Framlinghamian 2019 - Single Pages 72dpi - Flipbook - Page 136
WITH THE SERVICES
ROYAL AIR FORCE
Group Captain Howard Edwards (K8590) wrote in July 2019:
A quick update on where I am and where
I’ve been!
I was fortunate enough to be promoted to
Group Captain in November 2015 and
after a busy few months in the MiddleEast with the Coalition Forces I revisited
old stomping grounds via a NATO tour in
Germany. During my 20 months working
with AIRCOM and living in the old family
quarters of RAFG Laarbruch I was lucky
enough to travel across Europe to places
such as Latvia and Poggio Renatica. My
assignment within the Combined Air
Operations Centre at Uedem saw me
responsible for managing the circa 30
groups of Quick Reaction Alert aircraft
across NATO that provides Air Defence
and Security from Iceland to the Baltic
States and down to the Alps. I also was
deeply involved in helping NATO develop
its Joint Forces Air Component HQ that
enables NATO to coordinate and control its
missions during conflict.
The completion of this tour was rewarded
with my current command appointment in
which I lead 1500 personnel and manage
91 Tutor aircraft in delivering University Air
Squadrons and the Air Experience Flying
(AEF) of up to 20,000 Air Cadets a year.
How the wheel as turned; I have happy
memories of AEF flying with Framlingham
College CCF at Marshall’s of Cambridge,
flying that inspired me into my current job
of 28 years! Framlingham CCF still fly
with No 5 AEF but at its new home at RAF
Wittering. The University Air Squadrons
are great institutions that aim to attract
undergraduates into a career with the RAF
and I recommend them to any OF that is
off to Uni this year!
Howie, it was good to receive your update.
I offer belated congratulations on your
promotion to Group Captain! We wish you
every success in your tour as Commandant
of No 6 Flying Training School at RAF
College Cranwell and look forward to
receiving your update next year!
134
THE FRAMLINGHAMIAN 2019
Caption: Gp Capt Howie Edwards onboard a Tutor
Group Captain Antony McCord (R76-83) sent me a brief update in July 2019
in which he reported that he was ‘just finishing the best part of a year’s worth
of education, training and preparation for my assignment as the Air Attaché in
Paris. He started in August and on a 3-year tour.’
Antony – we look forward to receiving an interesting report from Paris
next year! Enjoy your posting as Air Attaché!