The winners of the 2020 Royal Air Force Photographic Competition
Judging for the 2020 Royal Air Force Photographic Competition has recently taken place with the winners chosen. Due to the COVID19 Pandemic, this year’s competition was reduced from 13 categories to just four: Personnel, Current RAF Equipment, RAF Operations and Exercises and the “Peoples’ Choice”.
Over 900 images were submitted across the competition’s three categories, with the best nine images chosen by the three industry professional judges. The winner of the fourth category, the “Peoples’ Choice” was selected by the general public voting over a fortnight via the Royal Air Force’s official Facebook page for their favourite image.
The “Peoples’ Choice” category was kindly sponsored by Wex photo video and after approximately 16,000 votes a clear winner, “Helping Hand” by Corporal Phil Dye, took first place.
The winner of the Fujifilm sponsored “Personnel” category was Mr Ian Forshaw with “NVG”.
Winner of “Current RAF Equipment”, sponsored by Canon, was Sgt Andy Holmes with “Astra”. This year proved to be a very successful competition for Sgt Andy Holmes as he also won the RAF “Operations and Exercises” category with “Ground Zero”, sponsored by Wex photo video.
This year’s judges were freelance photographer Edmond Terakopian, Martin Keene from the Press Association and Jim Hedge, picture editor at The Guardian.
Describing the event, Edmond Terakopian said:
“It’s been my honour to be have been invited to be a competition judge for the third year running. Looking through the excellence of work, it’s no surprise that so many of Fleet Street’s legends started their careers as RAF photographers. Given a difficult year, dealing with a pandemic, it’s been great to see not only great photography documenting some dramatic scenes, but also a rise in creative photography, where the photographers are looking past the norm and digging deeper to discover nuances and multiple levels to their work. Bravo all”.
Explaining why this year’s winner of the “Current RAF Equipment” category was selected, Martin Keene added:
“There are some terrific pictures this year of the RAF people and kit in action, but the winning picture stands outs aviators, ground crew and kit battle against the elements a long way from home. It’s a picture that would not be out of place on the big screen – and is pure photographic brilliance.”
Meanwhile, in praising the overall standard of entries, Jim Hedge said:
“As ever, the photographic standard was extremely high. The work of RAF photographers provides a vital historical record, as well as illustrating the complexity, nuance and character of that work. All the participants are worthy winners, and those we selected have produced a stunning visual showcase of the work of the RAF over the last year. It has been a privilege to have been involved in the judging”.
Winners Listings:
Category A: Personnel.
1st Place: “NVG” Mr Ian Forshaw, RAF Shawbury.
2nd Place: “Can’t take my eyes off of you” Cpl Ben Tritta, RAF Brize Norton.
3rd Place: “Passion” Cpl Rob Travis, 77th Brigade.
Highly Commended: “Retired” SAC Kim Waterson, RAF Wittering.
Category B: Current RAF Equipment.
1st Place: “Astra” Sgt Andy Holmes, RAF Benson.
2nd Place: “The Gunslinger” Cpl Rob Travis, 77th Brigade.
3rd Place: “Face Off” Sgt Paul Oldfield, RAF Coningsby.
Highly Commended: “Pot of Gold” Cpl Tim Laurence, RAF Odiham.
Category C: RAF Operations and Exercises.
1st Place: “Ground Zero” Sgt Andy Holmes, RAF Benson.
2nd Place: “See Off” SAC Hazel Reader, RAF Coningsby.
3rd Place: “Helping Hand” Cpl Phil Dye, RAF Akrotiri.
Highly Commended: “Approaching the Dam” Cpl Rob Travis, 77th Brigade.
Category D: Peoples’ Choice. Winner: “Helping Hand” Cpl Phil Dye, RAF Akrotiri.
