WG CDR Turk and his children...part of the winning entry from RAF Marham Category A 'Photographic Section Portfolio' sponsored by Canaon UK. 'Welcome Home' by SAC Chris Hill. IMAGE OF OC 9 SQN, WG CDR TURK, LIFTING HIS CHILD IN THE AIR WHILST HIS OTHER CHILD LOOKS UP WAITING FOR HIS TURN. TAKEN ON 9 SQN'S TORNADO'S RETURN TO RAF MARHAM FROM OPERATION ELLAMY.
The Royal Air Force has celebrated the production of some of its finest imagery during the annual Photographic Competition, culminating in an awards ceremony at the historic Royal Air Force Club in London, Vigilance can report.
According to a spokesman for the RAF the competition has run for 23 years, and still serves to recognize the skills and highly technical competence of the Royal Air Force photographers, both service and civilian, adding the competition categories ranged from operational profiles and current military equipment to sport.
Vigilance learnt that from the impressive entry of over 800 images, winners were selected in 12 different categories.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton who presented the winners with their awards and prizes during a celebration at the RAF Club, London last week, said: “The competition entries this year are once again of the highest quality and showcase not only the professional abilities of our Royal Air Force Photographers but also the tremendous diversity and agility of our people and equipment. These dynamic images reflect the extensive breadth of Service life, the critical contribution that our personnel are making to global operations and the unique year of celebrations for Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as well as the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games”
It was gathered that three independent judges, Len Dance, Alex Mead and Geoff Mayor, within excess of 100 years pictorial experience between them, wrestled to agree on the winning images in the 12 categories for this year’s photographic competition.
Len Dance said: “I have worked with imagery my entire career, and I was honoured to be invited to judge this year’s competition. The quality and technical skills demonstrated through these entries is absolutely fantastic.”
The 2012 RAF Photographer of the year is Corporal Mike Jones from RAF Marham: His portfolio of 4 images shows the diversity of task from operations to ceremonial, modern equipment to heritage, but particularly captivating is the image ‘Afgan Elder’.
On learning about his award, Cpl Jones relived the moment he took the picture. Said he: “The picture was taken on New Year's Day at Kandahar during an Open Day for local Afghans living close to the airfield to visit us at work.”
Cpl Jones added: “At the open day the RAF had provided a Tornado GR4 and the crew were busy talking to a lot of excited kids and local people. I saw the man sitting alone to one side by the hangar door, just watching things going on. The conditions were perfect, As the hangar door opened there was a flood of natural light falling on him. It is a very natural shot. It is a striking picture that I am proud of.”
All were unanimous in their appreciation of the very high standard, quality and diversity of work produced by both Service and civilian photographers.
NEW ARMED FORCES PENSION
In another development, Vigilance gathered that Armed Forces personnel would continue to receive one of the best and most valuable public service pensions, under a new scheme announced last week by the Ministry of Defence.
It will be recalled that In July, the Ministry of Defence published an outline design of the new Armed Forces Pension Scheme and invited further comments. The consultation is said to have resulted in a key change which will make Service personnel now have more flexibility for the money they receive if they qualify for an early payment at 40. This is another benefit exclusive to Service personnel.
A source at the MoD said the new scheme unlike other public service pension schemes, Service personnel would still not have to make personal contributions and the Normal Pension Age would be 60, whereas for most other public service pensions the Normal Pension Age would be linked to the State Pension Age, which is said to be considerably higher.
The source said the scheme would also deliver on the approach set out in Lord Hutton’s Independent Public Service Pensions Commission to reform pensions and ensure that they are more affordable and sustainable for the long-term, adding changes would not affect accrued rights of those currently serving or the age at which their accrued pension benefits could be drawn.
Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans Mark Francois said: “The Government had to make some tough decisions to ensure sustainable public service pensions, but recognises the unique commitment made by the Armed Forces and therefore protected them as much as possible, making these changes in the fairest way possible. Armed Forces personnel will continue to receive one of the best and most valuable pensions in the public and private sectors, maintaining the non-contributory element, an early pension point at 40 and a lower Normal Pension Age than other public sector employees.”
Benefits of the proposed new scheme include:
- It creates one scheme for all – including Reservists. There are currently several different Armed Forces pension schemes;
- Service personnel won’t have to make any personal contributions to their pension;
- As recommended by Lord Hutton, the Normal Pension Age will be 60 – considerably lower than most other public service pensions;
- It is in line with Lord Hutton’s recommendations and other public service schemes, moving to a pension based on career average earnings, rather than final salary; and
- All members of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme who were within ten years of their Normal Pension Age on 1 April 2012 will receive transitional protection and will not be transferred to the new scheme.
- Service personnel will receive a monthly income and a tax-free lump sum if they leave the Armed Forces aged at least 40 and have given at least 20 years of service. No other public service makes any pension payment that early. In addition, Service personnel will now have the flexibility to convert their total Early Departure Payment lump sum into additional monthly income payments;
- Accrued pension rights have been protected so there is no change to the age at which those currently serving can draw the benefits that they have accrued in the current schemes, which are based on final rank and salary;
The scheme was designed after extensive consultation with over 25,000 personnel both in the UK and overseas including Afghanistan, Germany, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands which included presentations, focus groups and questionnaires