Starting as an engineer and retiring as a logistics officer, the remarkable career of Flight Lieutenant Kevin Winks ends after 44 years of RAF service.
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Image By: Supplied Image By Sqn Ldr (Ret’d) Kevin Winks and 504 Squadron
Kev Winks is best known at RAF Wittering as the Deputy Squadron Commander of 504 (County of Nottingham) Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadron. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1976 and qualified as a General Mechanic (Electrical), despite leaving school with almost no qualifications.
Image By: Supplied Image By Sqn Ldr (Ret’d) Kevin Winks and 504 Squadron
During his forty-plus years of RAF service, Flt Lt Winks has been deployed to the Falkland Islands, to Dahran during the first Gulf War, and to Afghanistan. He has also been posted to RAF Machrihanish, RAF Chivenor, RAF Boulmer and RAF Wyton.
Image By: Supplied Image By Sqn Ldr (Ret’d) Kevin Winks and 504 Squadron
Although remote, the first tour at RAF Machrihanish proved to be life changing. Kev said: “I have fond memories of that tour. It was where I met my wife Jacqui and where I started evening classes at Campbeltown School and got my first GCEs and Scottish Certificates of Education.”
Image By: Supplied Image By Sqn Ldr (Ret’d) Kevin Winks and 504 Squadron
Over the coming years Kev would continue to increase his academic attainments and become a corporal before making the jump into officer training. He said: “I had more to give as an officer, that I had a particular strength in working with people, and logistics is certainly a people environment.”
Kev graduated from officer training in 1991 and is thought to be the first General Mechanic (Electrical) to commission from the ranks. He retired from regular service in 2012, having reached the rank of Squadron Leader.
Image By: Supplied Image By Sqn Ldr (Ret’d) Kevin Winks and 504 Squadron
After a short break he joined 504 Squadron as a part-time reservist as a Flight Lieutenant and assisted Squadron Leader Andy Ham in restructuring the reserve unit when its role changed from force protection to logistics support in 2013.
Kev said: “I have nothing but admiration and respect for our reservists. These people will literally put their families, careers and their lives aside so that they can serve their country. It’s been a very happy and productive seven years working with some amazing people.”
Squadron Leader Andy Ham is Officer Commanding 504 Squadron. He said: “People like Kev are hard to replace; his knowledge of RAF Logistics is second to none. As a part-time Reservist, he epitomised the dedicated ethos of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. On a personal note, I’m going to miss him, he’s a thoroughly decent bloke. I wish him, and his wife Jacqui, all the very best for their retirement.”
Image By: Supplied Image By Sqn Ldr (Ret’d) Kevin Winks and 504 Squadron
In retirement, it seems that Kev will be no less busy. He is a keen beekeeper and has over twenty colonies to look after.
Group Captain Jo Lincoln is the Station Commander at Royal Air Force Wittering. She said: “Firstly and most importantly, I want to thank Kev for his dedicated service to the RAF and wider Defence. I am struck by the way in which he has embraced every job over a 44-year career, and I know how much 504 Squadron has benefitted from his wisdom and guardianship. Kev, I wish you and Jacqui a long and very happy retirement together.”