Image shows an Airbus Voyager (AirTanker) flying in support of an Op TANSOR call, or Quick Reaction Alert. Voyager is the RAFs sole air-to-air refuelling (AAR) tanker and also operates as a strategic air transport. The aircraft is in service as the Voyager KC.Mk 2, equipped with two underwing pods for refuelling fast jets, and as the Voyager KC.Mk 3, with an additional centreline hose for use by large aircraft. RAF Brize Norton is home to the RAF’s Strategic and Tactical Air Transport (AT) and Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) forces, as well as host to many lodger and reserve units. This image was one of 900 images submitted to this years RAF Photographic Competition and although not placed by the judges, it highlights the exceptionally high standard of work carried by RAF Photographers over the past year. 
An A400M based out of RAF Brize Norton flew to the Turks and Caicos Islands as part of an Operation BROADSHARE sortie. The aircraft, ZM416, was crewed by members of 70 Squadron, with Ground Engineers, from the A4 Force out of RAF Wittering, ensuring the aircraft remains able to complete its mission. This image was one of 900 images submitted to this years RAF Photographic Competition and although not placed by the judges, it highlights the exceptionally high standard of work carried by RAF Photographers over the past year. 
Cat C_Reflection_Sgt Ashley Keates The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The red Arrives arrive in Gatineau, once the jets had landed and been serviced the heavens opened and the rain came. Once the rain had passed the standing water made for some incredible reflections of the aircraft. You can see 10 of the 12 Red Arrows standing in reflection at Gatineau Airport. This image was one of 900 images submitted to this years RAF Photographic Competition and although not placed by the judges, it highlights the exceptionally high standard of work carried by RAF Photographers over the past year. 
Image Shows: A RAF Hercules C-130J aircraft shortly before departure at RAF Akrotiri Base, Cyprus on the 13th April 2020. The Hercules regularly carries out Opertional Sorties in the Middle East. This image was one of 900 images submitted to this years RAF Photographic Competition and although not placed by the judges, it highlights the exceptionally high standard of work carried by RAF Photographers over the past year. 
Double Display 9 BAE system Hawk T-Mk1 of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team The Red Arrows with their Red, White and Blue smoke in Big Battle formation. The team showcase the excellence of the Royal Air Force, in the UK and around the world. Seen here during a display practice at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire. This image was one of 900 images submitted to this years RAF Photographic Competition and although not placed by the judges, it highlights the exceptionally high standard of work carried by RAF Photographers over the past year. 
F-35 Lightning aircraft from 617 Squadron (Sqn) from RAF Marham, undergoes general post flight checks at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. This image was one of 900 images submitted to this years RAF Photographic Competition and although not placed by the judges, it highlights the exceptionally high standard of work carried by RAF Photographers over the past year. 
Pictured here are the Red Arrows parked up at a PR event in Oakland on the 2nd October 2019. The event was hosted by the GREAT campaign to further industrial and business relationships between the Uk and USA. The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows, were deployed on Exercise WESTERNHAWK 2019 when this photograph was taken. This image was one of 900 images submitted to this years RAF Photographic Competition and although not placed by the judges, it highlights the exceptionally high standard of work carried by RAF Photographers over the past year. 
The Royal Air Force has been involved in a series of sorties enabling the Parachute Regiment to conduct an exercise in Ukraine. Two RAF Hercules C130 aircraft flown by 47 Squadron from RAF Brize Norton transitted across Europe with one containing members of 16 Air Assault Brigade, The Parachute Regiment, who parachuted onto the landing site. The other containing a series of cargo pallets of supplies that would be airdropped into the training area alongside them. This image was one of 900 images submitted to this years RAF Photographic Competition and although not placed by the judges, it highlights the exceptionally high standard of work carried by RAF Photographers over the past year. 
F-35B Lightning from No. 207 Sqn at RAF Marham using a Zoom burst photography technique involves zooming while the shutter is open with a slow shutter speed. 207 Sqn – Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) at RAF Marham supports preparation for the operational missions of F-35 by providing trained personnel, teach pilots how to fly an aircraft and which tactics best exploit the performance of their aircraft and its weapons. No.207 Sqn arrived at RAF Marham in 2019. This image was one of 900 images submitted to this years RAF Photographic Competition and although not placed by the judges, it highlights the exceptionally high standard of work carried by RAF Photographers over the past year. 
