FD team are available to<br />
advise and assist with any of your FD projects or<br />
ideas – so get planning!<br />
Sqn Ldr Steve O’Neill<br />
HMS Archer<br />
THE LOOKOUT 13<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 13 16/08/2016 11:50
Exercise BORDERS IMPACT 16<br />
RAF Boulmer successfully delivered its<br />
biennial Aircraft Post Crash Management<br />
(APCM) live exercise between 16-19<br />
May 2016; Ex BORDERS IMPACT. The<br />
exercise was the culmination of 9 months<br />
planning and was designed to practice<br />
APCM procedures and explore interagency<br />
dependencies in the event of<br />
an aircraft crash. The planning team<br />
opted for an ambitious split-site and<br />
cross-border scenario to maximise the<br />
benefit to the Station while also creating<br />
realistic training opportunities for our<br />
civil emergency partners. The result was<br />
an exercise on an unprecedented scale<br />
for RAF Boulmer, involving over 160<br />
participants from 19 separate agencies<br />
from England, Scotland and the MOD.<br />
Umpteen planning conferences and countless<br />
site recces later, the exercise was good to<br />
go. The heavy lifting, quite literally in some<br />
instances, began 24hrs before STARTEX with<br />
the deployment of catering equipment, aircraft<br />
wreckage, car wrecks, dummies and, of course,<br />
the essential ablutions. This required a big<br />
effort from all involved but was essential for the<br />
smooth running of the exercise.<br />
By the morning of Tuesday 17th May, the<br />
Exercise Director, Flt Lt Hamish McMillan, and<br />
the Boulmer Directing Staff (DS), Sqn Ldr Andy<br />
Cooper and Flt Lt Becky Canlett, were finally<br />
able to put their hard work into practice. The<br />
exercise had attracted local media attention so<br />
the day started with the Boulmer DS delivering<br />
exercise safety briefings to all participants<br />
at both sites, filmed by BBC Look North and<br />
ITV Border. STARTEX was then triggered by 2<br />
simultaneous 999 calls to Northumbria and<br />
Scottish Police emergency services. The calls<br />
reported one aircraft crashing into Otterburn<br />
Training Area and the other into a forest in<br />
the Scottish Borders. Within minutes the<br />
emergency services roared into their respective<br />
crash sites, providing life-saving interventions<br />
to the military and civilian casualties.<br />
While this was going on, the MOD’s processes<br />
were also being tested. The Station activated<br />
its APCM action plan, Op PHOENIX, and stood<br />
up its Crisis Management Cell (CMC), ably led<br />
by Sqn Ldr Rich Lewis. Over the next 2 days,<br />
the CMC acted as the RAF Boulmer point of<br />
contact for all external agencies while also<br />
managing the deployed Station personnel. This<br />
was the first time that the CMC has been tested<br />
in this way and, with Sqn Ldr Simon Gilmore<br />
as DS, Sqn Ldr Lewis and his team learnt a<br />
great deal about what is required to manage a<br />
major incident.<br />
As the ‘blue-light’ element came to a close<br />
on day one, the Station started to deploy<br />
resources to the crash sites. On being notified<br />
of the crash, the CMC had been generating<br />
manpower to support a long-term detachment<br />
to secure the crash sites. For APCM incidents,<br />
the Station’s on scene representatives are<br />
the Incident Officer (IO) Teams and they are<br />
often first out of the door. Led by Fg Offs<br />
Tom Burns and Phil Bell, the IO Teams were<br />
quickly put to use on the crash sites, feeding<br />
back logistical and manpower requests to the<br />
CMC and fielding questions from the various<br />
agencies involved.<br />
Fg Off Burns was thankful for the media training<br />
he received prior to deploying because,<br />
on arriving at the scene, a roving reporter’s<br />
microphone was thrust into his face and he was<br />
asked some very probing questions about the<br />
crash. Luckily the reporter was RAF Reservist<br />
Officer Flt Lt Tony Newton and this was a<br />
training serial designed to put the RAF Boulmer<br />
representatives under some very real pressure.<br />
If is fair to say that some valuable lessons were<br />
learnt in terms of media handling here!<br />
As with all major exercises, the reason we hold<br />
these exercises quickly becomes apparent.<br />
Although expert in their own roles, the frictions<br />
generated by operating with other agencies<br />
can only be recreated during a live exercise.<br />
This was most apparent with the Mountain<br />
Rescue Team (MRT) from RAF Leeming, an<br />
extremely capable organisation but not widely<br />
understood by the on scene commanders.<br />
Only after 2 days of exercising and several<br />
capability demonstrations did the Station and<br />
other agencies start to appreciate what the<br />
MRTs can provide. If understanding each<br />
other’s capabilities was one key outcome of<br />
