Squadron and local FAAOA members were invited to Cottesmore to learn more about the intended operation of Joint Force Harrier.
As frequently happens the weather forecast put several members off flying which was disappointing since a most interesting day was had by those who made it.
Some sixty members were welcomed by the Station Commander Group Captain MJ Harwood MBE MA RAF who gave a short history of RAF Cottesmore from the time when the airfield opened in March 1938 equipped with Wellesleys and later with Fairey Battles, both ill fated types when faced by the Luftwaffe. Heavier Bomber Command aircraft then took over and took part in the 1000 bomber raids.
In September 1943 the USAF took over the base and the Rutland skies became full of Dakotas and gliders for use in 'Overlord' and 'Market Garden'.
The Americans left in May 1945 after which the station was used for many different purposes including flying training for RAF and Naval pilots. Successive types based at Cottesmore included Canberras, Victors and Vulcans followed by Argosy and Varsity aircraft and then again Canberras - 360 Squadron being joint RAF/RN.
In 1981 the station became a Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment equipped with three Tornado squadrons flown by British German and Italian aircrews.
On 1st April 2000 Joint Force Harrier was formed which will see RAF Harriers and Royal Navy Sea Harriers operating as part of a combined force able to respond rapidly to crises around the world. The squadrons concerned are RAF 1 (F), 3(F) and IV(AC) and the navy's 800 and 801 squadrons.
Captain Richard Hawkins RN (Captain Harriers) continued with details of Harrier operations whereby the Sea Harrier FA2 will be withdrawn from service by 2006 and in 2007 Joint Force Harrier will be operating the Harrier GR9 flown by RAF and Royal Navy pilots. In turn the Harriers will be replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter in 2012 again operated by both RAF and naval pilots.
Michael Ryan then gave his own presentation on how the FAA Squadron helps to support the Royal Naval Historic Flight and the FAA Museum together with assisting the RN Gliding Awards Scheme to recruit young future naval pilots.
Lunch was taken in the Mess after the presentations followed by a visit to the hangar to inspect the GR7 Harriers (and the beautiful Spitfire Mk22 also present).
The flight home was CAVOK which makes one wonder if weather forecasts can ever be accurate.

Report and photographs by Ron Dobree-Carey.
Group photograph by RAF Cottesmore with thanks.

Those who arrived by air
Mountain G-AXIR with D.Palmer + M.Chapman. Nicholas, Military Griffin with T.Osborne + A.Reid. Maslin G-MALA D.Stanley + D.Lockspeiser. Richardson-Bunbury G-BZZD with Mrs C.Richardson-Bunbury Moor G-MEOW M.Ryan G-BOIT with D.Corbet. + R.Dobree-Carey. Sir Mark Thomson G-BXNG Roberts G-MVXN de Candole G-AVLY with Capt. R.Turner Record G-MVSJ Lovegrove G-????

Those who came by car
JF Bowden . RE Wilkinson with K.Pilbeam.E.Colman. T.James. R.Neill with a.Charnaud. RJ Wemyss with Mrs J. Wemyss. MF Wheeler with D.Andreas.. M.Bedwell with M.Harrison. JGA Marriot with B.Dowsett. P.Chaplin with D.Hawkins.. B.Vigrass. G.Homan. BF Vibert. NJ Roberson. JN Carey. GJ Holt. B.Elcock. J.Sturgeon. GO Hutchison with Mrs G.Hutchison. RGS Bloxham with P.George. RTJ Clark.

Apologies if any omissions from the above lists.