The Right Worshipful Mr George Cole, The Lord Mayor of Leicester, visited Royal Air Force Wittering this week, attending the Station’s Honours & Awards Ceremony.
Image By: AS1 Maryanne Williams
The Lord Mayor is Leicester’s first citizen and is elected each year at an Annual Council. Originally from Jamaica, Councillor Cole came to England in 1964 and has dedicated much of his life to contributing to the city in which he lives. In addition to serving Leicester as a city councillor, George Cole has worked as a radio presenter and is also a magistrate and a retired senior university lecturer.
Image By: AS1 Maryanne Williams
Wing Commander Nikki Duncan is Officer Commanding Support at RAF Wittering. She said: “It was a privilege to welcome Cllr Cole. Our links with Leicester are genuine, the city is less than forty miles from us, and we have personnel who live and raise their families there. The Royal Air Forces Association has its HQ in Leicester and aircraft from Wittering have defended the skies over the city during the two World Wars.”
After the formalities of signing the Station visitors’ book, Cllr Cole was introduced to the logistics capabilities of No 85 Expeditionary Logistics Wing. The Wing specialises in deployed catering, transport, fuels & supply, and mountain rescue.
Image By: AS1 Maryanne Williams
Cllr Cole said: “That day revealed so much about the RAF and the level of meticulous work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure that our military personnel, who often put their lives on the line, are well cared and catered for when they arrive at a location, wherever it happens to be in the world. It had never occurred to me that so much took place out of sight and that it was so detailed and thoroughly planned.”
Image By: AS1 Maryanne Williams
Originally founded in 1916, RAF Wittering’s original mission was to defend Leicester and the east midlands from the German Zeppelin airships during the First World War. Today RAF Wittering is home to the specialist engineering and logistics squadrons that support RAF air operations and exercises, collectively known as the A4 Force Elements.
Cllr Cole was guest of honour at RAF Wittering’s Honours & Awards ceremony. Speaking afterwards he said: “I was impressed by the RAF’s ability to take someone who left school with no qualification, to build up their level of aspiration, help them to become a graduate and post graduate with a skilled career, ensuring they are able to follow a rewarding career in the private or public sector.”
Wing Commander Duncan concluded: “It is only right that elected representatives from our nearby towns and cities understand what we do here at RAF Wittering. Cllr Cole has taken a keen and intelligent interest in everything we do here, we were enriched by meeting him, and it was our pleasure to welcome him and the Lady Mayoress, Denese Cole. ”
