Helicon

Helicon The Magazine of RAF Odiham Issue 1 • 2022

IN THIS ISSUE:

7 Sqn Pre-Deployment Training

•

Catering Flight Achievements

•

RAF Odiham Motorcycle Club

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CONTENTS Station Commander’s Foreword

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Paratroopers train for global missions in their own backyard

06

7 Sqn Pre-Deployment Training

08

Annual Veteran Christman lunch

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CO’s Cup 2021

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Please send all articles to odi.bsw.helicon@gmail.com

Fighter Pilot in the 1950’s

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Deadline date for the next issue: 10th June 2022

Life with the Royal Air Force Chinook

HELICON CONTACTS OIC

Sqn Ldr Michael Clark, COS BSW

Editor

Flt Lt Kerry Rapson, MCO

Email

ODI-Helicon@mod.gov.uk

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Article Submissions

PLEASE SUBMITT 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

Detachment in Mali

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RAF Odiham Motorcycle Club

14

Catering Flight 2021 Achievements

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Operation ESCALIN

18

The RAF Odiham Wellbeing and Breast Feeding Hub

19

RAFA Rides

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Autumn LIFT in rural France

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@rafodiham

@RAF_Odiham @StnCdrRAFOdiham

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@rafodiham RAF Odiham Website www.raf.mod.uk/rafodiham

ON THE COVER

ZD984 conducting deck landings on HMS Prince of Wales PUBLISHED BY: LANCE MEDIA GROUP LTD ADVERTISING: Darren Greenhead Email: darreng@lancemedia.co.uk Tel: 01536 680414

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STATION COMMANDER’S

FOREWORD Gp Capt Donal McGurk

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elcome to the first issue of Helicon for 2022. As you will see from the selection of fantastic articles in this issue, it has been a really busy end of 2021 and first quarter of 2022. People from all across RAF Odiham and Chinook Force have been called on to get stuck-in; whether that is on all sorts of exercises, operations, improvement schemes or competitions. I am constantly impressed by how much everyone does and how many things they are into.

I had the chance to sit down with Catering Flight recently, where we discussed their successes and challenges that have been highlighted in this issue of Helicon and also at the recent RAF Odiham Professional Excellence Awards. They really are an important part of the glue that holds the Station together.

Seeing how many significant activities have been taking place reminds me how so many personnel on Station are involved in such a variety of activities.

There are personnel from Med

Editor’s FOREWORD Flt Lt Kerry Rapson

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elcome to the first issue of the Helicon Magazine for 2022.

It was a busy end to 2021 and we hit the ground running at the start of 2022!

This issue is a small snapshot into what the Chinook Force have been up to towards the end of last year and the start of 2022.

Once again, I have enjoyed bringing together the articles for this edition, showcasing what our personnel have doing in support of the Nation, both at home and abroad. We have showcased our interoperability with the Royal Navy on a training sorties that saw the Chinook Force claim the 1000th deck landing title on HMS Prince of Wales!

We do hope that you enjoy the first edition of the year, thank you to all who have contributed and please do contact the team if you have any submissions that you would like included in future editions!

Centre, Logs Sqn (including MT), GEF, SEF, AEF or the many, many others who are also so often involved.

With the ongoing crisis in Ukraine which bound to continue to impact the RAF, I foresee change and challenge likely to remain the order of business for the Chinook Force, as it has always been. The amazing people of RAF Odiham will be how we will continue to achieve all that is asked of us.

M.E. HOWITT Est.1946

Leather Goods & Traditional Repair Workshop M.E. Howitt is an estalished traditional family business.

We specialise in Barbour Clothing, Wellingtons and Slippers.

We stock Leather Goods & Gifts and offer a full range of Travel Luggage, Leather HandBags and Wallets/Purses.

We have a workshop on site to repair most leather items including handbags, saddlery, motorcycle outfits, and gloves.

Tel. 01420 83049 sandra@sandhow.f2s.com www.mehowitt.co.uk 2-4 Turk St, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 1AG

Helicon | 5

GENERAL INTEREST

Paratroopers train for global missions in their own backyard Without leaving their hometown, paratroopers have trained to be ready to carry out air assault missions while deployed overseas as the British Army’s Global Response Force.

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xercise Blue Valkyrie saw two RAF Chinook helicopters swoop into Colchester’s Merville Barracks yesterday (1 Feb) to pick up troops from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment. Across several waves, the battalion’s A Company were delivered on to Fingringhoe Ranges and C (Bruneval) Company to Friday Woods, where they attacked simulated enemy positions.

Air assault – using the speed and reach of helicopters to outmanoeuvre the enemy – is one of the defining capabilities of 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team.

As the Global Response Force, the BCT is trained, equipped, and held

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ready to deploy at short notice anywhere in the world by air in response to global crises. It is a key element of how the British Army will operate under the Future Soldier vision as an ever more agile, lethal, and expeditionary force.

Major Chris Duncalfe, Officer Commanding A Coy 2 PARA, said: “Air assault is not a simple task - there’s a lot of planning required and it’s important to build relationships with helicopter crews; we need to do the repetitions together to be able to do it right.

“Arriving on a target by helicopter surprises the enemy, and then it’s about using speed, aggression and

a concentration of fire to maintain that initiative and the momentum to go on and win the fight.

“We’re training in Colchester today and we’ll be doing this on other exercises in the UK and overseas through the year, so that we’re ready to do it for real anywhere in the world.”

GENERAL INTEREST

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GENERAL INTEREST

7 Sqn Pre-Deployment Training Following changes to the theatre entry standards to 7 Squadron’s deployment to Op SHADER, RAF Odiham’s Force Protection Training Flight (FPTF) created and planned an Op SHADER predeployment training package (PDT).

