THE Station welcomed Air Officer Commanding 2 Group Air Vice-Marshal Alan Gillespie CBE MA BSc (Hons) RAF today for a full 2-day schedule of activity led by the Annual Formal Inspection (AFI).
The successful visit provided Air Vice-Marshal Gillespie an opportunity to inspect the Station whilst engaging with the whole workforce including our Regular, Reservists and MOD Civil Servant personnel.
Visiting a variety of areas across the Station including the Force Protection Centre highlighting the future of Force Capability and Force Protection Experimentation, followed by Training Wing and the current modernisation programme including a Virtual Reality demonstration.
One of the main focus points for the Station at the moment is of course our roadmap to restarting social and community events following the pandemic. With ongoing planning well underway amongst station personnel, this too was communicated as part of the AFI.
Our Caterers also had the chance to deliver with SAC James Kerr personally introducing his winning dish to Air Vice-Marshal Gillespie for his evening meal. The asparagus and cheshire cheese soup, with apple and walnut loaf recipe has made it into the Royal British Legion’s Centenary Cook Book and recently featured in The Lady Magazine.
Throughout his visit, Air Vice-Marshal Gillespie took the time to thank and present Challenge Coins to Sgt Oliver Loak, Cpl Gareth Mills and Tony Roe for their exceptional performance throughout the pandemic. Operational and Service Medals were also awarded by AVM Gillespie to Station recipients at an Honours and Awards ceremony held in the Officers Mess.
