Page 10 - issue17.05.2019
P. 10
Royal Air Force News Friday, May 17, 2019 P10
News
Chin up
THE CHINOOK Display team has
been cleared for take off for this year’s
airshow season.
The aerobatics aces proudly
donned their coveted black flying suits
for the first time after being presented
with their public display authority
D-Day 75th appeal after showcasing their routine to air
safety chiefs.
The Odiham-based outfit is
AS THE 75th anniversary of the only RAF team which remains
D-Day approaches we want to operational while performing at
hear from RAF News readers airshows across the country in their
whose relatives lived through it. own time.
Did they fly in support of the The veteran combat chopper
invasion, win a gallantry award, is expected to be seen by millions
care for the wounded or assist the of aviation fans across the UK and
air operation in any other way? Europe this summer.
Share your stories and
photographs by emailing editor@
Mali charity bid Ring ace
rafnews.co.uk or post to RAF News,
Room 68, Lancaster Building, HQ
Air Command, High Wycombe,
Buckinghamshire, HP14 4UE.
Axe is a
Hit-Hop
PERMISSION TO SAND: Chinooks
supporting UN mission in Mali, West Africa
ODIHAM CHOPPER crews
supporting the UN peacekeeping
mission in Mali hit the smash
fundraising trail to net cash for
Forces charities.
More than 25 airmen and
women with 1310 Flight clocked
up the 4000-mile distance back to
in Gao in the West African country. Boxing champ puts
the Hampshire station by running,
biking and rowing from their base
The group endured 40˚C heat
and sandstorms during their in knockout music
charity bid. Organiser Flt Lt Matt
Williams said: “This was by far one PUNCHY PERFORMANCE:
“The intensity of the heat, video performance
of the most difficult challenges I Brad goes through some moves
have ever done. in the Odiham gym for Hip-Hop
producer pal Luke Hamilton.
and the dust that swept up from Below, duo take a breather during
filming for music video.
high winds and storms reduced
the visibility down to near zero.
“Never have I wished so much for Simon Mander The elite middleweight fighter,
pavement and British soil.” who narrowly missed out on the
Money raised by the event will be RAF BOXING star Brad Axe has UK Armed Forces title earlier
donated to the RAF Benevolent Fund. teamed up with a Hip-Hop music this year on a controversial split
producer to create his own pop decision, got permission to shoot
Service nets UK video. the video in the gym at Odiham.
The Air Force firefighter was
“I was quite surprised that
equality award contacted by lyricist and performer the filming turned out to be as
Luke Hamilton – who asked him to professional as it was,” he said. The
star in a promo for his latest single result can be seen on You Tube.
THE ROYAL Air Force has Heartbeat. Back in the ring Brad is preparing
been named as one of the UK’s The pair, who are both from for his next big challenge with three
top employers for women in an Yeovil in Somerset, got to know each bouts scheduled for May, including
annual survey run by The Times other on social media, before the competing for the East Midlands Box
newspaper. idea of a pop partnership came up. Cup, before another attempt to seize
Speaking at the awards ceremony, “The song is about the struggle the UKAF crown from the Army.
Air Marshal Mike Winston said: both of us have had to make it in Meanwhile Luke, who describes
“Women can now serve alongside our chosen careers,” said SAC Axe. most of his work as Hip-Hop, says
men in every part of the Royal “Just as Luke is trying to get his the song has had a good reception
Air Force. We are stronger, richer music out there, I’m trying to make and has been streamed more than
and more capable as a result. Our it in boxing and if I don’t go out 1000 times within hours of being parts but it’s about being under relationship with music and the
gender diversity is the best in the and train no one is going to do it released. pressure and the struggle to challenges of trying to make it in
UK Armed Forces.” for me.” He added: “It’s a bit poppy in succeed. It’s based on my love-hate the music industry.”