Helicon Issue 3 2023

Helicon The Magazine of RAF Odiham

Issue 3 • 2023

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

BE PART OF THE HEART MAKE PROTECTING YOUR RAF FAMILY YOUR LASTING LEGACY The moment you chose to serve in the Royal Air Force, you became part of something much bigger. A family like no other – for over 100 years we have been ready to protect those we cherish most.

Especially, one another.

After looking after your loved ones, would you consider leaving a gift in your Will to the RAF Benevolent Fund? To be part of the heart of the RAF Family by giving its people the support they need, when they need it. Everything from confidential counselling to mobility aids as well as support for injuries, illness and bereavement.

TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE GUIDE TO LEAVING A GIFT IN YOUR WILL, CALL 0800 042 1111 OR VISIT RAFBF.ORG/GIFT

SCAN ME WITH YOUR CAMERA

Home of great food, wonderful guest ale & the best way to spend your free time Drinks Hours Monday to Saturday 12-11pm Sunday’s 12-9pm Food Hours Wednesday to Saturday 12-3pm 5pm-9pm Sunday 12-5pm Butts Road, Alton, GU34 1LH 01420 513486 thegeorgepub.alton@gmail.com

Matt and his team would like to welcome you into The George, Alton.

Offering lunch, small plates and Sunday roasts! A large selection of wines, gins and beers!

Reservations For parties of six or more, we recommend making reservations at least two weeks in advance.

For walk-ins, we only seat parties on a first come, first served basis.

Events For information on upcoming events please check our website or facebook for more details.

01420 513486 thegeorgepub.alton@gmail.com thegeorgealton.uk

We will NEVER ask for payment by credit or debit card

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CONTENTS 10 RAFA

06

HELICON CONTACTS

Who’s who?

06

How to, landscape photography

08

OIC

Five Top Tips for looking after your wellbeing this festive season

10

Padre’s corner

12

MACr Richard White, 7 Sqn

Station Charities support Victoria’s Promise

12

Email

Air Safety matters of the moment

13

Ex Tusker Raptor

14

Mavgeeks

16

Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Stew with Sweet Potato and Couscous

17

Housing

19

Arm Eng Flt

20

Deployment Support

20

Dog Trials

21

SSAFA

22

Skydive

23

Kids Corner

24

Sqn Ldr Leon Beamish, COS BSW

Editor

ODI-Helicon@mod.gov.uk

Article Submissions

Please send all articles to odi.bsw.helicon@gmail.com Deadline date for the next issue: 23rd February 2024 PLEASE SUBMIT ALL ENTRIES FOR THE NEXT ISSUE NO LATER THAN THE DATE STATED ABOVE.

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

The editor assumes article contributors are aware that the magazine has a wide distribution to both Service and Civilian communities and contributors are ultimately responsible for the vetting of their article submissions. The editor also assumes that the contributor has ensured that personnel included in the photographs they provide are aware and have no objection to these images being used in the magazine. Advice on content or preparation of future articles can be obtained by contacting the editor. To this end the Helicon editorial staff endeavour to ensure all articles are suitable for publication. The Helicon is the magazine of RAF Odiham and its intended audience is Station Personnel and their families. It is not an official document and the opinions expressed within it are not those of the MOD, the RAF or the editorial team.

JOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @rafodiham @RAF_Odiham @StnCdrRAFOdiham @rafodiham RAF Odiham Website www.raf.mod.uk/rafodiham

ON THE COVER

A Chinook HC5 fly’s low over the coast whilst on deployment.

PUBLISHED BY: LANCE MEDIA GROUP LTD ADVERTISING: Darren Greenhead Email: darren@lancemediagroup.co.uk Tel: 01536 680414

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STATION COMMANDER’S

FOREWORD Gp Capt Matt Roberts

Well that’s gone by quickly! It is quite clear to me after just 6 weeks back on the Chinook Force that the pace of life hasn’t changed, RAF Odiham and the capabilities it brings are still just as much in demand as ever. It has been fantastic to see our people rising to the challenges of whatever comes our way, we are as ready as ever to react.

I have spent the last few weeks getting to know some of the people that work here, both military and civilian, and I have really enjoyed some of the frank and open discussions with you all.

One thing that really stands out is the level of commitment that people have to the Chinook Force, the depth of feeling that goes behind getting our aircraft in the skies is phenomenal. However, I know there are those who feel the balance isn’t quite right. Housing issues, infrastructure and the pace of life here at Odiham all pose challenges to our workforce, and we must continue to address these. In Sept we were delighted to welcome the Minister for Defence Procurement (James Cartlidge MP) and our local MP Ranil Jayawardena to the station to see first hand some of the married quarters. They spent almost the entire visit looking at the quarters and talking with our people, giving him a first-hand (unfiltered) view of some of the issues faced.

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Kids

Corner

He also visited the Welfare and Community Centre (WACC), which I am delighted to report is getting a major facelift in the coming months thanks to very generous grants from a number of benefactors, the most significant of which is the Nuffield Trust who gave over £1m! The plans are being drawn up as we speak and I will ensure we publish them here as soon as we are able. For our younger readers we are very pleased to report that the work will start soon on not one but three new playgrounds, including the new ‘Chinook’ playground – watch this space!

As I have said to many of you over the last few weeks, I always look forward to hearing your views.

Several of you have reached out to me personally to give ideas for improvement or just to offer a view on life here at Odiham – all I will say is ‘keep it coming’. Although I can’t promise to solve everything for everyone, we can really make a difference together – step by step, but I need your views, energy and ideas.

Thanks to everyone for the incredibly warm welcome that you have given family Roberts here to RAF Odiham – it’s really good to be home again.

Enjoy what will be hopefully a beautiful Winter in Hampshire.

Editor’s FOREWORD MACr Richard White Two of my biggest aims as editor of Helicon are to give this magazine a community feel and to make it useful to the readers. I hope that this issue hits the spot; it’s packed full of information that I hope is of use to service personnel and their families alike.

