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Warrant Officer Bowers Leads The Way Warrant Officer Karen Bowers has taken up the prestigious post of Station Warrant Officer (SWO) at Royal Air Force Boulmer. Warrant Officer Bowers beat some stiff competition for the job, which is outside of her normal trade and is an extremely diverse role where no two days are the same. As the SWO she is responsible for maintenance of dress standards, discipline and deportment of all personnel on the station and representing the views and issues of the junior ranks at station management level. She is also responsible for the organisation of all parade and ceremonial duties, Station inspections and general administrative duties. Warrant Officer Bowers joined the RAF in 1988 as an Aerospace Systems Operator, serving tours at RAF Neatishead, RAF Saxa Vord, RAF High Wycombe, the Gulf and the Falklands. She also enjoyed a tour at RAF Boulmer teaching Tactical Data Links (a means of exchanging digital data over a common “I have been so lucky and have done so many things I would not normally have done”. By Anne Russell network) to Tri-Service and NATO students, which involved travelling to Norway, Portugal and Germany as well as teaching in the UK. “Joining the RAF was the only thing I ever wanted to do. My granddad was a WO1 Rear Gunner and Wireless Operator in the RAF during WWII and I was absolutely fascinated with the stories he used to tell me about his life in the service. I idolised him; he was my inspiration. My mum and dad also used to take me to air shows like the one held at RAF St Mawgan. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life from a very early age.” One of the highlights of her career was serving in Bahrain during the first Gulf War. “It was my first operational tour and it gave me the opportunity to put all of my training into practice”. She also remembers the feeling of pride taking part in the Gulf War victory parade in London in front of the Royal Family in 1991. Warrant Officer Karen Bowers has taken over as Station Warrant Officer at RAF Boulmer. Giving thanks for community support By Anne Russell As the nation commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain on 15th September, Royal Air Force Boulmer was privileged to welcome members of its local community to a reception in the Officers’ Mess. Guests of the Station included civic dignitaries and representatives of the many Building relationships and giving thanks for support organisations throughout the county with whom the Station has close ties, giving RAF personnel the chance to thank all those who have provided tremendous support to the Station, its people, and their families. The evening included a Sunset Ceremony accompanied by music by the Band of the Fifth Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and a parade of RAF Boulmer personnel, the lowering of the RAF Ensign and flypasts from a Typhoon from RAF Lossiemouth and a Search and Rescue Sea King helicopter from ‘A’ Flight 202 Squadron. Addressing guests, the Station Commander, Group Captain Mark Coleman, said: A scene from the Sunset Ceremony. “As leaders within your own fields, your support directly to me, my people and their families, means I am able to provide Search and Rescue and an ever-present Air Command and Control capability in defence of the homeland. It enables me to generate and sustain, 24/7, 365 days a year, 10% of the Station population on overseas operations. Your backing permits me to hold people at the highest levels of readiness, able to move within 24 and 48 hours, anywhere in the world, and capable of operating out of the most extreme environments. Please do not under-estimate the significance of your support, and my gratefulness for your loyalty to the Service, and to this magnificent station”. 12 THE LOOKOUT
Cadet Capers by Flight Sergeant Russ Taylor This has been another busy season for the RAF Boulmer Air Cadet Liaison team; the support provided to the Air Cadets is an important element of the Station’s activity and an excellent way to develop young adults’ skills and self confidence. The main focus of the year-long Air Cadet programme are the Easter and Summer Camps. This year we have hosted camps from Squadrons as far afield as London and the South West and right up to the northern tip of Scotland. In total by the time the ‘season’ is over we will have hosted 21 camps (each a week long) - that’s over 500 cadets! The programmes are varied and interesting and we attempt to squeeze as much as we can into their week. Activities include experience flights with 202 Squadron, shooting, a visit to Fire Section, night exercises (with the support of Alnwick 1801 Squadron), visits to RAF Spadeadam, leadership & teambuilding exercises using the Station’s Low- Ropes and Mobile Team Challenge equipment, visits to the Control and Reporting Centre, air defence simulation exercises and career briefs. Cadets are also encouraged to take advantage of the fantastic local cultural opportunities this county offers. None of this would be possible without the support of RAF Boulmer and community personnel who give up their time to support the cadets, so a great big thank you to all who continue to ensure the camps are a great success. Almost a Shaw thing… By Senior Aircraftman J Williams RAF Boulmer found themselves in a tough group alongside RAF Brize Norton, RAF Marham, RAF Cranwell and the hosts RAF Shawbury, at this year’s annual Air Traffic Control football tournament. The opening two games saw Boulmer pinned back in their own half desperately defending their goal. However, the third game came as somewhat a turning point as the pattern of the game changed against hosts Shawbury, with Boulmer finding themselves creating multiple chances. Boulmer managed to break from the free kick with Corporal Gritton. He was determined to make up for his earlier antics when a zig-zag run ended with a lay off to Senior Aircraftman Williams whose shot took a big deflection and span into the net. Boulmer held on for the remainder of the game, picking up 3 points and some much needed confidence heading into the final group game against RAF Marham. The silver medal-winning team. This time a not so dubious goal from Senior Aircraftman Williams and a last gasp penalty save by Senior Aircraftman Coxon cemented Boulmer’s position as group winners and saw the team go into the pot for the Cup, where Boulmer marched on, quickly gaining momentum. In the Quarters and the Semi Finals Boulmer controlled much of the game and saw out their slender 1-0 leads to the final whistle. Goals from Corporal Barnes and Senior Aircraftman Williams and strong defensive performances saw a highly unlikely final appearance for the mighty RAF Boulmer. The final was a much bigger occasion than had been expected with the largest audience of the day present as both RAF Boulmer and RAF Linton marched out to the ‘Rocky’ theme tune. Despite a brave effort from Boulmer the Linton strikers were deadly in their finishing as they ran out 2-0 winners. THE LOOKOUT 13
Page 1: The Lookout The Magazine of RAF Bou
Page 4 and 5: Station Commander’s Foreword Grou
Page 6 and 7: The Few Remembered By The Many The
Page 8 and 9: City of Newcastle On Tyne Remembers
Page 10 and 11: RAF BOULMER CHEFS PROVIDE SILVER SE
Page 14 and 15: Caribbean Wings By Corporal Mike Do
Page 16 and 17: Fighter Control Commemorative Board
Page 18 and 19: A Faded Yellow Memory Overhead Bamb
Page 20 and 21: Preparing for another rescue Agains
Page 22 and 23: Families’ Fun Raises Smiles and C
Page 24 and 25: MELTDOW MORZI Nestled in the Rhône
Page 26 and 27: Force Development (FD) Force Develo
Page 28 and 29: From Shabby to Chic Group Captain C
Page 30 and 31: DELTA Lady by Corporal Kris Cochran
Page 32 and 33: in Singapore and Malaysia In May, t
Page 34: BRIAN & SONS REMOVALS & STORAGE Est

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