A critical international conference of Joint Expeditionary Force Defence Ministers at historic Belvoir Castle was assisted by Support Force personnel based at RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire.
Image By: Sgt Jimmy Wise
The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) is a group of ten nations from northern Europe, led by the United Kingdom, which aims to increase co-operation in defence areas. The other participating nations are; Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
Image By: Sgt Jimmy Wise
Belvior Castle is less than 30 miles from Royal Air Force Wittering, which is where the headquarters of the RAF Support Force and A4 Force Elements are based. With their proven track record in transport and logistic support, Support Force personnel were the obvious choice to assist the conference.
Image By: By permission of SAC Matthew Jenkins
Flying Officer Chris Smale, a logistics officer from Support Force HQ, was among the military liaison officers on duty at historic Belvior Castle. He said: “A lot of planning was needed. With an event like this, everything must run smoothly and on-schedule. The UK was the host nation, and this was a very important meeting, so accommodation, catering and transport can’t be a distraction, it’s all got to run like clockwork.”
The Support Force provided eleven liaison officers from the A4 Force Elements and RAF Wittering Station personnel. Nearly thirty drivers from No 1 Expeditionary Logistics Squadron and No 2 Mechanical Transport Squadron safely conveyed the visiting ministers and the world’s media to and from the venue. In addition, a number of guards from Wittering were on duty at the JEF conference.
The RAF Support Force brings together most of the capabilities and skills needed to sustain modern air operations and exercises; specialist engineering and logistics, advanced military communications, tactical medical services and the mountain rescue team.
Dating back to the Norman Invasion, Belvoir Castle is one of Britain’s most historic buildings and is the seat of the Duke of Rutland. The castle has been used as a location for many films and television series over the years, and most recently stood in for Windsor Castle in the Netflix series ‘The Crown’.
Image By: Sgt Jimmy Wise
Weeks of intense planning and long hours of work paid off handsomely as the JEF conference concluded without a single distraction or hitch to interrupt the ministers’ meeting.
Group Captain Nick Huntley is Commanding Officer of the A4 Force and Deputy Commander of the RAF Support Force. He said: “We could not have hoped for better execution of the plan, and this was no mean feat We were supporting some very distinguished visitors, and we were the hosts. That we ensured and delivered the smooth running and security of this event is due entirely to our personnel, and their expertise and professionalism. They have done the Defence community proud and are a credit to the RAF.”
