Personnel, civilians and industry partners from Royal Air Force Coningsby gathered in a transformed 12 Squadron hangar for the second ‘CAFTAS’ (Coningsby Awards for Teamwork, Achievement and Service) on Thursday 15 October.
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.
Despite the overcast skies, guests were welcomed by a flypast from one of the Station’s Typhoons, setting the tone for the evening ahead. The event marks only the second time the CAFTAS has been held. Following its inaugural outing in 2024, it has quickly become a welcome fixture in the Station’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 first of eleven awards was presented.
Mrs Sue Elder won the Improving Station Life award, sponsored by the RAF Benevolent Fund. Going well beyond her day-to-day role, Mrs Elder’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 Mr Pete Asplen, the Station’s Site Estates Facilities Manager, recognised for securing vital investment in ageing infrastructure and 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 whilst supporting his family through significant personal challenges, and maintaining uninterrupted delivery to the Force Protection Training Flight.
AS1 (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.
Mr Stephen Walker won the Individual Excellence award for his role in ensuring the continuity of Quick Reaction Alert capability throughout major aerodrome works, whilst 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 great 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 has gone into tonight. I want to thank the working party, our stewards, our sponsors and everyone across the Station who helped bring this evening together. It’s been a privilege to help showcase the brilliant work that goes on here every day.”
Group Captain Hampshire concluded: “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’s a genuine pleasure to recognise some of those people tonight.”
