February 29, 2016 8.34 am This story is over 102 months old

RAF Waddington welcomes new station commander

New lead: RAF Waddington has bid farewell to Group Captain Rich Barrow and welcomed Group Captain Al Marshall as the new Station Commander.
Group Captain Barrow (Left) Group Captain Marshall (Right). Photo: Simon Armstrong

RAF Waddington has bid farewell to Group Captain Rich Barrow and welcomed Group Captain Al Marshall as the new Station Commander.

Under Group Captain Barrow’s command RAF Waddington navigated a period of significant change; the drawdown from Afghanistan during 2014 and, more recently, the continued support to operations in both the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

As reported previously, the station is the UK’s control base for RAF Reaper unmanned drones, recently playing a significant role in airstrikes in Syria and Iraq.

Group Captain Barrow leaves to take up a role in the Air Warfare Centre.

The formal handover took place on Friday, February 26.

On his departure Group Captain Barrow said: “It will be with great sadness, although immense gratitude, that I formally handover to Group Captain Marshall.

“RAF Waddington has come through an extremely difficult and demanding period that was filled with both challenges and successes.

“I have been confident throughout of the abilities and support from station personnel and, together, we have met every challenge head-on.

“We have delivered over and over again and we can be justly proud of our achievements. It has been an honour and a privilege to command Royal Air Force Waddington and I wish Group Captain Marshall every success in his new role”

The new Station Commander Group Captain Marshall was previously stationed at RAF Waddington as Officer Commanding 5(AC) Sqn; then a Joint Army and RAF unit.

During his command he led the squadron on operations in Afghanistan, Libya and Mali. More recently he was the Deputy Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of the Defence Staff.

Group Captain Al Marshall said: “It is a real pleasure and privilege to take command of RAF Waddington, and especially so given the significant level of current operational commitment from across the station.

“The capabilities that RAF Waddington generates are respected and highly valued. There is much to be optimistic about and the station certainly has a bright future.”