Committee Team
John (Ginge) Paige – Secretary
John “Ginge” Paige joined the RAF in 1977 as a ground engineer in Ground Support Equipment; later he
was commissioned and became an Air Traffic Control Officer. Following several ATC tours, he went to Russian Language School and then to Berlin. A lengthy stint in Bosnia followed this and later he was SATCO at RAF Valley. He joined the Red Arrows in 1999 as Manager, leaving in 2001 for staff work at HQ Air (UK). He then joined NATO HQs in Naples, then Izmir. From Turkey, he joined the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps in Afghanistan, went back to HQ Air (UK) and then left the RAF at age 50. Following studies for an MSc, he worked as a project manager in electrical engineering and particle science technology in the UK and Russia until COVID, when he decided to retire.
Brian Franklin -IT/Webmaster
Brian joined the RAF in 1967 as an apprentice at RAF Halton and arrived at RAF Little Rissington as an aircraft electrician in Sept 69.
He worked at Kemble on the Gnats from November 69 until Feb 1973 and then undertook two tours on the RAF’s helicopter force with 72 and 33 Sqn’s. March 1980 Brian was seconded to BAC in Saudi Arabia for two years to work on the RSAF Lightnings at Dhahran. Then to RAF Sealand where his association with computers began. From 1985 until the end of his RAF career in 1994 Brian was employed in various IT related posts. Having remained in IT after the RAF Brian is currently employed as an IT Systems Manager by a London Hospital.
John White – Treasurer
John joined the RAF in 1972 after leaving Gloucester Technical Collage. His Service career initially took him to RAF St Athan in South Wales where he attended his Airframe Mechanical Course, on completion he was posted to Aircraft Component Rectification Squadron (ACRS) West camp.
Two years later John returned to East Camp to complete his Fitters Course. John’s career then took him to Larrbruch 16 Sqn Buccs , he returned to RAF Lossiemouth be help set up Buccaneer Aircraft Servicing Flight (BASF).
John then moved to Marham Tornado Aircraft Servicing Flight (TASF), and then on to 31 Squadron, operating Tornado aircraft at RAF Bruggen based in Germany.
During this tour John was promoted to Sergeant running line operations which he also did during the Gulf War. On his return to the UK John was posted to Marham once again, as a SNCO on a Maintenance Team.
In 1997 John joined the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, as SNCO on 2nd Line. During this tour John’s role changed from 2nd line to QUESTY, where he was the focal point for Quality and Health and Safety with in the team.
During his time with the Red Arrows John went on a number of trips around the UK and abroad this also included two exercises to the Far East.
In 2002 John left the RAF after completing 29 years service. He returned to RAF Marham as a contractor running Maintenance Teams for BAE. John was invited to join the company and once again went in to the Health and Safety roll as the focal point for BAE at RAF Marham.
At the age of 60 John completed a Degree in H&S and retired in 2020.
was commissioned and became an Air Traffic Control Officer. Following several ATC tours, he went to Russian Language School and then to Berlin. A lengthy stint in Bosnia followed this and later he was SATCO at RAF Valley. He joined the Red Arrows in 1999 as Manager, leaving in 2001 for staff work at HQ Air (UK). He then joined NATO HQs in Naples, then Izmir. From Turkey, he joined the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps in Afghanistan, went back to HQ Air (UK) and then left the RAF at age 50. Following studies for an MSc, he worked as a project manager in electrical engineering and particle science technology in the UK and Russia until COVID, when he decided to retire.