the exercise, the other was to reinforce the<br />
importance of having reliable communications.<br />
Very quickly, the emergency services found<br />
their systems were being stretched to capacity<br />
and they certainly took some important real-<br />
14 THE LOOKOUT<br />
Ambulance Crews responding<br />
to the crash at Otterburn.<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 14 16/08/2016 11:50
Sqn Ldr Andy Cooper delivering an exercise<br />
briefing to the emergency services at Otterburn.<br />
world lessons away from the difficulties that<br />
this created.<br />
With the majority of RAF Boulmer and<br />
emergency services objectives achieved on<br />
the first day, the second day was focussed on<br />
Disaster and Victim Identification (DVI) training<br />
serials. This grisly but important task is crucial<br />
to the PCM process and is carried out by<br />
specially trained police officers who comb the<br />
crash site for evidence. Mixed police force DVI<br />
training exercises are rare so there were some<br />
initial teething problems as both organisations<br />
agreed the best way to approach the scene.<br />
Once this had been established, however, it<br />
became an extremely beneficial training event<br />
for all participants.<br />
RAF Mountain Rescue Team members carrying out some careful planning.<br />
The real reason so many emergency services agreed to participate – free lunch.<br />
On Thursday morning, after a few nights in<br />
the field for the IO Teams and the Guard Force,<br />
ENDEX was called on RAF Boulmer’s biggest<br />
ever PCM exercise. Over 2 days, Ex BORDERS<br />
IMPACT tested the Station’s ability to establish,<br />
sustain and recover its APCM responsibility.<br />
Just as important, it enhanced the Station’s<br />
reputation amongst the local community and<br />
the Emergency Services. It was testament to<br />
the exercise planning team that the complex<br />
exercise was such a success. Significant<br />
lessons, perhaps even top-level MOD ones,<br />
have been identified that will contribute to an<br />
improvement in APCM nationally as well as at<br />
RAF Boulmer. Having fulfilled the requirement<br />
to conduct a PCM exercise every 2 years, the<br />
Station is now in a much better position to<br />
respond to a live incident.<br />
Written by Flt Lt Becky Canlett<br />
Photos by SAC Phil Dyer<br />
Role players from RAF Boulmer acting as<br />
witnesses to the crash.<br />
Boulmer Directing Staff carrying<br />
out some planning.<br />
THE LOOKOUT 15<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 15 16/08/2016 11:50
SABM personnel take the plunge.<br />
Adventurous<br />
Training<br />
Nerves were tested with leaps of faith.<br />
Between the 18th and 22nd Jul 2016 12 members of the<br />
School of Aerospace Battle Management (SABM) and Control<br />
and Reporting Centre (CRC) deployed to Force Development<br />
Training Centre (FDTC) Crickhowell, in South Wales, for a week<br />
of Adventurous Training in order to develop unit cohesion and<br />
promote RAF ethos and core values. The week began with an<br />
8 hour coach journey down to Wales which was, thankfully,<br />
uneventful. Upon arrival the weather was glorious and<br />
everyone took the opportunity to explore the local area.<br />
Working hard not to get carried away.<br />
Personnel taking a well deserve break.<br />
16 THE LOOKOUT<br />
Day 1<br />
Another fantastically sunny and warm day<br />
in the Welsh Valleys brought the promise<br />
of Gorge Walking for the group. No one<br />
had experienced this before but with the<br />
temperature soaring above 30 degrees<br />
everyone was looking forward to a cooling<br />
dip in a river. We journeyed up to a remote<br />
valley above Neath and swiftly changed into<br />
full body wetsuits, helmets and life jackets.<br />
We then trekked down to the bottom of<br />
the valley and jumped into the river and<br />
were taught how to float feet first down<br />
the current. The river journey started with<br />
a pleasant meander down a gentle stream<br />
but we were soon met by waterfalls and<br />
deep pools. Our challenges consisted<br />
of jumping through a waterfall into the<br />
bubbling cauldron of water below, pulling<br />
the entire group back up the river against<br />
the current and culminated in a 10 metre<br />
jump into a pool below… not everyone was<br />
brave enough to try this final task but some<br />
found the courage to do it twice!<br />
Day 2<br />
We had been promised rain and<br />
thunderstorms for the Wednesday but were<br />
greeted with scorching sunshine yet again.<br />
Half the group elected to go climbing on a<br />
nearby crag and the other half chose to stay<br />
in the shade at an indoor climbing centre.<br />
Here we climbed for nearly 4 hours. Starting<br />
off in the bouldering area and then moving<br />
onto the climbing walls, finally taking the<br />
challenge of climbing up real rock walls<br />
