One of the most stunning images by the RAF of a Hercules airplane climbing vertically in the air is a tribute to the best photographers within the service.
After nearly 1500 submissions, the RAF Photographic Competition 2021 has announced its winners.
From last year’s four categories of Personnel, Current Equipment Operations, Exercise, and Video, the competition now has seven. Head-to-head competition in People’s Choice: The judges will select the best images.
SAC Craig Williams, with ‘Pandemic’ was the winner in the RAF Association sponsored Personnel category. The top spot was awarded to his strong image of an RAF doctor conducting Covid-19 tests in Derbyshire, as part of the Government’s effort to stop the pandemic.
Cpl Lee Matthews was crowned the Winner of the prestigious Current RAF Equipment section.
Cpl Matthews snapped a breathtaking photo of a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft performing a nose-up break into a flying circuit’ from the runway at RAF Akrotiri (Cyprus).
Judge Hilary Roberts stated that the entries this year reflect both Britain’s enormous contribution and its fundamental role in keeping our skies safe.
“Congratulations, all winners and participants on an outstanding standard of photography during an extremely challenging year.”
Jamie Peters was co-judge WO2: ‘Picking out the best images from all the submissions was a challenge. The quality of entries were just as high as the variety of them, which shows the diversity of tasks carried out by the RAF.
“From supporting the Covid pandemic at Home to Operations abroad, photographers have captured it all. I was a fellow soldier photographer and I sought images that would make me regret not having taken them. I found many that fit that description which made my job more difficult. Bravo to all who participated.
Cpl Lee Matthews was the recipient of the prestigious Current RAF Equipment award. The photo, titled Griffin, shows an amazing vertical manoeuvre. Cpl Matthews took a stunning photo of a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft performing a ‘nose-up breaking into the flying circuit’ above the runway at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. After returning from Jordan, it made the move in support for Operation Fortis.
Royal Air Force Chinooks are seen performing load tests underslung of F-35 Support Equipment at MOD Boscombe down. The photo was taken by SAC Kirwan-Taylor and was Highly commended in Category C, Section Portfolio
Cpl. Lee ‘Matty’ Matthews – “Mind over Matter” Photo of a Royal Air Force Voyager carrying out a night refuelling mission to support Operation SHADER. It refuelled a pair RAF Typhoons in the Middle East. Two Royal Air Force Typhoons were followed by an Airbus Defence Voyager, which supplied fuel for the Typhoons throughout their mission. Op Shader was supported by the UK and its allies. The aircraft flew night and day throughout the year to support the operation.
SAC Craig Williams, with ‘Pandemic’ was the winner in the RAF Association sponsored Personnel category. He won the top spot with his powerful photo of an RAF doctor conducting Covid-19 testing at Derbyshire in support of government efforts to combat pandemic. There have been 130 COVID tests in South Derbyshire by RAF personnel.
“Follow Me” by Corporal Ben Tritta was second in the Personality category of the 2021 Royal Air Force Photographic Competition. Cpl Ben Tritta won his gong in this amazing photo showing parachute instructors descending from an airplane over California, USA.
BK19 photo of an RAF F-35B Lightning during sunset at 617 Squadron. The F-35B Lightning is a 5th Generation stealth fighter, with multi-role capabilities, and is based at RAF Marham. The photo was runner-up in the Current RAF Equipment category of the 2021 Royal Air Force Photographic Competition
BLACKJACK was flown by Flt. Lt. Sainty, RAF Typhoon Display Team pilot, over the famous White Cliffs of British shoreline ahead of the Battle of Britain Anniversary. It won the People’s Choice award at this year’s Awards.
Red Arrows pursue over Negroponte Datum, Greece. The photo was captured while the Feathered Arch formation was at the top a loop. The photo was highly commended in category E, current RAF equipment at the 2021 Royal Air Force Photographic Competition
During an exercise at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, British Army soldiers of the 13 Air Assault Support Regiment collaborate closely with Royal Air Force’s 84 Squdron Search and Rescue. This exercise required heavy loads such as supplies and a trailer to be underlunged by the Bell HAR2 Griffin helicopter. Op FORTIS included the exercise.
Royal Air Force Puma delivers Covid test results to Folkestone in Kent, where British Soldiers can provide testing to European lorry driver. British Army soldiers provided support to civilian agencies during their response in Kent to pandemic-related congestion. European lorry drivers in Kent were left homeless while they waited for Covid test results that would allow them to go back to Europe.
Image of a UK Typhoon flying along with French Armee De L’Air and Space during a sortie. This involved them performing an interception of long-range aviation, which scrambled the Quick Reaction Alerts of both countries. Typhoons of RAF Coningsby met Armee de L’Air Rafale (and mirage 2000) to encounter a simulated non NATO military aircraft that entered the UK Airspace. They were supported from RAF Voyager, RAF Brize Norton for air-to–air refuelling
This is an RAF chinook performing dust landings during Exercise NOCTEMWARRIOR 2021. During the exercise, RAF Odiham personnel as well as chinook planes were operated from Naval Air Facility El Centro in California. Training scenarios can be realistically created by the terrain and climate that are typical for overseas operations.
Images of RAF Regiment (left) and RAF Chinook Force (right) working together in a Joint Personnel Recovery Exercise (JPR). The RAF Regiment helped to locate the personnel in need of recovery and then provided all-round defense until support came from an RAF Chinook, 18(B) Squadron at RAF Odiham.
An 84 Squadron Griffin Helicopter captured aerial imagery of Operation SHADER. It included flying above a Taxing Voyager, two Typhoons, and a Hercules leaving the runway at RAF Akrotiri. This snap was awarded first prize in the Portfolio section.
Royal Air Force Odiham celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Chinook helicopters entering RAF Service with a commemorative color scheme. The aircraft was on a routine training sortie when the tail artwork was revealed.
Royal Air Force Chinooks 28 Sqn RAF Benson transport aggregate to Pewit Island, Portmouth Harbour Pewit Island is currently devoid of birdlife. It was thought that aggregate could make the island more appealing to nesting birds. Because of the shallow water depth and required amount of aggregate, helicopter air transport is only option.
Royal Air Force Typhoons, RAF Lossiemouth, flying with their German counterparts over Eastern Europe. The photo was highly commended in the Portfolio category of the 2021 Royal Air Force Photographic Competition
By Sgt Nicholas Howe, “Blinding Lights” The image depicts an RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft belonging to 51 Squadron. It is seen at RAF Waddington as it prepares for its Joint Exercise of NATO Allies. The 2021 Royal Air Force Photographic Competition entailed it in the Peoples’ Choice category.