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New station commander takes over at RAF base

Zoe Applegate
News imageRAF Wittering Joan Ochuodho has black hair and is wearing a navy uniform jacket with military stripes, a black tie and a blue shirt. She is standing in front of the Union flag.RAF Wittering
Wing Cdr Joan Ochuodho has been appointed as the new leader of RAF Wittering

A new station commander has been appointed at RAF Wittering.

Wing Cdr Joan Ochuodho took over the role this week from Wing Cdr Nikki Duncan.

Ochuodho, who joined the RAF in 2003, is in charge of 1,400 military personnel, civilians and contractors at the base near Peterborough.

She said it was a "tremendous honour and privilege" to take the appointment.

News imageRAF Wittering Wing Cdr Nikki Duncan (left) and Wing Cdr Joan Ochuodho are both dressed in blue navy uniform jackets and hats. They are smiling at the camera and appear to be shaking hands. (Their hands are out of shot.) They are standing in front of an aeroplane.RAF Wittering
Wing Cdr Nikki Duncan handed over control of RAF Wittering to Wing Cdr Joan Ochuodho on Monday

"Although the position brings its challenges, I am fortunate to lead a highly skilled and dedicated team... who will continue to deliver and support our defence outputs," said Ochuodho.

The new station commander added she was looking forward to working with the local community.

About 900 of those based at RAF Wittering are military staff, although large numbers can be deployed around the world at any time.

Ochuodho, who is also an adviser to the RAF Football Association board and RAF representative to the National Football Association Council, is married with two sons.

She is the fourth woman to be in charge of the base after taking the reins from Duncan, who described her time at the station as being "nothing short of amazing".

She said the station would always "hold a special place" in her heart.

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