inside the centre. Temperatures were warm<br />
but everyone soldiered on despite the<br />
heat. Some even braved the indoor caving,<br />
although two managed to get stuck in the<br />
entrance for about 10 minutes and couldn’t<br />
find where to go in the dark! Both groups<br />
returned to FDTC Crickhowell feeling like they<br />
had accomplished something but with very<br />
sore arms.<br />
Day 3<br />
The group split into two again. Half the group<br />
went Mountain Biking at Bike Park Wales and<br />
the other half went to a very scenic lake near<br />
Merthyr Tydfil to try their hand at canoeing<br />
and kayaking. The mountain bikers had an<br />
arduous hours ride up to the top of the trail<br />
and unfortunately their day was cut short<br />
when one member of the group took a<br />
tumble. The group on the lake had a more<br />
serene day, paddling around on the lake and<br />
playing games in the canoes. Despite the<br />
best efforts of two of the group to remain<br />
dry they ended up in the water when their<br />
attempt to get a better look at a Springer<br />
Spaniel by the side of the lake resulted in<br />
them capsizing the canoe.<br />
Friday saw the group return to Boulmer,<br />
tired and weary but feeling as though they<br />
had achieved something new or improved<br />
upon skills they already had. All had been<br />
challenged at some point and came away<br />
feeling rewarded by the experience.<br />
Flying Officer Abi Stone<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 16 16/08/2016 11:50
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Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 17 16/08/2016 11:51
‘Think big - let’s have a<br />
Families Day on a par with<br />
that of RAF Brize Norton’<br />
– the direction given<br />
to me by OC Support<br />
Wing several months<br />
ago and from which the<br />
seed was sown for the<br />
‘Boulmer Bonanza’…<br />
The youngest members of the RAF Family<br />
took on the fire engine.<br />
WHERE TO START?<br />
The Budget was the first hurdle, and a huge thanks is extended to the RAF<br />
Benevolent Fund, the RAF Charitable Trust, local businesses and the internal<br />
support which generated the funds it took organise the day. We must also thank<br />
the local community who got on board in sponsoring, particularly to TJ Danes<br />
who judged the dog competitions, alongside Kat Gibson from Robson & Prescott<br />
Vets, and Alnorthumbria Vets for their donations which helped deliver the event.<br />
THE VISION<br />
To host a day to include everyone in the RAF Boulmer Family whether service<br />
or civilian, and of course our families and friends – with even the family ‘pooch’<br />
playing their part also.<br />
The face painting stall proved a<br />
big hit with all ages.<br />
THE DAY<br />
With the Royal Signals White Helmets Motorcycle Display Team and The RAF<br />
Falcons Parachute Display Team setting the scene as our Headline Acts, the day<br />
was always on track to deliver excitement. At one point the waiting crowd were<br />
on tenterhooks when the weather threatened to prevent either of the teams<br />
appearing. However, the luck of the Gods was on our side and both were able<br />
to entertain us with their breath taking and dare devil performances. Whilst the<br />
crowds were awestruck with the White Helmets performance we are not quite<br />
sure if FS Goodall has forgiven them for leaving his prize football pitch with a<br />
rather large scorch mark. However, every cloud has a silver lining and The Falcons<br />
were grateful for the ‘charcoal’ landmark which assisted them in identifying<br />
the drop zone where they landed after executing their signature ‘8 man stack’,<br />
The RAF Falcons pose with their new fans.<br />
18 THE LOOKOUT<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 18 16/08/2016 11:51
The Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team impressed the crowds.<br />
An RAF Falcon braces for landing.<br />
delivered with precision and an equally dynamic landing where the<br />
Station Commander waited to take the Salute.<br />
Alongside the headline acts the scene was set for a fun day of family<br />
activities which included pony rides, face painting, a police dog display,<br />
falconry display and fairground rides. All the children were delighted<br />
with the Fairground Rides, and even the rain didn’t deter their enthusiasm<br />
albeit did deliver a few ‘soggy bottoms’ after a visit to the Bouncy Castle!<br />
With a full-on programme of activities which saw many ‘eating on the run’<br />
the Catering Flight were on hand to provide hot-dogs and hamburgers;<br />
such was the demand, they had to restock their supply. There was a cake<br />
stall, selling delicious home baked fayre, the Candy Castle sweet stall, and<br />
a Mr Whippy Ice-cream van; all of whom did a roaring trade judging by<br />
the amount of chocolate and ice-cream smudged faces to be seen on<br />
both the children and adults!<br />
