The Queen visits RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire
Published
Her Majesty, in her role as Honorary Air Commodore, visited RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire to meet service personnel and their families.
On Friday, 6th September 2024, The Queen returned to RAF Leeming for the first time since 2017 to meet Royal Air Force personnel and their families in order to learn about the welfare support they are offered, and tour the 'Wellness Area'; which includes allotments, chicken coups and beehives.
On arrival Her Majesty was introduced to instructors who have been training pilots from the 11 Squadron QEAF, before being shown some of the cutting-edge Counter Uncrewed Air Systems by members of the No.2 CUAS division.
The 11 squadron carries out Advanced Flying and Tactical Weapons Training on Hawk jets on behalf of both the RAF and the Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF), whilst the No.2 CUAS unit are spearheading a vital and defensive capability in support of UK Defence, NATO, and wider Allies and partners
The Queen also met members of 90 Signals Unit. These Air Force employees continue to lead defensive cyber capabilities for the Royal Air Force and Ministry of Defence. Deployed around the globe, they work tirelessly to ensure that operations continue free from adversarial interference.
Her Majesty visited the Station’s ‘Wellness Area’ which has proven to be beneficial to the mental wellbeing of aviators and their families.
Project WELLNESS focusses on the importance of preventative mental health strategies among military personnel, as well as finding ways to help improve patient recovery rate for personnel suffering from mental health problems.
The Queen also met children from ‘RAFA Kidz’ nursery, which is located at the base, and those who tend the rare-breed chickens and bee hives.
Following the visit to the 'Wellness Area', Her Majesty joined members of the base for a reception, before watching a flypast of Hawk jets, piloted by the British and Qatari pilots from the 11 Squadron QEAF; who Her Majesty met at the beginning of the engagement.
In August 2023, The Queen met Leeming aviators at the RAF Club when unveiling a portrait of Second World War Agent, Noor Inayat Khan.
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