RAF Marham Work Experience Comments for June/July 2007

Another season of Work Experience at RAF Marham has just finished. With a few frustrations and tears shed (and that was just Denise), once again a successful programme has been undertaken and hopefully a few future recruits for the Royal Air Force secured.

A total of 66 students, from 10 local schools and 17 out of area schools including Kent, Dover, Devon, London, Manchester and Wales attended over eleven weeks. The students worked in 16 sections varying from the Photographic Section to Tornado Maintenance Section and The Catering Section through to a Flying Squadron.

The students are met on a Monday morning, signed in and given passes, working hours, health and safety briefs, lunch arrangements and daily routine. They are advised of the behaviour expected whilst on the Station and then its off to collect any safety clothing required.

The programme is very effectively managed by Denise Foggett, who along side her job as Assistant Media and Communications Officer runs the programme. She works closely with the Schools and the Sections. Security and the children themselves to provide a range of opportunities.

A big thank you must go to Denise, who in turn thanks everyone involved in making the whole work experience possible.

Planning for the next programme will begin in September and applications are only accepted and validated if directed through the correct channels.



Name: Matthew Hume
School: The Plume School
Dates: 11-15 Jun 07

Section of Placement: IX (B) Squadron
I was very nervous on my first day as not knowing what lay ahead. The best part of my placement was when I got to sit in the back seat of the aircraft where it was towed out to the airfield. The worst bit was there wasn’t anything to do but I know it can’t be helped. I had lunch at the Mess everyday which was lovely. I now definitely know what I need and what I need to do to get my career.



Name: Thomas Parkes
School: KES
Dates: 11-15 Jun 07

Section of Placement: Communiting Support Squadron (CSS - Catering)
I felt nervous before my placement.
My first day was hard and hectic.
My highlight was being in the Sergeants' Mess because it was less hectic.

The lowest point was being in the Junior Ranks Mess (JRM).
I had lunch in the staff room.

It has helped me chose a job by making me see how hard it is to be a Chef.

Name: James Mattless
School: KES
Dates: 11-15 Jun 07

Section of Placement: Tornado Engineering Squadron (TES)
My first day was half spent doing some admin. But after that I was in 4 Hangar and I attached a taileron to an aircraft. I was slightly nervous but everyone made me feel welcome. I had lunch in the JRM. The highlight of my placement was doing an engine ground run and doing reheat tests. I am still going to try and enter the RAF as aircrew. I had a great time on my placement – no boring parts.

Name: Hayden Lyon
School: Taverham High School
Dates: 11-15 Jun 07

Section of Placement: Air Traffic Control (ATC)
When I arrived at RAF Marham, I did feel a bit nervous but I also felt quite excited. My first day I arrived at the guardroom at 0900hrs to meet Denise. When I arrived at ATC I was met by SAC O’Connor and SAC Brady who showed me what they do all day and told me a bit about how everything worked in the tower. The highlight of my placement would be going down to the caravan with Kate and getting up close with the Tornados as they took off and landed. The lowest point of the placement is that you are not always doing things and there can be a lot of sitting around. Everyday I ate in the JRM and the food was delicious. The experience of being at ATC has helped me decide on a career as an Air Traffic Controller. It can be a bit
exciting.

Name: Zach Stanford
School: KES
Dates: 11-15 Jun 07

Section of Placement: Motor Transport Maintenance Section & Ground Engineering Flight (MTMS/GEF)
Working on machines and general things (not aircraft). I felt nervous but excited before the placement. The first day was not as good as others because everything was new. The highlight of the placement was working on the machines that lifted bombs onto the aircraft. The lowest moments were watching a hoover get fixed. I brought in my own lunch. This placement has helped me decide that if I don’t make it as a pilot I would not want to be a ground engineer. I would want to work on aircraft. I think that it should be made clear on the website that this placement with MTMS and GEF is nothing to do with aircraft.

Name: Adam Delo
School: St Edmund’s Catholic School
Dates: 11-15 Jun 07

Section of Placement: Photographic Section
I worked with the Photographic Section for the week. I found the work really interesting and varied. Before I started my placement I was unaware of how widely used the Photographic Section was, they get absolutely everywhere!

The high points of my week were being photographed in the cockpit of a Tornado and watching the take off of 5 tornado jets together.

I thought that the Photog team (Andy, Martin, Ashley, Neil, Lauren and Vickie) were really fun to work with and great guys and girls. The Photographic equipment that I was being shown to use was very expensive and technical. I think I have learnt a lot. Thanks for a great week!

Name: Ben Sparn
School: Soham Village College
Dates: 11-15 Jun 07

Section of Placement: Tornado Propulsion Flight (TPF)
On the first day I arrived and was show around where I would be working and where the toilets and tea bar were. Then I started work in the EU Bay. I did some work taking to pieces the exhaust section of the RB100. Then after lunch at the Mess I went on a tour of the Station and saw some Tornados taking off. The next place I went to was the test bed. This was my favourite part of the TPF because you get to see the engine all in on piece working. I also spent some time on the pulse line. This was good because it helped me understand how the engine works. Overall, I really enjoyed the experience. It was interesting and good.