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ubsequently, after obtaining a Force Protection Licence from The Force Protection Centre at RAF Honington, the FPTF executed the first ever Chinook Force Op SHADER PDT in January 22.

The package’s aim was to support the Squadron through a locally delivered course which mitigated the need for the Squadron’s Personnel to conduct RAF Honington’s 2-week Global High Threat Course. This ensured the Squadron could maintain its

UK operational readiness state whilst guaranteeing all of the 7 Sqn deploying personnel had the required Force Protection skills for the Op SHADER Theatre. Moreover, the course was meticulously designed by Sergeant Kev Ford to not only train personnel up to IRT MOD 5 standard, but to also ensure every training serial had relevance to the FPTF’s customer.

The first element of the course saw 7 Squadron deploy to Bramley Training Area where serials such as First Aid, CBRN, land navigation and section level tactical awareness were taught and accessed. The assessments were conducted through a navigation exercise and 3 scenario’s which used the vehicles of ‘downbird’, Key Leadership Engagement and Survival Evasion Resistance and Extract (SERE) for assessment, in order to add relevance whilst assessing the FP skills learnt and developed throughout the week.

This demanding training was well received by all, and the instructors highlighted the positive attitude 7 Squadron displayed towards training.

The second week saw 7 Squadron deploy to Longmoor Range Complex to complete an intensive range package. This included both Rifle and Pistol, commencing with basic firing and concluding with the Annual Combat Marksmanship Test. Finally, 7 Squadron Personnel completed the Fire and Movement Test. which is a stage 4 range consisting of a 300m run down the live range, followed by manoeuvring as a fire team from 100m to 52m point. Then upon arriving at the firing point, the students had to achieve the pass standard. This was the highest level of shooting that most of the students had ever been exposed to. However, all passed due to positive attitudes and excellent instruction.

The PDT package was a resounding success evidenced by the instructor’s observations of the improvement of FP skills throughout the week and through the detailed student feedback which highlighted the confidence the course had given to the deploying cadre. The FPTF are looking forward to developing the course and their relationship

with 7 Squadron further in order to build upon these initial successes.

Flt Lt Nicholas Priest

Annual Veteran Christmas lunch Due to Government Guidelines with Covid restrictions, RAF Odiham made the difficult decision not to hold their Annual Veteran Christmas lunch in Dec 2021.

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he RAF Benevolent Fund kindly provided a donation of £500.00 to the RAF Odiham Community Support Team to enable them to provide Christmas Pannetones to those that would normally attend.

On the 9th and 10th December, the Community Development Officer Linzi Neal and Flying Officer Calum Mcinnes welcomed David Chandler to receive on behalf of several veterans who later sent the message ‘I

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would like to thank you and all concerned for the extremely nice edible gifts we received, it has been a pleasure for me to deliver on yours and the RAF BF behalf’ The gesture was very well received and much appreciated by all who expressed their delight in being thought of over the Festive period.

Linzi Neal – Community Development Officer

GENERAL INTEREST

CO’s Cup 2021 RAF Odiham PEd Flt would like to thank everyone who took part in CO’s Cup 2021. Thanks to great participation, we were able to host some fantastic events and set up an exciting competition throughout the calendar year.

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fter months of COVID related disruption, the year started with a bang. Some of the worst rainfall of the year did not stop over 80 people turning up to represent their sections and wings in an Ultimate Frisbee competition. A fantastic spectacle ended with a spectacular finish as 27 Sqn beat BSW in a close final to take the event win.

Next up came ‘it’s a knockout’, the annual summer inflatable bash.

Ops took a tight victory in the final relay, topping off a fantastic day in the sun which was followed by a BBQ and drinks which was kindly hosted by Sportsman’s bar Odiham.

A big thank you to the Go Karting club who helped run the next event. Thanks to them we were able to put on a brilliant afternoon of racing which ended in a nailbiting finish with BSW taking the event win after an extremely close endurance race alongside 27 Sqn and 18 Sqn in the finale. This was followed up by tournaments in dodgeball and handball, with 18 and 27 Sqn taking the victories respectively.

Going into our annual Christmas quiz for the final event, BSW, 18 Sqn and 27 Sqn were separated by just one point following a fantastic year of competition. It was BSW however who dominated the quiz in almost every round to take the event victory and the overall title by just 1 point to second placed 18 Sqn. Along with the CO’s Cup trophy, they also took home a £100 food and drinks voucher along with a huge selection of tea bar treats!

We hope last year’s CO’s cup inspired many to get involved.

Starting on Thursday 24 February, we will be hosting a Unihoc tournament, our first event of the calendar year. The event will be teams of six from each section, so make sure to get in contact with your CO’s Cup rep to ensure your place. We hope to see you there for another year of unmissable action!

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GENERAL INTEREST

Fighter Pilot in the 1950’s Although this record is written as a personal history, the main objective is to record the lifestyle and flying freedom of pilots which applied in the early 1950s.

by Graham Plumbe Flt Lt (ret)

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chose a 4 year short term commission in preference to National Service - for the simple reason that it gave 2 years real flying on a squadron and not 2 years training and no more. The status distinction was manifested in my start date; I was asked to attend on 1 Jan 1952, but I declined to do so on New Year’s Day and chose to delay it by one week. That would not have been permitted under National Service.

I reported to the Reception Unit at Cardington followed by Transfer Units at Driffeld and Cranwell. Air Force life really started on 27 May 1952 at No. 5 Initial Training School, Cosford for 4 months of square bashing. We had been given Officer Cadet status with NCOs instructed to call us ‘Sir’. I shall always remember their derisive tone as to ‘Sirrrr’!

