Lookout

Norway, United States of America, Oman, and
Saudi Arabia to name but a few. The creation
of the NATO specific training course is paying
real dividends, and in the year ahead we will
see further defence engagement opportunities
being taken at the School, reflective of the
level of international recognition the Service
has received for its management of the
exceptionally congested airspace over Iraq
and Syria.
The staff of Control and Reporting Centre has
worked 24/7 to ensure the integrity of the
UK’s airspace; ever ready to react to suspicious
aircraft as part of the UK’s Air Counter Terrorism
response or react to non-NATO military
aircraft operating around the UK. The CRC
has undergone a considerable information
technology upgrade during the last twelve
months but despite a very disruptive period
for its personnel, they have remained focused
on the mission, without rancour, with the skies
above the United Kingdom remaining secure.
The Station has continued to provide
tactical and operational control of aircraft in
multinational exercises such as Exercise JOINT
WARRIOR in the UK and Exercise RED FLAG
in the US to enhance their aerial combat
competencies, as well as participating in
Exercises COBRA WARRIOR and TRIPLEX
WARRIOR in order that Aerospace Battle
Managers in the CRC are able to meet the
training demands for fast jet pilots as the
Service reaches its final Typhoon aircraft
operating numbers, and in preparation for the
arrival of the Lightning II (the harrier jump jet
replacement).
The Station has hosted over 900 members
of uniformed youth organisations in the
last year, and provided 360 Air Cadets with
week-long training camps to enhance their
leadership acumen, offering them challenge,
excitement and adventure in a safe and
controlled environment. Outreach activities to
the Air Cadets has also included our personnel
co-ordinating and leading Bronze Duke of
Edinburgh expeditions, as well as camps to the
Lake District.
Our dedicated Youth Activities Group has
also been working with several primary and
secondary schools, building pupils’ leadership
and communication skills and supporting
Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics curriculums (or STEM), as part of a
wider Station initiative to promote the demand
the Service, and society, has in these fields.
The Station continues, time permitting, to
support sporting activities, indeed one of our
team was selected for the GB Bobsled squad
and we have 16 representatives competing at
Combined Services and RAF level sports, with
many more participating in and coaching,
officiating or managing local teams.
We continue to have many personnel that
commit their spare time to supporting the
emergency services through voluntary
work, either with the Royal National Lifeboat
Institution, HM Coastguard, as retained firemen,
or as First Responders with the St John’s
Ambulance Service.
The Station Charities committee continue
to generate significant monies for the
Station’s chosen charities for the year ahead.
The charities what we are supporting this
year are: the Royal Air Force Association,
Northumberland Hospice Care and Tiny Lives,
the special care unit within the Royal Victoria
Infirmary for sick and premature babies”.
As Group Captain Coleman and his family
move on to his next posting this summer,
they will look back with fondness on his time
at RAF Boulmer, which has ben the highlight
of his career. He reiterated his gratitude for
the continued support and backing of our
neighbours, friends, colleagues and business
associates within the local community,
which was so important to the Station and
its personnel.
THE LOOKOUT 19