The Dog Competitions organised by Flt Lt Paddock allowed proud<br />
owners to show off their prized pooches with titles for the ‘waggiest tail’<br />
and most ‘disobedient’ hotly contested. A sight to behold, as we watched<br />
our normally responsible dog owners trying to get their well-trained<br />
pooches to disobey!<br />
From four legs to four wheels another highlight was the Fire Engine<br />
pull which saw competitors test their strength in a 50 meter pull. Of<br />
all the competitors it was our little Herculean’s who stole the show and<br />
demonstrated the power that even the smallest of us can have when we<br />
pull together as a team.<br />
Even after a fun packed day, the Boulmer Bonanza continued into the<br />
evening with a Hangar Party delivering entertainment to cater for adults<br />
and children accommodating local bands, comedians and culminating<br />
in a spectacular firework display. It even gave the budding cowboys<br />
amongst us the chance to demonstrate their rodeo skills on the ‘Bucking<br />
Bronco’ and I have it on good authority that it is the children who<br />
managed to stay on longer than any of the adults. For those who were<br />
brave enough there was also the opportunity to don a Sumo Suit, and<br />
feel what it might be like to walk the pathway of a Sumo Wrestler!<br />
All in all, the Boulmer Bonanza proved a huge success but it could not<br />
have been made possible without the previously mentioned sponsors<br />
and my Bonanza Committee who I feel privileged to have worked<br />
alongside. Their motivation, meticulous planning and tireless efforts<br />
over a period of months resulted in an amazing day for all those who<br />
attended. Thanks must also go to the unsung heroes, who worked<br />
behind the scenes to set up the event, provide security, control entry,<br />
and clear up afterwards.<br />
Mindful of my direction at the beginning of this project I have since<br />
asked - did we think ‘Big Enough’. Having just come from RAF Brize<br />
Norton, I can honestly say – yes! I hope that we will continue our support<br />
for the Boulmer Bonanza in years to come.<br />
However, the final word must go to the Station Commander who<br />
summed up the day’s events:<br />
‘It has been a wonderful day and it was great to see so many of our families<br />
enjoying themselves. Without their continued support it would not be possible<br />
for our Service personnel to achieve everything that they do, especially when<br />
they are detached away from home for long periods of duty. But it is also the<br />
wider RAF family, our civilian and contracted personnel, who give so much to<br />
this Station, and it was fantastic to see everyone having so much fun today’.<br />
Written by Flt Lt Ayshea Lewis<br />
Photos by Anne Russell<br />
Prize winners from the dog show<br />
THE LOOKOUT 19<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 19 16/08/2016 11:51
Birds eye view of the Moray Firth<br />
Flying<br />
for Freedom<br />
Flying for Freedom (FFF) is a not-for profit organisation in partnership with<br />
Help for Heroes, which teaches wounded, injured and sick (WIS) military service<br />
personnel and veterans to fly flexwing microlights. Learning to fly is used as<br />
a recovery tool as part of their physical and mental rehabilitation, with the<br />
possible aim for them to aspire to work into the aviation sector.<br />
Last year the team<br />
challenged itself to fly the<br />
coast of the UK which they<br />
remarkably achieved in 10<br />
days. This year I took on the<br />
task of Expedition Leader which<br />
required a large amount of work<br />
over the last 6 months from initial<br />
planning of the route; ensuring we<br />
had aircraft and pilots available; to<br />
ensuring we had ground support<br />
at each location. This was an<br />
unprecedented expedition which<br />
had the aims of:<br />
• Flying a route around the UK,<br />
incorporating both John O’Groats<br />
and Land’s End;<br />
• Giving air experience flights to<br />
other WIS personnel;<br />
• Hosting the film of last year’s<br />
initial expedition in which the<br />
team flew the coast line of the UK;<br />
flying a number of WIS personnel<br />
under the support of the Plymouth<br />
Recovery Centre. The route then<br />
went anti clockwise stopping<br />
at airfields near the other Help<br />
for Heroes Recovery Centres inc<br />
Thruxton Racing Circuit, Earl’s<br />
Colne, East Rufforth, Eshott, and<br />
Perth finally complete another goal<br />
of flying over John O’Groats on 13<br />
July. The team returned down the<br />
west coast of the UK arriving back<br />
at Cotswold Airport 16 July having<br />
completed all their aims.<br />
Over 40 WIS personnel were given<br />
air experience flights throughout<br />
the trip, providing them with the<br />
unforgettable experience of flying<br />
in an open cockpit aircraft. Sadly,<br />
due to weather, we were unable<br />
