WADDINGTON WINS! - The Insight Online

Chief Technician Andy ‘Monty’Burden, Sergeant MichelleRuzzak, Corporal AndyNaylor, Senior Aircraftsman(Technician) Dan Howitt andSenior Aircraftsman (Technician)Nathan Cunningham all set offto explore the church yard andsearch out military graves. Withthe support of the vicar, his staffand the local community, the8 Squadron team managed totidy and clean 18 graves withknown links to all three services.With the café in the churchproviding copious amounts oftea and a seating area outside,the work was extremelyenjoyable and the task plannedto take 2 days was actuallycompleted on the first day.Throughout the day, GaryStapleton and DuaneAshworth, father of the latestVictoria Cross recipient LanceCorporal James Ashworth,carried out media interviewsto explain the work of theVictoria Cross Trust and thereason for the event. VictoriaCross Trust chairman, GaryStapleton said: “We areeternally grateful to those whosee the continued memoryof our military heroes as apriority, and who wish to helpus preserve their final restingplace in a state of utmostrespect. “We hope events likethis will continue across thecountry and that more andmore people get involved tosupport the work we do.”Ex MAPLE FLAGRAF Waddington personnel from 8 Squadron,recently participated in Exercise MAPLE FLAG atCanadian Forces Base Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada.This large scale, international,air combat exercise is heldannually and took place overthe period 27 May - 21 June13. Exercise MAPLE FLAGis one of the largest andmost advanced air combatexercises in the world.It was developed to enhancethe survivability and improvethe performance of Canadianand Allied fast-jet aircrew.Two E-3D crews, engineersfrom 8 Squadron and supportpersonnel deployed from RAFWaddington. In addition to theE-3D and assets from Canada,the exercise also involved aircraftfrom 13 other nations. Duringthe exercise, participants usedthe Cold Lake Air Weaponsrange which covers 1.17 millionhectares (7,250 square miles),the only tactical bombingrange within Canada. The vastunrestricted airspace, with nocivilian air traffic and morethan 640 targets, providesan ideal training area.Exercise MAPLE FLAG was theperfect opportunity to displayand test the unique capabilitiesof the E‐3D Sentry as well as themental agility of the 8 Squadroncrews. Using the complex onboardAN/APY-2 radar, crewswere able to detect friendlyand simulated enemy aircraftover the weapons range. Theywere then able to manage thebattlespace by directing friendlyfighters to target hostile aircraftensuring mission success.Operating in a multi threat,dynamic environment pushedboth experienced and juniorcrew members to the limit.The exercise scenarios slowlyincreased in complexity as eachphase progressed. Culminatingwith over 40 aircraft under E-3Dcontrol against a multitudeof ground and air threatssimulated by Canadian F-18sand civilian operated aggressorAlpha jets. The hard work ofboth engineering and supportpersonnel resulted in achieving19 of the 20 planned sorties.Throughout the exercise, theSquadron received an excellentlevel of support from the hostnation. Many experiences wereshared with our Canadian andAllied colleagues which helpedreinforce our bonds with partnernations. In fact, 8 Squadronmade such an impact with theCanadian Forces that when itwas time to depart back to theUK a lone Canadian piper arrivedat the aircraft unannouncedand insisted that everyone bepiped on board. As the soundof the bagpipes drifted acrossthe pan to the departing E-3D,everyone was able to reflect on asuccessful Exercise MAPLE FLAG.An evening in Windsor laterand we were up for a secondday but with little idea of whatto actually do – shouldn’t haveworried, Sue, the curate at Holytrinity Church had a long listof tasks that she wondered ifwe could help with and in true8 Squadron fashion the teamfired into them all. A busy andfulfilling couple of days wererounded off by the arrival of OC8 Squadron, Wing CommanderJim Beldon and the standardparty. A quick change in to No1s and standard party practice(Warrant Officer 8 Squadroncould have done with a littlemore!!) and the rededicationwas carried out. With wreathslaid by Officer Commanding 8Squadron and Duane Ashworthon behalf of the Victoria CrossTrust, the ceremony was a verypeaceful and personal affair.Now that 8 Squadron haverekindled links with our history,the Squadron is going to makean annual trip to maintain thegrave of Air Commodore WestVC and help with basic tasksaround the Holy Trinity Church.Does your Squadron have aVictoria Cross recipient? Is thegrave in need of help? Have alook at the Victoria Cross Trustwebsite and get involved.InsightMAGAZINE 17