I think it was from Cosford that I was given a visit to Middle Wallop, whence the Army Air Corps flew helicopters, to see how they operated. We visited the training areas on Salisbury Plain and I was then asked where I wanted to go next. I opted for Corfe Castle, then Swanage where my parents were on holiday. We flew past their hotel at cliff top height, and I could see my father sitting in a deck chair in the garden. I waved but got no response. Later my father said he had wondered who the idiot was who was waving at him.

On 5 Aug 1952 a delightfully pompous certificate was issued saying: Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND AND OF HER OTHER REALMS AND TERRITORIES QUEEN, HEAD OF THE COMMONWEALTH, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, To Our Trusty and well-beloved Philip Graham Plumbe Greeting: WE, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage, and good Conduct, do by these Presents Constitute and Appoint you to be an Officer in Our Royal Force from the Fourth day of June 10 | Helicon

Graham Plumbe

was the only one on the course that wasn’t airsick. This helped me win the course aerobatic trophy in Feb 1953.

Part 1 of 3

We enjoyed a summer camp when we flew from a different area.

Low flying at about 10 ft was all part of the Low Flying Chipmunk fun. (see photo) I then moved on to training on Harvards. They were notorious for doing ‘ground loops’ given the torque from the radial engine. Memories of Harvards are extensive, I once took off and found I had no airspeed indicated which was due to ice in the pitot head; it was necessary to send up a rescue pilot to lead me in at landing speed until I touched So, I was given officer status (the down. On another occasion a illustrious rank of Acting Pilot chum flew a navigation trip with Officer!) immediately after going his undercarriage down and pulled to Southern Rhodesia on 14 June it up to land! Not a pretty sight.

1952.

Another chum recorded his plane as unserviceable because his Heany, S Rhodesia engine oil temperature was far too Next posting (14.6.52) was to 4FTS high. It was pointed out to him (Flying Training School) at Heany, that his oil cooler shutters were just outside Bulawayo in what was then S Rhodesia. Venomous snakes blocked with vegetation from low flying. Yet another chum came back were a hazard, and a Harvard with an electricity cable threaded fuselage had to be dismantled through his starboard wing. My to remove a cobra. Of course, Phase 1 training was conducted in own contribution to low flying was on a navigation trip when pilots Chipmunks, in which I went solo were sent off round the course at after just 11 hours. Memories of this time include a student stalling set intervals. Finding a car on a country track was very inviting for on his first solo and bouncing him to be buzzed from behind. To over another plane in dispersal.

Although he was unhurt, he lost his avoid my number being taken, I pulled the plane sharply up. I was nerve and was removed from the course for Lack of Moral Fibre (LMF). unaware that the next chap on the circuit was catching me up and saw I also remember flying solo with a serious hangover, with no desire to the incident. It was only when we comply with specified exercises and were back in the crew room that he was able to tell me that the buzzed choosing instead to see if I could car had disappeared in a cloud of establish a height record. I think it dust. was in the region of 15,000 ft, and when the powers that be heard of On another occasion it was fun it, we were all instructed to keep racing a Vampire on take-off given to no more than 10,000 ft as we a runway for the Vampire and the had no oxygen. We were taught Harvard on the grass. First part to Instrument Flying, when by use of Harvard; second part to Vampire complementary colours through - by a long way. Technology windscreen covers and goggles, we could see the instrument panel was developing fast, and Heany acquired a direction beacon but not the world outside. That telling pilots the course to steer meant total disorientation, and I 1952. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge your Duty as such in the Rank of Acting Pilot Officer ………’

Given at Our Court, at Saint James’s the Fifth day of August 1952, in the First Year of Our Reign

By Her Majesty’s Command [signed]

to get back to base. The problem was that it gave the same answer even when the pilot had passed overhead, thus sending the plane away from home.

The crowning moment of my Harvard training was however when I bumped into a friend of mine in mid-air. The friend - Alan K - with hands off the controls was photographing me as I attempted to fly alongside him. I was too busy looking at the camera to watch where I was going. The result was that my propellor chewed deeply into his aircraft while his propellor chewed my tail off. To bail out of an aircraft of that sort it is normally necessary to undo all connections (e.g., headset), unfasten harness and climb over the wing to avoid the tail as you jump. Alan undid harness and headset (and with that any chance of speaking to base) and started to climb out but lost his nerve (so I believe) and put himself back in the pilot’s seat. He then flew home - his maximum flying speed and his stalling speed being very nearly the same. On landing, the ground crew informed him that his aircraft was incapable of flying.

As for me, I had no choice. My tail had disappeared totally, so the plane was pitching violently.

Having undone my harness, I didn’t have to climb out; I was pitched out. That meant that I would have been sliced in two had my tailfin been in place - but no, it had gone.

The rest was predictable; I pulled the ripcord which I found to my surprise came away completely, leading me to think ‘f**k, it’s broken’.

It had however deployed the drogue chute which pulled out the main parachute after a short period

Harvard

of freefall. There was a thump followed by a period of peace which I shall always remember. I watched my Harvard fly lower and lower until it crashed. I floated to the ground and landed in a field which was being ploughed - and the tractor driver didn’t even stop.

I walked into a pub to telephone the airfield, report the crash, and explain where I was. An ambulance was sent immediately, which took me back to base.

My immediate priority was to find Alan and agree a version of events which (I have to admit) distorted the facts somewhat. Alan had thrown his camera overboard to avoid being caught out as to his role in the event. We agreed that he was flying quite normally and didn’t see me coming. For my part, I was doing a practice barrel roll and wasn’t watching where I was going, and so flew into him. That was the tale we told. Below are photographs of my aircraft after recovery (with me holding the joystick) and of posing with Alan: Flying in Rhodesia was affected by heat, so we started early in the morning and stopped at lunchtime.

