Valley Wings - Issue 1 2025

Valley Wings

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Editor

I’m delighted to introduce the first edition of our re-launched Station magazine, that’s right… the Valley Wings is back!

RAF Valley is truly a Whole Force effort, bringing together a dedicated team of civilian contractors, Service personnel and Civil servants. What better way to celebrate the exceptional work happening across the Station than with our new, vibrant magazine!

I arrived at RAF Valley, in the area of natural beauty, known locally as Ynys Môn, just over a year ago. During my 22 years of service I have had the privilege of being posted to several units, but none as unique as RAF Valley. Visiting the different departments across the Station, it quickly became clear just how much talent and dedication is at work here. As a Visual Communicator (formerly known as RAF Photographer), it’s my passion to highlight the incredible work of our personnel so it felt natural to bring this magazine back to showcase our Station’s story to both the Whole Force and local community.

I would like to say a huge thank you to all who contributed to this first edition with your articles - this magazine would not be possible without your input. If you have any ideas or feedback for future editions, please feel free to email me at val-valleywings@mod.gov. uk I look forward to hearing from you! Enjoy the read!

Sgt Lynny Hughes

Station Commander's

I am honoured to be writing the first foreword for our reinvigorated RAF Valley Wings magazine.

Communication across the Valley Enterprise will always be challenging as we are a unit made up of many parts and our communication strategies should be delivered at various levels, I see this magazine as a key part to getting the information out to all of you, I hope you find that it is a step in the right direction.

This magazine will demonstrate what we collectively deliver at RAF

Foreword Submissions

have thoroughly enjoyed what I have experienced – there are many highlights which would fill this magazine – so I will simply say thank you for everything you have done for me since day 1.

There have been challenges along the way, but that’s life and we deal with them as they arise. What I have seen is the collective spirit of RAF Valley overcoming these and setting us back on track, not least when we were confronted by STORM DARRAGH, there were so many people who stepped in to help others at that challenging time. We are still subject to the damage caused by that event, however the Infrastructure Team, along with Station Community Support Officer, DIO and our contractors are working hard to return the unit to its pre-DARRAGH state.

Valley and allow us to reflect on this fact. We are the sum of our parts and the unit successfully delivers its output because of everything that you all contribute. From my perspective as Station Commander I would like to thank you for all that you do, whether in your core role or as a secondary or associated duty or activity.

I have reached an anniversary already, I am 1-year into my tenure and from day one I have been incredibly impressed by what we achieve here and the positivity I see and feel across Station and the wider Valley Community, this is down to all of you.

It has been a rollercoaster ride over the last 12-months and I

This magazine should be seen as a celebration of the things we achieve here on this beautiful island and as the last remaining RAF Base in Wales. This fact is incredibly important and one we should be very proud of, 2025 will see us delivering a whole hose of events outside of our main role of delivering Pilots and trained aircrew to the Front line, some of which will reflect the unique position we have within Wales and the RAF. I encourage you to get involved in what is on offer; these events help to build esprit de corp, develops a team ethos and continues to increase the positivity that I already see on unit – you never know you may well get your picture in the next edition of this magazine! And of course please feel free to contribute to the content of this magazine, you will be the people who add the flavour needed to make it an enjoyable read. Sgt Lynny Hughes has been the driving force behind this publication and will welcome your input, well done to her for bringing this together and a big thank you to those who wrote the articles.

So thanks again and here’s to a successful 2025 and some great content for future editions.

Group Captain Gez Currie

Please direct all submissions forValley Wings Magazine to: The Editor, VAL-ValleyWings@mod.gov.uk

Please try to ensure that images are in .jpeg format and as large as possible. Text should be supplied in Microsoft Word. doc format or plain text if possible.

Welcome from the

Commandant

The short version of my introduction is “what the Station Commander said”! The slightly longer version echoes the privilege of being part of the RAF Valley story which, fundamentally, is all about people.

My role as Commandant No 4 Flying Training School and by association my focus is very simple: to train the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm Fighter Pilots of the future, and to equip them with the skills they need to operate in an ever more uncertain world. In nearly 27 years of service, I have never had a greater responsibility – and you only have to read or watch the news to have a sense of what we

Editor

might have to ask these women and men to do. That training journey is really intense and difficult. But they are afforded this opportunity because everyone here at RAF Valley contributes towards that mission. Whether

Valley Wings

" I am consistently humbled by what my people achieve.

you are in the military, Civil Service or are an Industry colleague, be under no doubt that a critical element of the UK’s hard fighting power relies on what we all do on a day-to-day basis, as well as your professionalism and expertise. I hope that whatever your role, you can take a huge amount of pride in what we all collectively achieve here. Because at the end of the day, aircraft are nothing without the pilots that operate them. And those pilots are utterly reliant on every element and person within the support network.

My final words are directed to the families and loved ones of those that serve. That is by no means to diminish the importance of family to every member of the RAF Valley team. But by the very nature of military life, we ask an awful lot of our people. By association, that means we ask an awful lot of their families. The support you give to those in uniform is priceless and I could not adequately find the words to recognise everything you do. But I hope you will accept my sincere thanks. I am consistently humbled by what my people achieve; I know they could not do what they need to do without you.

Group Captain Pete ‘Boomer’ Ward

deliver Basic Fast-jet Training on the Texan T1 at RAF Valley.

Located on the far windswept side of the RAF Valley airfield lies a jewel in the 1 Flying Training School crown - 202 Sqn!

mechanisms in place which Military and Civilian staff can submit to highlight any

In the UK, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is crucial because it provides a pathway to highdemand jobs, develops critical thinking skills and drives innovation.

It has been a busy 2024 for Ambassadors from BAE Systems & Babcock at RAF Valley reaching out to students in the local community.

Remembrance is an important part of the life of a Service person. It is a duty and a responsibility, but it is also an honour and a privilege, in which we all have a part.

The People and Family Support department at RAF Valley offers a wide range of needs led community activities to support the Whole Force community.

There are numerous definitions as to what resilience is, but the best definition we could use within the military is the ability to withstand adversity and bounce back from difficult life events.

nearly 6 years ago we were handed a couple of boxes by the then Media Communications Officer Sqn Ldr Dave Williams with the request to go and set up a Heritage Centre.

Valley’s Visual Communicator, current RAF Hockey Captain, AS1 Alex Naughalty, is towards another exciting season finale at HMS Temeraire, Portsmouth in March.

The latest charity events happening within the Station.

72 (Fighter) Squadron

72 (Fighter) Squadron continues to deliver Basic Fast-jet Training on the Texan T1 at RAF Valley.

The Squadron is busier than ever, having recently graduated course 19, consisting of 2 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and 2 RAF personnel, showcasing the Squadron’s prowess in training world class pilots on the global stage. The RAAF trainees have since returned home to Australia to continue their training to progress on to their frontline platforms. The Squadron wishes them well in their future endeavours and hopes they do not miss operating around the Anglesey weather too much. For the rest of the trainees, it is business as usual as they

work towards earning their pilot’s wings and progressing on to Advanced Fast-jet Training either in the UK or abroad with other international training schools.

Further to training outputs, the Squadron has been conducting charity fundraising events throughout 2024 and into 2025. 72 (Fighter) Squadron has named the Bear Force Children’s Positive Mental Health Charity as their chosen charity for 2025. In close partnership with ASCENT at RAF Valley, 72 Squadron has already raised over £700 with squadron members participating in a Virtual Reality simulator flying challenge late in 2024, giving them a great head start towards their 2025 fundraising target of £4,000.

Squadron members are planning a number of fundraising events throughout 2025 including a sponsored 24-hour 10,000ft Indoor Wall Climbing Challenge in April and completion of the UK ThreePeaks Challenge in June. Initial plans are also being made to enter a Squadron Soapbox (‘BEAR FORCE ONE’) in the 2025 Red Bull Soapbox Race later this year. Watch out for the BEAR FORCE Charity Stall at this year’s RAF Valley Families’ Day. It’ll be a great opportunity for your kids to meet Wing Commander AB, the Bear Force Charity Mascot, who has his own Royal Air Force Pilot’s Wings

and Flying Log Book. The Bear pilot has flown over 2000 flying hours in 82 different military and civilian aircraft types whilst on detachment with many of the World’s Air Forces!

Bear Force encourages children to express their feelings from a young age helping to build the foundations for positive mental health as they get older. Emotional problems in older children and young adults, can often stem from childhood experiences with reactions presenting themselves many years later. Bear Force work looks to support children as young as 3 years and provides them with tools to help them right through their formative years.

Visit bearforce.org.uk for more information.

"

Watch out for the BEAR FORCE Charity Stall at this year’s RAF Valley Families’ Day.

"

© images by Richard Bland, Bear Force images only.

EX FREEDOM HAWK

PRE-DETACHMENT

PREPARATION

In the weeks preceding EX FH 25 there was a big push through the syllabus for both XXV(F) and IV(AC) Sqn. The push was to enable trainees to be ready for their next phase; Formation, Basic Fighter Manoeuvres and Air Combat Manoeuvres, which we would fly in Corsica. Alongside teaching our syllabus events the Qualified Flying Instructors were busy preparing the trail out, flight and route planning, accommodation, operational planning and

liaising with the Armée de l'Air. The detachment also included our supporting elements BAE Engineering, BAE survival equipment technicians, Ascent and RAF Valley-based personnel.

A TYPICAL DAY ON DETACHMENT

A typical day on EX FH 25 included at least one flight for a trainee, nominally a syllabus event. The detachment produced four waves of six aircraft per day flying both trainee fighter pilots and trainee instructor pilots. This allowed opportunities for trainees to sit in the back seat and learn even when not on their own syllabus trip.

WHAT WAS ACHIEVED ON DETACHMENT?

For XXV(F) Sqn, trainees completed the Formation flying syllabus which included learning to fly a jet aircraft in formation, changing positions, flat turns, manoeuvring up to 120° Angle of Bank and 3g’s and landing as a formation. There was a successful completion of one trainee’s End of Course test, a first for Hawk T2 while overseas and some students flew their ‘first solo’ in close formation.

IV(AC) Sqn flew Air Combat Manoeuvring sorties which includes advanced two versus one Basic Fighter Manoeuvring.

