RAF Wittering News

A New Officer Commanding and new Squadron Warrant Officer have been appointed to No 504 County of Nottingham Squadron at Royal Air Force Wittering.

A former Regular Logistics Officer and former Part-Time Volunteer Reservist on 504 Squadron, Squadron Leader Kaye Slater is an ideal choice to command the squadron. Kaye joined the RAF in 2003 and has held a number of challenging posts. Among the most interesting was her operational tour at the UK Joint Headquarters in Afghanistan supporting the early deployment of military capabilities.

504 Squadron is part of Reserve Logistic Support Wing which also includes 501 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton and 605 Squadron at RAF Cosford. 504 Squadron was first formed in 1928 and has an impressive military history. The Squadron recruits, trains and employs RAF chefs, drivers, suppliers and technicians.

Earlier in her carer Kaye was posted to No 2 Mechanical Transport Squadron and prepared the Squadron for its move from RAF Stafford to RAF Wittering. She also undertook postings at RAF Coningsby, Waddington, Cottesmore, Cranwell and Honington. During a break from military service to care for her young children, Kaye worked at the University of Lincoln International Business School.  She returns to 504 Squadron from a tour in RAF Recruiting and Selection.

Squadron Leader Slater said: “It’s a real honour to command 504 Squadron, but I have to thank my predecessor, Squadron Leader Andy Ham, for leaving the unit in such great shape. I’ve been here a few months now, and the diversity of this unit and the range of capabilities and experience our dedicated Reservists offer Defence is just amazing.”

Warrant Officer Mark Day has been appointed Squadron Warrant Officer for No 504 Squadron. Mr Day first joined the RAF in 1991 as a part-time, reservist gunner with the RAF Regiment, and remained with the Regiment for more than twenty years, amassing a wealth of knowledge and experience. Mr Day has seen operational tours in Iraq, and in 2006 he mobilised with No 63 Squadron RAF Regiment (The Queens Colour Squadron) and was integral to the Squadron’s pre-deployment training.

Warrant Officer Day remained with 504 Squadron when it was re-roled from a Force Protection unit, to a Reserve Logistics Support Unit in 2012, staying on to manage recruitment activities among many other things. As the Squadron Warrant Officer, he will be responsible for the day to day management of the squadron’s non-commissioned personnel and also for the maintenance of welfare, discipline and standards.

Speaking of his new appointment, Warrant Officer Day said: “This is not the kind of job that comes up every day, it is a rare honour to be a Squadron Warrant Officer. 504 Squadron has a fine military history and a strong sense of tradition, but we are also a unit that focuses on what Defence needs from us today. It is a great team to be a part of.”

Wing Commander Andy Valentine is Officer Commanding Reserve Support Logistics Wing. He said: “It is only right that we say thank you to Squadron Leader Ham for his fine work on 504 Squadron in bringing it to full operational capability as a logistics support unit. I am delighted to work with Squadron Leader Slater and Warrant Officer Day; they are both perfectly suited to their new roles and are already making a positive difference to the squadron.”