Flypast heralds RAF Coningsby's annual CAFTAS awards night
A spectacular flypast by one of the station’s Typhoon jets heralded the second annual awards night at RAF Coningsby for personnel, civilians and industry partners.
With a nod to the BAFTAS, dozens gathered in a transformed 12 Squadron hangar for the CAFTAS (Coningsby Awards for Teamwork, Achievement and Service).
Nominees from the Royal Air Force, civil service and industry were recognised for their commitment, dedication and achievement over the past year.
Categories spanned almost every corner of station life, from engineering innovation to community support, sporting excellence and resilience in the face of personal adversity.
After their inaugural outing in 2024, the CAFTAS have quickly become a welcome fixture in RAF Coningsby’s calendar.
Opening addresses were delivered by the station commander, Group Captain Andy Hampshire, and the Typhoon air-wing commander, Group Captain Hanson, before the 11 awards were presented.
Group Captain Hampshire said: "Every nomination we received this year told a story of real commitment, whether that’s keeping our jets flying, supporting a colleague through a difficult time or simply making RAF Coningsby a better place to work.
"That commitment exists right across our whole force, and it was a genuine pleasure to recognise some of those people.”
Sue Elder won the improving station life award, sponsored by the RAF Benevolent Fund. Going well beyond her day-to-day role, Sue’s dedication, positivity and support have been described as transforming the station community, with her meticulous standards and warmth ensuring personnel feel valued every day.
The contractor/civil servant of the year award went to Pete Asplen, Coningsby’s site estates facilities manager, who was recognised for securing vital investment in ageing infrastructure.
He was also lauded for uniting industry partners, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and station stakeholders to strengthen RAF Coningsby’s resilience planning.
Corporal Luke Carter received the strength in adversity award, sponsored by Serco, for his resilience and dedication while supporting his family through significant personal challenges and maintaining uninterrupted delivery to the force protection training flight.
Air Specialist 1 (Tech) Alyssia Stables was named sportsperson of the year for her work developing RAF netball across Lincolnshire, from grassroots recruitment through to RAF representative level.
Sergeant Sean McCarthy won the contribution to innovation award, sponsored by Leonardo, for developing a deployable Typhoon repair capability that has strengthened the station’s operational resilience.
And Acting Corporal Gemma Barnsdale took the junior rank of the year award for her leadership during a critical munitions inspection programme across three main operating bases.
The individual excellence accolade was presented to Stephen Walker for his role in ensuring the continuity of quick reaction alert capability throughout major aerodrome works, while the ground systems support flight south (Operation LEDPROOF) detachment was named team of the year for enabling Typhoon operations in the Middle East at pace and with terrific ingenuity.
Project Officer, Squadron Leader Andrea Jackson, who led the planning for this year’s event, said: “A huge amount of work from a huge number of people went into the night.
"I thank the working party, our stewards, our sponsors and everyone across the station who helped bring the event together.
"It was a privilege to help showcase the brilliant work that goes on here every day.”