Slicing a knife into a turkey stuffed to the brim and fresh out of the oven, a chef dabs away a bead of sweat from his forehead.
But he’s not cooking a festive feast for a restaurant full of diners, he’s in the RAF Lossiemouth’s Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) facility’s kitchen to feed the dedicated crew a special dinner.
He’s spent hours preparing an array of mouth-watering meats, perfectly-crisped roast potatoes and the quintessential Christmas vegetable, brussel sprouts, for a team of pilots, engineers and technicians who work throughout the festive period to protect the nation’s skies 365 days a year.
This is what chef Sam May will do again this Christmas for the hard-working aircraft crew at RAF Lossiemouth who are on high alert 24 hours a day and ready to launch a QRA mission to intercept a potential threat at any moment.
Neil Smith, chief communications for Devolved Nations says: “Hopefully we have a safe and quiet period over Christmas time and they get to enjoy their turkey and trimming.
“It’s crucial to morale across the air force that they get good quality meals that they enjoy – especially at Christmas.”
All year round, the role of the chef is essential to keeping the QRA pilots and their crew fuelled throughout their day – and it’s every bit as important as fuelling the aircraft themselves.
Chef May, who describes himself as the crew’s personal 24/7 chef, says: “If they’re not fed then they can’t operate to the best of their ability.
“They need to be ready to go at a moment’s notice.”
Flight Lieutenant Charlie Tagg, who has been flying Typhoons as part of QRA missions for five years now, says: “I’m just the final link in a long chain.
“We all need the chef to fuel us three times a day. It wouldn’t work without the team.”
And it’s not just the food that is essential to keeping crew morale high at the QRA base during their seven days at a time on high alert.
They have their own sleeping quarters which, though rather basic in appearance – with standard cream walls and royal blue sheets – do have a few personal touches.
One veteran QRA pilot has a pink pillowcase,as it’s his favourite colour, while one aircraft maintenance mechanic has introduced his own miniature library.
There’s also a recreation room where the team can socialise in the lulls between action.
In the spacious room there are big leather couches, a wide-screen TV, various games consoles, board games and, for the month of December, a small Christmas tree and a plethora of advent calendars.
Friendly chatter and laughter can be heard from the QRA facility’s halls, but if interrupted by the call of the alarm the aircraft crew are ready to spring into action and race to their Typhoons.
Flt Lt Tagg’s eyes light up as he talks about two things; flying a Typhoon and his comrades.
He adds: “It isn’t too bad at all working 24/7 over Christmas at RAF Lossiemouth as you’ve got your mates here to pull a cracker with and the chef makes us a special Christmas meal.
“And it’s good to know that we are keeping the country safe.”
