Claire Keefe, John Collier Facility (JCF) Manager at Inzpire, was part of a Team Commendation Award from the Air & Space Commander for exceptional work introducing EXCON (Exercise Control) capabilities to the JCF - based at RAF Waddington.
This achievement is even more impressive, as the team also won the Team Excellence Award at the 11 Group Awards Dinner in May this year.
The John Collier EXCON Facility is being developed for 11 Group and Air & Space Warfare Centre personnel, to deliver air collective training exercises on behalf of the RAF and UK Defence.
Between their outstanding team, they articulated the requirements for the facility, sought out and assessed options to fulfil elements of that requirement, copied in the relevant parts of similar systems that were unavailable, and built a network called ‘Cobranet’ to be the core.
The team showed determination, dedication and professionalism to coordinate efforts of supporting contractors. As a result of their hard work, the facility has gone from being an empty shell to a functioning EXCON hub capable of holding more than 150 participants.
They’ve also worked with Combat Air Force personnel to ensure that the valuable data in the JCF is available (either now or in the future) at front-line stations and squadrons so that it can be used as designed.
The result of this exceptional Whole Force team's work is the leading EXCON facility in Europe. It is truly a game-changer for the UK’s Air Collective Training capability thanks to just seven personnel, most of whom have other primary jobs away from the JCF.
Claire said:
“I feel very privileged to be a part of the team that received Air and Space Commander Commendation on the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024. It’s great to be acknowledged for all the hard work and dedication we have put in to getting the John Collier Facility at a level to deliver elevated comms to high profile exercises.
“The team is very small; we all have the same work ethic, and we genuinely get along really well. This, coupled with the freedom and flexibility that the team has been allowed, has meant that we have all achieved so much more over a short period of time.
“We are grateful for this recognition, and it motivates us to pursue greater accomplishments for the John Collier Facility in the future.”
Congratulations Claire - to you and your whole team – we’re very proud of your achievements!