to provide flights at St Michael’s<br />
Airfield, Preston however the team<br />
will endeavour to achieve this in<br />
the next couple of months.<br />
One individual<br />
I will always<br />
remember, when<br />
speaking of his flight<br />
experience, told me<br />
that he hadn’t really left<br />
the house in 3 years and<br />
it was the opportunity<br />
of flying in a flexwing<br />
that gave him the<br />
motivation to leave the<br />
comfort and security of<br />
his home. It is hoped<br />
that for individuals like<br />
this the experience the<br />
team was able to give to<br />
them will go in some way<br />
in changing their lives for<br />
the better. The expedition<br />
was filmed throughout<br />
and the team’s daily<br />
experiences can all be<br />
seen on YouTube, by<br />
searching for Flying<br />
for Freedom.<br />
The route taken around the UK<br />
• Raising funds and promoting<br />
the organisation.<br />
The team departed Cotswold<br />
Airfield on 3 July with the aim of<br />
returning back to Kemble Flying<br />
Club 2 weeks later. The route<br />
commenced in the south west<br />
achieving the Land’s End ‘tick’ and<br />
This was the first time since FFF was<br />
established, where WIS personnel<br />
who had gained their licences<br />
through FFF, had flown other WIS<br />
as passengers. Some of these<br />
individuals had been through<br />
terrible periods in their lives, some<br />
with physical disabilities, others<br />
with emotional injuries and PTSD.<br />
FFF hopes to continue<br />
to provide flying training<br />
for WIS personnel, and<br />
expand their training<br />
locations in the future.<br />
Flying for Freedom can<br />
be followed on Facebook<br />
and via their website www.<br />
flyingforfreedom.org.<br />
Flt Lt Kat Janes<br />
Flying over John O’Groats<br />
20 THE LOOKOUT<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 20 16/08/2016 11:51
RAFA<br />
RAFA says Thank You to Volunteers<br />
The RAF Association has 4,898 volunteers,<br />
who are integral to the successful<br />
implementation of the Association’s<br />
support and welfare schemes, providing<br />
support for the wider RAF family.<br />
Flt Lt Jo Spence volunteers as a RAFALO<br />
(RAF Association Liaison Officer), a serving<br />
member of the RAF who provides a priceless<br />
link between serving personnel and the<br />
Association’s wider Branch network. Jo<br />
became a RAFALO when she was looking<br />
for more challenging secondary duties,<br />
quickly moving to take charge of the station<br />
RAFALO committee.<br />
As a RAFALO Jo engages with several local<br />
Branches, assisting with fundraising, Branch<br />
meetings and organising station visits for<br />
Branch members. She is also a keen advocate<br />
of the Befriending campaign, which focuses on<br />
alleviating loneliness and feelings of isolation<br />
within members of the RAF family, she believes:<br />
“It would be really wonderful to be able to<br />
bring these veterans back into the fold.” She<br />
would recommend being a volunteer for the<br />
Association to anyone as: “The RAF Association<br />
is a family and there are always things that<br />
people can get involved with.”<br />
Volunteer Manager Katharine Montgomery<br />
explains how vital the volunteers are to the<br />
Association’s work: “Our volunteers work<br />
tirelessly week in, week out in all sorts of<br />
ways. From fundraisers to befrienders to<br />
welfare caseworkers, we simply couldn’t<br />
operate without them.” While we hope they feel<br />
appreciated all year round, Volunteers’ Week<br />
provided the RAF Association with the perfect<br />
opportunity to say a huge thank you to them<br />
all. To show his gratitude, the President of the<br />
RAF Association, Air Marshal Sir Dusty Miller<br />
KBE, sent all Association volunteers a pin badge<br />
and thank you card as a token of appreciation<br />
for all their hard work.<br />
To find out how to volunteer with the RAF<br />
Association in your area, please go to www.rafa.<br />
org.uk/volunteer<br />
RAF Boulmer Guests at RAFA Dinner<br />
In May the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Branch of the RAF Association held<br />
their annual Dining–In Night in the McCracken Suite of Northern<br />
Rugby Club with principal guests of honour Group Captain Mark<br />
Coleman and Mrs Nicky Coleman. Also present were the Station<br />
Warrant Officer, Karen Bowers, Mr Kevin Bowers and the Branch<br />
RAFALO, Cpl Sam Martin. Fifty four RAFA members and friends attended.<br />
The club’s catering manager provided a delicious three – course meal<br />
and also donated a barrel of specially – brewed “Airman’s Ale” which<br />
proved very popular.<br />
The Newcastle Branch President, Air Commodore Ian Forster paid tribute<br />
to Group Captain Coleman and thanked him, and all Boulmer personnel,<br />
for the magnificent support which the station had given to Newcastle<br />