They also trained their latest trainee instructors. Aircrew took advantage of the improved weather and carried out practice diversions to the local airfields of Bastia and Figari. Others had the opportunity to carve out some Low Level flying in the vast mountainous terrain, almost three times the height of North Wales highest peaks.

WHAT CHALLENGES DID WE FACE?

Operating abroad without the comforts of RAF Valley was challenging at times. We had to adapt to a new, much smaller operations building. We worked slightly longer days than usual and in a comparatively hotter climate, learning to manage the aircrafts avionics and internal temperatures. Personnel learned new procedures and operations for Solenzara airbase, however the biggest challenge was learning the nuances of French Air Traffic Control phraseology. Solenzara airbase is located on the East of Corsica and owns a large part of restricted airspace for military only use. The airbase provided an excellent base for Hawk pilots to operate by having no conflicting traffic, unrestricted military airspace from the surface up and offering improved and reliable ‘Winter’ weather.

PRE-DEPLOYMENT CHALLENGES

The pre-exercise road-moved ground support staff faced days of French ferry strikes which threatened to put the Exercise behind timeline. However, the staff made a very swift turnaround upon arrival to Solenzara and allowed the flying to commence. Both the outbound and recovering trail crews faced challenges with French ATC, initially denying our flight plans whilst airborne before finding a way to get us through to Orléans,

our half-way customs and fuel stop – pressuring crews to maintain fuel and diversion options.

The supporting staff made an excellent effort to maintain the jets, equipment and flying programme whilst deployed. Particularly with challenges facing IT, real-estate and lack of nearby Hawk technical engineering support.

WAS IT A SUCCESS?

Yes! Eight jets flew out and eight returned, 187 successful flights and only one flying day lost for a

Mediterranean storm. Both XXV(F) and IV(AC) Sqn were able to make significant progress through their syllabus in a short space of time and were given an early opportunity to work with our NATO allies. Personnel from the Armée de l'Air were treated to tours of the Hawk T2 and the base commander spoke highly of our staff during the detachment helping solidify the French-UK NATO partnership.

WHAT WERE THE BENEFITS OF THIS EXERCISE?

The trail to Corsica and back to RAF Valley offered the trainees the chance to operate over a long distance and in complex European airspace structures whilst still having the internal support of experienced staff in the rear seat, something often done for the first time alone whilst in a single seat frontline jet. The lessons learnt and environments we were exposed to on EX FH were invaluable and will undoubtably have positively impacted all trainees who participated. Experience operating in overseas airspace directly benefits operational effectiveness by providing Ab-Initio trainees with key skills they can take forward to the OCU and Frontline.

What's that

Helicopter hovering over there for!

Located on the far windswept side of the RAF Valley airfield lies a jewel in the 1 Flying Training School(FTS) crown - 202 Sqn!

With our fleet of Jupiter HT1 helicopters and instructional staff with literally tens of thousands of instructional hours, 202 Sqn is responsible for the teaching of maritime and winching skills to the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force trainees of 1 FTS. Following their continuing training from RAF Shawbury, 202 Sqn train pilots to utilise their captaincy to arrive in the right place, and at the right time to provide a stable winching platform for the rearcrew to safely and effectively use the rescue hoist, either as Winch Operator at the top of the hoist, or Winchman attached to the winch hook to recover whatever is presented to them. All trainees progress through the syllabus of dry

winching over a flat surface, wet winching over the sea, transfers to a deck either underway or stationary and to different sized vessels, before finishing their training over undulating ground and cliffs. What military course would be complete without a final handling test to assess their new-found skills, techniques and abilities to think outside of the box - a key facet of maritime operation. The trainees are full of praise for the squadron and often state that their time with us has been the most challenging yet rewarding of their flying careers so far. To give you an idea of what expected of them I’ll describe a typical training deck transfer. The boat is 28 metres long, weighs just shy of 100 tonnes and can be moving in rough seas, next we

will add a 3.7 tonne helicopter, then finally add a person suspended on a winch cable and now we will get the trainees to put that person onto a transfer area of approximately one square metre. Can the trainees do this - absolutely! And normally with big smiles all round once they realise just what they have achieved! These skills will go with the trainees which they will then adapt to their future frontline aircraft types.

In addition to our primary training role the Squadron continues to support a multitude of events both locally and on an international footing. The Royal International Air Tattoo, Father Christmas visits, local event parades and the Kings Birthday parade in Gibraltar to continue our

WW2 links to the island, to name but a few. Our training events with the RNLI offer an excellent training opportunity for both our crews and those of the of the many classes of local lifeboats.

202 Sqn recognises the achievements of its staff in many ways. Be it the achievement of an instructional upgrade from our newest instructors or from more experienced who have achieved the standard of ‘Above Average’, or for the achievement of a flying hour milestone, we continue to grow the wealth of instructional excellence for the benefit of the trainees who arrive with us for their maritime training journey.

SEMPER VIGILATE

Written by MAcr Andy Lyes

Deck transfers in Holyhead Harbour.

Departing Fairford.

A Knock at the Door

At RAF Valley there are reporting mechanisms in place which Military and Civilian staff can submit to highlight any Air Safety concerns.

Once complete, these reports are then analysed by the Air Safety Management Teams and the Chief Air Engineer and resource steered accordingly to find the root cause, followed by recommendations to enhance Air Safety. From DASOR (Defence Air Safety Occurrence Reports) and MEMs (Maintenance Error Management System) analysis, it was evident through a positive reporting culture that FOD (Foreign Object Debris) incidents were becoming more prevalent across the MAE (Military Air Environment) at Royal Air Force Valley.

The presence of FOD on or around our aircraft is a risk to Air Safety. FOD can be anything from nuts, bolts, washers, locking wire, batteries, loose notepads, pens, torches, coins, aircraft parts, stones, hats, ty-wraps, the list is extensive. FOD can be induced into engines, cockpits and aircraft fuselages causing extensive damage and increased the Risk to Life of the Aircrew. FOD is

not only induced from aircraft maintenance activities, but can be introduced by contractors, vehicles, and other aircraft.

To mitigate FOD incidents, there is always ongoing excellent work being carried out by all our industry partners, including Newsletters, Workshops and Toolbox Talks. As an enterprise we realised further work could be done, and it was agreed that a FOD Video would provide an excellent training resource for the Whole Force Community.

We developed a great storyline based on items of FOD reported in recent Unit DASORs, noting that similar occurrences have happened elsewhere in military aviation. The screenplay told a story of three instances where FOD was introduced into an aircraft through various means, and the resultant consequences.

As Project Lead, I was delighted with the buy-in from BAE Systems management, Babcock employees, and the RAF Visual Communications Section as well as all those involved. Filming was completed over a six-month period and aired to the Whole Force at the Unit’s Air Safety Day in Dec 24.

The FOD video will now be used for Station Arrivals’ Briefs across the Whole Force community. Off Unit, the film has been distributed through both RAF and BAE Systems Flight Safety networks and an article in ‘Air Clues’ magazine will shortly be released.

FS John Evans FS CAE (DDH), 4FTS, RAF Valley

WO2 Loyd achieved 4000 flying hours.

AOS Project

RAF Valley, a cornerstone of the UK's military aviation training, has embarked on a significant refurbishment project that promises to enhance its operational capabilities and sustainability.

This article delves into the details of the refurbishment of the secondary runway and Aircraft Operating Surface (AOS), highlighting the importance of this project for the future of RAF Valley.

THE HEART OF FAST JET TRAINING

RAF Valley serves as the Main Operating Base (MOB) for the UK's Fast Jet training, housing

the Number 4 Flying Training School (4FTS) and Number 1 FTS 202 Squadron rotary wing training. The secondary runway (RWY 01/19) and associated Airfield Operating Surface (AOS) are nearing the end of their operational life, which necessitated a comprehensive refurbishment to maintain the Station's critical training outputs.

The refurbishment of the secondary runway is not just a matter of maintenance; it's a strategic move to ensure greater flexibility in the flying programme and to meet the output requirements of 4 FTS. The loss of RWY 01/19 would severely impact the delivery of UK Military Fast Jet Training, a vital component of the nation's defence capabilities.

DRIVING THE REFURBISHMENT

The Biennial Airfield Inspection Report (BAIR) was the catalyst for this extensive project, highlighting the need for a full-depth excavation and replacement of Runway 01/19. Alongside this, the airfield ground lighting will be upgraded to more sustainable and efficient LEDs, with the installation of two new 'B' centres to accommodate future works for the Management Control System (MCS) for lighting.

THE CONTRACTOR: LAGAN AVIATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Lagan Aviation and Infrastructure, with over 30 years of experience and a portfolio of more than 70 airfield projects worldwide, has been entrusted with this critical task. Their expertise in military airfield projects, including RAF Leuchars, Northolt, Coningsby, Gibraltar, Wittering and Akrotiri, ensures that RAF Valley is in capable hands. Lagan's use of their own plant and equipment, including mobile batching plants and pavers, guarantees control, efficiency, and quality in producing and laying Marshall Asphalt and Pavement Quality Concrete (PQC).

A GLIMPSE INTO RAF VALLEY'S RUNWAY HISTORY

RAF Valley's runways have a rich history of upgrades and refurbishments:

• 1942-1943: Runway extended to 1,833m.

• 1951: Resurfaced with asphalt and tar macadam.

• 1962-1963: Strengthened and extended to 2,292m.

• 1971-1972: Resurfaced with open graded macadam.

• 1979: Overlaid with a friction course.

• 1989: Southern shoulder resurfaced.

• 1995: Major re-profiling and resurfacing.

• 2016-2017: Resurfaced with Porous Friction Course and concrete construction at the north-south end.

TONNAGE FACTS

The project involves significant material movement:

• 25,000 tonnes of broken-out concrete, crushed and reused on-site.

• 43,000 tonnes of asphalt plannings, with 5,000 tonnes reused on-site.

• 20,000 tonnes of new concrete from the on-site batching plant.

• 108,000 tonnes of new asphalt from the on-site batching plant.

Groundbreaking Ceremony took place on the 1st July 2024 for the closure of Runway 01/19 with the Station Commander Group Captain Currie, James Aikan and Will Hornby from Lagan Aviation.

WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW?

The current project involves:

• Full-depth resurfacing of Runway 01/19, ASP1, Delta, Charlie, and Echo taxiways.

• Surface asphalt resurfacing of Charlie Taxiway.

