Through the Keyhole: Cpl Rogers, RAF St Mawgan
Each year, stunning photographs are published following the RAF Photographic Competition and the winning military and civilian photographers are named. But, this year there has been an extra dimension; the public have voted for their favourite picture.
The winner of the ‘People’s Choice: Image of the Year’ is Senior Aircraftman Adam Fletcher from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT) with ‘The Unveiling’.
This photo was taken during the unveiling of the Red Arrows’ 50th Anniversary tail fin design to celebrate their 50th display season. This makeover is the most significant change to the appearance of the team’s Hawk aircraft in its history. The tail fin design, in the shape of the Union Flag, reflects the Best of British and emphasises the Red Arrows’ role as ambassadors for the United Kingdom.
Senior Aircraftman (SAC) Adam Fletcher is an RAF Photographer for the RAFAT (Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team) and is currently based at RAF Scampton. SAC Fletcher has enjoyed postings to RAF Northolt, RAF Cottesmore and RAF Wittering, serving as a RAF photographer all over the world including operational deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
The winner was announced today at The Royal Air Force Photographic Competition Awards 2014 with all of the RAF Photographic Competition winners being presented their trophies by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford KCB CBE ADC RAF at the RAF Club in Piccadilly.
Voters for the People’s Choice: Image of the Year were entered into a free prize draw when they tweeted their vote for a chance to win an iPad Mini with a Red Arrows 50th Anniversary universal cover and an iPhone 5S cover. The winner of this draw will be contacted via RAF Social Media and have until 5 Sep to respond to claim their prize. The winner will then be announced via RAF Social Media next week.
The judges for the competition were; Alan Sparrow, Chairman of the Picture Editors Guild; David Clapp the renowned landscape and travel photographer; and Paul Hudson from the RAF Museum.
Alan Sparrow said: “The quality of the images are outstanding and the subject matter second to none! I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about what the RAF does through this imagery and letting the pictures tell the story.”
David Clapp said: “Images of an exceptional standard that portray the humanity, the splendour, the fast-jets and the importance of the RAF.”
Paul Hudson said: “I was amazed by the breadth of interpretation displayed by those who depict the equipment and the men and women of the Royal Air Force. Not only did I encounter humour, bravery and dedication in the photographs entered but also the clear pride of each photographer in their subjects and the Service.”
NATO EXERCISE CULMINATES IN DARING HELICOPTER ASSAULTS
Eighty British troops have combined forces with other NATO allies to take part in a daring night assault with US Black Hawk helicopters in an operation to destroy a simulated enemy radar site during Exercise SABRE JUNCTION.
The troops from the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment carried out the assault in tandem with other attacks last night against simulated enemy airfields across several East European countries. The troops landed in US Chinooks and Black Hawk helicopters.
Exercise SABRE JUNCTION is part of a wider NATO exercise and one of a host of Immediate Assurance Measures designed to reassure NATO allies in the region. It follows UK deployment of Typhoon aircraft to the Baltic Air Policing Mission. More than 1300 troops from the Lead Armoured Battle Group will deploy to Poland for Exercise Black Eagle in October.
Major Dave Jones, the Officer Commanding the Duke of Lancaster’s troops on the exercise, said: “This helicopter borne night attack is the culmination of a terrific exercise in which we have learnt to operate intimately with US infantry and air cavalry. My soldiers have risen to the challenge of operating in a multi-national environment and it’s exciting to be involved in an exercise that is designed not only to improve our operating capability but reassure our NATO allies.”
Defence Minister, Julian Brazier, visited the British, US and Polish solidiers at Miraslavec airbase on Tuesday and said: “On meeting British and American troops taking part in Exercise SABRE JUNCTION, I was struck by how seamlessly allies and partners can work together at little notice, to form one formidable force.
“I was also particularly impressed with the opportunities an Alliance such as NATO can bring, with the exercise highlighting to me how knowledge, equipment and capability can be successfully shared between multiple stakeholders in a timely fashion, to the benefit of all.”
The annual exercise is held across Germany, Latvia and Poland and this year includes around 5,000 personnel from the US, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and NATO Partnership for Peace nations Bosnia & Herzegovinia, Serbia and Sweden.
Latvian Army Purchases UK CVRT Armoured Combat Vehicles
The UK has agreed to sell 123 surplus Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) (CVR(T)) armoured vehicles to Latvia in a further strengthening of relations with its NATO partners.
The highly-mobile UK vehicles have seen action in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq and Afghanistan, have been sold to the Latvian Army in a package worth £39.4m, including their overhaul and refurbishment.
The vehicles will allow Latvian Armed Forces to better transport infantry, reconnaissance teams, air defence sections and mortar fire controllers as well as provide vital battlefield capabilities including ambulances, armoured command vehicles and armoured recovery vehicles.
Speaking at the Nato summit today, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “I am delighted that Latvia will soon benefit from these proven and life-saving battlefield capabilities, including ambulances and command centres.
“This is just one way we are supporting our Baltic NATO allies. As a leading member of NATO the UK is keen to restate publicly our support for the collective security of its members and enable our partners to contribute to international peacekeeping and security operations.”
