STRANGE TIMES...
In 2020 the world was brought to a standstill by a global pandemic. Many TV shows were cancelled and all production stopped.
As the fight against COVID-19 got underway, Tim stepped up to join the national effort in his role as an officer with the Royal Air Force.
During the pandemic he was hard at work, supporting operations and covering a wide range of roles for the service, including six months spent at RAF Lossiemouth as the Media & Communications Officer (MCO).
Much of his time at Lossie was spent working on national news stories, primarily Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) scrambles to intercept potentially hostile aircraft.
Covering news output on one of the UK’s busiest flying stations was a full-time job. His role involved promoting the work of four Typhoon Squadrons, Maritime Partol operations, Intelligence, the RAF Regiment, the RAF Emergency Services and a whole range of other trades / branches.
Tim was also responsible for running the station’s busy social media channels, presenting / producing content for over 1.2m followers and engaging with the public.
He covered many other high profile jobs too including a behind the scenes film on the RAF’s first 360 degree virtual experience, a mini documentary series with JARTS, (the crash scene recovery team) and reports for the Virtual Air Tattoo. This saw him recognised in Her Majesty’s New Year’s Honours List.
After an incredibly busy year Tim has temporarily hung up his blue (& green) suits once more. He’s back on familiar ground as the media industry starts to recover, with a host of new show / feature ideas and enough energy to cause absolute chaos.
Something tells us that 2021 will be one to remember.
THE LATEST CHECK-IN FROM TIM
Did the last 12 months really happen?
Things have changed so fast. We’ve seen many bad events unfold and yet we’ve triumphed against all the odds. I’ve personally seen a lot on both sides and yet it’s the positives that stick with me.
I was humbled to be recognised in Her Majesty’s New Year Honours List and it was a phenomenal team effort that got us to that point.
I’m always proud to serve with Royal Air Force Media Operations. There’s no team quite like it and, in many ways, it’s like being part of a big family… A heavily armed big family.
Joining #TeamLossie in Moray, Scotland, was a great privilege and the MCO job kept me firmly on my toes.
From covering emergency QRA scrambles for national news to interacting with Lossie’s loyal social media audience, it was a genuine pleasure to tell the greatest stories in defence.
I spent time with the oldest Fighter squadron in the world - 1 (F) Sqn, met a flying unit with the coolest job ever - IX (B) Sqn (Think Top Gun – They’re the bad guys) and joined the high-tech sub hunters regularly going up against the Russians - CXX Sqn.
I also got to blow up an aircraft with the Fire service, start a knife fight with the RAF Police and save stranded casualties with the Mountain Rescue Service.
Not to mention a few car chases, a bit of adventure training in the most stunning parts of Scotland, taking the Prime Minister’s personal jet for a spin and investigating aircraft crash sites.
SO WHAT NOW?
Well, quite frankly, your guess is as good as mine. Who knows how the next few months will pan out?
The diary is filling up with car bookings already and I’m busy, busy, busy scripting my latest series of motoring features.
I’m also gearing up to cover new celebrity interviews and travel reports as soon as COVID restrictions permit.
I'm really looking forward to travelling again and I've already made a good start right here in the UK. My latest piece, 'Green Laning In A Suit' see's me taking Ford's mighty Ranger Raptor into the wilds with the Green Lane Association (GLASS).
Keep an eye out for that one!
Yes, we live in strange times but I have a feeling that exciting things lie ahead for all of us this year!
SEE MY PREVIOUS NEWS HERE