RAFA over the past two years, wishing Group Captain and Mrs Coleman<br />
every happiness in their next posting in Germany.<br />
The Branch Welfare Officer gave an overview of the many and varied<br />
activities with which RAFA is involved and he emphasised that RAFA is<br />
there to support all members of the RAF family – serving personnel as<br />
well as veterans.<br />
Following the meal, entertainment was provided by the talented<br />
Lancashire singer, Maggie Peel whilst the guests enjoyed the pleasure of<br />
each other’s company. Amongst those present was 91 year old Lawrence<br />
Allen, a World War 2 Air Gunner, who had some interesting stories to tell<br />
of his time spent flying in the Lancaster bomber.<br />
Sydney Graham, Social Secretary,<br />
Newcastle Branch, RAFA.<br />
Warrant Officer Karen Bowers with World War 2 Veteran Lawrence Allen.<br />
Group Captain Coleman with Air Commodore Ian Forster and Captain (RN) Ian Moffatt.<br />
THE LOOKOUT 21<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 21 16/08/2016 11:51
Rugby Match<br />
vs<br />
Officers<br />
Airmen<br />
The teams united after the game for a group photo.<br />
On Tuesday 26th July<br />
2016, Officers and<br />
Airmen of RAF Boulmer<br />
came together to<br />
support the charity<br />
organisation RAF<br />
Association; battling it<br />
out for bragging rights<br />
on the rugby pitch.<br />
With an exceptional turnout for<br />
both teams along with support<br />
from many others including the<br />
new Station Commander, this event<br />
was undoubtedly one to remember<br />
for RAF Boulmer. Furthermore, an<br />
inspiring speech was held before<br />
the match by Officer Commanding<br />
Control and Reporting Centre<br />
Boulmer, Wing Commander Phelps,<br />
highlighting the importance of<br />
sport within the RAF; in how it<br />
brings all trades together and<br />
allows for leadership to emerge<br />
from any rank. Prior to the match<br />
there there was also a minute’s<br />
round-of-applause that was held in<br />
remembrance of WO Daz Hucknall<br />
and Sgt Chris James.<br />
The match got off to an exhilarating<br />
start with the Officers scoring<br />
within the first 10 minutes with 2<br />
tries and 1 conversion. However,<br />
the Airmen weren’t complacent<br />
and retaliated with an equalizer;<br />
also scoring 2 tries and 1<br />
conversion by the 30 minute mark.<br />
It was all to play for as the half-time<br />
whistle approached, but in the 39th<br />
minute the Officers came forward<br />
with a deadly attack to secure<br />
the momentum going into the<br />
second half.<br />
After the pep talk from the coach<br />
and fellow trainer SAC Maughan<br />
at half-time, the Airmen were<br />
psyched and ready to perform a<br />
formidable comeback. Straight<br />
from the off, it was the Airmen who<br />
piled on the pressure deep into the<br />
oppositions half with some great<br />
kicking from John McConnell – not<br />
only a specialist in kicking, but<br />
also tackling with his face! Their<br />
efforts finally paid off as the Airmen<br />
ran in for their third try just 10<br />
minutes after the break. A second<br />
try followed just 13 minutes later<br />
in the 63rd minute to gain the<br />
lead for the first time. The last 15<br />
minutes were set up to be a battle<br />
with both sides beginning to show<br />
elements of fatigue, whilst also<br />
putting the referee through his<br />
paces after he pulled up with a bit<br />
of a hamstring officer.<br />
However, the intensity did not<br />
drop and the speed and fitness<br />
in the backs of the Airmen paid<br />
off running in for their 5th try of<br />
the game with only 10 minutes<br />
left to play. Having conceded and<br />
lost the lead, the Officers stepped<br />
their game up by breaking past<br />
the game line with their beefy<br />
forwards. Phase after phase they<br />
progressed up the pitch and finally<br />
crossed over the try line with just<br />
5 minutes left to play. This did not<br />
phase the Airmen as they held their<br />
own in the final few minutes with<br />
some fantastic defending under<br />
pressure which paid off as the final<br />
whistle was blown. Pete Maughan<br />
was jumping for joy in spite of his<br />
knee injury, as the Titans claimed<br />
their victory winning 27-24 – a<br />
monumental comeback from 12-<br />
19.<br />
In the end both teams shook hands<br />
and paid their compliments to<br />
one another, coming together for<br />
a group photo, after what proved<br />
to be an incredible rugby match<br />
that will go down in history for<br />
RAF Boulmer.<br />
By LAC Jack Hughes<br />
LAC Daniel Mills<br />
Photos by SAC Stephen Gallazzi<br />
22 THE LOOKOUT<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 22 16/08/2016 11:51
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A member of the Officers’<br />
Team braces for impact.<br />
THE LOOKOUT 23<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 23 16/08/2016 11:52