Golden Cavell – A Royal Air Force C-17 Globemaster II is pictured having arrived at RAF Northolt from Sierra Leone on Sunday 24th November 2019. The aircraft had been used in the MEDEVAC role for Op CAVELL. Patient transfers were then handled by both road and onward air travel. This image was one of 900 images submitted to this years RAF Photographic Competition and although not placed by the judges, it highlights the exceptionally high standard of work carried by RAF Photographers over the past year. 
A F-35 Lightning Pilot from 207 Sqn – Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) at RAF Marham. OCU supports preparation for the operational missions of F-35 by providing trained personnel, teach pilots how to fly an aircraft and which tactics best exploit the performance of their aircraft and its weapons. The F-35s Helmet Mounted Display Systems provide pilots with unprecedented situational awareness. All the information pilots need to complete their missions airspeed, heading, altitude, targeting information and warnings is projected on the helmets visor, rather than on a traditional Heads-up Display. This approach greatly reduces the pilots workload and increases responsiveness. Additionally, the F-35s Distributed Aperture System (DAS) streams real-time imagery from six infrared cameras mounted around the aircraft to the helmet, allowing pilots to look through the airframe. The helmet also provides pilots night vision through the use of an integrated camera. This image was one of 900 images submitted to this years RAF Photographic Competition and although not placed by the judges, it highlights the exceptionally high standard of work carried by RAF Photographers over the past year. 
An RAF Regiment Sniper with L115A3 sniper rifle photographed in studio on the 23rd September 2020 at RAF Honington. Each RAF Regiment Field Squadron has a section of 8 snipers, led by a sniper section commander, usually a corporal. The section consists of 2-4 man teams. This image was one of 900 images submitted to this years RAF Photographic Competition and although not placed by the judges, it highlights the exceptionally high standard of work carried by RAF Photographers over the past year. 
Cat A_Remembrance Time_Cpl Blackburn Description: Service personnel from RAF Honington paraded in two local towns today and the Station is lucky enough to hold the Freedom of both Bury St. Edmunds and Thetford. The parade in Bury St. Edmunds was led by the RAF Honington Volunteer Band, and also consisted of contingents drawn from all three Services, as well as other organisations as invited by the West Suffolk Council. The service at the War Memorial was followed by a march past en-route to St Marys Church whereby each contingent in turn paid compliments to the Station Commander Group Captain Matt M Radnall MA RAF, Lord Lieutenant Representatives Lt Gen (Rtd) Phil Jones CB CBE and Mrs Judith Shallow, the Chair of West Suffolk Council Cllr Brian Harvey and Mayor of Bury St Edmunds Cllr Peter Thompson. This image was one of 900 images submitted to this years RAF Photographic Competition and although not placed by the judges, it highlights the exceptionally high standard of work carried by RAF Photographers over the past year. 
Cat A_Pipe Stall_SAC Welson A Royal Air Force team rider performs a stall on a pipe spine feature during the Snowboard Slopestyle Finals. The RAF Indoor Ski & Snowboard Championships 2019 were held under the auspices of RAF Winter Sports Association in the Snozone at Xscape, Milton Keynes. This image was one of 900 images submitted to this years RAF Photographic Competition and although not placed by the judges, it highlights the exceptionally high standard of work carried by RAF Photographers over the past year. 
Description: RAF Odiham Chinook Force has been called in to help spread sandbags over the dam wall in Whaley Bridge. Around 400 tonnes of aggregate has been brought in to plug the Dam and divert water away from the town. Whaley Bridge has been evacuated. Pictured here: A Chinook Mk6a approaches low over the water towards Whaley Dam with an underslung load of sandbags to drop. This image was entered into category C ‘Operations & Exercises’ of the RAF Photographic Competition 2020, gaining a Highly Commended from the judges. © MOD Crown Copyright 2019 Photographer: Cpl Rob Travis RAF 
An RAF chinook perfoms a simulated water insertion over a lake. Royal Air Force chinook helicopters based at RAF Odiham conduct routine flying training in the Mountain Flying Training Area (MFTA) located in North Wales. The terrain and environment is used to simulate what the Chinook Force is subjected to whilst on overseas Operations and commitments to UK National Standby. This image was entered into category B ‘RAF Equipment’ of the RAF Photographic Competition 2020, being awarded a Highly Commended by the judges. 
