As I write it’s hard to believe that Christmas is almost upon us and that I’ve been in post for almost a year already. And what a year it has been! The last few months have seen the Station and our units engaged in many public events, such as the Battle of Britain Parade, Remembrance events across Shropshire and our Annual Reception in the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess. All these events were well attended by the public and VIPs, and I am incredibly proud of how well the Station was represented on each occasion. The feedback I’ve received has without exception been glowing. I hope you all enjoy some well-earned leave over Christmas and get to spend some precious time with your loved ones. Stay safe and I look forward to everyone returning refreshed in the New Year ready to continue in the pursuit of excellence. By Wing Commander Paddy Durnin – Station Commander

Welcome to the Winter edition of the station magazine and what for me is my last as the Station Commander of RAF Coningsby. Before we look ahead to an exciting 2026, I’d like to reflect on some of the events and accomplishments of the last few months. As always RAF Coningsby remains at the forefront of operational activity and the past few months have seen our Whole Force personnel continuing to work at a high pace to maintain our output both at home and overseas. A significant highlight was the historic ‘Atlantic Eagles’ mission where the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) conducted their first fighter aircraft deployment to Europe in their 71-year history. This was a fantastic achievement for both the JASDF and RAF Coningsby, having the honour to host the deployment and emphasise the strong relationship between our two forces.

As I pen my final foreword for the Wittering View, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude and pride for everything we have accomplished together during my tenure as Station Commander at RAF Wittering. Commanding RAF Wittering has been an extraordinary honour and one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. The rich history of this Station, combined with the dynamic present we have created together, fills me with confidence about Wittering's bright future.