Lookout

RAF BOULMER WELCOMES GUESTS
The sun came out at exactly the right time as
RAF Boulmer welcomed guests at a Spring
Reception in the Officers’ Mess.
On a beautiful Northumberland evening, the
Station Commander, Group Captain Mark
Coleman, was delighted to greet guests
including civic dignitaries and representatives
of the many organisations throughout the
county with whom the Station has close ties.
It also gave Station personnel the chance to
thank all those who have provided tremendous
support to the Station, its people and
their families.
The evening included a ceremonial Sunset
Ceremony and Parade by a flight of Royal Air
Force personnel, led by the Band of 5 Royal
Regiment of Fusiliers. The ceremony included
the lowering of the RAF Ensign, the National
Anthem and a flypast by an E3D Sentry aircraft
from RAF Waddington.
During his speech to the assembled guests,
Group Captain Coleman reported that the
Station was in good health and spirit.
“Search and Rescue operations had been a
significant part of RAF Boulmer’s role and will
remain an important chapter in the Station’s
history. However, in terms of personnel, A
Flight 202 Squadron accounted for just over 5%
of the overall Station population. The increase
the Station has seen in Defence training over
the last year has resulted in a noticeable
increase in the overall Station population.
The School of Aerospace Battle Management
has continued to deliver “class leading”
Aerospace Battle Management training, a
term coined by NATO to indicate the ‘primus
inter pares’ position which the School now
enjoys internationally. This year has seen over
600 students being trained, predominantly
Royal Air Force and our sister Services, but
also students from Canada, Slovakia, Pakistan,
18 THE LOOKOUT