A Typhoon FGR. Mk4 of 29 Squadron Operational Conversion Unit RAF Coningsby taxis after another training flight. 29 Squadron are responsible for the converstion of fast jet pilots onto the Typhoon used by the Royal Air Force. Its a hot day at RAF Coningsby as you can really see the jet wash these powerful machines produce. This image was entered into category B ‘RAF Equipment’ of the RAF Photographic Competition 2020, being awarded 3rd place by the judges. 
Description: Exercise Decisive Manoeuvre, RAF Chinooks and Puma from Joint Helicopter Command came together to complete the largest movement of Artillery in recent history. A combination of 7 aircraft from both RAF Odiham and RAF Benson, along with Joint Helicopter Support Squadron organised the movement of 105mm Light Guns in support of 16 Air Assault Brigade conducting a raid on Salisbury plain during their 3-week Gunnery confirmation exercise. This image was entered into category B ‘RAF Equipment’ of the RAF Photographic Competition 2020, being awarded 2nd place by the judges. Photographer: Cpl Rob Travis RAF 
The dark night sky of the Falkland Islands provides a clear view of the stars above an RAF Typhoon aircraft. The Typhoon of 1435 Flight provides 24/7 Quick Reaction Alert capability to deter any military aggression in the region. This image was entered into category B ‘RAF Equipment’ of the RAF Photographic Competition 2020, being awarded 1st place by the judges. 
Cpl Heard – Overcoming Stereotypes – Focusing on personnel and their differences, and how the RAF have embraced them. Feeling included regardless of percieved difference. This image was one of 900 images submitted to this years RAF Photographic Competition and although not placed by the judges, it highlights the exceptionally high standard of work carried by RAF Photographers over the past year. 
Image shows: Remembrance Day 2019 at RAF Wittering Officers Mess with special guest WO (Rtd) Bert Salvage. This image was entered into category A ‘Personnel’ of the RAF Photographic Competition 2020, being awarded a Highly Commended by the judges. 
Description: RAF Odiham Military Boxing evening. have just fought SAC Brad Axe an RAF Firefighter based at RAF Odiham Celebrates having won a hard fought battle against his opponent a local fighter called Micky. This image was entered into category A ‘Personnel’ of the RAF Photographic Competition 2020, being awarded 3rd place by the judges. © MOD Crown Copyright 2019 Photographer: Cpl Rob Travis RAF 
A Parachute Jump Instructor is filming a soldier carry out a qualifying freefall parachute jump as part of Exercise Quick Glass. The exercise is usually held out in the United States of America but due to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic it was held in the United Kingdom. This image was entered into category A ‘Personnel’ of the RAF Photographic Competition 2020, being awarded 2nd place by the judges. 
A student from No1 flying training school at RAF Shawbury is seen here prepairing to night fly using night vision goggles. He is flying in a juno 135 eurocopter helicopter used by flying students from all 3 services. This image was entered into category A ‘Personnel’ of the RAF Photographic Competition 2020, being awarded 1st place by the judges. 
Image shows an Airbus Voyager (AirTanker) flying in support of an Op TANSOR call, or Quick Reaction Alert. Voyager is the RAFs sole air-to-air refuelling (AAR) tanker and also operates as a strategic air transport. The aircraft is in service as the Voyager KC.Mk 2, equipped with two underwing pods for refuelling fast jets, and as the Voyager KC.Mk 3, with an additional centreline hose for use by large aircraft. RAF Brize Norton is home to the RAF’s Strategic and Tactical Air Transport (AT) and Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) forces, as well as host to many lodger and reserve units. This image was one of 900 images submitted to this years RAF Photographic Competition and although not placed by the judges, it highlights the exceptionally high standard of work carried by RAF Photographers over the past year.