If there’s anything you’d like to see in here, please get in touch at ODI-Helicon.

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RAFA

Who’s Who?

RAFA

October is a time of change. Summer clothes are now reluctantly packed away and preparation for the festive season begins.

O

ur online shop is now live, so you can send Christmas cards that make a difference!

Speaking of change, our Thrive workshops are continuing to help partners of RAF serving personnel develop new tools and goals to help combat anxiety. We’ve also proudly been sharing some stories from our RAF Family this Black History Month while thinking ahead to Remembrance Day.

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MISSION Number 2 Group prepares and operates specialist capabilities to enable the Royal Air Force to fight and win from our Airbases and on Global Operations.

As always, we’re here to help our RAF Family through all the changes, big and small. You can read more on our website about the support the Fund gives to RAF serving personnel, veterans and their families.

Did you know that 38% of people claim that their stress levels increase during the festive season?

There’s a lot of pressure on families over Christmas, and for military families, things can be even more complex. Our free programme, Thrive, is designed for partners of RAF serving personnel to improve their overall wellbeing. This year’s series of webinars and interactive workshops are focused on anxiety.

Our ‘Managing Anxiety’ and ‘Support for Relationships During the Festive Period’ webinars will see participants coming away with new strategies and improved techniques, knowledge of their own personal triggers, and goals for the festive season.

Importantly, these workshops and webinars are led by qualified coaches who themselves have served or are partners of those serving in the military.

OUR VISION The critical enablers of air and space power through the delivery of home and deployed operating bases, optimised to meet current and future threats.

2 GP

OUR SHARED VALUES We seek excellence in all we do in order to deliver world-class air power and space effect, maintaining strong, effective relationships with all whom we work.

WHO’S WHO

These Forces collectively train and operate to provide very high readiness forces for the RAF and Defence.

KEY DATES 1918-1920 The group was first formed as a training group, but was deactivated after the armistice.

AIR BASES The Air Base provides the support structures and services required by all personnel to operate on an RAF Station. This includes, but is not limited to: the aerodrome itself; vital engineering and operational infrastructure; communications, logistics, security and real-life support; as well as acting as a home to the RAF communities.

GLOBAL ENABLEMENT Global Enablement prepares and generates the specialist capabilities that are required to enable RAF Air and Space power to be delivered globally, whenever and wherever it is required. Global Enablement is formed around six forces: • Air Security Force • Battlespace Management Operations • Combat and Readiness Force • Medical Force, • Support Force • 90 Signals Unit.

1936-1947 The Group was reformed as 2 (Bombing) Group on 20 March 1936, with its headquarters base at Abingdon. By the outbreak of war Group Headquarters were at RAF Wyton and a Blenheim from 2 Group made the first British operational sortie to cross the German frontier in the Second World War. The following day saw the Group’s Blenheims make the first British bombing attack of the war. 2 Group flew just over 57,000 operational sorties at a cost of 2,671 men killed or missing and 396 wounded. It was disbanded on 1 May 1947.

1948-1958 Reformed as part of the British Occupation forces in Germany, and transferred to the Second Tactical Air Force in 1951.

1993-1996 Was formed to encompass RAF Germany after the Cold War and disbanded after the draw down of RAF units on the continent.

2000-Present 2 Group was reformed on 7 January 2000 to take control of air transport, air-to-air refuelling and airborne early warning within the RAF. Later the group took control of the RAF’s Force Protection units and most recently absorbed the Space and Battle Management Force and stood up the Support Force.

WHO MAKES THIS GROUP RAF Stations

Swanwick (78 Squadron)

RAF Boulmer RAF Benson RAF Brize Norton RAF Odiham RAF Northolt RAF Henlow RAF Honington RAF Wittering RAF High Wycombe Squadrons • 30 Squadron • 10 Squadron • 101 Squadron • 99 Squadron • XXXII Squadron • 18 Squadron • 33 Squadron • LXX Squadron • 230 Squadron • 63 Squadron RAF Regiment • 84 Squadron • 27 Squadron • 1 Squadron RAF Regiment • 15 Squadron RAF Regiment • 2623 Squadron RAuxAF Regiment • 3 Tactical Police Squadron • II Squadron RAF Regiment • 622 Squadron RAuxAF • 4624 Squadron RAuxAF • 504 Squadron RAuxAF • 4626 Squadron RAuxAF • 501 Squadron RAuxAF • 605 Squadron RAuxAF • 612 Squadron RAuxAF Units 1 Tactical Police Squadron 7 RAF Police Squadron o 1 Expeditionary N Logistics Squadron 90 Signals Unit

AIR OFFICER COMMANDING NO 2 GP AIR VICE-MARSHAL SURAYA MARSHALL CBE MA LLB RAF Air Vice-Marshal Suraya Marshall joined the Royal Air Force as a Navigator in 1994. She completed 3 tours flying on the Tornado F3, participating in numerous operational deployments in Iraq, Quick Reaction Alert as well as qualifying as a Weapons Instructor.

She has commanded 92 (R) Squadron responsible for operational Tactics & Training, 55 (R) Squadron delivering Rear Crew Flying Training, Deputy Commander of the RAF’s Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Force and most recently Commandant of the RAF College Cranwell. In 2003, she worked with coalition partners in the design and execution for the second Gulf War and later as the Director of Coalition Air Operations in Iraq, Syria, the Arabian Gulf, Afghanistan, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. She assumed command of No. 2 Group in October 2021.

Suraya is married to Air ViceMarshal Al Marshall. They have 2 teenage children.

eadquarters Music H Services and the Central Band of the RAF

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HOW TO

HOW TO Landscape Photography At some point, everyone with access to a camera phone has tried their hand at taking a landscape photo.

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hether it’s the exotic locale of your last holiday, or a particularly eye catching sunset at the end of your back garden, we’re often presented with scenes that simply demand capturing.