• AGL package including B centres.

• Full LED AGL replacement.

KEY DATES

• January 2024: Contractor mobilisation and construction start.

• July 2024 – June 2025: Runway 01/19 resurfacing.

• September 2025: Construction complete.

• October/November 2025: Contractor vacates.

Crushing Plant.

SUSTAINABILITY AT THE FOREFRONT

Lagan Aviation and Infrastructure is committed to sustainability, incorporating eco-friendly materials and practices. Key sustainability initiatives at RAF Valley include:

• Recycling broken concrete onsite, reducing material transport and carbon footprint.

• Collaborating with RSPB and National Resources Wales to protect local wetlands.

• Employing approximately 100 people, with 50-60 from the local area.

• Upgrading airfield lighting to efficient, long-lasting LEDs, reducing electricity costs and carbon footprint.

CONCLUSION

The refurbishment of RAF Valley's secondary runway and AOS is a testament to the UK's commitment to maintaining its military aviation training capabilities. With Lagan Aviation and Infrastructure at the helm, this project not only ensures the operational readiness of RAF Valley but also sets a benchmark for sustainable and efficient airfield refurbishment. As the project progresses, RAF Valley will continue to be a pivotal training ground for the UK's future military aviators.

Article written by Gemma Young

Phoenix Bird Controller

Name: Ian Harrison Brown

Occupation

I work for Phoenix as an Airfield Wildlife Control Unit Operator. It is a small family run business. As well as RAF Valley and RLG Mona Phoenix Bird Control Services have contracts on several airfields in the north and along the eastern side of England as well as all American Air Force Bases in England.

What is your role?

My role is to patrol the airfield in a yellow 4X4 vehicle keeping the birds and animals away from the runways and aircraft as much as possible. I’m also the eyes and ears for the airfield when out checking anything that does not look or sound right and informing Air Traffic Control via radio when required.

Describe a typical day in the workplace?

We are out early to ensure the airfield is clear, moving any wildlife before the first aircraft is due to depart. We then are out until the last aircraft of the day has landed. We constantly patrol looking out for birds and animals like rabbits, hares and possibly

foxes that may from time-to-time encroach on to the airfield and get in the way of the aircraft. All animals and their movements are recorded electronically on a tablet which provides information for reports and statistics. Bird activity at Valley can change quickly with the weather or at times of high tides which can make the job quite interesting. Additionally, we assist Air Traffic Control and Operations with any essential tasking when required i.e escorting personnel or vehicles off the runway. The team have received many awards for going above and beyond their normal tasks in support of RAF Valley.

What does your job entail and where?

I work at RAF Valley and Mona which are part of the MOD Western Region which also includes RAF bases at Woodvale, Shawbury, Tern Hill and Cosford. We constantly patrol the airfields to reduce the chances of a bird strike with an aircraft by using various means such as lures, bird scaring cartridges, flags and recorded bird distress calls. Without leaving

the airfield we can cover up to 100 miles per day. We also take various RAF personnel out with us for such things as refresher and familiarisation, Prince William spent an afternoon with us while doing his work experience at Valley.

What is the main misconception about what you do?

People mostly see us as just aimlessly driving around the airfield in our yellow vehicle making funny noises with little knowledge of what we do and how we do it, not understanding the crucial flight safety work that we carry out for the Station and local area.

What is the most important part of your work?

And why is it important?

It’s very important while at work to remain focused and vigilant

as anything can happen at any time whilst you are out on the airfield. From time-to-time a bird and an aircraft will share the same patch of sky causing a bird strike. When this happens we check the runway for any foreign objects, interview the aircrew to gain information on the strike (i.e location, height etc) and then inspect the aircraft. Any feathers or DNA we find are recovered and sent away for analysis and bird identification.

What would you advise anyone who is interested in becoming a Bird Controller?

Learn how to identify and understand birds. It also helps to be a people person, enjoy driving and enjoy being out and about! You also need to be ready to expect the unexpected!

"

It’s very important while at work to remain focused and vigilant as anything can happen at any time whilst you are out on the airfield.

Are you in demand and are there many of you in this employment?

There are a total of 5 operators and a manager to cover RAF Valley and Mona. The manager covers the western region. Most UK military airfields and the larger civil airports have bird and wildlife control units to some degree operating on them as part of their air safety requirements. Our team have appeared on many television programmes over the years which have been broadcast on BBC’s Combat Pilot and Countryfile.

"

First Responders

Name: Master Aircrew (MAcr) Andy Lyes

Occupation

Rearcrew Instructor with 202 Sqn

What is your Role?

I teach RN and RAF rear crew as well as observers how to operate safely in the maritime environment. This involves winching in both land and sea scenarios, and to vessels underway and stationary. In my spare time, I'm fortunate enough to be the Co-ordinator for the RAF Valley First Responder team, which involves dealing with the Ambulance Service, maintaining our vehicles' compliance with all agencies and also ensuring the team maintain their currencies to be able to respond to all tasks.

Describe a typical day in the life of a First Responder

Once we have the keys for the First Responders car, we will check all the kit for serviceability and replace as necessary to ensure we are ready for the clinical shift. We will then contact Ambulance Control and let them know what services we can offer them, and for how long. Once this is complete, it becomes a waiting game to see what callouts we will be asked to attend.

" " Once on task, we will act as a team to ensure the care is of the highest standard we can provide.

"

What does your job entail and what areas do you cover?

Our job can be very varied and can involve very in-depth scenarios. These can include: slips and falls, heart attacks, breathing

difficulties, limb injuries to name but a few. The RAF Valley team generally cover the whole of Anglesey but can also reach the Bangor area if required by Ambulance Control.

What training have you had to complete to be a First Responder?

The First Responder training is offered by the Welsh Ambulance Service Team, and consists of a week long course covering both basic and advanced life support, how to use a defibrillator, how to lift victims

of falls, oxygen therapy and airway management. There is also an advanced online training package for knowledge required by the Ambulance Service.

Why is this role important? Before the team was setup, Anglesey had 2 First Responders to cover the island therefore resources were very thinly spread. Now the team provide a vital resource to the local community and have offered many hours of life saving care.

How often are you called out and how many are in your team?

Obviously the best case scenario would be to not have to be called out at all. We tend to operate in pairs with one person driving the vehicle and the other leading the clinical care. Once on task, we will act as a team to ensure the care is of the highest standard we can provide. We will then ensure the task is electronically documented to pass onto the next person in the care chain, be it a paramedic or doctor. Some shifts are busier than others, all depending on the tasking of the Ambulance Service. We can potentially prevent an ambulance being dispatched to a lower level task, leaving them free to support higher priority conditions. We currently have between 10-12 responders dependant on leave and deployments.

How can someone become a First Responder and who would be the person to contact?

To express interest in the scheme is a simple process. The first step is to contact the First Responders email: VAL-CoResponderGpMbx@ mod.gov.uk

We're always looking for volunteers to fill upcoming courses. All that is asked for is a minimum of 16 hours a month!

Aeronautical Engineer

Name: Steph Williams

Occupation

Aeronautical Engineer

What is your role?

My role with Babcock here at RAF Valley is a Maintenance Support Engineer (MSE). I'm the only MSE within the team of six I work with, of which I've been doing for six years now. I worked as a Mechanical Engineer for 11 years previously, becoming a Supervisor in 2015.

Describe a typical day

My typical day here in Rectification, in the Moran Hanger office involves carrying out 28-day documentation checks ensuring all aspects of the logged data is correct within our system of record, I check that all work carried out on the aircraft has to be documented, inputted correctly and corresponds with the work that has been carried out. I activate and approve job instruction cards that are needed to sign for work carried out on the aircraft. When major components are replaced, I calculate and update weight, moment and centre of gravity of the aircraft. This is really important, as the centre of gravity affects the stability of the aircraft and has a very specific limit, I have to ensure it's within that limit.

Now and again, mostly on weekends, I work in the hanger helping out where I can as a fitter, taking engines out, removing wings and so on. I love being able to do this as it's where my career started and being hands on is a welcome change from being sat in the office.

How long have you worked with Babcock, and how did you start your career?

I've worked with Babcock at Valley for 17 years. I started as an Apprentice back in 2007 in the Structures Bay, learning about structural repair of the airframe. This included drilling, riveting and forming patches out of aluminium sheets. It's a very skilled and precise way of working that follows drawings down to such a minute detail. From here, I qualified and became a Mechanical Fitter and worked in Forward Rectification. One of my highlights is being fortunate enough to get a flight in a T1 and T2.

What's the most important aspect of your job?

Delivering aircraft safely onto the flight line. If we don't deliver aircraft onto the flight line, sorties will be missed and this has a huge impact on the flight training schedules.

How does your personality shine through to your work?

I'm very determined and quite competitive so I don't like to give up easily! This shines through to my job because I never give up and have to prove to myself that I can do anything that is thrown my way. The biggest challenge I've faced being the only female on a shift of 30 is that I don't have the same physical strength as my colleagues. To overcome this I've adapted little tricks of the trade to

help me carry out the work as I'm stubborn and hate asking for help!

What does RAF Valley mean to you?

RAF Valley has given me an amazing career, but most of all as cheesy as it sounds, it's given me an extended family. The people I work with mean the world to me and I wouldn't be where I am today without all of their support.

RAF Valley has given me an amazing career, but most of all as cheesy as it sounds, its given me an extended family" "

The Importance

of Cyber Security to all

Here at RAF Valley, the Distributed Cyber Protection Team (DCPT) have the task of educating whole force personnel on the importance of cyber security and cyber hygiene as well as assessing the security risks associated with daily business.

Cyber is part of our day to day lives from emails to smart devices. In this new age of technology, we are never far from Wi-Fi, cellular networks, and a vast and ever expanding IoT (Internet of Things) culture. Cyber security focuses on the protection of internet-connected devices and services from malicious attacks by hackers, spammers, and cybercriminals. It also involves guarding all categories of data from theft and damage. This includes sensitive data, protected health information, personal information, intellectual property, military, governmental and industry information systems. Cyber security's importance is on the rise. Fundamentally, our society is more technologically reliant than ever before and there is no sign that this trend will slow. Today's cyber security industry is primarily focused on protecting devices and systems from attackers. Many websites would be nearly impossible to enjoy due to ever-present denial-of-service attack attempts. Without solid cyber security defences, it would

be easy to destroy modern-day essentials like the power grids and water treatment facilities that keep the world running smoothly. Simply put, cyber security is critically important as it helps to preserve the lifestyles we have come to know and enjoy. Cyber threats can come from anywhere in the world. Without cyber security, organisations would not be able to defend themselves against data breaches or cyber events. Some hackers carry out attacks for Ideological gain, some towards political reasons and other do it “just for the LOL’s”. Just some simple basic knowledge can go a long way in protecting ourselves, even if it is the thought “if this is too good to be true” or “this doesn’t seem right” and we stop before hitting the send button.

