The Royal Air Force celebrates their annual photographic competition showcasing some truly amazing photographs in operational, military and sports imagery.
Senior Aircraftman Graham Taylor from RAF Coningsby won The 2013 RAF Photographer of the year with his winning image of a Typhoon aircraft under the star-lit sky of the Middle-East during a multi-national training exercise.
Speaking of his win he said ‘It was a massive shock, but I’m very honoured to have won. I’m delighted to be recognised and to be able to showcase my work and the role of the Typhoon force and RAF Coningsby in defending the UK’.
A Typhoon aircraft (QO-J) of 3 (F) Sqn, RAF Coningsby, sits under the star-lit sky of the Middle-East during a multi-national training exercise
Senior Aircraftman Andy Masson won of the photograph of the year with this magnificent image entitled ‘Shard’, showing a Tornado GR4 from RAF Marham on patrol over London, with the iconic building in the background.
Photograph of the Year 2013 'Shard' by SAC Andy Masson
Take a look at the other entrants in the gallery below (Best viewed in fullscreen)
RAF Photographic Competition Awards 2013
View from the top(01 of17)
Section Portfolio Winner awarded to RAF Marham Headline : XI(B) Sqn Tornado GR4 trains for deployment to Afghanistan. Pictured here on 12 October 2012 is a Tornado GR4 aircraft as it undertakes a training sortie over the North West of England. The Tornado from IX(B) Squardon is preparing for deployed operations over Afghanistan in the near future. The Tornado GR4 is a variable geometry, two-seat, day or night, all-weather attack aircraft capable of delivering a wide variety of weapons. Powered by two Rolls-Royce RB 199 Mk 103 turbofan engines, the GR4 is capable of low-level supersonic flight and can sustain a high subsonic cruise speed. The GR4 typically carries up to a maximum of 5 Paveway IV smart weapons or 2 Stormshadow cruise missiles but can be configured with various weapons, targeting pods and reconnaissance pods simultaneously including the Dual Mode Seeker (DMS) Brimstone, ALARM Mk2 missile, Litening III and the Reconnaissance Airborne Pod TORnado (RAPTOR). The Tornado GR4 is a world leader in the specialised field of all-weather, day and night tactical reconnaissance. The RAPTOR pod is one of the most advanced reconnaissance sensors in the world and greatly increases the effectiveness of the aircraft in the reconnaissance role. Its introduction into service gave the GR4 the ability to transmit real-time, Long Range Oblique Photography (LOROP) to commanders or to view this in cockpit during a mission. The stand-off range of the sensors also allows the aircraft to remain outside heavily defended areas, thus minimising the aircraft’s exposure to enemy air-defence systems. Additional capability in the Non-Traditional Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (NTISR) role is provided by the Litening III RD and the use of the ROVER data link for providing tactical operators with real time Full Motion Video (FMV) in the battle space. The Tornado GR4 is now equipped with the Storm Shadow missile and 2 variants of the Brimstone missile, including the most advanced DMS variant. The Storm Shadow allows the Tornado to make precision strikes in poor weather with a greatly increased stand-off range from the target area. Whilst legacy Brimstone provides the Tornado with an effective anti-armour weapon coupled with an enhanced stand-off range. The DMS variant enables unrivalled flexibility coupled with precision which is second to none. The Tornado GR4 is currently operated from two bases. Based at RAF Lossiemouth, in Scotland, are the Operational Conversion Unit, 15 (Reserve) Squadron, 12 (Bomber) Squadron and 617 Squadron, the “Dambusters”. RAF Marham is the home of the GR4s of II (Army Cooperation) Squadron, IX (Bomber) Squadron and 31 Squadron the “Gold Stars”. The Tornado GR4 has been successfully deployed in Operational theatres since 1990. It has seen action under various operations in Iraq, Kosovo, Afghanistan and most recently Operation ELLAMY over the skies of Libya in support of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970.