However, as is the case with all aspects of photography, the inexperienced will make errors which result in images that soon end up in the digital bin.

The best way to approach landscape photography is observe a scene that way a camera does.

What seems awe inspiring and majestic to our eyes can often seems dull and forgettable once

photographed. Our eyes present us with a tremendous field of threedimensional vision, and our brain can filter out all but the most interesting aspects of a given scene. Cameras and lenses, on the other hand, do not possess this ability. They need quite a bit of help in order to capture the world the way our senses perceive it.

Obviously, location is crucial when it comes to landscapes. Often, the best way to take an eye catching photo is to avoid the obvious viewpoint and seek out a more interesting angle. Think of a tourist attraction, like the Eiffel Tower, that’s been photographed millions of times. How many of those sightseers

HOW TO

made no effort beyond simply holding their phone/camera out at eye level and taking a snap? Even getting the camera close to, or on the ground, would result in a more interesting photo, or shooting the monument through a gap between other buildings, or even placing something in the foreground.

This leads us to one of the fundamental lessons in all photography; composition Many of the rules that apply to portrait photography also apply to landscapes, for example rule of thirds. Unlike portraits, the horizon line needs a lot more consideration when it comes to landscapes.

By dividing a scene up horizontally in three equal parts, the photographer can decide where best to place the horizon line. If the sky is lit by a brilliant sunset, then the horizon would naturally go along the bottom third, and so on.

Leading lines are also an effective way of producing an alluring shot. Look out for a river or a road when capturing a wide shot of a natural scene. These lines are a good way drawing the eye into an image and grabbing attention.

For streetscapes in particular, lines of symmetry can create the same effect. Frame within a frame

is another effective approach. This means finding a natural frame in a location and using it to surround the desired scene.

An expansive forest will usually end up looking flat and uninteresting when photographed, but using tree branches to create a frame around the forest will give it sense of depth and scale, replicating the third dimension that our eyes provide us.

Then there’s light. Magic hour is often mentioned in relation to landscape photography, and with good reason. Magic hour occurs immediately before sunset and after sunrise. It paints everything

with a pleasing golden light, at an angle that creates a sense of depth and drama.

Of course, magic hour is not the only time to shoot a landscape, the potential scene may be completely underlit at sundown.

For the causal photographer, though, gaining an awareness that light appears differently depending on the time of day, time of year or part of the world will help in taking better pictures.

There are many approaches to photographing landscapes.

Hopefully, some of the techniques mentioned here will lead to better shots.

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RAF BENEVOLENT FUND

Five Top Tips for looking after your wellbeing this festive season As we enter the festive season, we are reminded of the unique challenges faced by members of the RAF Family. With an emphasis on spending time with loved ones and the societal pressure to feel joy and happiness at this time of year, Christmas can be one of the hardest challenges if you feel isolated or struggle with loneliness. Already, an estimated 85,000 working aged members of the Armed Forces suffer from loneliness and bereavement, and so it is essential to find ways to cope with the added pressure for social connection that Christmas brings.

It can also be useful to journal thoughts and feelings or write letters to feel connected when possibly unable to speak to loved ones – even if they are never sent. Noting down the words you want to say when you can’t say them can build up a log of missed conversations to go through when you do eventually reunite.

If you find yourself struggling this Christmas, the RAF Benevolent Fund offers a Listening and Counselling service with support available for a range of issues including anxiety and depression, low self-esteem, emotional stress The RAF Benevolent Fund, the RAF’s Stay connected leading welfare charity, offer a variety Staying connected at Christmas while due to caring for a loved one, and loneliness and isolation. The service serving or away from your partner is of services to support members provides a dedicated helpline and crucial for maintaining morale and of the RAF Family experiencing therapy sessions delivered through difficulties, from low mood and stress emotional wellbeing. If possible, specialist partner organisations. make the best use of technology to loneliness and isolation. to stay in touch with loved ones The Fund has put together five top through video calls, messages, social Support from within tips for looking after your emotional media, and virtual games which can Many RAF personnel work on shifts or have irregular duty hours help bridge the gap when you can’t and mental wellbeing this festive which can make it challenging to be physically together, allowing you season and help you reclaim your to share special moments from afar. participate in traditional festive Christmas spirit.

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RAF BENEVOLENT FUND until the New Year can help maintain the spirit of the season and leaves you with memories to treasure, or something to look forward to. Let the joy of Christmas continue in your family, no matter when you celebrate.

celebrations and spend time with loved ones. Lean on your military colleagues for support; they may be experiencing similar challenges and can provide a sense of camaraderie and understanding.

One way to get into the Christmas spirit could be to create a festive atmosphere in your living space whether that’s by getting a tree to decorate and putting up Christmas lights, watching a much-loved Christmas film, playing Christmas music, or stocking up on your favourite festive treats. These group experiences will help to create a sense of togetherness and a space to bond with your RAF Family.

Create your own Christmas If you know you’ll be deployed or on duty during Christmas, consider celebrating the holiday with your loved ones before or after your deployment. Bringing Christmas forward or postponing

If you are struggling with family absence at Christmas, the RAF Benevolent Fund has a platform called Building Stronger Families aimed at giving couples the opportunity to explore the impact deployments and extended periods of absence may have on the family unit. The platform offers suggestions for how you and your family can manage this impact effectively.

Seek mental health support The holiday season can be a trigger for mental health issues like depression and anxiety, and the unique stresses of military life can often bring these to light. It’s essential to validate your feelings and understand that it’s okay to not always feel festive. Maintaining a consistent routine, staying active and practising mindfulness are just some of the ways to manage mental health – but if you’re struggling with feelings of loneliness, depression, or anxiety, don’t hesitate to reach out to military mental health services or support groups.