On Station, DCPT provide cyber security awareness training to educate staff about common cyber threats like social engineering scams, phishing emails, ransomware attacks, suspicious web sites and other malware designed to steal personal data. To help educate personnel and raise awareness of some of the simpler aspects, a team from Cyber Confident within Defence Digital brought their “Escape Room” over in December. The aim was to use everyday clues such as pictures of pets, hidden notes, and basic puzzles to unlock safety boxes and computer accounts to decrypt a story and locate a missing worker. The educational piece was to highlight how little bits of information we share, whether intended or not, are pieces of a jigsaw that Cyber

criminals can use against us or for malicious purposes.

Knowledge is power, and awareness of cyber threats both personally and professionally, is invaluable in the cyber security puzzle. Giving RAF Valley whole force members training on the fundamentals of computer security is critical in raising awareness about best practices, organisational procedures and policies, monitoring, and reporting suspicious, malicious activities.

Ref – National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

Written by Sgt Matt Mcnee.

Treasures unearthed at

RAF Valley

Military veterans and Service personnel have helped uncover lost Iron Age treasures beneath RAF VALLEY.

These 2,000-year-old Iron Age artefacts found last year were this week declared national treasure by the Senior Coroner for North Wales.

The historic finds were discovered by military personnel and veterans and they will now be gifted to the Museum of Wales.

The find includes parts of a Celtic chariot, thought to be around 2000 years old.

The archeological dig included personnel and veterans from Operation Nightingale, a

DIO initiative which supports the health and wellbeing of military personnel and veterans.

The Minister for Veterans and People Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP said:

“Operation Nightingale is an innovative and award-winning programme that consistently shows the benefits that archaeology can offer to military personnel and veterans.

“Congratulations to those who carried out the excavation and made this exciting discovery. Through their hard work, we are uncovering and preserving our history for future generations.”

The award-winning scheme sees wounded, injured and sick personnel and veterans taking part in archaeological investigations across the Defence estate, providing

inlay. The ring, found by retired RAF Squadron Leader David Ulke, is one of just three found with this particular decoration in Wales. A second discovery, a horse bridlebit thought to date to c60AD, was found by serving RAF Flight Sergeant Graham Moore. Similar to those from the Polden Hill hoard found in Somerset, the bridle-bit would have been worn by horses pulling Iron Age chariots.

DIO’s Senior Archaeologist, Richard Osgood, said:

“These finds at RAF Valley are extremely exciting for all involved; the Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard is of national importance for Wales, and the United Kingdom as a whole. These new discoveries have confirmed the suspicions of earlier archaeologists that there was more to be found from this particular hoard.

Finder of the terret ring, Sqn Ldr (Ret’d) David Ulke said:

unique experiences within the field. The finds are believed to form part of the famed Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard, originally uncovered in the 1940s during work to extend the airfield at RAF Valley for American bombers during the Allied war effort. The hoard is one of the most important collections of Iron Age artefacts discovered in the UK, comprising over 150 bronze and iron objects deposited between 300BC and 100AD.

Among the new finds was a terret ring which would have been used to guide the reins of a Celtic chariot, featuring a red decorative

“We’d been briefed on the sort of things we could expect to find, so when I uncovered the piece, I was pretty sure it was an Iron Age terret ring. To say I was the over the moon is probably an understatement! I’ve been involved in archaeology for many years and this was by far the most significant recovery I have ever made.

“The fact that Operation Nightingale can bring together Service personnel through archaeological digs shows how healing and helpful archaeology can be. It’s by no means a silver bullet, but many have benefitted, and I for one am one of those grateful beneficiaries.”

Finder of the bridle-bit, Flt Sgt Graham Moore said:

“The search for the lost hoard was hard work and we had a huge area to cover. It wasn’t until the final day – with just 10

minutes to go – that I discovered the horse bridle-bit. At first the team thought I was joking, but quickly realised I’d found something special. Words could not explain how I felt in that moment, but it was a wonderful experience.

“I’ve been involved in lots of Operation Nightingale digs now, and the experience truly is priceless for the veterans and Service personnel taking part.”

Station Commander at RAF Valley, Group Captain Gez Currie OBE said:

“It is incredible that we are again reminded of the significance of the site on the doorstep of RAF Valley and the importance it has in Welsh history. It was the preparation of RAF Valley in the 1940s to help prevent invasion, that brought to light the significance of this location and its links to an earlier invasion by the Romans.

“The importance of RAF Valley to UK Defence today is beyond question, but this is a reminder that we are part of a continuum spanning over 2,000 years and we must be responsible stewards of this land. We are immensely proud to be part of efforts to discover and conserve these important

artefacts from Welsh history and equally delighted that our own Service personnel have been so intimately involved in these efforts.”

Senior Curator of Prehistory at Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, Adam Gwilt, said:

“It is amazing to think that these 2,000 year old artefacts have remained so complete and well-preserved within a shallow peat deposit, previously moved and dragged onto the airfield over 80 years ago from a nearby ancient lake! The bridle-bit and terret are both of styles which are not represented amongst the original collection. They add important new information on the religious gifting of prized objects into the lake at the end of the Iron Age, a little before, or at around the time when the Roman Army invaded Anglesey.

“It is great that these artefacts will be made accessible for display and public benefit at Oriel Môn. I look forward to working collaboratively in coming years with the museum, the heritage centre at RAF Valley and the Operation Nightingale team, so this great story can be celebrated and shared by all.”

Photography by Harvey Mills.

"

The fact that Operation Nightingale can bring together service personnel through archaeological digs shows how healing and helpful archaeology can be...

"

Explore the Ocean with

Sea Kayaking Wales

Nestled on the stunning island of Anglesey, Sea Kayaking Wales (SKW) offers an unparalleled kayaking experience for adventurers of all levels. Co-owned by the dynamic duo, Kirsty and Geth Roberts, SKW has become a beacon for kayaking enthusiasts, providing British Canoeing Skills & Training Courses, expeditions, and tailor-made adventures across the UK and beyond.

With a commitment to professionalism, safety, and expertise, SKW has earned the prestigious Travellers' Choice Award 2024. Whether you're a beginner eager to learn the basics or an advanced paddler seeking the thrill of tideraces, coastal journeys and rocky coastlines, SKW has something for everyone. Their courses range from Personal Performance

Awards to Sea Kayak Leader and Coach Awards, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.

Beyond the shores of Anglesey, SKW organizes expeditions to breathtaking destinations like Pembrokeshire, Scotland, and even the Arctic landscapes of Norway. Each trip is crafted with care, focusing on participant-centered learning and environmental stewardship.

Sea Kayaking Wales is ready to guide you on your next aquatic adventure. Join them and discover the joy and serenity of sea kayaking in some of the most beautiful waters the UK has to offer.

For more information, visit their website at seakayakingwales.com or contact them at info@seakayakingwales.com

The RAF Mountain Rescue Service

A Vital Lifeline in Military and Civilian Emergencies

The RAF Mountain Rescue Service (MRS) is a highly trained Tri-Service team composed of both fulltime and part-time personnel.

Operating from RAF Leeming, RAF Lossiemouth, and RAF Valley (which also houses RAF MRS HQ), this specialized unit plays a critical role in both military and civilian Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.

AIRCRAFT POST CRASH INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

One of the major roles of the MRS is Aircraft Post Crash and Incident Management (APCIM). This involves providing immediate response and recovery for any military aviation incidents. At all times, two teams of 10 troops remain on R0 (one hour readiness to move), prepared to respond to emergencies in any weather or location.

The type of incident can vary significantly—from recovering a crashed Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) to searching for ejected fast-jet pilots stranded in harsh mountainous terrain.

The MRS is an all-weather SAR capability, enabling them to locate downed aircrew and aircraft wreckage efficiently. Additionally, the team can be tasked to provide a crash guard, coordinating with other agencies to support investigations and recovery efforts.

MILITARY AID TO THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES (MACA)

Civil Authorities can request the assistance of the RAF MRS when their unique skills are required to bolster or support civilian organisations. This is often in the form of local Mountain Rescue teams across the UK. This cooperation benefits both parties and the RAF MRS in the following ways:

1. Enhanced training

Real-life SAR missions provide a higher level of experience than simulated exercises.

2. Public service and repute

The MRS contributes to humanitarian efforts, assisting civilians in distress and contributing to communities nationally.

3. Operational readiness

Engaging in real-world callouts helps maintain the team’s efficiency, agility, and effectiveness.

In 2024, the RAF Valley team alone responded to 25 emergency callouts, including three APCIM taskings. Their efforts assisted five military personnel and 29 civilians—many of whom faced

life-threatening situations. Without RAF Valley’s intervention, several of these cases could have resulted in serious injury or loss of life.

RIGOROUS TRAINING FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE

To maintain high standards, the MRS follows an intensive training cycle. Each team operates on a 3 week rotation, deploying to mountainous areas for training on 2 weekends out of 3. The teams remain on call for the whole period until the third weekend which is “stand-down” and off-call.

Training weekends take place across the UK including North Wales, South Wales, Northern England, and Scotland, exposing personnel to diverse terrains and challenging conditions and are designed to simulate real deployments, ensuring the teams can function effectively in remote and austere environments at a moment’s notice.

At the heart of the MRS is camaraderie and dedication: This tight-knit bond enhances their effectiveness in the field and creates a welcoming environment for new volunteers. The passion and dedication of the teams are what make the RAF MRS such a reliable and essential asset— ready to respond whenever and wherever they are needed.

Article written by Cpl Rogers

Bryn Teg Ceramics

The Home of The Llanddwyn Guardians

Inspired by Myth & magic, Folklore, Legends and the Natural World.