Boulmer out batting against Benson.<br />
RAF Boulmer Cricket Club<br />
RAF Boulmer Cricketers Return With Silverware from T20 Finals…<br />
…unfortunately, not the trophy!<br />
RAF Boulmer Cricket Club has been<br />
out in action at the RAF Inter-<br />
Station T20 Finals, held at RAF Vine<br />
Lane on 15th July. The club had a<br />
somewhat easy route to the finals<br />
throughout the season, but were<br />
ready for the challenge that faced<br />
them; RAF Waddington CC and RAF<br />
Benson CC.<br />
Summer turned up on the day and Boulmer<br />
were in action first against RAF Benson. Club<br />
Captain, Cpl Ben Baker, walked out for the toss<br />
and luck didn’t go his way: Boulmer were put<br />
in to bat. Sqn Ldr Peter Robinson and FS Mark<br />
Roberts stepped out to open the Boulmer<br />
campaign. They soon settled but both became<br />
early victims of the Benson bowling attack,<br />
taken out for 11 and 10 runs respectively.<br />
However, SAC Ben Metcalf and Flt Lt Glenn<br />
Ablard were at the crease next and steadied<br />
the innings. Metcalf managed an impressive 49<br />
(including 3 maximums) before being bowled<br />
out. Boulmer batted on and managed to post a<br />
respectable total of 142.<br />
After a short break Benson stepped out to<br />
chase down the runs. A few early wickets came<br />
from Robinson and Ablard but it wasn’t enough<br />
to slow them down and Benson managed to<br />
knock off the runs in just over 18 overs.<br />
Next up for Boulmer were Waddington and<br />
having lost the toss (again!), Boulmer were<br />
straight back out into the midday sun to try and<br />
bowl the Lincolnshire men out for a low total.<br />
An early wicket came at the hand of Cpl Paul<br />
Martin but Waddington looked comfortable<br />
in the middle. Their number 3 and 4 batsmen<br />
managed to put on 79 and 71 runs (with<br />
number three being dropped in the twenties<br />
by Flt Lt Brown). Waddington went on to post a<br />
challenging total of 204.<br />
Boulmer went out ready for the challenge. Cpl<br />
Baker, batting at number 3 managed a skipper’s<br />
innings of 47 before eventually being bowled<br />
out. However, it wasn’t enough and the<br />
Northumberland team only managed to tot up<br />
112 in reply.<br />
Flt Lt Brown, Officer in Charge of the Club said,<br />
“We were hugely disappointed to not get a win<br />
in the finals, but we played very well and were<br />
beaten by two very good sides.”<br />
RAF Waddington eventually went on to an<br />
effortless win over RAF Benson. Prizes were<br />
awarded by RAF Cricket Association President,<br />
Gp Capt Bob Daisley, and although he wanted<br />
the trophy to go to his old stomping ground,<br />
Sqn Ldr Robinson strutting out to the crease.<br />
Waddington gladly lifted the cup, crowning<br />
them as RAF T20 Champions for 2016.<br />
However, there is still the story of RAF Boulmer<br />
winning some Silverware. LAC Jack Hughes<br />
was awarded with a medal as the team scorer;<br />
an impressive feat, considering he had only<br />
learnt to score that very morning!<br />
RAF Boulmer CC continues its season with a<br />
team being entered into the annual 6-a-side<br />
tournament held at Mitford CC, Morpeth, in<br />
August. Nets continue to run through the<br />
summer in the Station Sports Hall on Thursdays,<br />
4-6pm. New players are welcome.<br />
Flt Lt Dan Brown<br />
24 THE LOOKOUT<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 24 16/08/2016 11:52
RAF Boulmer FC<br />
End of Season Report<br />
RAF Boulmer FC have been crowned<br />
League Winners of the newly restructured<br />
Army FA Northern League Division 1 for<br />
the 2015/2016 season. A hugely successful<br />
season, beginning in September 2015 and<br />
which came to thrilling conclusion at the<br />
end of May 2016.<br />
Here is how the season unfolded:<br />
03/09/15<br />
Light Dragoons 1-2 RAF Boulmer<br />
30/09/15<br />
RAF Boulmer 7-1 5 Med Regt<br />
28/10/15<br />
3 RHA 1-2 RAF Boulmer<br />
18/11/15<br />
RAF Boulmer 1-1 2 ITB<br />
27/01/16<br />
32 Eng Regt 3-2 RAF Boulmer<br />
End of Season Run In<br />
27/04/16<br />
RAF Boulmer 5-3 1 CS Bn REME<br />
Having returned to Boulmer after Op SEQUEL it<br />
was time to complete the football season. The<br />
one fixture played during the deployment of<br />
the CRC personnel resulted in our only league<br />
defeat of the season. Rustiness was evident<br />
in the first half with defensive errors costing<br />
Boulmer the lead, trailing 3-2 at the break. A<br />
rejuvenated second half performance saw<br />
Boulmer eventual 5-3 winners.<br />
Man of the match<br />
SAC Pete Hodson (led the second half revival)<br />
04/05/16<br />
2 Sigs Regt 1-4 RAF Boulmer<br />
The Boulmer squad travelled to Imphal Barracks<br />
in Fulford, just outside York for what was meant<br />
to be the final away fixture of the season.<br />
Sitting second in the league and playing catch<br />