The RAF Benevolent Fund offers a confidential 24-hour emotional

support helpline, providing access to a trained counsellor for immediate, one-off support, on a range of issues such as bereavement, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress and loneliness.

You can call, for free, at any time on 08081 751365.

Try something new to manage stress According to latest research, one in three Brits said their stress increased during the holiday season due to lack of time,

financial pressure, gift-giving, and anxiety around family gatherings.

Find healthy ways to manage this added pressure by prioritising selfcare, setting realistic expectations, and communicating how you feel with loved ones. Remember that it’s fine to take a break or to share the load and focus on what is important to you during the festive season.

Are you an RAF partner?

The RAF Benevolent Fund is offering a free Thrive online webinar available to book now: •13 December – Support for Relationships During the Festive Period The Thrive webinars are led by qualified coaches who themselves have served or are partners of those currently serving. This personalised approach to support helps to encourage open discussion about the various challenges faced.

For more information visit https://www.rafbf.org/ get-support/family-relationships/workshops-partnersRAF-personnel

The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is the RAF’s leading welfare charity. It exists to support current and former members of the RAF, their partners and dependants, whenever it is needed.

For more information visit: www.rafbf.org.

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CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Chaplain’s

Corner Hello. My name is Rachel and I have recently joined the chaplaincy team as the chaplaincy clerk. So far it is a great place to work! My duties include making lots of cups of tea, eating biscuits and cooking bacon! I can make appointments for those who wish to speak to the Padre or book in an event which uses our facilities. I work full time, so I am available to meet and greet people when they drop into the centre.

The Chaplaincy Centre (located on Kersley Crescent) consists of three offices – 2 chaplains, 1 chaplaincy clerk, The Church of St George and St Michael, the church hall and a well-equipped kitchen.

The Chaplaincy Profession aim is to ‘Serve the RAF Community through prayer, presence and proclamation’.

Who do we mean by the community? Really it is the whole force – military, civilians, families, contractors, and the people of Odiham and the surrounding area.

The centre is used regularly and is a free resource for anyone with connections to RAF Odiham.

It is possible to hire the hall – for children’s parties, for social events or the church – and we have a fully equipped kitchen and an outside play area. Please contact us if you could use this space.

Chaplains Clerk: 01256 36(7592) ODI-BSW-ChaplaincyGMB@mod. gov.uk

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Some regular events that we host already include Military Wives Choir, Mother’s Union, Fijian Church Monthly service, along with parties and baptisms and wedding services.

We look forward to welcoming Padre Jonathan Stewart, who will join us shortly along with his family, to complete the chaplaincy team.

The chaplaincy team is available to you for any welfare issue, life event or simply for a chat or a quiet place to think. We are open most weekdays from 0800 until 1700, so please drop in.

Some questions....

Padre: Rachel, what did you know about chaplaincy before you started to work here as the clerk?

That Chaplains throughout history in the Armed Forces have shown great bravery and heroism in the course of their duties.

Padre: What do you know about the work of chaplaincy now?

That it is based on understanding and serving the service community in the best ways possible.

Padre: What have you learnt in your first few months with us about the RAF that you didn’t know in your previous role?

That serving personnel really need the welfare resources that the RAF provide which means that my small role in that is very fulfilling.

The Interior of St George and St Michael.

Station Charities Support to

Victoria’s Promise Victoria’s Promise is a charity set up in memory of Victoria, a former pupil of Robert Mays school who tragically passed away in January 2014.

S

he had been hospitalised with a rare and very aggressive cancer. While in hospital, she promised her family that she would overcome the disease and go on to inspire and support others going through a similar ordeal. Having seen firsthand just how many additional and critical struggles Victoria and other young women go through, her family created Victoria’s Promise which is a charity dedicated to supporting young women through cancer and beyond.

A handful of volunteers from RAF Odiham Charities Committee had the opportunity to help with the Victoria’s Promise Summer Party on the 9th of September. The team got stuck in helping to set up the stands and seating areas on the hottest day of the year (plenty of shade was utilised, water drunk and rests taken – all very JSP375 compliant!).

Throughout the day, we provided security for the event and helped the staff with a variety of tasks.

The day took the form of a summer festival within the grounds of Hook junior school with live bands and dance performances

throughout the afternoon.

Everyone had come to support the charity and to support the young women who are battling a tough situation. Victoria’s Promise provides much support, outside of the hospital, to the families of these women. We heard from some of them, and they all praised the work of Victoria’s Promise. They spoke of how the charity helped with dayto-day issues, like getting groceries or helping with childcare, to more professional support, in the form of counselling for the families. As the day grew to a close, OIC Charities Committee Sqn Ldr Wright presented Victoria’s Promise with a cheque worth £1,200 in support from RAF Odiham.

AIR SAFETY

Air Safety

matters of the moment Air Safety…boring…doesn’t affect me…I’ve got nothing to do with that!

If that’s what you thought when reading the above title then this article is for you. Air Safety is key to delivering the Chinook Force capability. Without it we would not be so productive or safe. Sometimes we think that safety is a barrier or slows down our tempo. This may appear to be true on the face of it… but it helps to stop you and others getting hurt and equipment being damaged.

HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? The Senior Leadership Team (SLT) want to know about your incidents and hazard observations. They want to know where you face problems or pinch points at work. They want to know what barriers you face and where they occur. We have a few tools at our disposal as the image below shows but we must make full use of them wherever we can. Every week the Station Commander chairs the dedicated Duty Holder Review

Group (DDH RG). All DASORs and InForms are discussed, sometimes to great length, and the SLT try to find ways to stop any other occurrences from happening.

InForm reporting is going online very soon so please look out for info about this, in the meantime you can handwrite or email one to your LEMSCO on your section, anonymously if you wish.

I’VE NEVER HEARD OF A DDH RG, SOUNDS LIKE JUST ANOTHER MEETING! This is not the case. The DDH RG is important as it gives all parties a chance to get involved and play a part in improving our ways of working. The SLT and Air Safety Team (AST) want you to have sight of this information and as such routinely canvass sections for observers to be a part of the meeting online or in person.