Name: Jamie Ling
School: Taverham High
Dates: 11-15 Jun 07

Section of Placement: XIII Squadron
Monday
I arrived at 0900hrs at the guardroom to be greeted by Denise. We were taken into passes and permits and issued with one pass which allowed us onto camp for the week. We then walked to Station Headquarters (SHQ) for a short H&S Brief and to sign the official Secrets Act. There we got a minibus to the Station clothing building where I was issued a set of ear defenders, a reflective jacket, brand new overalls and a pair of steel toe capped boots, which all fitted perfectly. After changing into our uniforms, we got onto the minibus and started to drop off students at their placements. Eventually we arrived at XIII Squadron and Denise introduced me to my supervisor, Chf Tech Terry Cottle. He took me to his office and told me what to do in the event of a fire or incident and what I would be doing each day.

Terry took me over to the Squadron feeder. I got lunch with a meal ticket, which is very good value at £1.74. After lunch Terry took me out to one of the tornados which was taking off. I watched the aircrew get into the aircraft then after their pre-flight checks the Tornado taxied away. We walked over to the XIII Squadron 90th Anniversary tail aircraft and Terry showed me the outside of the plane explaining what the tank of liquid oxygen and various switches were for. Afterwards we went back to the Sqn for a break. I then went with 2 engineers to permanently check the parked aircraft and then went to another see-off. There I met the XIII Squadron Commander, Wg Cdr Jones and he explained where they were going and what they were going to do. Once the jet was ready to taxi, I marshalled the tornado out of the Hardened Aircraft Shelter (HAS). After clearing up equipment, I went back to the building and it was soon time to go home.

Tuesday
Today I arrived earlier at 0800hrs at the sports hall to do an hour of circuit training with some of my Squadron. This was very hard work but also good fun. Afterwards I started to walk to the guardroom to get my transport to XIII Squadron but Denise passed me on the way so she gave me a lift. Half an hour later she returned to XIII Squadron with my form tutor, to see how my work experience was going. After lunch in the feeder, I went with an airframe and propulsions engineer called JJ, who showed me the pilot and navigator areas in the cockpit which I enjoyed as I got to sit in the ejection seats whilst being told what the switches and dials were for. After that I helped a different engineer remove one of the hydraulic arms from the left undercarriage leg. I then returned to the Squadron building to be told one of the aircraft had experienced a bird strike. Once the aircraft had taxied back to the HAS I went out to look but luckily there was no damage. I then waited for the tanker with some other engineers and shortly after the tanker arrived and I watched the jet being re-fuelled.

Wednesday
Today was spent with the aircrew, Survival Equipment Store (SES) and Operations (Ops). I was shown around the Squadron Ops office first and then I headed over to the aircrew. One of the navigators, known as ‘Webbie’ showed me how he plans routes using a special computer programme, which was very informative. The pilot, Neil Taylor, explained where they were going and what they planned to do, but the weather may have been a big problem. I got to sit in the flight briefing which was really good because I got all the information the crew were receiving. It was then time for them to go out on their sortie, so I went to have lunch. After lunch I was with the SES. I got changed into a roll neck and flying suit then I was kitted up with a pair of g-force trousers, a life jacket, a helmet and oxygen mask. I was then connected to a test rig where I could breath pure oxygen to stimulate being at altitude. This was a really interesting experience as I had never done it before. After taking off the SES the crew returned and took me back to show me the Head Up Display (HUD) video of the sortie, and had a debrief. This day was my favourite because I got to experience part of what the aircrew do which is what I want to do as a career.

Thursday
Today I was with the ’lights’ engineers who fix the avionics and electronics. First thing I watched a new battery charger being installed behind the nose cone. It was interesting to see what components are actually inside the aircraft and how easily they can be replaced. After that I went with some engineers to the electronics building because they needed some new components inside the cockpit. I watched the front section of the canopy being hinged up so the electrician could get to the instrument panel. Shortly afterwards I went to lunch but when I returned the faulty component had been replaced but was not working. The tornado needed to be raised from the ground so I helped by operating the nose jack. I then sat in the navigators seat and watched the technicians trying to fix the component but when I left it was still broken. I arrived back at the building just in time to go out and watch another see off then it was time to finish.

Friday
Today I was with the Weapons Technicians but in the morning there was no work to do because the aircraft were not flying with any bombs or missiles. Unfortunately this was the case for the rest of the day and the only thing I did was another see-off before lunch.

My week with XIII Squadron at RAF Marham has been extremely enjoyable and it was fascinating to see all the different trades inside a single Sqn. Unfortunately during my week of work experience there was not much to do but what I did do was thoroughly interesting and enjoyable. My highlights of the week were being with the aircrew getting dressed in full flying equipment and marshalling OC XIII’s tornado out of the HAS. The low moments of the week were the waiting for work and the fact that I could not do much except watch when task were being done.