up to leaders RDG, defeat was not an option<br />
as it would bring an end to any title ambitions.<br />
Boulmer came out on top in the first half,<br />
leading 3-1 in what proved to be a very scrappy<br />
game. 2 Sigs, to their credit, dominated the<br />
second half but a spirited defensive display saw<br />
Boulmer hang on to claim 3 vital points.<br />
Man of the match<br />
Cpl Haig (several excellent saves in the second<br />
half including a penalty)<br />
The Decider<br />
25/05/16<br />
RDG 1-3 RAF Boulmer<br />
With Boulmer now in second place, just 3<br />
points behind their opponents, this final fixture<br />
of the season would decide the outcome<br />
of the league. Initially scheduled as a home<br />
fixture for Boulmer, RDG ‘forgot’ to organise<br />
transportation and therefore could not travel;<br />
knowing had the fixture not been played,<br />
they would have won the league by default.<br />
Refusing to admit defeat, the Boulmer players<br />
rallied and travelled to Catterick for an evening<br />
kick off. The team talk and motive was simple<br />
– “win tonight, win the league”. However, the<br />
rushed arrangements and short warm up had<br />
an adverse effect as Boulmer started very slowly<br />
with RDG on top but failing to take advantage.<br />
However, against the run of play Boulmer took<br />
the lead - a fine finish by SAC Gaz Williams<br />
helping to ease the early Boulmer nerves. From<br />
RAF Boulmer FC would like to thank<br />
everyone who contributed to making<br />
this season so successful. In particular a<br />
special thanks to all players, committee<br />
The Team’s Silverware.<br />
this point on Boulmer were a different team.<br />
Whilst RDG had the majority of possession, an<br />
organised and disciplined defensive display<br />
combined with swift counter attacks and<br />
sublime finishing saw Boulmer deservedly win<br />
the fixture 3-1. The result meant Boulmer and<br />
RDG were level on points but Boulmer, with a<br />
superior goal difference, would be crowned the<br />
league winners.<br />
Man of the match<br />
LAC Ashley Lally (a great assist and a<br />
superb goal)<br />
members, management, line managers,<br />
manning cells, MT and all gym staff for<br />
your continued support<br />
ṠAC Andy Geddis<br />
THE LOOKOUT 25<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 25 16/08/2016 11:52
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Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 26 16/08/2016 11:52
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 27 16/08/2016 11:52
SALES TAKE OFF AS SHOW HOMES OPEN<br />
The launch of three stunning show homes has seen sales take off at Linden<br />
Homes’ Saint George development in Morpeth.<br />
The Windsor’s living room<br />
Sixteen properties have been sold or reserved on the first phase of the<br />
picturesque development, which seamlessly links town and countryside.<br />
Kate Moore and her partner David Morgan are among the fi rst to buy and<br />
she said: “We had looked at other developments around Morpeth but Saint<br />
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the properties attracted us initially as we hadn’t seen this elsewhere. The<br />
added touches of quality were a real selling point.<br />
“Also, the large areas of open space where our children can play and<br />
the fact that the development is in the catchment area of Morpeth’s best<br />
schools played a large part in our decision. Even at this early stage, the<br />
development has a family feel to it. The sales team was helpful, friendly<br />
and never pushy, supporting us all of the way and giving us honest and<br />
straight forward answers to our questions and queries.”<br />
The show homes comprise the four bedroomed detached Winchester and<br />
semi-detached Wordsworth – also available as a detached home - and the<br />
three bedroomed, semi-detached Windsor.<br />
Saint George could hardly be better positioned. Adjacent to beautiful<br />
natural woodland and large, open, green spaces, the stunning new homes<br />
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The fi rst phase of the properties – with prices starting from £219,995 -<br />
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evidence of Linden Homes’ commitment to deliver a step change in the<br />
quality and style of homes available in the North East.<br />
Help to Buy* is available and Linden Homes’ Assisted Move Scheme can<br />
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an option on certain plots.<br />
The sales office and show homes – just off the A197 (NE61 1JY) - are open<br />
Thursday to Monday, 10am to 5pm. Alternatively, call: 01670 751 826** or<br />
visit: www.lindenhomes.co.uk/saintgeorge for more information.<br />
* Help to Buy terms and conditions apply and are available on request.<br />
** This call will cost 7p per minute plus a phone company access charge.<br />
Boulmer issue 3 2016.indd 28 16/08/2016 11:52