Please get in touch with the AST or your line management if you want to observe one.

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EX TUSKER RAPTOR

Ex

1er RCP, to multiple different landing sites, some as high as 7800ft (for comparison, Ben Nevis is 4400ft).

The serials consisted of MEDEVAC, reaction to contact drills, reactive tasking and live trooping all overlaid on poor weather and unfamiliar airspace. Mountain flying in the by their French hosts. The weekend Pyrenees, formation flying, and was spent integrating and planning overseas transit training objectives for the week to come. Saturday and were conducted by all personnel Sunday saw the engineers prepare deployed, meaning a huge amount was achieved during a short period the aircraft, whilst the aircrew and and with limited resource. ops team prepared for four full 27 Sqn were hosted superbly by days of trooping and tasking in an the GCP throughout the exercise, unfamiliar and mountainous area. the opportunity to practice The flying largely consisted of integration and cooperation trooping and mountain flying, between the two units led to with the GCP camp acting as the a tangible development in base of operations throughout operational efficiency. By the the exercise. Although weather end of the week, the GCP were and aircraft serviceability had confident enough with CH-47 an impact, 27 Sqn were able to operations to organise and run achieve all that was requested the tasking lines with little input by the GCP, moving around from the UK aircrew. As has been 1500 pax over the four days. The seen in Mali, the professionalism tasking saw the insert and exfil of numerous platoons, including the of the French Military parallels UK

TUSKER RAPTOR The UK Chinook Force spent 4 years in Mali on Op NEWCOMBE in support of the French counter terrorism mission Op BARKHANE.

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uring that time many professional and personal bonds were created and for 27 Sqn that bond was particularly strong with the French parachute regiment, the Groupement des Commandos Parachutistes (GCP), and their specialist unit, the 1st Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes (1er RCP).

Nearly a year after leaving Mali, 27 Sqn kept those relationships alive and found themselves working with the French paras again. Ex TUSKER RAPTOR, named after the

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two unit’s emblems – an elephant for 27 Sqn and a bird of prey for the 1er RCP, was a unit level, selfgenerated exercise consisting of two CH-47s in support of the GCP in south-east France.

The exercise in May started with the deployment of personnel and equipment by CH-47 from RAF Odiham to Pamiers, France. This was achieved on a Friday, and after a successful transit, the two aircraft landed on the GCP football pitch, which would be the HLS for the exercise, to be warmly welcomed

EX TUSKER RAPTOR

Armed Forces’ standards and every expectation was met or exceeded during the exercise in Pamiers. The opinion of the GCP and 1er RCP from personnel on the detachment could not be higher and all those from 27 Sqn who took part are looking forward to working with them again in the future, whether in the UK or in France.

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OTHER NEWS

Odiham Military Wives Choir Meet every Tuesday night 7.30pm-9.30pm At RAF Odiham St Michael & St George’s Church Odiham, RG29 1QD Ae always welcoming new members. Open to all women with a military connection, so if your a wife mother, daughter, sister, partner or currently serving yourself come along and join us.

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No experience or audition necessary. Take time for yourself, make new friends and express yourself through singing.

Our last rehearsal of the month we break early for cake and chat, we all I’ve cake. We look forward to meeting you Becky Choir Lead

Mavgeeks

KC-135 Stratotanker and its future as a long-standing veteran of the air-to-air refueling game.

She then meets former Bristol A Military Aircraft Blenheim pilot and avid restorer Obsession Returns of the aircraft John Smith, who recounts his fondest memories of for a Fourth Series flying the Blenheim, the hairiest FBS’ military aviation podcast moments he experienced in the cockpit, and his involvement with Mavgeeks is back for its the Aircraft Restoration Company. fourth series, available on Mavgeeks is made by BFBS Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and bfbs.com/podcasts. Re-join hosts Gini which is currently shortlisted for Carlin and Jamie Gordon as they take Best Network/Publisher at the British Podcast Awards 2023. listeners to airshows, inside hangars and simulators, get up close and Listen here: https://radio.bfbs. personal with some exciting aircraft, and talk to the people who fly them. com/podcasts/mavgeeks or search Mavgeeks wherever you Mavgeeks is a podcast created get your podcasts. by enthusiasts for enthusiasts – it doesn’t matter how much you For more information, images, or an know about aviation, it’s fun, interview with the presenters, please sometimes a little bit silly, and contact laura.mcturk@bfbs.com. everyone is invited!

In the first episode, Gini meets Allister Bridger, former Director of ABOUT BFBS Flight Operations at British Airways, BFBS is a military charity and who takes listeners through his broadcaster that entertains, informs, storied career from fast jet pilot connects, and champions the UK in the Royal Air Force (RAF) – on (United Kingdom) Armed Forces. the F4 Phantom and BAE Hawk to We bring entertainment, news, being headhunted as an RAF fast jet sport and information services instructor, to his transition into civil aviation, and why he took that leap. to the military, their families, and veterans worldwide. We spread In the second episode Brian happiness and keep people in Withers, a former pilot on the Avro touch, building morale among Shackleton and Hawker Siddeley the military overseas – offering Nimrod, gives co-host Jamie a rare them a valuable connection to life and exciting opportunity to head to Newark Air Museum for a guided back home, and a way to share tour of their legendary Shackleton. experiences and build communities.

We are also the home of It’s an evocative visual experience military content, championing the captured in spatialised stereo military by keeping their activities technology, which allows the listener to feel like they are actually in the public eye on our Forces in the aircraft with Jamie and Brian. digital channels.

