On Monday 13 March 2017, former Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor of Jersey. The occasion was marked by a ceremony at the Royal Court and then a church service at the Parish Church of Saint Helier. Personnel from the Queen’s Colour Squadron (63 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment), LXX Squadron Royal Air Force, and Royal Air Force Music Services travelled to Jersey to support the event.
The Queen’s Colour Squadron provided a Lining Party in Royal Square for the new Lieutenant Governor as he made his way from the Royal Court to the Parish Church of Saint Helier. In the evening, the Queen’s Colour Squadron performed a Continuity Drill Display followed by a Sunset Ceremony. A flypast was conducted by LXX Squadron in an A400M Atlas aircraft as the Union Flag was lowered. Guests were afterwards hosted for dinner by the Lieutenant Governor in Government House with the Royal Air Force Salon Orchestra providing an ensemble of music. Flight Lieutenant Matt Bowerman, Queen’s Colour Squadron Second-in-Command, was the Parade Commander and the Lieutenant Governor took the salute.
The Lieutenant Governor is appointed by Her Majesty the Queen, for a five year term, to be her personal representative and impartial adviser. His responsibilities include representing the Queen on ceremonial occasions, hosting royal, ambassadorial and VIP visits and being a point of contact between the Island’s authorities and the UK government. Air Chief Marshal Dalton’s appointment to the role was announced on 20 December 2016 following the end of General Sir John McColl’s tenure.
The Queen’s Colour Squadron (63 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment), based at Royal Air Force Northolt, are the Royal Air Force’s only ceremonial unit. Custodians of the Queen’s Colour for the RAF in the United Kingdom, they are responsible for representing the Royal Air Force at the highest profile ceremonial occasions; providing Guards of Honour for our own Royal Family, as well as visiting royalty, heads of state and dignitaries. The Squadron also has an operational role as 63 Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment. The RAF Regiment are responsible for providing Force Protection to deployed airmen and aircraft. Air Chief Marshal Dalton is the current Honorary Air Commodore of the Royal Air Force Regiment, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
The Airbus A400M Atlas, flown by LXX Squadron based at Royal Air Force Brize Norton, has been in service in the Royal Air Force since November 2014. Capable of carrying a load of 25 tonnes over a range of 2000 nautical miles, the A400M supports the deployment of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force and gives the RAF a tactical and strategic-airlift aircraft capable of supporting all three services and is interoperable with other nations.
Editor: Flt Lt Doug McCorkindale
MOD Crown Copyright 2017