In the circumstances however, a plane was kept out for me and an instructor stayed put. The purpose was to get me airborne and flying an aircraft (necessarily dual) as soon as possible to prevent me losing my nerve. That is standard practice after an accident, and I slept well that night.

I slept less well when I learnt that a Post Office engineer had seen the accident and wished to report what he had seen. He did so, but in fact told a tale which also wasn’t correct. Matters came to a head when I was summoned to meet the Station Commander. Thinking I was about to be court martialled; I was astonished when he started to tell me of his own flying experiences, including taking part in the Hendon Flying Display in the 1930s when - in his words - he flew the Immelman turn before Immelman knew how to fly. He finished by saying ‘Well, Plumbe, I don’t think it’s something that will happen again, so I think we can leave it there’.

One happy result of the event was that I was invited to join the Caterpillar Club, which exists for those whose life has been saved by a silk parachute. It is awarded

by Irvin-GQ Parachutes to those who have ‘hit the silk’, and I now wear the badge as a tie pin on my RAF tie.

It was just as well that Alan and I had agreed a version of events because on return to UK I happened to bump into Wing Cdr Bobby Oxspring in an officer’s mess bar who had been at Heany at the time. He asked me ‘Tell me Plumbe, what really did happen when you bumped into Alan K?’.

To be faithful to Alan I replied that what had happened was as reported.

Graham Plumbe Helicon | 11

GENERAL INTEREST

Life With The Royal Air Force Chinook Detachment in Mali Personnel from RAF Odiham and numerous other units from across the UK Armed Forces continue to support the French Counter Insurgency Op Barkhane and the United Nations MINUSMA missions from Gao Airbase in in Mali.

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he RAF’s 1310 Flight is equipped with Chinook helicopters and perform a range of missions, from the transport of passengers and freight between main operating bases, to the insertion of troops to desert locations. These missions now include support to the British Army’s Long Range Reconnaissance Group, a contingent of the UN’s MINUSMA mission..

On continuous rotation between 18(B) Sqn and 27 Sqn, the Joint Helicopter Command squadrons have had a presence in Mali since July 2018, when the first Chinooks arrived in the country at the request of the French government.

Since then, over 3500 hours have been flown, with nearly 22000 passengers and over 2000 tons of freight transported. To achieve this the detachment regularly overcomes the challenges of the environment, ranging from intense desert thunderstorms to searing heat, with temperatures regularly peaking above 40 degrees and seasonal flooding.

Describing everyday life for deployed personnel Flight Lieutenant Jamie Johnson from 18 (B) Squadron said: “Life for the personnel of 1310 Flt has been, on the whole, relatively simple. The tents that made up Camp Roberts in the early days of Op Newcombe are kept in fulltime use.

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Mali 8 chinook pair

“Thankfully, the days of tented accommodation that many experienced at the birth of Op Newcombe are, for most however, a thing of the past. The majority of the personnel deployed on the

Flt now inhabit blocks of rooms that resemble shipping containers.

These do have the windows and air conditioning essential to any permanent habitation in Mali.”

Operations are maintained 24 hrs a day, but 1310 Flt still find the time to engage in social events to maintain morale. The main hub for most social activities is ‘The Queen’s Head’, at Camp Roberts.

Flt Lt Johnson explains when he said: “The Queen’s Head has been made over the years by the Flt’s personnel, it resembles what can only be a described as the offspring of a shipping container and a scrap wood bin, though held in high esteem by all who frequent it!”

Most weeks during Op Newcombe some form of social event taking place, ranging from pub quizzes to film nights, and even the odd karaoke event. On occasion, the Flt has had time to expand its social

horizon, a recent example being a Battle of Britain Night, held in one of the UK’s hangars with a Chinook backdrop.

This allowed for a full dining in night for all of the Flt’s personnel, a rare chance to get everyone together in a formal setting and, an even rarer chance to mingle with a number of international colleagues from across the base at Gao. Wing Commander David Sommers, the National Component Commander said: “The Chinook deployment on Op Newcombe is an example of what is to come for a growing number of UK operations in the future, working closely with European allies, perhaps without the heavy involvement of the United States. Op Newcombe looks set to continue for some time yet, and many more personnel from RAF Odiham will gain the opportunity to deploy.

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COMMUNITY SUPPORT

OMCC Mopedathon After all the challenges of 2020 (and most of 2021) that prevented the team at Odiham Motorcycle Club (OMCC) from running their annual Charity Mopedathon, we were finally able to get the ball rolling in early October. Thirty-Six teams rolled on to the station at 07:00 on a foggy morning and set up ready for a day of racing using a circuit made up of the station Kart-track and an extension out onto the disused runway.

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wide variety of machines arrived, ranging from nearly new commuter scooters to 1970’s ‘classics’

and in an equivalently wide range of condition from nearly mint to ‘abused’! The riders were just as diverse with some being 1950’s

vintage and others barely out of short trousers (or so it felt to those of us in the older generation).

The day started with a safety briefing, instruction to those that would be marshalling and a circuit inspection by those riders willing to brave enough getting lost in the fog! The racing commenced at 09:00 sharp with a Le-Mans style mass start (noting that the riders had to run approximately 3 yards).

Some of the mopeds managed to start and ‘racing’ commenced accompanied by the familiar smell of two-stroke oil and petrol being converted into noise.

With the wide range of rider capabilities, moped performance

and inevitable reliability issues the morning progressed with loads of overtaking, undertaking and the occasional minor mishap. At around 11:30, the sun started to break through the fog and the riders started to work out which direction they needed to go in.