And our commercial services, Next, Gini explores the Duxford Air which provide income for our Show and meets some fascinating charity, span training, digital and aviators. Listen to her interview creative services and pioneering with Master Sergeant Jeremy Hall, who is attached to the US Air Forces’ technology solutions that enable 351st Air Refueling Squadron, about media and communication in the hardest to reach places. the dependability of the Boeing

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RECIPE

Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Stew with Sweet Potato and Couscous Method of cooking • Add the vegetable oil to a large or pot over medium high heat. When the vegetable oil is hot, add in chicken thighs SERVES 6 and generously season with Method Ingredients salt and pepper. Brown chicken 1. Brown your chicken. Start by For the stew thighs for about 3-4 minutes browning your chicken thighs • 12x bone in skin on chicken thighs per side. You do not need to in a large pot with coconut • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil cook completely. Remove oil, salt and pepper, then • 1 large White onion, chopped chicken and transfer to a plate. transfer to a plate. No need to • 1 large carrot, sliced • Add in garlic, onion, carrot, cook completely.

• 250g cauliflower florets cauliflower florets and diced 2. Cook your veggies. In the same • 1 medium sweet potato, sweet potato. Cook for 6-8 pot, cook down the garlic, diced into ½ inch cubes minutes, stirring frequently, onion, carrot, cauliflower and • 1 ½ teaspoons ground turmeric until onion begins to soften. sweet potato for a few minutes.

• 1 teaspoon cumin • Next stir in spices: ground 3. Add spices. Stir in all those • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon turmeric, cumin, cinnamon. Let warming spices so they • 900ml of chicken stock spices cook for 30/40 seconds become nice and fragrant.

• 250g pearl (Israeli) couscous at least to let the spices release 4. Stir the stew together. Place • ½ teaspoon salt, their flavours, then add the your chicken back in the pot plus more to taste chicken thighs back into the along with the broth, couscous, • Lots of freshly pot. Slowly add in chicken and seasonings. ground black pepper 5. Cook the stew. Bring everything stock, then couscous and salt and pepper. Stir to combine to a boil, then cover and Mix-ins simmer for 15 minutes. Remove and make sure the chicken is • 100g chopped shelled well coated with the broth. the lid, stir, and simmer for roasted pistachios Bring to the boil, then cover, 10-15 more.

• 100g chopped flat-leaf parsley reduce heat to low and 6. Shred, serve and garnish. and coriander simmer for 10 minutes. After By now most of the liquid is • 4 cloves garlic, minced that 10 minutes remove the absorbed, remove the chicken, lid, stir and allow to simmer shred it, and add it back to the To garnish uncovered for 10-15 more pot with your mix-ins. Then • Extra parsley and coriander minutes or until most of the garnish with extra herbs and • Pistachios liquid is absorbed. At this nuts and serve!

• Hot sauce and Minty raita (optional) point, you can remove the chicken and take off the bone.

Then add back to the pot, or if you are LAZY, you can leave it and serve with them whole 2 each! (now it’s a fork and knife).

• Next, gently stir in the chopped pistachios, parsley.

Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary, adding more salt and pepper if desired.

Serve with extra parsley and coriander and a few crushed TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR pistachios on top.

This winter stew will have you going back for more with its hearty and healthy flavours, packed with veg, protein and warming north African spices, great for a dinner party or just a big bowl of love for the family.

• Change the recipe for Dieteries.

No problem.

• Vegetarian: Swap the chicken for broccoli and stir in a can of drained chickpeas, borlotti beans, or butter beans.

• Sweet potato: cubed butternut squash, celeriac and pumpkin would also be in season.

• Gluten: this recipe would be great with white basmati rice, quinoa, or even barley in place of the couscous. Quinoa or rice would also keep the recipe gluten free.

• Have fun with mix-ins and toppings: feel free to add in some dried fruit such as sultanas or dried cranberries, chopped dates.

A drizzle of hot sauce and some minty raita on top would also be a great finisher!

AS1 Phil Dennis Nutrition Serving: 1g Calories: 343cal Carbohydrates: 45.4g Protein: 18.3g Fat: 10.6g Saturated Fat: 3.9g Fibre: 5.1g Sugar: 10.3

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HOUSING

Widening Accommodation Entitlement Limited Locations

Those registered in an Established Long Term Relationship posted to one of the following locations from the 31 October 23 will be entitled to Service Families Accommodation

Norton Manor RNAS Yeovilton Leuchars Station JHC FS Aldergrove Palace Barracks Holywood Thiepval Barracks Lisburn RAF Cosford RAF Shawbury

Scan to find out more:

Working with

Winter in your Service Family Accommodation Tips and advice This guide has been developed to advise you on how to prepare your home for winter and how to respond should an issue arise.

Visit: Defence Accommodation Policy on GOV.UK

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HOUSING

Housing WO Angie Grimshaw the Station Community Support Officer talks about the Min DP visit to RAF Odiham and gives information on how to contact Pinnacle.

On Thursday 28th September, James Cartlidge Min DP, along with our local MP Ranil Jayawardena, visited RAF Odiham to inspect our Service families accommodation, SFA. After meeting with the Station Commander, Group Capt Roberts, They took the opportunity to visit one of the Single living accommodation, SLA, blocks on the station before looking around properties here at RAF Odiham.

With DIO in attendance it was a great opportunity to show both MP’s the progress they are making to improve the accommodation offers for our service personnel.

They both wanted to see for themselves, the condition of the housing here and look at how improvements are been made to ensure our families have a clean, safe environment in which to live. Both MP’s commented that they would be looking forward to updates from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) on future improvements to RAF Odiham’s accommodation following their visit.

INFORMATION TO CONTACT PINNACLE Call National Service Centre Our National Service Centre is open from 8.30am – 4.30pm, Monday-Friday, with the repairs phone line available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Free to call from landline or mobile: 0800 031 8628 •O ption 1 Repairs Gets you to our Repairs team, available 24/7, every day •O ption 2 Moving home, including applications and allocations Gets you to our Home Services team, available from 8.30am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday

• Option 3 Planned maintenance (compulsory safety checks) Gets you to our Compliance team, available from 8.30am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday • Option 4 Compliment, complaint, or anything else Gets you to our Customer Solutions team, available 8.30am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday Or email You can get in touch with our teams directly using the email addresses below.

