News
December 18th 2013
TREKKING IN THE HIMALAYAS
Five Reservists have returned home from 17 days trekking in the Himalayas and have described the trip as an ‘experience of a lifetime’.
A team of 15 service personnel, including five Royal Auxiliary Air Force Reservists, embraced the extreme weather conditions and pushed themselves out of their comfort zone to trek through Kathmandu, Lukla, Phakding, Namche Bazaar and Dingboche among other locations as part of Exercise Namche Dawn.
During the expedition the team faced heavy rain, stunning sunrises, rocky scrambles, had to handle mountain sickness and an avalanche. Although the team remained in good spirits throughout their trip as Flight Lieutenant Norman Gray, from the Royal Auxiliary Air Force’s Intelligence team, explained: “Trekking to the Himalayas was the experience of a lifetime. To be able to do it as part of a service team made it all the more special with the team work, banter and camaraderie that went on. I have made some very good friends on this expedition.
“The scenery was breath-taking both metaphorically and literally. I adapted to the altitude without too much difficulty too which was great but it was a surprise to find I had lost 5kg on my return!”
Squadron Leader Jan Burton, from the Intelligence Reserves Head Quarters at RAF Waddington, said: “Each challenge a RAF Reservist faces offers them opportunities for personnel development they simply won’t find anywhere else. We were delighted to be able to send a group of Reservists to the Himalayas from Lincolnshire and I have received great feedback many of those on the trip.
“The Intelligence Reserves at RAF Waddington are now recruiting and we are keen to speak to anyone who would like to learn more about what we do. We hold Information Days around every six weeks so I would encourage anyone who wishes to attend to register their interest as soon as possible.”
If you have a civilian career or have just completed Regular Service in any of Her Majesty’s Forces and are looking for a fresh challenge, then the world of RAF Reserve Intelligence may be what you are looking for.
There are three Reservist Intelligence Squadrons – 7006, 7010 and 7630 and their Headquarters is located at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire.
Approximately, every 6 weeks Headquarters Intelligence Reserves holds an Information Day at RAF Waddington enabling individuals to find out more about becoming a RAF Reservist especially in the Intelligence role.
Please find below a list of the forthcoming Information Day dates. Each of the events will take place at RAF Waddington.
– Saturday 18 January 2014
– Saturday 22 February 2014
To register your interest in attending one of the above events or to find out further details please speak to Mrs Roz King Tel:01522 726291 or email: AWC-HQIntResGroupMailbox@mod.uk
