29 June, 2019

Airport firefighters salute our forces for Armed Forces Day

Firefighters at London Stansted have paid tribute to the UK’s Armed Forces by taking part in a photo in support of the #saluteourforces hashtag for Armed Forces Day (June 29).

Members of Red Watch, four of whom previously served in the military, lined up in front of the airport’s fleet of fire engines on Friday, June 28th, to show their support.

“London Stansted has strong links with the military with many former service personnel and reservists working in various roles across the airport so we’re proud to show our support for Armed Forces Day." Watch Manager, Paul Jeynes, served in the Royal Navy before joining the airport’s fire service,


London Stansted is the biggest employment site in the region, employing over 12,000 people across 200 companies. With its close proximity to Colchester Garrison and Carver Barracks, near Saffron Walden, its workforce includes many veterans and serving reservists.

“Spending time in the Royal Navy really prepped me for airport life, on many fronts. Working in a high security environment, no two days are the same, the challenges, the people, the camaraderie, and getting things done at a fast pace. Just like the forces Stansted Airport really is a rewarding place to work, the culture aligns with both service values and beliefs and is a fantastic place to meet great people."  Jim Holland, Stansted Airport’s Head of Commercial, served in the Royal Navy for 13 years


"Upon arriving at Stansted I immediately saw and experienced the similarities of working at the airport compared to that of the military. There are many different departments doing a great job at their specific tasks but all working towards the same goal which ultimately unites them. There is an ethos at the airport of always trying your best and helping others out, just as there is in the military."
Robin Challacombe, who lives in Saffron Walden, was an Army captain for nine years and is now Stansted’s Engineering Operations Manager


In 2017, Stansted became the first airport in England to pledge support for the Armed Forces community and their families by signing up to the UK Armed Forces Covenant and was awarded the prestigious Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme Silver award to reflect its support for serving and ex-military personnel and reservists.

It's also recently launched a new partnership with Colchester Barracks by trialling a military placement scheme to provide serving personnel with civilian work experience at the airport.

Stansted’s airfield has historical links to the military. During World War 2 the airfield was an American Air Force base which played a major role on D-Day.







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