Bryn Teg Ceramics is named after the small stone cottage Bryn Teg on The Isle of Anglesey. Located South East of the island in the village of Dwyran not far from the enchanting shores of Traeth Llanddwyn & Newborough Forest. Here in the small garden studio is where Clair breathes life and weaves the magic into her hand sculpted creations infusing them with oxides, brightly coloured slips, glazes and mark making. Telling stories in clay using and reflecting her deep passion, reverence for the land and the nature.

Bryn teg Ceramics are stoneware fired at high temperatures to ensure they are frost proof for use outside.

Larger Sculpted pieces and collections are stamped with the Bryn Teg Ceramics Makers Stamp for Authenticity.

For further enquires and Bespoke Commissions please get in touch via our website or email bryntegceramics@gmail.com

UK & Worldwide Shipping is availiable online. Honesty Shop (Front yard) Open Fri, Sat & Sun 10am-6pm

www.brynteg-ceramics.co.uk

About Us

A place to let go, heal and grow. Nestled in the beautiful Welsh countryside, our Retreat Centre is a haven for Ecotherapy. We provide Treatments, Yoga, Sound Baths, and Day Retreats to the Residents and Visitors of Anglesey.

Treatments

We offer a wide range of specialist Treatments, including Massage, Holistic Facials, Reiki and Sound Healing, with a fully qualified and highly experienced therapist. Client comfort and warmth is prioritised.

See website for the full list of treatment options, more information and pricing. Gift vouchers are also available. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries or special requirements.

We look forward to welcoming you and providing a tailored and memorable holistic experience.

Day Retreats

Upcoming retreats are detailed on our website. We can also provide your very own private bespoke Day Retreat.

www.angleseywellbeing.co.uk

Yoga Classes

We hold regular Yoga classes to suit all levels and abilities. Learn and develop your practice in a relaxed and fun environment. Classes are held in The Lodge and all equipment is provided. Join us for a weekly one-off class. No membership required.

Sound Baths

Our Sound Baths are an immersive experience to encourage deep relaxation and holistic healing. Book early for our monthly sessions with live music from International Recording Artist, Lawrence Libert. Private Aerial Sound Baths are also available in our full sized cotton hammocks.

SUP Tours

SuPSkiFit Paddle Tours – Blue Sea, Caves, Arches, Secret Beaches & Seals

Here at SupSkiFit, we don’t just teach you paddle safely, we also run coastline tours which gives you the opportunity to explore the beautiful scenery, caves, arches, takes you to secret beaches and if we are very lucky some seals may join us along the way.

Our tours are aimed at people who can paddle confidently in a headwind, and comfortable paddling for a minimum of two hours. We offer a range of tours from a short tour round to the Coppermine Caves, to a full day linear tour covering a min of 10km. We hold the Water Skills Academy Adventure Guide, Ocean Navigation coupled with over 20 years of Health and Safety Experience, you are sure to be in safe hands with the following equipment on board throughout the tour:-

Mobile Phone • First Aid Kit • Throw Line • Tow Line • Spare Paddle Pump • Repair Kit • Flare • Multi Use Knife • Whistle • Spare Fin

Tours are captured with photographs and videos and collated into an iMovie which is sent to our Clients as a memoir of their experience. See you in the Water

Inspirational Outreach event

An Inspirational Outreach event took place at RAF Valley with RAF personnel and the teams from Jon Egging Trust (JET) and BAE Systems delivering inspiring STEM activities to 75 local year 9 students.

The students took part in a round-robin of interactive workshops and STEM challenges including a ‘Roving Robots Quest’, Lego coding, a planetarium show, and the ‘Mach Loop Challenge’ – which saw them fly a virtual Typhoon through the low flying area of Wales in a race against time. Each activity was aimed at building teamwork and communication skills whilst highlighting career opportunities linked to aviation and aerospace; themes that are central to the JET’s long-term Blue Skies programmes. Blue Skies is a three-year programme which develops key Social and Emotional Learning skills (SEL) and supports young people to build confidence, self-esteem, school engagement, aspiration and work-readiness. JET delivers aspirational and inspirational sessions to local young people in North Wales in partnership with the Whole Force at RAF Valley.

JET CEO, Dr Emma Egging, attended the launch and commended the enthusiasm and creativity of the students. She explained the importance of the event:

“It was fantastic to see so many young people engaged in and enthused by the activities and challenges. Many of the students have seen RAF aircraft flying across the Anglesey skies since they were little but have never had the opportunity to visit the airbase or consider what

a career in aerospace might mean to them. Breaking down those barriers and giving young people access to inspiring work environments and professional role models is central to our Blue Skies ethos, broadening horizons and, in doing so, changing the course of young lives.

Having worked with RAF Valley since 2013 we are delighted to celebrate our new platinum partnership with BAE Systems who have supported our programme delivery alongside the RAF on Anglesey for almost a decade, and we look forward to reaching many more young people as a result of this significant, long-term funding commitment.”

Sir Stuart Atha, Director of Training Strategy, BAE Systems Air, and JET Patron, said:

“BAE Systems and JET share an ambition to open young people’s eyes to the world of possibilities a STEM career can offer and we invest heavily in our local communities to support young people’s education.

“The students’ enthusiasm during this outreach day shows how worthwhile our investment is and we’re proud to take this even further by increasing our support for JET’s fantastic Blue Skies programme. Working together, we look forward to helping many more young people realise their potential.”

RAF Valley Station Commander, Group Captain Gez Currie said: “Few things better exemplify RAF Valley’s ‘one team’ approach and our commitment to being a positive member of the Anglesey community than our engagement with BAE Systems and Jon Egging Trust. RAF Valley is delighted to have hosted this excellent event and to be part of the initiative that JET and BAE are delivering; it has allowed us to have a hugely positive impact on young people in North Wales.”

Article written by Bonny Greenhalgh.

Dr Emma Egging and Sir Stuart Atha with local students on the STEM event.

STEM

In the UK, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is crucial because it provides a pathway to high-demand jobs, develops critical thinking skills and drives innovation.

At a time when the UK needs 124,000 new engineers and technicians each year, it has never been more important to provide young people the opportunity to consider a career in engineering, and that all begins with young people today studying a STEM subject at school which our RAF Valley STEM ambassadors are only too keen to support.

The RAF Valley STEM team has grown its outreach capability throughout 2024 to now include 5 volunteer STEM Ambassadors. This additional capacity has enabled judging the North Wales TechnoCamp Finals. Whereby our STEM Ambassadors engaged with over 70 local school children on their Olympic themed robotic submissions. RAF Valley STEM Ambassadors also supported the Jon Egging Trust, alongside BAES, in delivering STEM activity to over 120 local children. With

our growing capability we plan to inspire 100s more Key Stage 1-5 children through problem solving, team building, communication and resilience building activities.

Expressing the importance of STEM subjects, 4FTS Dep Chief Air Engineer, Sqn Ldr Egan said: ‘Essential to realising a young person’s potential is their exposure to STEM activities at an early age. Inspiring the next generation and witnessing a young person’s joy in overcoming technical challenges is a wholly rewarding experience’.

BAE Systems/Babcock

Early Careers Support in the Local Community

It has been a busy 2024 for Ambassadors from BAE Systems & Babcock at RAF Valley reaching out to students in the local community.

The team hosts schools from Anglesey, Gwynedd and Conwy. Throughout the year we have reached out to circa 2000 students through various engagement sessions. Platforms included school careers fairs, site visits and STEM workshops.

One of the key initiatives that the team have been supporting is hosting regular visits to site.

Students from Year 8-13 visit site for a tour of the T2 hangar and weather permitting get to go onto the aircraft dispersal area to watch the aircraft take off. We work closely with Careers Wales whom we have had a working relationship for 5 years now.

Both companies are on hand to answer questions and deliver careers advice promoting job roles in the aviation industry and apprenticeship programmes on offer.

On Thursday 17th October, BAE Systems alongside RAF STEM Ambassadors hosted 75 Year 8 students from 3 local secondary schools. The event marked BAE Systems continued support to Jon Egging Trust (JET) celebrating a 3-year Platinum sponsorship deal.

The aims of this event was to:

• Inspire and motivate pupils using STEM activities

• Highlight the importance of Teamwork

• Teach leadership Techniques & Confidence Building

The impressive and popular BAE Systems Events Trailer was also on site providing interactive STEM activities. Each student received a welcomed goody bag from the team. Virtual challenges within the trailer included piloting an aircraft through the famous “Mac Loop”.

We will continue to work closely with Careers Wales in 2025 (our calendar is already fully booked until July 2025).

Our engagement providing workshops to JET Blue Skies Students Level 1-3 through fun challenges (embedded with STEM principles), the students are required to build a structure within a timed period. This helps to develop teamwork, design and confidence building in a fun environment.

Inspiring the future generation in our local community is an initiative that BAE are passionate about and high on our agenda. We look forward to meeting more students in 2025.

Article written by June Strydhorst.

Nine photographs to tell the St Gerard’s School story.

St Gerard's School has been proudly serving the families of RAF Valley for many years. Our convenient travel services ensure a seamless journey for your child, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.

We are proud to boast the best academic results in North Wales, a testament to our dedicated staff and rigorous curriculum. Our students consistently achieve outstanding grades, paving the way for bright futures. As an MOD school, we understand the unique needs of military families and provide tailored support to ensure a smooth educational experience.

From junior school through to sixth form, we offer a consistent and supportive educational journey for your children. Our sports department is second to none, offering a variety of activities to keep students active and engaged. We're excited to announce plans for a new state-of-the-art sports pitch, further enhancing our facilities. Additionally, our two forest schools provide unique outdoor learning experiences that promote environmental stewardship and hands-on education.

At St Gerard's, personal development is at the forefront of our mission. Our active participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DOE) encourages students to challenge themselves and grow. Our wellness walk and wellness room provide spaces for students to unwind and practice mindfulness, supporting their mental health.

Above all, we pride ourselves on fostering a happy, nurturing, and all-inclusive environment where every student feels valued and respected. Join us at St. Gerard's School, where excellence in education meets a supportive community.

For more information, please visit our website by scanning this QR code or contact us directly on sgadmin@st-gerards.org or 01248 351 656

For more news and information from St Gerard's School, visit the website www.st-gerards.org and follow them on social media.

