RAF Wittering News

New Officer Commanding Operations Wing At RAF Wittering

Safe flying in the skies above Royal Air Force Wittering is the priority for Wing Commander Jeremy (Jez) Case, the new Officer Commanding Operations Wing.

Wing Commander Jeremy (Jez) Case
Wing Commander Jeremy (Jez) Case
Image By: SAC Jack Welson

Operations (Ops) Wing is responsible for the operation of RAF Wittering’s airfield and airspace, making sure the Cambridgeshire Station is a safe environment for the novice pilots and instructors who train here.

It is a complex and demanding role; air traffic control, the Station safety centre, fire section, ground radio and IT are all part of Ops Wing. Jez’s extensive practical expertise with aircraft and his comprehensive understanding of military aviation will be invaluable as he takes command of this diverse and varied wing.  

Officer Commanding Ops Wing’s responsibilities extend far beyond RAF Wittering. In addition to his roles at the Station, Wing Commander Case manages safety for the whole A4 Force; the specialist engineering and logistics squadrons that support global RAF operations, and which are located at Stations across the UK.

Jez joined the RAF in 2003 and graduated from Initial Officer Training the following year. An experienced Weapons Systems Officer, Wing Commander case has logged over 2000 hours with the Tornado GR4 on operational squadrons, including numerous operational tours in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

Impressive though his operational credentials are, it is not these alone which qualify Wing Commander Case for his job at RAF Wittering. Jez has previously worked with the Military Aviation Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority, bringing military and civilian air regulations into closer alignment.

For Wing Commander Case, his new job could not be clearer: “My aim is to deliver as much safe flying as possible for our future pilots and those who aspire to join the RAF. Additionally, the airfield at Wittering is an asset to UK Defence and I want to support the wider Royal Air Force as much as possible in training and preparing its aircrew for operations overseas.”

Five flying units are based at RAF Wittering. No 16 Squadron trains novice pilots, No 115 Squadron teaches qualified pilots to become instructors on the Grob Tutor, No 5 Air Experience Flight gives Air Cadets their first flying experiences and there are two University Air Squadrons; Cambridge and London.  

With its long runway, wide taxiways and spacious airfield, RAF Wittering can accommodate any UK military aircraft. It is an ideal setting for Exercise Swift Pirate, where RAF transport aircraft crews train during the day and night. Swift Pirate is now a normal part of life at the Cambridgeshire Station with Hercules and C-17 aircraft regular sights in the nearby skies.  

The airfield at RAF Wittering during Exercise Swift Pirate. The image shows an RAF C130 Hercules and a Grob 115E Tutor aircraft
The airfield at RAF Wittering during Exercise Swift Pirate. The image shows an RAF C130 Hercules and a Grob 115E Tutor aircraft
Image By: SAC Kim Waterson

The airfield at RAF Wittering reopened in 2014, with the first resident squadrons arriving in early 2015. Wing Commander Case took over from Wing Commander Nick Maxey and is the fourth officer to command Ops Wing since the airfield reopened.

Group Captain Jo Lincoln is the Station Commander at RAF Wittering. She said: “Ops Wing manages all our safety activities, our airfield and our IT infrastructure. Wing Commander Case brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Ops Wing, so I am delighted to welcome him to RAF Wittering and to the team.”

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