At the Ready(02 of17)
(Images taken by SAC Blake Carruthers at RAF Waddington on 07/11/12) Air Combat Power Visit (ACPV) at Royal Air Force (RAF) Waddington. On the 7th of November 2012 Foreign Nationals and other British Military Squadrons visited RAF Waddington, for an Exhibition of Air Power Capability
'This Love Is On Fire'(03 of17)
Section Portfolio Winner awarded to RAF Marham Royal Air Force Marham Crash Fire and Rescue Section practice their fire fighting drills on a mock jet plane which has been set on fire. The drill is aptly named "hot drills" as the scenario is intended to replicate a crash landing or fire involving a fast jet. The Tornado GR4 which operates out of RAF Marham would be jet on the fire in this case and remains the RAFs most widely used front line jet. Photograph by Corporal Paul Oldfield,
Shard(04 of17)
RAF Public Relation Photograph of the Year 2013 'Shard' by SAC Andy Masson. Also part of the Section Portfolio Winner awarded to RAF Marham and Current RAF Equipment Winner. The Royal Air Force has celebrated the production of some of its finest operational, sporting and artistic imagery during the annual Photographic Competition, culminating in an awards ceremony at the historic Royal Air Force Club in London. The competition has run for 24 years, and serves to showcase the global work of the RAF and the skills and highly technical competence of Royal Air Force photographers, both service and civilian. The work of amateur, reservist and cadet photographers is also recognised. Competition categories ranged from operational profiles and current military equipment to sport and the Air Cadets. From the impressive entry of over 1000 images, winners were selected in 12 different categories. Images Shows: A RAF Tornado from II (AC) Squadron, RAF Marham, flying over the new Shard building during The Queens Birthday Flypast over London on the 15 June 2013. The new RAF Voyager Aircraft takes place in the Flypast over Buckingham Palace for the Queens Birthday. Joing the Voyager in formation was RAF Tornadoes and RAF Typhoons. The Tornadoes were from RAF Marhams II (AC) Sqn and the Typhoons were from RAF Conningsby's III Sqn. Tornado ground-attack and reconnaissance squadrons, from RAF Marham (Norfolk) and Lossiemouth (Moray) provide vital protection when our troops are engaged by enemy ground forces and also the ability to strike important targets at long range. Its weaponry includes the pinpoint accurate Storm Shadow cruise missile, Paveway 2 and enhanced Paveway 3 bombs.
Mud Sweat and Tears_big(05 of17)
Section Portfolio Winner awarded to RAF Marham. The Royal Air Force Cycling Association took part in the Wiggle Mountain Mayhem 24 Hour endurance mountain bike race at Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire. The event took place over the weekend of 15/16 June 2013 and saw riders from all over the UK compete on the 8 mile course. A total of 4 teams consisting of 4 riders each competed against their Army and Navy counterparts in the race which formed part of the Inter-Services race series. The RAF mens A Team won the Inter Services standings, and came 3rd overall, competing against professional race teams. Pictured is Flt Lt Howard Leach, who rode the event as a Solo rider.
SAR-Unclass(06 of17)
Imagery of Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Michael Masters a Royal Air Force Tri-athlete training on the beach behind Royal Air Force Valley. Flt Lt Masters works at the Search and Rescue Force (SAR Force) Headquarters at RAF Valley and is in charge of the admin within the SAR Force. He regularly trains on the beaches and swims in the Irish Sea as part of his training programme. Michael attends all the RAF triathlon events and is an international coach who also judged the recent Olympic Games held in London 2012. This imagery has been cleared by the MCO
'Do Look Down'(07 of17)
The Royal Air Force has celebrated the production of some of its finest operational, sporting and artistic imagery during the annual Photographic Competition, culminating in an awards ceremony at the historic Royal Air Force Club in London. The competition has run for 24 years, and serves to showcase the global work of the RAF and the skills and highly technical competence of Royal Air Force photographers, both service and civilian. The work of amateur, reservist and cadet photographers is also recognised. Competition categories ranged from operational profiles and current military equipment to sport and the Air Cadets. From the impressive entry of over 1000 images, winners were selected in 12 different categories. Category E Sports Winner. The Royal Air Force Falcons freefall display team pictured from the landing zone (LZ) seconds before hitting the ground. The display team is made up of full time RAF Physical Training Instructors (PTI) based at RAF Brize Norton who travel the globe displaying some of the most finely tuned and accurate freefall parachuting in the world. Photo 20th September 2012, Corporal Paul Oldfield RAF
Vapour Trail(08 of17)
Date: 13/03/2013 Image shows: Flt Lt Jamie 'Noz' Norris pilots the Display Jet of 29(R)Sqn during a practice prior to his Public Display Authority (PDA) at RAF Coningsby.
Slip the very bonds of Earth(09 of17)
Slip the very bonds of Earth Photographer: SAC Rob Travis RAF Location: Royal Air Force Cranwell. Description: The Red Arrows Return to RAF Cranwell from a Practice display at RAF Scampton in the late Winter evening Sun.