Teams were made up of 4 riders which were rotated through and they soon settled into the rhythm that comes with a long endurance race. Although in this instance, no-one was recording lap times, number of laps or even who might be ‘leading’.

Once the riders had worked which direction the track went, we stopped for a lunch break and then confused them all again by reversing the direction of travel. A further Le Mans restart (thankfully all went the right way) triggered an afternoon of scraping foot pegs, laughter and smiles.

After many hours of racing, the challenges of endurance racing began to take their toll on both riders and machines with inevitable attrition being seen. However, at the end around 20 teams completed the event and there were smiles all round when the chequered flag was shown at 17:00.

Whilst the event is great fun it has a serious side – OMCC fund the running of the Mopedathon

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Narrowboat Holidays Narrowboat Day Hire Kayaks, Canoes, SUP & Row Boat Hire Picnic Garden Tea & Coffee Bar Hot & Cold Snacks

Colt Hill, Odiham, RG29 1AL

in order to ensure that all contributions made by the teams go direct to good causes. This year the funds raised have been distributed as follows:

Now we are heading towards spring which will see 2 OMCC events in April. In the previous Helicon you will have seen an article about the ARD’s, this year will see 3 events the first being on the 23rd of April. But on the 9th will be the first of 2 Mopedathons. Tickets for these events will be available from early March, for further details, please see the OMCC website. Sections on Station are more than welcome to join in, or individuals putting teams together. If interested, please contact FS Baker (gary. baker150@mod.gov.uk) or look at www.omcc.co.uk PLEASE remember, joining the club is free to military personnel.

£1,800 has been donated to the British Psoriatic Arthritis ConsorTium (BritPACT) to facilitate and advance research and best practice in psoriatic arthritis in the United Kingdom. britpact.org £1,800 has been donated to Prostate Cancer UK and will go towards funding research that will stop men dying from prostate cancer. https://prostatecanceruk.org/

Kitchener’s is a unique Suffolk charity offering guest house style accommodation overlooking the sea in South Lowestoft, to British and Commonwealth veteran and serving armed forces, merchant sea personnel, blue light services, and their families. Holidays and short breaks are available on either a bed & breakfast or half-board basis.

Holidays for Veterans of the Armed Forces, Merchant Seamen and members of the Emergency Services

Open from 1st Feb to 30th November

01502 573564

Kitchener’s is centrally located between Great Yarmouth and Southwold with easy access transport links and a host of places to visit and things to do for both adults and children alike.

You will find a warm welcome from the resident Manager, Ash, who served in the armed forces, and his wife Caroline.

Amongst both regular and new guests, Kitchener’s has a solid reputation as being a place to relax and unwind amongst likeminded people; there’s nothing like the camaraderie and humour of those who have served our country, no matter in what capacity.

With regular guests such as Royal Chelsea Pensioners and Normandy D-Day Vets, there are often stories to be heard from conflicts past. They too, love to speak with the younger veterans and serving personnel to hear about what is going on now and how things have changed. It is not uncommon to find a group gathered in the bar exchanging stories.

enquiries@kitchenerslowestoft.co.uk www.kitchenerslowestoft.co.uk

If being outdoors is more your thing, you will find plenty to do in the local area. As Kitchener’s is located on the seafront of the East coast, there’s plenty of opportunity for watersport activities.

Alternatively, a short distance away, you can hire a boat for a day trip on the Norfolk Broads.

Registered Charity Number 230090

A stay at Kitchener’s is offered at a substantially discounted price for our veterans and serving armed forces and their families which is subsidised by grants and charitable donations. This allows us to offer a warm, friendly ‘home from home’ stay at an affordable price.

Helicon | 15

GENERAL INTEREST

Catering Flight 2021

Achievements S

AC Piya Phuttharaksa & SAC Joe Northover were deployed on Ex. CLOCKWORK in Bardufoss, Norway. They provided catering support for the Extreme Cold Weather Training led by the Marines. They worked alongside Army & Navy chefs feeding up to 180 pax for a month.

SAC Prem Lama challenged himself to run 160km over the 28 days of February, averaging 5.7km a day. He completed his challenge completing 202km and raised £211 £211 for Bone Cancer RAISED Awareness.

FOR BONE CANCER AWARENESS

Bournemouth Airshow

This cookbook celebrates 100 years of the Royal British Legion, an organisation close to the Armed Forces. SACs Prem Lama, Connor Mackie & Phoebe Mitchell’s recipes were selected to represent their home regions. This is a huge achievement to be selected out of hundreds of entries.

Throughout the year and all the uncertainty of COVID 19, all of us were presented with a range of new challenges. SAC Vivienne Buinimasi stepped up to a new SAC Prem role, tasked into the newly set up Lama Covid Cell. She was responsible for compiling data, presenting up to date statistics and ensuring high Cpl Katie Coley deployed to Al Udeid, Qatar, for a 4-month tour as ranking officers were in the know of all potential outbreaks and cases. accommodation manager. During her time, she kept busy, completing Her hard work was recognised, and various sporting challenges such as she was awarded the Professional Excellence Award.

5k Fun Run & 24hr spin-a-thon.

Ex COBRA WARRIOR

Heroes Cookbook. They supported 3MCS and engaged with the public, showing their deployed catering skills, and speaking about their experiences whilst serving.

SAC Stephanie Pye and Cpl Ed Horsman participated in the annual Health & Wellbeing Week with different classes over 3 days.

They showcased their skills and knowledge with live cooking £825 demonstrations, had a RAISED professional nutritionist speak FOR THE RAF and gave a presentation on BENEVOLENT diets specific to job roles and FUND taskings.