Alternatively, email sgadmin@st-gerards.org or call 01248 351656.

Visit MOD Pupils - St Gerard's School for more on the School’s support of military families.

THE inspirational vision of a leading independent school has taken-off following a period of significant investment

Situated less than a 30 minute-drive from RAF Valley – on Ffriddoedd Road in Bangor – St Gerard’s School is renowned for delivering first-class academic results in a warm, welcoming environment.

Having secured some of the best GCSE and A Levels results in the country, the cherished institution – listed eighth in Wales in the annual Sunday Times Parent Power Guide – is set for further growth in 2025, given a rise in students and demand for Year 7 and Sixth Form places.

St Gerard’s has a longstanding relationship with the MoD – it is the only school it subsidises transport to and from its Holyhead airbase – and has welcomed generations of pupils from the site over the years.

Headteacher Campbell Harrison said those links continue to grow and given a revamp of the picturesque seven-acre location in the last 18 months –and with a £150,000 multi-use games area with sports pitches set for completion this Spring –there has never been a better time to enrol.

“Our partnership with the MoD at RAF Valley stretches back for decades, and during that time we have been proud to welcome children of all ages from the island,” said Mr Harrison.

“We have always been held up as a benchmark of excellence for education, but in the last couple of years the significant investment in the building and facilities has reinforced our place in the community and given pupils an even more safe, secure and happy setting to learn in.

“That has been particularly important when welcoming military children as often they will have relocated to the area, so a welcoming environment is as pivotal as anything we offer academically.

“And we certainly do that; the pastoral care and support we offer our pupils, and their families, is something we pride ourselves on, especially given the challenges of the modern world.”

Business Manager Steve Griffiths said they will continue

to renovate and revamp St Gerard’s while retaining its core values.

“The MUGA is a big investment and for both the community and our pupils will be amazing addition to the site, but redevelopment of our sports facilities is just one of the ways we are looking to capitalise on our footprint and place here in the centre of Bangor.”

St Gerard’s has experienced a major revamp in recent times, including a new library and Sixth Form suite with modern furniture, games machines, a pool table, plush seating and even a jukebox, while for the first time in its 110-year history primary and secondary school pupils are all now on the same site.

These developments were preceded by an extension to the car park, landscaping, improved access and signage, a ‘wellness walk’, roof repairs and a £150,000 heating system featuring seven state-of-the-art boilers.

There has also been a rebrand of the website and logo, fresh uniforms and an interior redesign.

Steve added: “The improvement works have changed the physical and online look of the school but also built confidence, demonstrating the positive future we have ahead of us.

“For that to be reflected in a place among the top 10 independent schools in Wales in the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide, following incredible A Level and GCSE results and a rise in pupils, shows we are on the right track.

“St Gerard’s School is the place to be, and this is just the beginning.”

Transform Your Van into a Dream Camper

Discover the ultimate in van customisation with Anglesey Vans, where your journey begins with a bespoke camper conversion.

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Anglesey Vans has been a pioneer in the camper conversion industry for many years, nestled in the heart of Anglesey, North Wales. Our passion for transforming ordinary panel vans into extraordinary custom campers is matched only by our commitment to quality and innovation. With a rich history of craftsmanship and a dedicated team of experts, we ensure every conversion is a masterpiece tailored to your adventurous spirit.

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WHERE EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION MEETS OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES

Ranked in the top 5% of schools nationally, students make outstanding progress at GCSE - over two-thirds a grade above national average. 95% of students progressed to university - 40% of which were Oxbridge and Russell Group. Students benefit from excellent teaching, a comprehensive curriculum, and a vast breadth of opportunities beyond the classroom. The boarding school, open to 11-18-year-olds, prides itself on offering outstanding pastoral care, ensuring students feel relaxed and happy in their home away from home.

www.doyrms.com | +44 (0) 1304 245073 admissions@doyrms.com

The Greatest Remembrance

Remembrance is an important part of the life of a Service person. It is a duty and a responsibility, but it is also an honour and a privilege, in which we all have a part.

The focus of remembrance is often around November each year in the season of remembrance on Armistice Day, and Remembrance Sunday, but there are so many other occasions when Service people of individual Services or collectively gather to stay silent, lay a wreath, offer a prayer, and find strength in our community.

In the Royal Air Force, the commemoration of the Battle of Britain is an essential feature of the calendar. This is achieved in so many ways including a civic service, sunset ceremonies, and dinners.

God of thunder and of sky, who placed in us the will to fly.

We’ve taught our hands speed, skill and grace to soar beyond our dwelling place. You share with us the eagle’s view with the right to fly swift as they do. The right to call the clouds a home and through the heavens for us roam.

This night we’re grateful for the few who ‘gainst the foe did daring do.

For them we toast the honour highest for them it was the cost that’s toughest. So, may we assem bled in your sight and all who love the thrill of flight recall with three-fold gratitude The few, our lives, and this gift of food. Amen.

(Battle of Britain Dinner Grace 2024)

Across Ynys Mon, and North Wales there are many locations where acts of remembrance take place at local war memorials, as well as places marking the loss of life in the Service of the country.

THE ROYAL AIR FORCE COLLECT

The prayer used on most military ceremonial occasions, is there to remind the service person of why remembrance is so important and why all should find their place in honouring those whose shoulders we stand on…

…help us to fulfil our several duties with honour, goodwill and integrity, and grant that we may prove to be worthy successors of those who by their valour and sacrifice, did nobly save their day and generation…Amen.

RAF Collect

Article written by Padre, Sqn Ldr Mike Hall

The Station Church, St Mihangel’s, is also a focus for Remembrance, and inside the church there is a book of Remembrance which contains the names of those who have died in Service while serving at RAF Valley.

Anglesey is a gathering place for many who want to remember their colleagues and families, and the Race of Remembrance every November, organised by Mission Motorsport, brings together racing enthusiasts from across the Services in a weekend of motor racing at Trac Mon, Ty Croes. The simple act of Remembrance involving serving personnel, veterans, those injured by conflict, and those who support the military community, provides a helpful opportunity for people to grieve, to be thankful, and to be supported by others.

Here at Valley, the focus is the memorial stone dedicated to the memory of those who have died in Service since 1941. The idea for a permanent memorial was that of the Valley Aviation Society, and it was dedicated in September 2020. The memorial has provided a fitting setting for many Services including, the D-Day Anniversary commemorations, and the regular remembrance of the death of Corporal Jonathan Bayliss, the Red Arrows Engineer, in 2018.

People and Family Support Department

The People and Family Support Department (previously known as Community Support) at RAF Valley offers a wide range of needs led community activities to support the whole force community here at RAF Valley.

All activities, events and groups are designed and delivered using the data captured via the Community Needs Analysis process and information gathered from the whole force community here.

In the past 12 months there has been a comprehensive program this has included parenting support activities, spouses and partners activities including weekly keep fit, yoga, wreath making, craft sessions all providing opportunities to meet new people and develop social support networks and thus reducing the feelings of isolation.

with youth drop-in sessions, sports, youth arts, mini medic and community sports leaders’ course and visits on to Station department including virtual flights in the flying simulators.

COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS 2025

The RAF Community Needs Analysis (CNA) plays a fundamental role in mapping a Station’s requirements for community support against existing resources and provision. Assessment of community needs is key to developing resilience, reinforcing the social fabric of a Station, and successful integration of Service personnel and their families within local communities and wider society.

Whilst using the particularly good facilities we have here, such as the Community Hub, Jetflix Cinema, Dragon’s Bowl, Community Building 221/222 Housing Airplay, Military Wives Choir, Resilience Garden, Parent & Toddler Wing and the Thrift Shop.

In addition for example during the summer there was a three-week program of holiday activities for Service teenagers,

Halloween and Christmas are key periods for families here with younger children, are all part of the jigsaw of support for Service families here. With seasonal parties and events, Christmas market coach trips and on Station a Christmas fayre.

Funding from Station, the RAF Benevolent Fund and Armed Forces Covenant Trust has made all of the above possible, along with support from the Community support team and group officers in charge and their voluntary committees.

All contributing to the jigsaw of support available here for our people.

A strong sense of community and feeling of wellbeing amongst personnel and their families supports the critical connection between welfare and operational effectiveness. The CNA process is used to develop an action plan to prioritise resources and respond to gaps, issues and aspirations.

In the coming months there will be opportunities for you to ‘Have your say’, about life at RAF valley and the needs that you and or your family have. This valuable data will be used to development the next Station community Support Action plan. So please engage and have your say! It could make a big difference to life at RAF Valley with your suggestions and feedback. Which could help obtain resources and funding to deliver what is needed here at RAF Valley.

In the meantime, if you think something is needed here, please feel free to contact the community Support team and discuss your ideas. We are all based in the Community Hub. (CDO, SCSO, HIVE Information Officer and Padre).

Article written by: Dean Clarke Community Development Officer

Military Wives Choir.

New play area, at the parents and toddler group.

Crafts.

Penrhos School

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An Exceptional Education Since 1880

For service children, school life presents unique challenges. Frequent relocations, parental deployments, and sudden transitions can disrupt both education and wellbeing. That is why choosing the right school is essential - one that offers stability, understanding, and strong support.

Hello,

A little about me - I'm Ricky! I live in the North Wales area and I have been interested in cars since I was a young lad! I became interested in the mechanical side when I was a teenager and so it began from there!

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At Rydal Penrhos, service children find an educational environment where they are not just welcomed but celebrated. Estyn’s latest inspection, published in February 2025, praised the school’s “strong sense of community,” where pupils gain confidence and excel academically.

Tailored support is central to the school’s approach, from a daily transport network across North Wales to outstanding pastoral care. This includes close collaboration with Supporting Service Children in Education (SSCE) Cymru, and a dedicated point of contact for service families. As an MODapproved school, eligible Rydal

Penrhos pupils benefit from financial support, including the Day School Allowance (North Wales) and Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA).

Rydal Penrhos’ commitment to the armed forces community is widely recognised. The school holds Bronze accreditation with Armed Forces Friendly Schools Cymru and, in 2024, was one of just 19 Welsh businesses to receive the Silver Award from the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme.

Apply Today admissions@rydalpenrhos.com or 01492 530155

Resilience

in the Military

WHAT IS RESILIENCE?

There are numerous definitions as to what resilience is, but the best definition we could use within the military is the ability to withstand adversity and bounce back from difficult life events.