• To discuss applications, allocations and requests, contact; HomeServices@ pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk • To send in any medical/ OT reports for the case managers to review, contact; HomeServicesConfidential@ pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk • To discuss retention enquiries or to send in supporting evidence for retentions, contact; Retentions@ pinnacleservicefamilies. co.uk For queries relating to existing repairs or to raise a new repair, use our Repairs form or contact; Repairs@ pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk

• To discuss or book statutory gas or electrical inspections, contact; ComplianceSupport@ pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk • To raise or discuss complaints or compliments contact; CustomerSolutions@ pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk • To discuss compensation contact; Compensation@ pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk • To send us any confidential Additional Needs/Disability Adaptation (ANDA) related reports/information please click here click here to email our confidential email address.

F2F Meetings These meetings are held every other month, usually the second Thursday, to enable the families to pop in and chat to the contractors about any ongoing issue they maybe experiencing with their properties. The contractors, Pinnacle, VIVO and DIO are usually all represented at these meetings, so they are beneficial in order for the occupant to be able to get an update as to why their repair is still outstanding or flag up further issues with their properties.

Next meeting is Thursday 9th November 23 in the WACC @RAF Odiham 16:00-18:00Hrs.

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SECTION IN FOCUS

Deployment

Arm Eng Flt Arm Eng Flt (the building with all the bars on the windows) is broken down into 4 areas: Small Arms Bay, Aircraft Weapons, Explosive Storage Area and the Weapon Training and Support Cell. Its primary role is the maintenance and installation of all armament equipment and the safe storage, maintenance and preparation of explosives in support of the Chinook fleet in the UK and overseas on exercise and operations.

Along with this we provide workforce and equipment support to Sqns during Air to Ground gunnery sorties at Air Warfare Ranges, trials generated

by JEWOSC and the various Development Teams supporting Chinook and offer SME advice to Force headquarters and Joint Helicopter Command on all aspects of explosive safety for exercises and operations where ever rotary platforms operate.

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If all of the above fails, the spouse/partner/family member can request a pack if they e mail me on LINZI.NEAL498@MOD.GOV.UK, again, it is better if they can collect due to the paperwork. A pack will not be released until the form is Linzi Neal, the Community returned to the CDO. Development Officer talks All families of Service Personnel about the support available to families whilst personnel are on are entitled to a day out, up to £4.40 per full week away; deployment. this cannot be anywhere with What should personnel do before deploying and what support alcohol or food as we provide a deployment dinner (more on that is available for their families?

When clearing to deploy, please later). Once you’ve identified where you would like to go, send me the nominate a Point of Contact details, I book and then send the and tick that you would like booking reference to your family, deployment support, without this this needs to be requested via e I have no way of contacting the families of those Service Personnel, mail, again due to the audit. This as we are not provided with names, trip can be taken up to a month prior to deployment or up to addresses, telephone numbers or two months after. You are not to email address (the latter being the book yourselves, as we cannot preferred option on the letter as it reimburse. There is a disclaimer on gives us a trail). the form to say if you don’t deploy, Service Personnel are advised you are liable to pay the money to contact the Community Development Officer, in the absence back (that is why most take it after deployment), it can however, be of a Hive Information Officer to taken by the family during the time request and collect a pack prior to the Service Person is away. Please deploying; these packs are bespoke note we are one of a few stations to the ages of children if they have that are allowed to run single trips any. Failure to do so, and particularly if you live at outlying Service Families due to the nature of deployment at Odiham, most others run Accommodation or your private Station led trips which is a coach residence, means we are solely trip to a venue of the Community reliant on other people collecting Development Officers choosing your pack and delivering it. If you on a weekday with no option to prefer the pack to be posted, it may not contain the goods that are choose another.

Deployment dinners are usually heavier due to sizes of packaging and posting costs, the latter of which held every 2 months. They are advertised on FB as that seems to be we cannot claim back. Odiham is the best means of getting the word very different to most stations with out to the families. These are held in SFA as far away as almost 20 miles, the Welfare and Community Centre so the process is much easier if and not at outlying SFA, but we do collected, there is also paperwork to sometimes have the option of using complete for audit purposes with white fleet to bring people in.

Corporate Governance.

Support

DOG TRIALS

Dog Trials On 17-21 Sep 23, Cpl Dilks and Military Working Dog (MWD) Cobra, competed in the Provost Marshal Royal Air Force Military Working Dog trials, at RAF Honington.

M

WD trials is a culmination of a year of hard work and rigorous training, whereby a total of 55 patrol teams were assessed and the top 10 patrol teams qualified to compete in MWD trials. The top MWD teams from across the RAF were put through their paces in operationally realistic scenarios, to decide the UK’s top team. Disciplines assessed included: obedience and agility, day and night patrols and an assessment of operational bite work. It is a huge achievement for Cpl Dilks and MWD Cobra to have been selected as one of those 10 teams, to attend trials to represent RAF Odiham.

Cpl Dilks thoroughly enjoyed the week and was proud to represent RAF Odiham. Enabling him a platform to display the hard work and dedication undergone to get MWD Cobra to the trial’s standard. Cpl Dilks’ favourite

moment from the week was during the night work assessment, whilst patrolling a wooded area in complete darkness the decoy charged them from behind a tree and MWD Cobra was able to protect Cpl Dilks almost immediately and detained the individual. Showcasing the capability of Cobra, in particular the drive to protect him due to their unbreakable bond.

Cobra is a 6-year-old, female Dutch herder. Cpl Dilks’ and her have been teamed for 2 years and when Cobra isn’t protecting RAF Odiham she can be found fast asleep on one of her armchairs or enjoying a groom. Cobra is described by Cpl Dilks as ‘goofy, with loads of love to give to those in her inner circle and says she loves nothing more than to roll around on her back, to let you know she is happy’.

