Twelve busy months for RAF Wittering and the A4 Force Elements were marked with a visit by Deputy Commander Operations, Air Marshal Gerry Mayhew, yesterday.
In August this year it was announced that the Cambridgeshire Station had won the Stainforth Trophy. It is awarded annually to the Royal Air Force Station whose performance in the preceding calendar year has been most effective in support to operations, the development of its people, and its readiness to respond and adapt.
Image By: SAC Kim Waterson
Air Marshal Mayhew is the senior RAF officer responsible for the conduct of air operations at home and around the world. Working together with other services and international operational commanders, he oversees the generation and use of air power. His visit provided an opportunity to formally present the Stainforth Trophy to the Station and its personnel.
Image By: SAC Kim Waterson
RAF Wittering is home to the specialist engineering and logistics squadrons that support RAF air operations and exercises, collectively known as the A4 Force Elements. A4 Force personnel are stationed at Wittering and nine other UK bases, and they support the majority of the 15 ongoing RAF missions in 22 different countries. Five flying units also live at RAF Wittering, training instructors, new pilots and flying air cadets.
In addition to presenting the Stainforth Trophy, Air Marshal Mayhew received a briefing on the special capabilities of the A4 Force Elements, met civilian and Service personnel and visited air traffic control for an update on flying operations.
Image By SAC Jack Welson
Group Captain Jo Lincoln is the Station Commander at RAF Wittering and the A4 Force Elements Commander. She said: “Our job is to support Royal Air Force operations and exercises, no matter where in the world they might be. We also enable the training of the next generation of pilots. RAF Wittering provides an exciting, successful and safe place for our flying, engineering and logistics squadrons to live and work.”
Four remarkable people were selected from the whole force to receive the award on behalf of their colleagues. Corporal Sarah Rathbone received the Station Commander’s Monthly Award for Outstanding Contribution. Chief Technician Geoff Cook is an RAF Reservist and a member of the Total Safety & Assurance Centre which recently won the RAF Safety Centre Trophy.
Sergeant Steve Harland was awarded the Station’s Sword of Honour for his outstanding leadership and contribution to the local community, and Mr Mark Davis is a member of the RAF Wittering Airplay Team which won the RAF Benevolent Fund Team of the Year for the Station’s youth support programme.
Image By: SAC Kim Waterson
During his speech, Air Marshal Mayhew acknowledged RAF Wittering and the A4 Force Elements for bringing logistics and engineering support to the front of the military conversation. He went on to thank the Station’s military, civilian and industry personnel for their work and said they had done an ‘awesome job’.
Group Captain Jo Lincoln said: “It was our honour to welcome Air Marshal Mayhew to RAF Wittering and formally receive the Stainforth Trophy. In so many ways, it brings a fitting end to a highly successful year for all of our personnel.”