Personnel, whether military or civilian, have to go through life events due to the nature of the job. Here at RAF Valley, the directive is to support No1 & 4 Flying Training School in delivering fast jet and rotary pilots to the front line.

Every person on the unit from Support staff, to Ops, and to the Pilots themselves all need to show and demonstrate physical and mental resilience.

We have policies, directives, and orders to follow, of which can eventually take a toll on personnel, especially with personal time or family life. We need to adapt and overcome in situations such as change, or be forward thinking to events; whether that be reactive or proactive. Coming together as a community at RAF Valley is part of our nature, and a timely observation in light of recent adverse weather conditions that have swept through our community.

BUT HOW CAN WE BE MORE RESILIENT?

Force Development Squadron is at the heart of improving resilience. Through using Force Development and Adventure Training (FDAT) as a medium for improvement, this acts as an aid to further enhance mental fitness, teamwork, leadership, and resilience.

RAF Valley in recent years has achieved a lot of resilience training through FDAT. We provide Force Development (FD) activities which aim to improve operational effectiveness through individual and collective education. FD interventions are aimed at Military and Civilian Personnel and this

year personnel have been Axe Throwing and participated in Mobile Team Challenge games in Llandudno, attended a Battle of Britain memorial Service and Staff Ride in London, and are scheduled to attend a Battle Field Staff Ride to Normandy in Mar 2025, plus many more. By doing these events, it takes personnel away from the stresses in their personal or work lives, while focussing on ethos, military history, and the military in today’s society. Further, it also brings together personnel from different trades, squadrons, and ranks including our Civil servant counterparts. The inclusion of Civil servants allows us to bring the Station together under the umbrella ‘Whole Force’ Adventure Training (AT) is aimed at Service personnel only and this has been done through 1-5 day interventions spanning a range of disciplines such as: canoeing, kayaking, mountaineering, climbing, and skiing.

Our most recent AT trip was a week long ski trip to Serre Chevalier, France, where 10 students achieved Ski Foundation 1 under the training of 2 of our qualified instructors. Resilience is built by putting these personnel out of their comfort zone, allowing them to learn a new skill in arduous conditions. It also allows personnel to learn coping mechanisms in highly stressful and risky environments, that they can transfer the skills learnt in this abnormal environment to their normal environment, now being better equipped to adapt to changing conditions while being prepared for unprecedented outcomes.

Ultimately, FDAT is a stepping stone for the development of leadership, teamwork, confidence and, most importantly, physical and mental resilience.

Article written by Sgt Leach

HOW WILL YOU BECOME RESILIENT?

If you or your team would like more information on resilience training opportunities, please contact a member of the Force Development Squadron.

Ysgol Caergeiliog Foundation School

Founded 1780

Anglesey’s Premier School

Recognised for Excellence

At our School, we educate with pride and strive daily to ensure that each pupil entrusted to our care is given ‘ The Best Possible Start in Life’.

‘Ysgol Caergeiliog Foundation School is a happy, caring and orderly community which demonstrates strong values. Leaders, staff and pupils successfully promote these values, which are based on the school’s vision that each child is nurtured to reach their full potential and to make a valuable contribution to society. As a result, the pupils display kindness, thoughtfulness and respect for others exceptionally well. This is demonstrated in the pupils’ well-being and their attitudes to learning’.

OUR SCHOOL HAS A COMMITMENT TO : ‘Quality and Excellence in Education’ and ‘A Service of Care’ ESTYN INSPECTION REPORT OCTOBER 2022

This is our School

‘They come this way but onceteach them well.’

Deputy Head Prefect

Our School o ers educational provision for pupils 6 months to 11 years of age and strives to ensure that pupils achieve their potential during their formative years.

Pupils are encouraged to discuss their personal targets and are encouraged to explain in detail how they aim to improve their work.

'Pupil Voice' is a core part of the School's vision. The School’s ‘Pupil Cabinet' - which includes representatives of all committees that are active at the School - meets regularly to discuss work that is planned for the future. These meetings are conducted con dently following a pre-planned professional structure and agenda.

Our School has 16 acres of Sports/Playing Fields

Caergeiliog Foundation School

Welcome back to Caergeiliog Foundation School.

It is a pleasure to share the wonderful experiences at the school. It has been some time since the last issue and so many exciting things have happened. We shall begin at the beginning of this academic year.

Last September saw the pupils returning to school after a sixweek summer break. However, the school never fully closed as the School’s Summer School and Holiday Club proved, once again, to be a huge success. The school’s Holiday Club is available throughout every holiday season.

After returning at the beginning of September, pupils swiftly engaged in their studies. One of the school’s events during September was the annual Roald Dahl Day. Pupils throughout the school engaged themselves in various classroom activities based on the famous author’s life.

October saw the school’s annual Design a Pumpkin competition – as always, it proved extremely popular. The designs were quite incredible! We were most pleased to see the return of our Halloween discos too. Pupils enjoyed dressing up in scary costumes and enjoying the “spirit” of the event! The Senior Students’

Charity Committee organised the school’s annual food collection as part of the school’s Harvest Thanksgiving celebrations. Pupils and parents very kindly donated a plentiful supply of food items which were gratefully received by a local food bank.

On Sunday, November 10th, senior pupils represented the school at the Holyhead Cenotaph’s service – a wreath was laid on behalf of governors, staff, and pupils of the school.

On November 11th, the school’s senior pupils held a Remembrance Day service on the schoolyard. All pupils gathered for what was an extremely poignant service. The poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae

As part of the school’s Humanities provision, pupils visited various local areas last term to further improve their knowledge and understanding of the locality. Year 1 visited Trearddur Bay to study the physical and human features of the landscape. Year 2 visited Melyn Llynon to learn about the history of the mill. Year 3 also visited Melyn Llynon as part of their work on the Celts

As part of the school’s Secondary Transition Policy, it was a pleasure to welcome two teachers from Ysgol Friars to the school to deliver a mathematics and numeracy lesson to the Year 6 pupils. The focus of the lessons was probability. Pupils enjoyed the challenge of the task and demonstrated their reasoning skills confidently.

Pupils designed their own Christmas cards as part of the Cauliflower Christmas Cards. This work always proves to be popular

with the pupils. It is exciting to see their work printed onto cards ready to distribute to their family and friends.

The school’s committees have also been busy. The Senior Students’ Charity Committee organised the first main event –the Macmillan Coffee Morning. Parents and friends of the school thoroughly enjoyed the tea and cake, as well as a quiz. The event was well-attended and raised funds for a very worthy cause and a cause close to many hearts. The Welsh Committee organised the school’s annual Shwmae/ Su’mae/ Day (How are you? Day). Pupils wore an item of red, white or green and took part in a range of activities including the designing of Shwmae/Su’mae? posters. The Senior Students’ Charity Committee organised the annual Children in Need. Pupils were invited to wear something yellow or spotty. The committee also organised the collection of shoeboxes for the T4U Appeal - many thanks are extended to

and prayers for those who have lost their lives in war were read.

everyone who donated a box of goodies. A Santa Dash proved to be lots of fun whilst at the same time raising funds for local charities. The annual Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day also proved to be joyous with an eye-catching array of jumpers being worn that day and again, funds raised to help those not as fortunate as ourselves. All committees at the school continue to be busy. Christmas concerts and the Christmas Fayre were an astounding success with the school raising nearly £10000 over the Christmas period. As a school, we thank the fantastic efforts of the staff, parents and friends of the school, as well as all other stakeholders. It was a truly magical time and one to remember.

As part of the school’s constant striving for excellence, Theme Nights are now held monthly for pupils in the Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2. Theme nights, thus far, have included bingo, quizzes, talent shows, and lip-sync battles! Theme nights are proving increasingly popular amongst the masses. As a school, we are proud of the extra-curricular clubs that exist at the school and have done for many years. Mondays are Football Club as and Clwb Cymraeg ( Welsh Club). Thursdays are French Club. Clubs are available to all pupils in the school.

It was an honour and pleasure last term, to welcome back to the school, Mr Llion Williams, an accomplished and famous Welsh actor. The performance entitled In Character/Mewn Cymeriad was based on the life and times of Bishop William Morgan and the translating of the Bible into Welsh. A thoroughly engaging performance.

Even though we are only a couple of weeks into this term, the sporting skills of the pupils have been commendable. The school recently gained first position in the Anglesey swimming gala and the school’s athletics’ team recently gained second position in the Anglesey

Indoor Athletics Competition.

Huge congratulations are extended to everyone involved.

Year 3 pupils recently took part in a Toots session at the school. This session enabled pupils to learn how to play the clarinet. Hugely exciting and worthwhile, we now look forward to another Toots session!

Back to school discos have also taken place this term and, as usual, the school hall was transformed into a disco delight, with glitter balls and all. Pupils donned their best outfits and danced to various genres, provided by the resident DJ, Mr Simon Browne ( otherwise known as the school’s deputy head teacher!) As a school, we thank the wonderful catering staff for providing sausage and chips which went down a treat!

As a school, we would like to extend our deepest thanks to everyone at the school for their hard work and commitment to the school’s mission statement of Quality and Excellence in Education. We look forward to another busy term at Caergeiliog Foundation School and sharing our experiences in the next issue.

Find our community and creative hub on the Industrial Estate Llangefni Next door the the Peugeot Garage Shop • Baby Classes • GCSE Tuition

For a full range of classes and events check our website www.siopserbach.cymru or follow us on social media A warm welcome for everyone

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Siop Sêr Bach, Llys Goferydd, Parc Bryn Cefni, Llangefni, L177 7XA

Siop Sêr Bach isn't just a shop - it's a hub for education, creativity and community. Alongside our classes, we offer a carefully curated selection of educational toys, books (in both Welsh and English), baby gifts and stylish home accessories. We have something special for every family.

Our baby classes are a wonderful opportunity for parents and carers to connect while supporting their baby's development in a warm welcoming space. For older learners, our GCSE Tutoring Sessions offer tailored support in a calm and inspiring setting.

Join us at Siop Sêr Bach, where learning and community come together!

What we offer

1-2-1 Lessons are a tried and tested method of producing fantastic results, with more tailored lesson objectives they are sure to break through those educational road blocks.

