RAF Wittering News

Innovation was the theme as Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, Chief of the Air Staff, visited the Support Force at RAF Wittering yesterday.

Air Chief Marshal Wigston is the professional head of the Royal Air Force and thirtieth Chief of the Air Staff (CAS). A former Tornado pilot, Sir Mike served in Afghanistan and Iraq, and has commanded No 12 Squadron, No 903 Expeditionary Air Wing, and the British Forces in Cyprus.

During his visit Sir Mike saw how the Support Force is using innovative technologies in engineering, medical support, fuels, and communications. Air Commodore Neil Grant commands the Support Force. He said: “Like the rest of the RAF, we embrace cutting edge technology and new ways of working. It is a necessity. The world is changing quickly and the way we project air and space power must keep pace.”

First on the agenda was Additive Manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, when he met personnel from No 71 (Inspection & Repair) Squadron. The Squadron is evaluating innovative technologies to inform the RAF on ways of radically reducing the amount of time aircraft are grounded in the future. Additive Manufacturing is funded by the RAF Rapid Capabilities Office, Defence Innovation Fund, and RAF Astra - the RAF’s campaign to build and sustain the Next Generation Royal Air Force.

After a presentation from the Fuels Support Team of No 1 Expeditionary Logistics Squadron, Sir Mike was given a hands-on demonstration of SimMan by Tactical Medical Wing. SimMan is an advanced patient simulator that can display a range of different symptoms, making him a useful and responsive training aid for RAF medical personnel.

The RAF Support Force is vital to UK air power. Its highly qualified personnel sustain RAF air operations and exercises at home and abroad. Specialist engineering and logistics, advanced military communications, tactical medical services, and mountain rescue are just a few of the Support Force’s military capabilities.

After a presentation from 90 Signals Unit on the new RAVEN communications and information system, Air Chief Marshal Wigston attended a town hall meeting at the Cambridgeshire Station, to hear directly from military and civilian personnel and answer their questions.

Sir Mike spoke at length about work of the Support Force over the last two years, particularly during the pandemic, and thanked the team for their continuing dedication, focus and professionalism.

Air Commodore Neil Grant said: “It’s been an honour to welcome Air Chief Marshal Wigston today, and to accompany him as he has met and interacted with Support Force and Station personnel. Visits of this kind are enormously valuable to us and it’s clear to see that the Chief understands how important our people are to delivery of air and space power.”