9 members of Catering Flight took part in a 100km Charity Bike Ride for RAFBF. The ride was challenging, on and off road in 30?C heat. The full team pushed through the pain, one fancied a dip in the picturesque Basingstoke Canal, but all returned Cpl Katie Coley, 4-month £400+ tour to Al Udeid home unharmed completing the RAISED challenge. They raised a whopping FOR CANCER £826 for the RAFBF. During her time RESEARCH deployed to the Falkland Islands, SAC Stephanie Pye organised and completed 12 Hours of Hell Charity Event. 12 gruelling workouts in 12 hours consisting of boxercise, spinning, sweat box etc. raising £400+ for Cancer Research.

Three of our SAC Chefs had their recipes selected and printed in the first Royal British Legion Cooking for Heroes Cookbook.

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SACs Connor Mackie, Prem Lama and Phoebe Mitchell attended Bournemouth Air show to promote the Royal British Legion Cooking for

The Catering Section started a project to update and make better use of the space outside the Section HQ. They put a bid in for benches, flower bed planters and fence panels, utilising the skills and knowledge to produce a calming, quiet space. This will be a haven to relax, get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors away from office

compounds. The Sensory Garden was completed towards the end of 2021, and we look forward to enjoying it throughout the summer.

Four chefs detached to RAF Leeming to support Ex. COBRA WARRIOR. Cpl Tom Douch, SACs Jess Murfin, Phoebe Mitchell & Jay Rai set off for two weeks working alongside 3MCS and two chefs from to RAF Benson. They provided catering support for 184 JHC pax, keeping up with delayed mealtimes due to tactical training and night flying missions.

October saw SACs Stephanie Pye, Richard Croucher and LAC Tadala Kwelepta deploy on Ex BROKNCLOCK. This is the predeployment training for Ex.

CLOCKWORK, a cold weather training exercise in the UK. They fed 10 pax from Force Protection Training Section for the duration of the exercise, producing menus each day and sourcing fresh produce. The trainees were on 24hr ORP. Two of our own were selected to assist in high profile events at Chequers Residence. First was the Air Force Board 81st Commemoration Sunset Ceremony & Dinner. Front of House SAC Charlotte Manningham aided staff with the set-up, parking duties, wine service, clearance and tea and coffee service. Second the prolific Centenary Dinner, celebrating a century of Prime Ministers living at Chequers. Chef SAC Connor Mackie assisted in the execution of the dinner alongside the resident chefs of Chequers, using fresh produce from the Estate Gardens. Both mentioned how honoured they felt to be part of such commemorative events.

SAC Phoebe Mitchell - Ex FALCON AMARENTE

SAC Danny Perkis - Ex FALCON AMARENTE

In November SAC’s Phoebe Mitchell and Danny Perkis detachment on Ex. FALCON AMARENTE in Septfonds, France. They worked alongside British Army chefs feeding up to 300 personnel at a time. During their three-week detachment, they were offered to participate in a Remembrance Parade with the British and French Armies.

THE LOCAL GARAGE SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY

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on F o M rc O es T’ D s is & co Se u rv nt ic in g

In December, SAC Connor Mackie deployed to Bardufoss, Norway on Ex. CLOCKWORK. He was participating on the Extreme Cold Weather Training, consisting of 5 nights outside constructing shelters, alpine Skiing, Avalanche drills, igloo building etc. The average daily temperature is -26?C, with less than 1 hour of daylight per day. The last training objective involves an ice plunge, carrying a bergen with a Jerry can and stepping into a hole in a frozen over lake, the trainees must be able to control their breathing in the sub temperatures and get themselves out without assistance. The 10-day training course is directed by the Marines and is both mentally and physically challenging, but overall, incredibly rewarding. Beautiful surroundings and an opportunity to see the Northern Lights.

SERVICING

MOTS

TYRES & EXHAUSTS

CAR SALES

Mill Lane, Crondall, Farnham, Surrey GU10 5RP Telephone 01252 850460 www.theploughgarage.com We are on the A287 Farnham-Odiham road, next to M&S Simply Food

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GENERAL INTEREST

Operation ESCALIN In September 2021, as fuel stock projections started to decline, showing in some cases below 20%, the fuel supply picture began to look bleak, and a National crisis began. Four Mechanical Transport Drivers (MTDs) from RAF Odiham Logistics Squadron were placed at R1 readiness and then activated as part of Operation ESCALIN. This is a Defence contingency operation, to provide military assistance to civilian authorities, in the event of resolving fuel delivery shortages to forecourts across the UK. Cpl Scott Gillson

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n the 30th September 2021, Cpl Scott Gillson and SAC Mike Lea, from RAF Odiham MT, were briefed to report to Kendrew Barracks in Lincolnshire with little information as to where they would be deployed to or how long for, the guesses ranged from 6 days to 6 months!

Later that day they received information that they would be assisting Hoyer at the Hemel Hempstead Fuel Terminal. Initially they arrived as part of an 18-strong team, compromising of 9 crews, made up from 9 RAF Logs MTD’s and 9 ‘drivers-mates’ from various trade groups across the RAF. They were shortly joined by a further 4 crews which included 2 additional drivers from RAF Odiham: Cpl Genevieve Loni and SAC Stevie Kane.

On arrival at Hemel, the drivers received 2 days of training carried out by civilian training staff from Hoyer. These included site induction safety briefs, driving assessments and carrying out supervised fuel deliveries, all whilst under the watchful gaze and increased speculation of the national and international media.

Trained and ready to go, the Odiham contingent were ready to start delivering fuel alongside their civilian counterparts.