These are a fantastic way to boost both your child's swimming and social skills, in small groups of no more than six, students learn to swim in a constructive and fun way keeping them engaged through their lesson.

Private pool hire

Private swim sessions are a fantastic opportunity to put all those swimming skills to some use for everyone by having FUN...

And also a brilliant opportunity for parents to see the results from their lessons when the structure is removed.

Adult swimming lessons

Reach new levels in your swimming abilities, whether you want to improve your stamina or your technique, our instructors can help you accomplish your goals!

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Expert First Aid and Safety Training Solutions

TRAIN, REMEMBER, PRACTICE

Joseph Sims, Tech IOSH, GCGI, LCGI, EngTech JAS Training Solutions Ltd owner and trainer.

Registered and Accredited trainer for the following governing bodies: NUCO, QNUK, Qualsafe.

Joe has over 25 years' experience of teaching, assessing and mentoring in a large range of subjects. He is a highly motivated individual with 36 years accumulated Army service as a Royal Engineer Commando. Currently he is an Army reservist (Regimental Sergeant Major) and spends his spare time traveling throughout UK visiting and advising Royal Engineer Reservist Regiments on training and continuous improvements.

Joe encourages all learners to use the 4 elements of the Commando mindset:

• Courage

• Determination

• Unselfishness

• Cheerfulness

In 2003 Joe received a Commendation award for exceptionally valuable operational training service and in 2015 an Ovation award for going above and beyond high performance and expectations in a training role.

Joe can provide 1:1 or group training in a wide range of subjects. He is committed to learners' development and achievement when teaching his courses, insisting on the highest possible standards and results for his learners in a relaxed teaching environment.

Training is crucial for workplace safety and preparedness, covering first aid, fire safety, and health and safety.

• First aid training teaches immediate medical assistance for injuries or emergencies.

• Fire safety training educates on prevention, evacuation, and proper fire extinguisher use.

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Joe Sims Managing Director Technical Trainer/Owner

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Address: Llandudno, Conwy, LL30 2EZ

The RAF Valley Heritage Centre coming your way!

So, nearly 6 years ago we were handed a couple of boxes by the then Media Communications Officer (MCO) Sqn Ldr Dave Williams with the request to go and set up a Heritage Centre.

First job - find a location, luckily enough we knew where there was a bit of office space and set about clearing out a couple of rooms in the Cinema building, essentially the old HIVE offices before they moved into the Community Hub. A lick of paint and a few display cabinets later and we were up and running! Following Initial set up we then set about growing the collection of historical artefacts that would reflect the rich history of RAF Valley and its associated units, easier said than done but over time we’ve acquired some interesting items, unfortunately this was coupled with many stories of heritage items simply getting skipped.

That said over this 6-year period we have had a steady stream of items, loaned, donated, or gifted to us. So much so that we soon filled the initial area that we were allocated. Hosting small groups and individuals by appointment, the Heritage Centre soon met with its initial remit in promoting the history of RAF Valley. However, it was soon very clear that we had outgrown the initial space. By chance the aftermath of COVID had led to the closure of Anglesey Airport which sits in a unique position on the edge of the Station adjacent to the Main Guardroom. The building was handed back to the MOD via DIO Lands. Proposals for future use were put forward to the Station Commander and a decision was made to transform the building into the new Station Heritage Centre.

After the adoption of the building slow but steady progress has been made to move and muster the large number of items that had been collected and, in some cases, stored in a number of locations around the Station. It soon became apparent that displaying the array of items may cause a problem with the lack of credible display cabinets available. That said, several wooden glass cabinets were found as well as many acquisitions from Freebay and local purchases. Lots of work has gone in and progress had initially

gone well until we were hit by Storm DARRAGH when 1/5 of the roof was blown off. Thankfully the main building formed an outer skin to the inner building so damage was minimal with no damage to the collection. Bar several water leaks, we have been very lucky…

Finally, a plea, we are always looking for “stuff” that might be appropriate to add to the collection – loaned or gifted we will be delighted to accept it for everyone to see and enjoy. We are hoping that once the roof is fixed, we can progress to the position where we will open; it is hoped to hold a number of open days to showcase the Heritage Centre – watch this space.

Aritcle written by WO Shanks.

Shanks,

T.N. Robinson Ltd. is an independent electrical wholesaler based in the North West of England and North Wales. Established in 1923, we have been owned by the same family for four generations, and we are proud of the reputation we have gained within our industry for providing exceptional customer service.

We offer a broad selection of quality branded electrical products from our comprehensive manufacturing partners, and we have an extensive knowledge of every product we sell, enabling us to give our customers the very best advice.

As proud members of ANEW, the largest electrical purchasing consortium in Europe, we also have the buying power to get the best value for our customers.

T.N. ROBINSON

Working with so many manufacturers to great effect we have saved our clients tens of thousands of pounds in reduced energy and maintenance bills. We’ll always offer products from proven and quality manufacturers. Combined with excellent warranties, price and suitability to the application, you can be sure that projects will be delivered to your complete satisfaction.

To build lasting relationships, we must understand your needs. Our flexible and experienced staff have excellent product knowledge, they are able to offer technical detail on our range of products and together with suppliers they can help design and support projects, offering the most effective and efficient solutions.

Alongside our free daily deliveries across North Wales we also offer a wide variety of services including Energy Metering and Monitoring, Fire Alarm and Emergency Lighting Schemes and Lamp and Lighting Design.

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CHALLENGE COINS

The coins come in hard plastic capsules as standard

50 1.75” = £400.00 (£8.00 + VAT ea)

100 1.75” = £550.00 (£5.50 + VAT ea)

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300 1.75” = £1,350.00 (£4.50 + VAT ea)

500 1.75” = £1,975.00 (£3.95 + VAT ea)

50

50 2.00” = £437.50 (£8.75 + VAT ea)

100 2.00” = £650.00 (£6.50 + VAT ea)

200 2.00” = £1,150.00 (£5.75 + VAT ea)

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500 2.00” = £2,125.00 (£4.25 +

©

RAF Hockey

RAF Valley’s Visual Communicator, current RAF Hockey Captain, AS1 Alex Naughalty, has been gearing up towards another exciting season finale at HMS Temeraire, Portsmouth.

Former Welsh International, Alex has captained the side for her first three years of service, already taking home two indoor and two outdoor Inter-Service titles. Last year’s competition saw the RAF women beat the Royal Navy 7-1 and the Army 2-1 in a nail-biting match up, with Alex coming away with the most valuable player award.

"Alex stated “I am extremely proud to be representing the Royal Air Force as well as RAF Valley for another season and this one will be no easy feat, the Army hold a very strong squad and if last year is anything to go by, it will be an extremely close game. We have however, had an influx of new players and a strong lead up to the event so we are as prepared as we can be!”

In her personal time, Alex also plays for Buckingham Hockey club who play National League level hockey and have recently finished 3rd in the National Indoor Tournament, drawing 5-5 and losing on penalties in the Semi-Final against Surbiton.

I am extremely proud to be representing the Royal Air Force as well as RAF Valley for another season"

© Graeme Wilcockson

Making a Difference

RAF Valley personnel were invited to attend the fourth Healing Military Minds (HMM) annual Snowdon climb on Sunday 23rd March 2025. RAF Valley Station Commander Group Captain Gez Currie, Flight Sergeant John Evans and Mr Mike Gibson joined 35 personnel from across the Tri-Service and Veteran community, including Air Officer Wales Air Commodore Rob Woods for the event organised by Corporal Hayley Court, which raised £2,000.

Personnel at RAF Valley and partners at Lagan Aviation Contractors who are developing the new runway on base, raised over £1,000 for the RAF Benevolent Fund from a headto-head for victory in a monthlong virtual rowing challenge.

Jennifer Jones and her mum Dawn raised £2,010 for the Joshua Tree Charity by chopping off their long locks. Jennifer has recently been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time and is again going through chemotherapy. If you would like to donate and support please go to Jennifer Jones is fundraising via The Joshua Tree website.

Team Night Hawks at RAF Valley swapped their beds for a sleeping bag to raise funds and awareness for veterans that are experiencing homelessness in the UK right now. The team have raised a whopping £2,100 with donations still coming in and every penny donated to the Royal British Legion.

Again this year RAF Valley personnel and Community donated over 300 Christmas gifts to the local Anglesey Children in care. Also, the Anglesey Foster care Association held their children’s Christmas Party at the Trewan Bar.

Station personnel donated a large quantity of Christmas goodies and treats to Ysbyty Gwynedd for patients and staff over the festive period.

RAF Valley Whole Force personnel were invited to take part in a Charity Spinathon in aid of the Royal Air Forces Association raising £251.50 over the 12 sessions.

The Military Veterans’ Hub at RAF Valley, celebrated its first birthday! In the last 12 months it has hosted monthly social gatherings, a craft group, veterans band, ballroom dancing and off unit visits.

With spectacular views, fascinating geology and an array of wildlife, the island of Anglesey is a naturalists’ paradise! Here at Anglesey Adventures, we are committed to protecting and taking care of our beautiful island, whilst learning, exploring and educating others through adventure experiences and activities around the island.

Through coasteering, we attentively explore caves and rock pools for wildlife, combining education with fun! Swimming, scrambling and jumping from the cliffs is super exciting and certainly gets the heart pumping! Exploring the coast by kayak is another great experience which can be booked with Anglesey Adventures.

Half and full day experiences are available from April until the end of October. Friendly owners Lynn & Steve look forward to hearing from you to book your next adventure!

ADVENTURE AWAITS

The original premier adventure activity company that provides adventure days and breaks on Anglesey and throughout North Wales.

The Legacy of Focke Wulf Watches A Tribute to Precision and Aviation Heritage

Focke Wulf, a name synonymous with German aviation history, has recently expanded its legacy into the world of horology, blending technical precision with a rich heritage of craftsmanship. Originally renowned for manufacturing aircraft like the iconic Focke-Wulf 190 during World War II, the brand’s foray into watchmaking is a tribute to the principles of engineering excellence and innovation that once defined its aviation pursuits.

Focke Wulf watches are not just timepieces; they are an homage to the legacy of aviation. Each model carries with it the precision and durability that defined the company's engineering in the skies. From the design of their dials, which often incorporate elements inspired by cockpit instruments, to the robust movements that power them, these watches reflect the same commitment to quality and performance.

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