Info from RAF WitteringA Message from RAF Wittering Station Commander, Group Captain Damian Alexander BSc MA FCMI RAF
2014 will be a busy and exciting year for all of us at RAF Wittering as, after a gap of nearly four years, routine flying will return. The arrival of University Air Squadrons and Number 5 Air Experience Flight will result in changes to the Station and its personnel; this activity will also be noted by our neighbours, many of whom have missed aviation in the skies above this historic RAF Station.
Air Experience Flights and University Air Squadrons give young people their first appreciation of flying and aircraft handling and, as a result, some budding pilots ‘get the bug’ through such experience and choose to join the RAF as a result. As such, these units are forces for good in our community and I know that we will all seek to make them welcome, as RAF Wittering becomes their new home.
RAF Wittering and the A4 Force have numerous important roles. Our personnel are continually engaged in missions across the globe, supporting worldwide Air Operations. Over the coming months, as well as being prepared for the unknown, we will make a significant contribution towards the redeployment from Afghanistan and the safe return of personnel and equipment. This year will be demanding for us all; for Afghanistan alone millions of pounds worth of equipment must be returned to the UK and restored to good order and we have a vital part to play. That said, I have no doubt that our Service and civilian personnel - as well as our contractors and Reserves - are well trained, focussed and suitably skilled and professional and will see the job through to a successful conclusion.
Turning to more local commitments, many of our personnel have vital duties within the United Kingdom. Many of you are on high readiness to assist Civilian Authorities when required, ultimately making our local community a safer place. Community is a word we take very seriously at RAF Wittering, and continued positive relationships with Wittering village, Stamford and Peterborough are a genuine priority for us. In 2014 we will build on the Community Covenants signed with Stamford and Peterborough and seek to deliver tangible and mutually beneficial benefits, to bring to life our long held, mutual goodwill. Work is already underway and I will bring you news of such projects in the coming months.
Abroad, at home and even on our doorstep it seems that, wherever we look, there are demands and priorities for everyone at RAF Wittering. Nonetheless, if we are to thrive and make a real difference in the world - which we must - we must be busy. Busy though we undoubtedly are, I wish you a very happy and prosperous 2014 and look forward to you playing your full and active part in the next chapter of this fantastic Station.
A couple of fantastic photos on their page.
Now a quick question are they likely to use the old Wittering frequencies? I've taken them out my scanner