All RAF crews were integrated into the Hoyer shift pattern, directly working side-by-side with Hoyer’s civilian drivers. Their norm quickly

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‘It was great to also see that the appreciation of the RAF’s assistance was clear when arriving at an empty forecourt. Staff readily offering a hot drink (and maybe a snack or 2), which at 0500 on a cold morning was certainly a welcome sight. ’ became demanding 12-hour day or night shifts, starting at 04:00 or 16:00 respectively, and being fully integrated alongside Hoyer drivers meant they were able to call on their counterpart’s knowledge and experience. The civilian drivers readily gave their top tips and advice for frequently navigating the large fuel tankers into some of the very tight forecourts which

made for a very collaborative environment.

The fuel deliveries were required over a vast area, covering as far down as the congested streets of outer London, to the narrow country roads of East Norfolk and busy motorway service stations.

The arrival of a tanker at a forecourt would quickly induce a flurry of vehicles to descend on the delivery site, as word of available fuel would be quickly shared across social media.

It was great to also see that the appreciation of the RAF’s assistance was clear when arriving at an empty forecourt. Staff readily offering a hot drink (and maybe a snack or 2), which at 0500 on a cold morning was certainly a welcome sight.

From the outset the extent of fuel shortage was apparent, not only the lengthy queues of cars, but also arriving at forecourts where the underground storage tanks were completely empty. As the

weeks passed and the deliveries continued it was evident progress was finally being made, queues at forecourts were reducing and underground storage tanks were staying fuller for longer, the public panic seemed to reduce.

Operation ESCALIN 21 lasted over 2 months, with the final crews being ‘stood-down’ in December 2021.

Of note, all drivers held on Operation ESCALIN readiness are required to complete annual Operation ESCALIN training at the Defence School of Transport (DST) Leconfield. Here they carry out familiarisation on driving fuel tankers on the road and simulated forecourt deliveries, using water in purpose built mock fuel stations at DST. The opportunity to put this training into practice during Operation ESCALIN, gave all the drivers invaluable knowledge and experience as well as the satisfying feeling of knowing they were making a difference.

GENERAL INTEREST

The RAF Odiham Wellbeing and Breast feeding Hub RAF Odiham created a Mental Wellbeing Committee in January 2020 and began meeting on a monthly basis with the aim to improve Mental Health and resilience at Odiham.

S

qn Ldr Johnson was able to secure 2 places on a Mindfulness teacher course in May 2020 but due to COVID this was delayed until November 2020. We soon realised there was no suitable space on unit to hold Mindfulness sessions and Yoga sessions were currently being held in the Chaplaincy centre. Sqn Ldr Johnson, Flt Lt Rhian Reffell and Sgt Sasha White came up with the idea of creating a Wellbeing hub which incorporated a yoga and Mindfulness space alongside a dedicated area for new mothers to express and/or feed their babies.

In November 2020 the NAAFI fund sent out information regarding the applications for the next round of

funding which fell at the perfect time. I quickly set about filling in the application and requested £8300 in funding. It wasn’t too long a wait as we were notified in March that our bid had been successful and that we would be able to create this space.

We set about emptying the room of old battered furniture and relocated the pool table to a very happy bunch of Suppliers and the dartboard to a very happy bunch of MT Drivers!

The first day of decorating didn’t quite go according to plan we spent an hour painting a wall from magnolia to white but sadly it started to bubble and the whole patch peeled off to reveal

a deep red wall which we discovered was oil resistant kitchen paint! As you can imagine painting over red now became a bigger challenge - I’d say we painted that wall about 15 times to get it white but as you can see from the pictures we got there in the end! A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into this project over a period of 4 months but I think you can agree it is a lovely calming space which can be utilised for various different sessions as well as being a facility for breastfeeding/expressing.

Going forward the team aim to work with the Mental health

network, trained PTIs in pre and post-natal training and the station yoga instructor to develop a timetable. The aim is for the hub to be used throughout the working day and evening offering classes for all station personnel and expectant mothers and those returning to work post maternity leave.

Personnel at RAF Odiham urged to get on their bikes for RAFA Rides Not much about the last two years has been certain, but one thing that has remained constant is the Royal Air Forces Association’s support of the RAF community.

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n 5 June 2021 810 riders joined together from around the world to take part in RAFA Rides 2021. This included 250 who cycled routes around the beautiful Leicestershire and Rutland countryside, with the rest joining virtually.

Friendship and maintaining connections are key elements in much of the welfare delivered by the Association and RAFA Rides shares these values. Personnel, families and contractors at RAF Odiham can be part of RAFA Rides 2022, taking place on Saturday 11 June 2022. You can show your support for those who are serving, those who have served and their

families, and have some bicyclerelated fun at the same time!

The event, made possible thanks to generous ongoing support from security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin UK, was created so people across the world could join together both in person and virtually, in support of the RAF community.

While a great deal of the Association’s work is for more vulnerable members of our community, serving personnel can benefit also from support. This can be a bedtime story recorded for a child while you are working away from home, online mental wellbeing courses, affordable and nurturing early years childcare on

RAF stations or an online forum for those caring for people living with dementia.

Air Vice-Marshal Gary Waterfall, RAF Association ambassador and RAFA Rides founder, said: “RAFA Rides 2021 surpassed all our expectations. In just four years, this annual ride has become a real highlight in the cycling calendar.

As the last miles were ridden, we were already thinking about the next year’s ride and it is going to be bigger and better. I urge everyone with a bike to sign up.”

Amy Petterson, Head of Community Fundraising at the RAF Association, added: “The support for RAFA Rides from within the serving RAF community is

incredible, as is the atmosphere of (mostly) friendly competition!