The vehicles became available following SDSR 2010 in which they were identified as surplus to requirement as the Armed Forces restructure to better meet the challenges they will face in the future. As part of this on Tuesday the Prime Minister announced a £3.5 billion investment in 589 Scout Specialist Vehicles, the Army’s new, world-class, armoured fighting vehicles, which will replace CVR(T) in service.
Three of the vehicles took part in a parade to celebrate the 24th anniversary of the Declaration of the Renewal of Independence in Valmiera, Latvia on 4 May 2014.
£3.5BN NEW FIGHTING VEHICLE SECURES 1,300 UK JOBS
More than 1,300 jobs across the UK will be secured thanks to a £3.5 billion Ministry of Defence contract to deliver 589 new armoured fighting vehicles that will be the “eyes and ears” of the British Army on the battlefields of the future.
Scout Specialist Vehicles (Scout SV), designed by General Dynamics UK based in Oakdale, South Wales, will give the Army enhanced intelligence, surveillance, protection, target acquisition and reconnaissance capabilities and a highly effective 40mm cannon. The Army’s first fully digitised armoured fighting vehicles, Scout SV will be effective in even the most difficult terrains around the world.
Speaking on the eve of the NATO Summit, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
“Today’s multi-billion pound contract is fantastic news for our soldiers in providing them with the most technologically advanced and versatile armoured fighting vehicles to overcome future threats. This is the biggest single order placed by the MoD for armoured vehicles for around 30 years and is an important part of the investment we are making to keep Britain safe.
“It is also excellent news for the supply chain of this state-of-the-art vehicle and will sustain 1,300 engineering jobs across the UK in key defence industries.”
Chief of the General Staff and head of the British Army, Sir Peter Wall, said: “The Scout family is a transformational programme that will refresh our armoured capability and ensure the Army remains a first-tier manoeuvre force. It provides advanced intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capabilities and will be the “eyes and ears” of commanders on the battlefields of the future. With digital links to all of our other systems it will be able to fulfil a wide range of combat roles.”
Replacing the Army’s existing force of Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) vehicles which have given exemplary service for the past 40 years all over the world, Scout SV will be built in six variants to provide nine different roles:
· Scout Reconnaissance; including Ground Based Surveillance and Joint Fire Control specialist capabilities (turreted with a 40mm cannon),
· Equipment Support Repair; which repair and tow damaged vehicles,
· Equipment and Support Recovery; will recover damaged vehicles,
· Command and Control; will provide a mobile battlefield headquarters,
· Protected Mobility Reconnaissance Support (PMRS) variants: Formation Reconnaissance Overwatch and Engineer Reconnaissance; will deliver and support specialist troops across the battlefield,
· Engineer Reconnaissance variant; will carry specialist engineering equipment and personnel.
Deliveries of Scout Specialist Vehicles are planned to start in 2017. The training establishment and first squadron will be equipped by mid-2019 to allow conversion to begin with a brigade ready to deploy from the end of 2020.
MINISTER FOR THE ARMED FORCES MEETS THE MILITARY’S GOLD MEDAL WINNERS
Minister for the Armed Forces Mark Francois has met with medal winning military personnel at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
On a visit to Hampden Park to thank military personnel helping to provide security for the Games in support of Police Scotland, Mr Francois met with Chris Sherrington, the gold medallist in the judo heavyweight category, and Mark Shaw, bronze medallist in the judo 100 kilo plus event.
Royal Marine Chris Sherrington, 30, of 45 Commando has served in Iraq during his 14 year career and is ranked 31st in the world in his sport, in which he represents Scotland.
Marine Chris Sherrington said: "It is a real privilege to serve our Queen and country but to represent your country in the Commonwealth Games is something else; it’s been a fantastic experience. I must admit I really miss being with my fellow Marines though. You don’t join the Royal Marines to go and do something else but, for me, this was a chance to show the world what we are capable of.”
Lieutenant Commander Mark Shaw, 35, of the Defence Diving School won bronze in the Judo 100 kilo plus category. This is the second medal for Mark this year, having already received a silver medal for his efforts in the European Championship, while representing Wales.
Lieutenant Commander Mark Shaw said: "I'm absolutely delighted to have won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games. It was a very tough and stressful day, especially after making a mistake in the quarterfinal. To pick myself up and fight through to bronze was so pleasing. It's been a long road and considering I was carrying a serious injury into the games I'm over the moon to get a podium finish. I'm very grateful to the Navy which has provided the support and opportunity to allow me train and prepare in the best possible way. "
Minister for the Armed Forces, Mark Francois, said: "It was a pleasure to meet Marine Sherrington and Lieutenant Commander Shaw and I congratulate them alongside all our military personnel competing in this year's Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Our military athletes are an elite and shining example of the flexibility and sheer determination we expect from our Armed Forces.”
Earlier this week, members of the Armed Forces providing the Military Venue Security Force at Glasgow's SECC venue were treated to a Royal visit from their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
The Royal party was met by Brigadier Paul Harkness, Commander of Stirling-based 51 Infantry Brigade, and the Joint Military Commander of all the troops deployed at the Games, in support of Police Scotland. The Royal visitors spoke to members of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles and 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, who are providing airport-style security facilities at five main venues across the city.