Page 17 - issue17.05.2019

Royal Air Force News Friday,May 17, 2019 P17

News

The Tuc stops
News bulletin

here

Veteran
AWARD WINNER: RAF chef WO Rose (right)
Tom serves
up a winner trainer’s

AIR FORCE chef WO Darren Rose airshow
has scooped a top national catering
award outgunning rivals from
across the UK Armed Forces.
He was presented with the sign off
accolade at the annual Cost Sector
Catering Awards which recognises
high flyers in the public and private
sector.
During his 30 years with the GET TUC IN: Display
RAF the Wittering-based airman duo Matthews and
has served all over the world with 3 Nightingale will
Mobile Catering Squadron. perform the RAF
Tucano’s last ever
He led the team brought in to public show, inset
feed 5000 UK Forces personnel left, new Texan T1
who deployed to Oman last year for Staff Reporter display authority and we are now really replacement
Exercise Saif Sareera and supervised looking forward to performing for
military catering operations during THE VETERAN Tucano trainer will make the public during the Tucano’s
the 2012 London Olympics. its final public appearance in the summer final year of service.”
He said: “3MCS are brilliant at ahead of retirement from the RAF after The Brazilian-designed
what they do. Receiving an award more than 30 years preparing combat Tucano is being replaced by
that is relevant in the private sector pilots for the frontline. the new Texan T1 training
shows that military caterers are 72 Sqn instructors Lt Matt aircraft which made its
every bit as good as their colleagues Nightingale and Flt Lt Liam first flight from RAF
in industry.” Matthews will be showcasing the Valley earlier this
aircraft at displays across the year.
tandem-
The
Welfare revamp UK this summer. seat is equipped
It is five years since the
at Brize Norton turbo-prop powered Tucano cockpit and mission
with digital glass
performed and the Linton-
based display team has been simulation systems like
WELFARE HOUSES at Brize reformed for its airshow swan the combat jets pilots will
Norton have been given a song. fly in their frontline careers.
makeover. The aircraft was granted its licence to The aircraft is part of a new
The properties, designed perform this month after eight months of fleet of fixed wing and rotary
for serving personnel and their preparation. trainers brought in under the £1
families dealing with difficult Flt Lt Matthews said: “I’d like to say thanks billion Military Flight Training
personal issues were refurbished to everyone who has been involved in getting System to speed up the time it
as part of a programme of us to this point. takes to prepare junior pilots for
improvements funded by Forces “It’s been a big team effort to get our public operational duty.
charity RAFA.

Civic leaders BENCHMARK: Gp First class tribute to Harrier
sitting pretty Capt Keeling (centre)
with Don Lambert
and Tony Story.
PHOTO: CPL PAUL
CIVIC LEADERS and business ROBERTSHAW Staff Reporter
chiefs have paid tribute to their
local RAF station – by funding THE ROYAL Mail has released a
bench featuring some of the most series of stamps featuring the RAF’s
iconic aircraft. iconic Harrier to mark its 50th
Recently retired Stamford Mayor anniversary and celebrate British
Tony Story and local resident Don engineering innovation.
Lambert, who both served in the RAF, The collection includes
invited serving Wittering personnel four stamps featuring the
to unveil the new seat, which is one of groundbreaking aircraft
three with a military theme. performing its vertical take off and
Station Commander Gp Capt landing manouevres.
Tony Keeling said: “We’d like to say The Harrier entered service with
a big thank you to Don and Tony the RAF in 1969 and also featured STAMP OF APPROVAL: New Harrier
for bringing this project to life. I’m unique vectoring nozzles which stamp collection celebrates 50th anniversary
sure thy will be well used over the gave it unrivaled agility in flight. of groundbreaking vertical take off and
coming years.” landing aircraft.