Hanging Around Category C(10 of17)
4 personnel take the plunge from a Puma helicopter, during the culmination phase of their Helicopter Abseil Instructors (HAI) course. The course aims to teach personnel from various units, not only how to abseil from a variety of helicopters safely, but also how to dispatch other personnel. These skills are ofter used in exercise environments, but are ultimately a fast insertion method to a combat area.
AirAid(11 of17)
27-March-2013. County Down (various locations) Northern Ireland. A Royal Air Force Chinook from 18 Squadron RAF Odiham contributes to aid flights around Northern Ireland delivering vital Agricultural aid to stricken farming communities. Feed for sheep was distributed to farmers by the Chinook crew on snowy unaccessable hillsides throughout the region. The aircraft has been working for 2 days out of FS Aldergrove in Co Antrim and the aid flights were organised in cooperation with Northern Irelands Ministry of Agriculture.
How a Javelin Works(12 of17)
58 Sqn were at Kirkcudbright ranges to practice live fire training at an operational level also with Javelin training for some personel as well. The training is to prepare 58 Sqn for Afghanistan that they are being deployed in the upcoming months. 58 Sqn are currently based at RAF Leuchars in Fife. Orginator: Flt Lt Capleton, 58 Sqn. Photographer: SAC Richard Dudley. For more infomation please Contact: Photographic Section, RAF Leuchars, Leuchars, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 0JX, Scotland,
Setting Sun(13 of17)
RAF Operational Experience Winner. Image Shows: A 31 Squadron pilot Silhouetted against the sun whilst getting out of a tornado GR4 after a flight during Exercise Shaheen Star on 12 September 2012. 31 Squadron from Royal Air Force Marham take part in Exercise Shaheen Star. The Exercise is taking place in the United Arab Emirates over the next couple of weeks from the 5 September 2012. Tornado GR4s from 31 Sqn have been deployed on the Exercise as well as many personnel from 31 Sqn, and RAF Marham, including engineers, weapons specialists, intelligence operatives and administrative staff. The Tornado GR4s have been heavily involved in many exercises and operations over the last 12 months including flying missions over Libya as well as being currently deployed in Afghanistan. These multiple operations and exercises underline the need for good training and (we?) are therefore delighted to have been invited by our Arab partners in the Gulf to deploy there on exercise. Wing Commander Turk from RAF Marham said “We are very much looking forward to this exercise. We last flew with our Arab partners during the Coalition operations over Libya last year and it is a good opportunity to renew our professional acquaintance in a non-operational context, whilst benefitting from training together in a diverse and challenging environment”.
Walk Away(14 of17)
Section Portfolio Winner awarded to RAF Marham Image Shows: Flt Lt Frazer Wood and Fg Off Daniel Whatmough from 31 Squadron, returning to the operations room after a flight during Exercise Shaheen Star on 10 Sept 2012. 31 Squadron from Royal Air Force Marham take part in Exercise Shaheen Star. The Exercise is taking place in the United Arab Emirates over the next couple of weeks from the 5 September 2012. Tornado GR4s from 31 Sqn have been deployed on the Exercise as well as many personnel from 31 Sqn, and RAF Marham, including engineers, weapons specialists, intelligence operatives and administrative staff. The Tornado GR4s have been heavily involved in many exercises and operations over the last 12 months including flying missions over Libya as well as being currently deployed in Afghanistan. These multiple operations and exercises underline the need for good training and (we?) are therefore delighted to have been invited by our Arab partners in the Gulf to deploy there on exercise. Wing Commander Turk from RAF Marham said “We are very much looking forward to this exercise. We last flew with our Arab partners during the Coalition operations over Libya last year and it is a good opportunity to renew our professional acquaintance in a non-operational context, whilst benefitting from training together in a diverse and challenging environment”
Contact(15 of17)
WAD-UNC-13-0471 2503 Squadron on exercise at STANTA training base.
Hertiage(16 of17)
(Images taken by SAC Blake Carruthers at RAF Waddington on 17/12/12) The Royal Air Force Waddington Vulcan gate gaurdian.
Night Guardian(17 of17)
RAF Photographer of the Year 2013. SAC Graham Taylor Date: January-2013 Image shows: A Typhoon aircraft (QO-J) of 3(F)Sqn, RAF Coningsby, sits under the star-lit sky of the Middle-East during a multi-national traning exercise. The location and Exercise name have deliberately been omitted from the metadata for Operational reasons. Although this is a composite image, nothing has been added or removed from the shot (composite images are required to create the 'star trails' and light-painted frames).