The Royal Air Force is saddened to announce the passing of Sergeant Rachel Fisk. The entire RAF Family’s thoughts and prayers are with Rachel’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.
"It is with great sadness that we mourn the death of our dear daughter, Rachel. She lived her life with joy and thoughtfulness for others and loved the career she had chosen. Rachel will be missed by so many."
Rachel’s family
Rachel was born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, in 1989. She developed a strong passion for athletics, which led Rachel to follow in the footsteps of her already military family and join the RAF herself as a Physical Training Instructor in 2011.
She initially served at RAF Wittering and RAF College Cranwell, before being selected for instructional duties at the No 1. Parachute Training School, in RAF Brize Norton. Here, Rachel learned to instruct and deliver parachute training for the Armed Forces, feeding her passion for sports and developing her career which she loved.
In 2020, she then moved to deliver Joint Service Adventurous Training at RAF Weston-on-the-Green.
Rachel was a selfless individual, who was eager to volunteer and reassure those around her. She naturally loved her career and not only worked with professionalism and diligence, but also fun and enthusiasm spurred by her passion for what she did.
Rachel was a valued member of the team she worked with and esteemed by those she trained. Not only was Rachel known for her infectious smile and bubbly personality, but she could also make a cracking cup of tea. She will be deeply missed by her RAF Colleagues, and following are some heartfelt tributes from those who had the pleasure of working with Rachel.
"Rachel brought personality to the team and was one of the most selfless individuals you could meet, constantly volunteering for tasks to allow her colleagues to spend more time with their families. Able to transfer her bubbly personality to her students, she consistently gave them the assurance and confidence required to complete that nervous task of jumping out of an aircraft."
Flight Sergeant Dylan Bartle
"Rachel brought life, enjoyment and fun to all – her love for the job was infectious and she created a bond with everyone she worked with. She was a natural and conscientious instructor and a role model for her students. Curious and diligent in her work, she was never afraid to tackle research or planning, seeking out information to make sense of any task. Whilst she was early into her parachuting career, she had masses of potential."
Flight Lieutenant Nathan Ellis
Officer Commanding Joint Service Parachute Centre
"Rachel never failed to impress with her skydiving ability and it was very clear she would go far - but it is her personality, her humour and her huge heart that will be sorely missed by all of us at Weston on the Green."
Squadron Leader Helen Simpson
Officer Commanding Robson Resilience Centre
"I have known Rachel personally since she joined the Parachute Jump Instructor Cadre. She rapidly became an outstanding Instructor and highly valued member of our team. Our thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends at this distressing time."
Group Captain Mark Smith
Commandant Robson Academy of Resilience
"The death of Sergeant Rachel Fisk is a tragic loss; our thoughts go out to the family, friends, colleagues and the close-knit community of Weston-on-the-Green – she will be missed by us all."
Air Commodore Suraya Marshall
Commandant RAF College Cranwell