Stephanie Caunt
On my first day it was excellent because everyone was really kind and told me what to do and that was really nice and I liked the way people took me to the mess. All my week on supply was great everyone explained what I had to do and helped with everything. On my second week in TCS was great as well I preferred it on TCS because it was a bit more fun everyone was fun and kind and after my work experience I am looking forward to working in the RAF.

Ashley KavanaghJosh Goldsmith
The best thing I’ve done is unloading the bombs.

The bad thing is that most of the time you’re not doing anything but you get to watch Sky TV and play snooker.

Fiona Beaumont
On my first day I was nervous and scared. The first day was good as I was able to look around base and specifically the gym area. It was also good because I got stuck into work straightaway. I don’t have a highlight as I have more than one but one of the best bits was the obstacle course. My least favourite bit of the placement was the time spent doing nothing I had my lunch in the Junior Ranks’ Mess. This experience has definitely helped me with deciding on a career when I leave school as I really enjoyed it and if I had the chance to do it again I would.

David Smith-Ames
On my first day I guess I felt nervous but excited, the first day however was very good. I was briefed on Health and Safety and learned how the switchboard worked. Everyone in the tower was very friendly and helpful; if I ever needed help there was always someone willing to help me. I had lunch in the Airmen’s mess, the food was very nice and I’d like to thank all the canteen staff. The experience of the whole week has really helped me decide what I want to do when I leave school, I already wanted to join the RAF but with the help of this week I’ve definitely made my choice as to what trade I want to do.

Stuart Chell
I arrived on the Monday, a little apprehensive of the coming week, to be greeted by Mrs Foggett and a party of fellow students. Upon arriving at my placement, I was introduced to a few of the airmen after which I commenced my ‘hands-on’ work. I joined Adam, Dan and Stu in HAS 49 where they were working on the Tornado canopy, without much progress as the canopy was suspected to be slightly deformed. On the second day, I was driven over to II Squadron where I participated in a ‘see-off’ as a Tornado and aircrew departed the HAS site, which was an exhilarating experience, although to the airmen just another see-off. After a nutritious and enjoyable lunch, I rejoined the airmen at HAS 49 who were still fixing the canopy and received a tour of the cockpit! The third day was a little slow but I got involved in 2 see-offs and a see-in – after which the aircraft needed checking over and the gearbox refilling with oil. On the Thursday, I had a tour of II Sqn HQ where I met some of the aircrew, watched a weather brief and a history of the Squadron presentation.



Michaela Kitto
Hammonds High School in Swaffham, records her week at RAF Marham.

Monday 2nd July
9:15am - Met at Guard Room (one of about 25 students) we had a station and safety brief.

2 pm - Had lunch and help out the PA of Officer Commanding of the Base Support Wing. Told that I could meet the Station Commander on Wednesday.

4:30pm - Helped to sort out things with Families' Day.

Tuesday 3rd July
8:30am - Arrived at work in the Media and Communication Office.

9:00am - Sorted out the record of media coverage that RAF Marham has had over the past month.

10:00am - Went out for a familiarisation drive so that I knew what things were when I heard about them.

10:30am - Got taken around Operations where they showed me how they decide the routes that the aeroplanes are going to fly and what happens in the case of an emergency.

Midday - Went to a lunch meeting about what goes into the Marham Bull and how they decide.

1:00pm - Shown how to do Press Releases and sent them out to the local media stations.

3:00pm - Went to see the Webmaster about some things that needed to go on the website.

4:30pm - Found out my meeting with the Station Commander had been brought forward to now. I was really nervous, but he was very nice.

Wednesday 4th July
8:00am - Arrived at work .

9:00am - Had teacher from a school near Hunstanton to visit her students so I took her around and showed her what they were doing

10:30am - Teacher left. But a school trip arrived. Showed them around the Fire section and the SES (Survival Equipment Section) it was all very interesting

Midday - went to the Junior Ranks Mess with the school and got given a packed lunch. Had to decide whether I wanted to go around the TMS (Tornado Maintenance School) or take another teacher around .

1:00pm - I chose to take the teacher around because I had already been to the TMS and didn't feel like doing it again. Took the teacher around and got to look at all the squadrons.

3:00pm - Teacher left. I was invited to a meeting but then couldn't go because you had to be a certain thing that I was not.

Thursday 5th July
9:00am - A teacher from my school arrived to se how we were all getting on and said that I had matured (?) in the past three days.

11:00am - Teacher left. Went to see a disabled boy who won a competition to fly in a really small aeroplane.

Midday - Went out for lunch.

1:00pm - Finished what I needed to do in my little book.

2:00pm - Writing article and answering phones.

4:30pm - Went to see the Station Commanders Admin Staff Officer and see what her jobs entails

Friday 6th July
8:30am - Arrived in work (Typing Pool).

9:00am - Finished all the questions that I needed to in my book.

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