Many riders enjoyed the sense of all riding together for a cause close to their hearts, even if they were cycling alone out on the roads or in their home.”

Anyone who loves cycling, and wants to join riders around the world in supporting the RAF community, can sign up now for RAFA Rides 2022 on Saturday 11 June.

You could challenge other trades or branches on your station. You could challenge other stations.

Or you could challenge yourself.

Whoever you challenge, sign up now and start training and fundraising!

Visit rafa.org.uk/rafarides to start your journey.

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GENERAL INTEREST

Autumn LIFT in rural France Between the 5th and 17th of November 2021, 27 Sqn and supporting personnel from across RAF Odiham deployed to Septfonds airstrip for Exercise FALCON AMARANTE to support 16 Air Assault Brigade and complete Pre-Deployment Training.

By Flt Lt Fuller Under the responsibility of Sqn Ldr Gawler, OC A Flight, the Chinook Force’s participation in Exercise FALCON AMARANTE (Ex FA) had been planned and organised for months. In the final days before departure, the aircraft were given crucial maintenance to enable them to deploy. A truly exceptional effort, by 27 Sqn personnel, provided the 3 aircraft that were needed.

On a glorious autumn morning, beginning with a chilly 0430 start, three heavily loaded aircraft left RAF Odiham under catchy callsign ‘RAFAIR 7167 Flight.’ The transit across to France had been painstakingly planned by junior crewmembers who were to be assessed on their ability to operate on an overseas transit. This included consideration of a huge number of factors including diplomatic clearance, weather, flight plans, airspace, fuel and much more

besides. Ground based elements involved in the Ex had already carried out their planning, ready to sustain all involved for up to a fortnight in field conditions. Their time to shine in the damp fields of France would begin on arrival.

The advance party had estimated our arrival at 1500 local time on Friday the 5th.

Amidst tremendous bustling at the rear of the three aircraft, kit was offloaded, and people and baggage were despatched to their new bedspaces.

Accommodation for the Ex comprised heavy canvas tents and cot beds. These were lacking light, heat, or power until the last few days on the site. You may be reassured that the resilience of all your loved ones enabled them to function well, despite the unusual and often challenging real life support and sanitation, especially -2 degrees by night!

Conditions underfoot needed some forethought for a walk to the shower.

40 Personnel being moved as part of the Exercise.

Flying on the Ex started the following morning, with events planned for most days but occasionally scuppered by poor weather and persistent, localised fog. Three 661 Sqn, Army Air Corps, Wildcats were the other British military aviation element.

Their technical facilities, transport, expertise, and workforce were invaluable. French Army Aviation Tigers, Gazelles and Caimans were also resident during the Ex. The joint Aviation Task Force passed on the orders from their higher HQ as soon as possible, permitting the assigned crews to launch into action to plan at speed, solving the tactical problems and operating within the exercise constraints to keep operations safe and legal.

It will come as no surprise that the Chinooks were there to carry people and cargo. With

The Light Utility Vehicle, VT4, on its way into action.

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permission to carry up to 40 troops in the cabin and the horsepower to lift utility vehicles, light armoured vehicles and stores inside the cabin and externally, our impressive ability to provide a concentration of force was in high demand. Often working with armed escort from a Tiger and under the watchful sensors of the Wildcats, Chinooks and Caimans carried hundreds of airborne forces and their vehicles from target to target as the Exercise progressed.

The Detachment Commander was Sqn Ldr Stevens- OC C Flight, who was responsible for looking after sections including C4I, Tactical Supply Wing, Joint Helicopter Support Sqn, the much-needed chefs, Ops and Ground Engineering Flight. These personnel were critical to being able to fly Chinooks in tactical

Keeping the active surface clear, the aircraft lived outside.

The weather can always force you to change your plans.

Vortex 1 & 2 crew brief before an early morning aviation assault.

scenarios in big formations over foreign soil. Their attitude and endeavour carried the crews, who were then in the best position to achieve the commander’s intent.

The exercise ended with more realistic training, a short-notice recovery of the aircraft which saw the three Chinooks lift homeward bound just 15 hours after the orders were relayed. All 70 personnel were once again called upon to execute their duties rigorously and confidently under pressure, a commendable feat and one which has been complimented from several corners. Ex FALCON AMARANTE was austere, muddy, often cold and it required our best skills from start to finish. 16 Brigade and their French counterparts were provided with everything they asked for by 27 Sqn. No mean feat in rural France in November.

Solidarity flythrough as we left the muddy swamp for home.

LIFT in motion. Holding before Wave 4 as two French Caimans approach.

Ice-cold and poised for action.

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MARK THE ANNIVERSARY OF ONE OF THE RAF’S MOST DARING OPERATIONS BY CYCLING 56 OR 100 MILES

MAIN RIDE: SAT 14 MAY 2022 Start & finish: The Petwood Hotel, Lincolnshire, home of the Dambusters Ride to take a heritage route

VIRTUAL RIDE: SAT 7 – SUN 8 MAY 2022 Enter individually or as a team

Raise vital funds for the RAF Family Exclusive medal and jersey for all riders

Sign up now:

rafbf.org/ride Registered charity in England and Wales (1081009) and Scotland (SC038109).

People who serve in the RAF are trained to be self-reliant.

All too often, when life gets tough, they suffer in silence.

Our Listening and Counselling Service provides confidential support.

We also offer online mindfulness training through free Headspace memberships.

If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, anxiety, stress or low self-esteem, we’re here to help.

Find out more: rafbf.org CALL 0300 102 1919 The RAF Benevolent Fund is a registered charity in England and Wales (1081009) and Scotland (SC038109).

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