Command of RAF Lossie handed over
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THE outgoing station commander at Moray’s airbase has described the post as the best in the RAF.
Group Captain Mark Chappell today (Friday) handed over command of RAF Lossiemouth to Group Captain Paul Godfrey.
Gp Capt Chappell took command in November 2013 and has overseen its transition to the northern Quick Reaction Alert (Interceptor) North base.
As he handed over control of RAF Lossiemouth he said: "It has been an honour to have served as the Station Commander at the Royal Air Force’s premier fast jet airbase.
"My time in post has seen enormous changes in a relatively short space of time; not least with the adoption of Quick Reaction Alert and our continued support to global operations.
"My lasting memory of my time at RAF Lossiemouth will be of the excellent people who work there, and the professionalism that I have come to expect from them during my time in command. I would like to thank everyone for their hard work, high standards and excellent ‘can do’ attitude that has made the challenges we have faced together fulfilling and fun.
"It just leaves me to wish my successor, Group Captain Paul Godfrey, a very warm welcome to Moray and to the best job the Royal Air Force has to offer."
Group Captain Godfrey, known as ‘Godders’, joined the RAF in 1991 and progressed through flying training on the Jet Provost and Hawk. Posted to the Harrier in 1994, he flew in various operations in the Balkans with IV(AC) Sqn and completed an instructional tour on 20(R) Sqn, the Harrier Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Wittering.
In 2000, he was selected for an exchange tour as the first non American pilot to fly the F-16CJ, serving on the 55th Fighter Sqn at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, USA. Group Captain Godfrey was Officer Commanding Operations Wing at RAF Coningsby in 2011, and flying the Typhoon, he completed detachments to Italy and Cyprus.
He was also privileged to fly the Hurricane, Spitfire and Chipmunk aircraft during three seasons with the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Promoted to Gp Capt in November 2013, he returns to the Typhoon to take command of RAF Lossiemouth.
On taking up the position, the new station commander said: "It’s a huge privilege to be taking command of RAF Lossiemouth and I would like to thank Gp Capt Chappell for his dedication and hard work over the last two years; he has left the station in outstanding shape and at a very high level of readiness to conduct a wide range of operational activities.
"I intend to continue with the same passion and commitment over my tenure and will continue to learn as well as lead as it is the wide variety of units and people at RAF Lossiemouth – the Typhoon front line squadrons, Tornado Operational Conversion Unit, a regular and reserve RAF Regt squadron, and a Mountain Rescue Team – that make it so unique.
"Not having been based here previously, I have heard fantastic things about Moray and the support of the local community, so my family and I are keen to experience everything the area has to offer."
Gp Capt Chappell leaves RAF Lossiemouth for a position at the Defence College, Shrivenham.
