RAF Coningsby has been awarded the prestigious Stainforth Trophy in recognition of exceptional operational performance and upholding the highest standards of the Royal Air Force throughout 2024.
The Lincolnshire Station fully demonstrated the strength of the Whole Force enterprise. Service personnel, civil servants and industry partners worked seamlessly together to deliver an extremely high tempo of Typhoon operations across the globe. The Station also maintained its unwavering Quick Reaction Alert commitments in both the UK and the Falkland Islands.
Throughout the year, Coningsby's squadrons deployed to operations and exercises spanning the Middle East, Australia, Malaysia, Qatar and the United States. No 3 Squadron conducted successful strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen during Operations SHADER and REMISSIVE to protect vital shipping lanes, whilst also leading the development of Agile Combat Employment tactics during exercises RED FLAG and BAMBOO EAGLE in the USA.
No XI (Fighter) Squadron achieved a historic first for Typhoon by securing three air-to-air kills against unmanned aerial systems in Iraq during Operation BRAIDED. The squadron also excelled during the demanding Exercise PITCH BLACK in Australia and Exercise BERSAMA LIMA in Malaysia, demonstrating exceptional flexibility when diverted to the Middle East in response to growing regional tensions.
This impressive operational output was executed by RAF Coningsby's Typhoon Air Wing, but the success was only possible as a result of a highly motivated and talented whole force team that enabled it. Movers, logisticians, engineers, along with Industry partners, to name just a few departments that were key to generating and supporting Air Power.
The Typhoon Display Team delivered 48 public displays across 34 locations in the UK and overseas, achieving the world's first Typhoon display using Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Meanwhile, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight continued its essential role in commemorating the RAF's history and inspiring future generations.
Innovation remained at the forefront of Coningsby's achievements. No 29 Squadron worked with Italian Air Force technicians on the first unsupervised Typhoon cross-servicing implementation, whilst the Typhoon Display Team completed a groundbreaking deployment to Canada for the Royal Canadian Air Force's centenary celebrations.
The Station faced considerable challenges during 2024, including the tragic deaths of three RAF Coningsby personnel. The Station's handling of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire crash demonstrated exemplary professionalism and compassion, with personnel activated at short notice over a bank holiday weekend to organise a military funeral on an unprecedented scale.
Beyond operations, RAF Coningsby hosted over 200 visits from senior foreign military and political dignitaries, supporting UK strategic partnerships and export sales. The station also opened its doors to Channel 4's 'Top Guns: Inside the RAF', which attracted over 9 million viewers and 25 million social media views, significantly boosting RAF recruitment.
Community engagement remained a priority, with station volunteers delivering the Jon Egging Trust's Blue Skies Programme to nearly 200 local students, earning the Military Team of the Year award, whilst STEM events reached over 3,000 young people nationally.
Group Captain Paul O'Grady, Station Commander at RAF Coningsby, said:
"I am immensely proud of every member of the RAF Coningsby team for this well-deserved recognition. The Stainforth Trophy reflects the extraordinary dedication, professionalism and skill of our Whole Force – service personnel, civil servants and industry partners working together to generate air power and deliver operational excellence on a truly global scale.”
The Station Commander concluded:
“Our Typhoon Air Wing executed an exceptionally complex programme, coordinating operations, training, and force development simultaneously across the globe. Both our Typhoon Display Team and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight exemplified the highest standards of airmanship whilst inspiring millions and maintaining our proud heritage. From conducting vital operations in the Middle East to achieving historic firsts in air combat and pushing the boundaries of innovation, our people have risen to every challenge. We have also shown tremendous resilience and compassion during difficult times, supporting our colleagues and families through tragedy whilst maintaining our operational commitments. This award belongs to everyone at RAF Coningsby who has contributed to an exceptional year."
