Page 17 - Linton Link

STATION OPERATIONS
Station Ops have been as busy as ever and this has been during a decrease in manning having finally seen
the back of Cpl David Booth who has now departed for pastures new training future service personnel at RAF Halton on RTS
Not without completing his major charities task before leaving and completing his goal of 105 miles of marathons he managed to raise an applaudable figure of £1300 for the RAF Benevolent Fund if you hadn’t already heard this from the horse’s mouth.
Firstly, we would like to welcome the new faces into Ops wing as we have gained Fg Off Hall as a Holding Ops officer, Cpl Dave Jones has joined from ATC and is now undertaking training in his new roles here in Ops and LAC Imogen Wood has joined us straight from her FOA training at Shawbury and is undergoing on the job training in a variety of roles.
Secondly, we would like to congratulate FS Dave Rainton on gaining his acting FS as he is now acting PFOM and warn the station that the giggle you hear upon calling him flight is a normal reaction. We would also like to take this opportunity to applaud all his efforts in attempting to teach SAC Smith to ride a bike but unfortunately, he has still been unsuccessful, and all hope has been lost on Smithy losing his stabilisers.
The station was happy to host cabs and crews from the Qualified Helicopter Tactics Instructors Course (QHTIC) which saw the
detachment bring in 2 Chinooks, a Puma and a Wildcat to carry out sorties in the local area utilising RAF Spadeadam and RAF Leeming with Air Systems taking part in the form of 100 Sqn Hawks to play enemy. This Det proved invaluable to all staff in Ops as this was a period away from the normal day to day running of Ops and allowed staff to liaise with new personnel and work with different air systems. This also provided much value to the section spotters.
SAC Proud has been away in support of 72 Sqn during a period of detachment to RNAS Yeovilton for a NAV Det. This was unfortunately cut short due to weather issues but was still valuable for gaining experience. He has just been informed he is going on NAV Det again but to RAF Leuchars this time. Don’t forget your Passport!!
Fg Off Keates (OC AT) has been away again, this time to Bavaria with JSAT skiing for his SF3 qualification. This has been a great learning experience for him and has helped him develop the interpersonal skills required to allow him to decipher our Army friends. He has returned with renewed vigour and has introduced weapon cleaning Fridays and
can’t stop calling everything “ALLY”. This must stop ASAP.
SAC Preston has been away on multiple representative duties as an RAF U23 Footballer and has been rewarded with selection for the squad to represent the RAF at the Inter Services against the Navy and Army, which were held at Portsmouth and Cosford respectively. He has performed well in his representative duties other than a minor blip which saw him bathing early having recently seen Red. Ops staff still hold out hope for his future signing by any club so that the incessant whinging will end. Negotiations still ongoing with Sunday league clubs!
Fg Off Hall was selected to represent the RAF Masters (Old People) Hockey team this season culminating with selection for the Inter Services held at HMS Temeraire which he was only eligible to play in 5 days earlier. Selection for the squad was rigorous with WWII aircraft recognition was invaluable due to the ages involved. Thanks, must be added to the PEd flight for the loan of a Sporty Zimmer frame.
SPRING 2019
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