BATTLE OF BRITAIN DINING IN NIGHT - The Insight Online

StationCommander’sForeword...Group Captain Al GillespieStation CommanderWhat aSummer….The tempo and variety of activitysupported by RAF Waddingtonis really quite daunting. That wecontinue to deliver so much, soconsistently and so successfullyis impressive in its own right butI don’t underestimate how muchof that success is based on theprofessionalism and ingenuityof our team. It never ceasesto amaze me how seeminglyimpossible tasks are achieved,against the odds - it genuinelyis the people that makethe difference.RAF Waddington is unique inthat we host such a diverse,and sometimes disparate, rangeof cutting edge capabilities. Itis often the case that thesecapabilities, and the extentof our ongoing operationalcommitment, are only fullyunderstood here at Waddingtonso it seems natural that weshould invest a significantamount of effort in hostingsenior visitors from acrossGovernment and wider Defenceto better their understandingof what we do and how we doit. This engagement is vital if weare to maximise the effectiveemployment of our battlewinningcapabilities but also, andreally importantly in my view, ithas the positive side effect thatour efforts are widely recognised.I was honoured to host ourHonorary Air Commodore,His Royal Highness the Earl ofWessex, at our Battle of BritainDining-In Night in the Officers’Mess. This was the first timethe Honorary Air Commodorehad been able to join us at sucha formal function and I knowhe was particularly proud tojoin in our commemoration ofthe courage and fortitude of“the Few”. The Honorary AirCommodore was delighted withthe evening although I have yetto gauge whether he was alsoimpressed with the stamina ofsome of the modern generationwho were still celebrating whenhe departed the next morning…I am always pleased to seearticles highlighting that forcedevelopment, adventuroustraining, community supportand sporting activitiescontinue at RAF Waddingtonin parallel with the operationalcommitments. These activitiesare key to the continuingdevelopment of our personneland provide welcome respitebetween the operationalcommitments. They also providevaluable support to servicefamilies and engagement withthe wider community, both vitalto the continued success ofthe station.As I approach the end of mytenure as Station Commander,I can look back with immensepride at the achievements of theStation. These achievements havenot been easy, they have reliedupon the enduring commitmentof our personnel, underpinned bythe support of our families andfriends. It has been an honourto be part of such a varied andcapable station, championingISTAR by consistently delivering onoperations in the UK and overseas.RAF Waddington’s V(Army Cooperation) Squadronwins theDacre TrophyThe squadron which playeda central role in supportingFrench operations in Maliearlier this year has won therelaunched Dacre Trophy.6 InsightMAGAZINE