Flying Officer Hannah Garfield Helicon | 21

SSAFA

SSAFA FS David Hay talks about SSAFA and what you can do to help.

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he Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Families Association, or SSAFA, is a remarkable charity dedicated to providing unwavering support to the UK’s military community. With its core values of Commitment, Understanding, Integrity, and Compassion, SSAFA is committed to ensuring that no member of the armed forces, from the youngest recruit to the oldest veteran, ever feels forgotten or unsupported. In this article, we’ll delve into how SSAFA helps and how you can get involved in their mission to make a difference.

One of SSAFA’s primary strategic aims is to understand the unique needs of those they support. They recognise that the demands of service life, whether on UK soil or overseas, can be challenging, and they aim to adapt to these needs. This deep understanding is

the cornerstone of their ability to provide effective and personalised support to military personnel and their families.

SSAFA alleviates suffering and distress by offering timely and effective support. Their trained welfare advisors and more than 4,000 volunteers work closely with individuals to assess their specific needs. Whether it’s someone to lend a compassionate ear or accessing financial assistance, SSAFA ensures that the right kind of support is provided, helping individuals regain their independence and dignity.

To continue their vital work, SSAFA ensures that they have the right people with the necessary skills and resources to deliver their services. This is underpinned by a sustainable income, which is crucial to maintaining their commitment to those who’ve served in the military.

SSAFA strives to be recognised, known, and understood. This is essential to ensure that they can reach those who need their support and to garner the

resources necessary to continue their mission. By increasing their visibility, SSAFA can better serve the military community.

Collaboration is another key aspect of SSAFA’s strategy. They work together both within their organisation and with external partners. By fostering partnerships and teamwork, they can provide a broader range of support and services to those they serve.

4. Spread the Word: Increasing awareness about SSAFA and the services they provide is crucial.

Share their mission and success stories within your community and on social media.

SSAFA’s unwavering commitment to the military community is a testament to their core values of Understanding, Integrity, and Compassion. They provide vital support, ensuring that no one’s If you’re inspired by SSAFA’s mission service is ever forgotten. By getting and want to support our heroes in involved in SSAFA’s mission, you can the military community, there are help make a difference in the lives several ways to get involved: of our heroes who have sacrificed so 1. Volunteer: SSAFA relies on the much for our nation. Your support, dedication of thousands of whether through volunteering, volunteers. Consider offering your fundraising, donating, or spreading time, skills, and compassion to make the word, can contribute to a difference in the lives of military the continued success of this personnel and their families. exceptional charity. Together, we can ensure that the military community 2. Fundraise: Join SSAFA’s receives the support and care they commitment to ethical truly deserve. fundraising. By raising funds, you Contact Sqn Ldr Calvesbert or FS can contribute to their cause Hay on 18 Sqn if you wish more details. and help them continue their essential work.

SO WHAT CAN SAFA DO FOR YOU? 3. Donate: Your financial If you’re reading this, then you’re contributions can directly impact serving RAF or the family of the lives of those in need. Even someone in the Royal Air Force. a small donation can go a long You’ll know that service life way in providing support to isn’t always all the excitement or military individuals and families. fun portrayed in the recruitment ads. You’ll know, too, that service life presents individuals, couples, and families with a unique set of challenges. From regular deployments, living apart, and frequent moves, it can be a strain on top of the routine pressures of life.

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity operates its RAF Personal Support and Social Work Service (PS & SWS) on bases around the UK. Its team provides comprehensive support with a special focus on services for adults, but including children, young people, and their families.

Whether you or your family are dealing with stress, depression, difficult relationships, financial problems, resettlement, housing, childcare, equality issues, bereavement, military discharge, or deployments, it can help. It’s confidential and operates outside of the normal RAF chain of command.

If you need to talk to someone in SSAFA’s PS & SWS, then contact the team on 03000 111723 or psswsRAF@ssafa.org.uk.

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SKYDIVE

Skydive Although the weather prevented the Wings display team jumping into RAF Odihams Families Day 2023, there was still a raffle to win a tandem skydive with them. The winner was AS1 Jacques from 18 Sqn. As he has previously done a tandem skydive he gifted his prize to his cousin who was with him at families day. Last weekend Laurice arrived at Netheravon, on a beautiful blue sky day, ready for her tandem with 2 members of the wings display team, here’s what she had to say, “I just wanted to say thank you again for such an amazing experience on Saturday. You and Tony were awesome and I had so much fun! I have never been so popular in the group chat at work – my team now think I’m cool and not just a bossy manager! I think I’ve managed to persuade everyone I know to do a skydive.” – Laurice (Tandem skydive raffle winner)

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KIDS CORNER

Kids

Corner Christmas Wordsearch Send your completed Wordsearch with you name and contact telephone number to Linzi Neal, the Community Development Officer in the Welfare and Community Centre by 12 Jan 24 to have a chance of winning a prize. The winner will be drawn out of a hat on 15 Jan 24 and notified by telephone.

WORD LIST CANDY CANE COOKIE ELF HOLLY LIGHTS MISTLETOE PRESENT REINDEER SANTA TREE

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THANK YOU We’d like to thank everyone for their incredible support this year.

Without you donating via Service Day’s Pay Giving, completing fundraising challenges, or signposting friends and colleagues who need our help, we wouldn’t be able to provide essential support to other RAF serving personnel, veterans, and their families.

Whether it’s tackling financial difficulties, providing access to counselling, or offering respite holidays, we’ve been able to help in so many ways and we’ll continue to be here for you for as long as you need.

Your continued support is deeply appreciated, and we look forward to standing side by side with you in 2024. Thank you for being part of our RAF Family!

Find out how you can get involved and how we can support you: rafbf.org SCAN ME WITH YOUR CAMERA

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