The Astra Awards recognise some of the most inspirational people, ingenious ideas, and the incredible impact they've had on our whole force and the operational output of the RAF. This year, a total of 11 awards were presented.
Huge congratulations to the winners!
Astra Innovation Award
Sergeant Brian Gray
Sgt Gray has been involved in numerous innovation projects supporting personnel across the unit. He has developed his own skills in computer aided design and additive manufacturing, delivering practical solutions to operational challenges, saving time, money, and resources. By recruiting and leading a team of skilled individuals from across the station and external organisations, he has harnessed diverse talents to deliver impactful innovations, setting a benchmark for grassroots innovation across the RAF.
Astra Challenge Award
Squadron Leader Jane Brocklebank
Sqn Ldr Brocklebank has worked tirelessly to provide detailed and considered responses to numerous policy challenges in the Rewards and Allowances area. Consistently responding swiftly to challenges and providing clear and comprehensive detail to explain why policy can or cannot be changed, she has been instrumental to the removal of bureaucratic barriers that negatively impact on our people.
Astra Improvement Award
Sergeant Richard Jennings
Sgt Jennings has demonstrated exceptional improvement through automating a process to solve a critical information issue within No 1 Aeronautical Information Documents Unit. Processing data from over 77,000 information sources, the process improvement he created has saved significant time for over 5,000 military users of the system. His work exemplifies the resourcefulness needed to deliver tangible improvements to RAF and Defence operations.
Astra Contribution to Operations Award
Project SPEEDY CLEAN
Project SPEEDY CLEAN is delivering a transformative improvement to aircraft weapon cleaning at RAF Odiham. Trialling the use of a Dry Vapour Cleaner, the project has shown significant reductions in cleaning time, saving over 80 minutes per weapon system while removing the need for abrasive tools and the use of chemicals. With the potential for wider adoption across the RAF, the project is a clear example of grassroots innovation driving safer, faster, and more effective mission support.
Astra Rising Star Award
Corporal Becky Garbutt
Cpl Garbutt has demonstrated remarkable personal growth and an exceptional innovative mindset since moving into her current role. Her unwavering eagerness to learn has helped to identify numerous opportunities where grassroots innovation could deliver tangible benefits across the unit. Teaching herself coding, she has already developed and refined an application that's providing vital support to aircrew.
Astra Team Award
Sergeant Philip Grove
Sgt Grove has consistently embodied the spirit of grassroots innovation at RAF Odiham, championing grassroots ideas and creating an environment where personnel feel empowered to experiment, challenge norms, and deliver meaningful change. He has designed and created a hugely successful Astra Hub on unit, which has become a catalyst for Station-wide collaboration and innovation. His mentorship and visible commitment to improvement have helped embed grassroots innovation into daily activity on the unit.
Spirit of Innovation Award
Sergeant Luke Chinnock
Sgt Chinnock exemplifies the spirit of innovation through his creativity, proactiveness, and commitment to improving numerous processes associated with military transport. Designing and developing bespoke applications, he has streamlined processes for Senior Leadership Team travel, removed paper-based systems to centralise all military transport training bookings. He has also enabled assurance to be conducted digitally, transforming a complex process into something that enables electronic data capture, interrogation, and reporting at the click of a button.
Astra Ambassador Award
Air Specialist Class 1 (Technician) Lewis Goodson
AS1(T) Goodson consistently goes above and beyond expectations at RAF Benson, developing numerous applications in his spare time to benefit our people and operational output. His continuous drive for innovation and improvement has saved time and effort for our personnel and is leading the way for future digital plans on the unit. He has swiftly become a valuable station asset and a role model for future innovators, using his experience, ethics, and patience to mentor and support others while continually developing his own skillset.
Astra Unit Award
RAF Benson
RAF Benson has cultivated a thriving culture of grassroots innovation, underpinned by strong leadership and a Station-wide commitment to improvement. Grassroots innovation is rapidly becoming embedded into daily activity, with personnel empowered to challenge the status quo and develop practical, high-impact solutions. The station's approach exemplifies a whole force commitment to innovation, where ideas are nurtured, talent is developed, and improvements are delivered that benefit the RAF as a whole.
Astra People’s Choice Award
Corporal Alex Williams
Cpl Williams has quickly established himself as a key contributor to grassroots innovation at RAF Lossiemouth, supporting application design, development, and repair while also using his creativity to support multiple 3D printing projects. Taking an active role in station life, he uses every opportunity to champion the benefits of grassroots innovation. His drive, leadership, and innovative mindset make him a valuable asset to Astra and his unit.
Chief of the Air Staff’s Award
Corporal Ed Wynn
Cpl Wynn identified a shortfall in mission planning architecture, where a platform's flight planning software could not interpret airspace control order data. This had the potential to negatively impact on situational awareness for aircrew as well as reducing mission effectiveness. He independently designed and built a software tool to address the issue, automatically converting the data into a format compatible with flight planning software. His work required exceptional technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and personal commitment, exemplifying the highest standards of professionalism and innovation.
The awards were made possible by some of our fantastic industry partners: BAE Systems, Babcock International, PA Consulting, Leonardo, Ebeni Ltd, BMNT, and Arbinger UK. Our industry partners are an integral part of the whole force, enabling and inspiring grassroots innovation and enhancing the RAF’s output.
Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, Chief of the Air Staff, said: “It was inspiring to see how ideas from across the Service are delivering real impact on the frontline. From improving how we operate and support our people, to advancing technology and sustainability. My congratulations to all the winners and nominees. Your leadership and creativity embody what Astra is all about: transforming today’s RAF to ensure we’re ready to fly and fight.”
