Last week, members of the RAF’s 83 Expeditionary Air Group (83 EAG) currently deployed across the Middle East, took part in the Global Charge initiative, which was set up to increase people’s individual contribution to the environment and the conservation of potential endangered species.
Personnel took to the beach to collect any scrap of rubbish they could find, ranging from glass shards and water bottles, known for starting bush fires, to larger items such as old parasols and tyres. By actively engaging in beach clean-up activities, 83 EAG and it’s deployed ‘Wings’ across the region, 901, 902, 903 & 906, demonstrated their commitment to environmental stewardship.
“Our efforts here today are to ensure that this beach can be habitable for marine turtles wishing to lay eggs.”
Warrant Officer Moxam
Event Organiser
The Global Charge initiative was set up by Major General Bateman after the untimely death of Guardsman Mathew Talbot in 2019. Guardsman Talbot was deployed with The Coldstream Guards as part of a counter-poaching mission to Malawi. Unfortunately, as part of the joint operation Guardsman Talbot was tragically killed by an elephant; the very animal he was there to protect.
Major General Bateman was responsible for the mission in Malawi and knew that more had to be done, so, bore the concept of Global Charge.
“There are plenty of people making a substantive contribution to increase the resilience and sustainability of the planet. However, there are billions of people in the world who remain passive – and it is those people we want to encourage to get involved with Global Charge.”
Major General Bateman
Since Major General Bateman said those culture shifting words, over 10,000 military personnel have taken part in various environmental efforts all over the world. In the last year alone, the military have hosted more than 100 different events which range from: beach cleans, cleaning riverbeds, tree planting and bridge building. With global warming and the climate crisis becoming a larger problem in modern society, this initiative set up in the honour of a fallen soldier is having the impact that he set out to achieve in his mission in Malawi.
83 EAG is currently deployed across the Middle East alongside it’s ‘Wings’, 901,902,903 & 906. Most recently, they have been responsible for the recent humanitarian aid drops into Gaza and striking of Houthi targets that attack international shipping.
