Contact
Telephone: 01780 781650, email:
enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk or via the
websitewww.raf-ff.org.uk
A Qu a r t e r l y Ma g a z i n e f o r R A F P e r s o n n e l a n d t h e i r F ami l i e s Contents
Editor’s words/From the Chairman/The RAF Families Federation Foreword by Lady Anne Dalton/Ministerial Letter
Cover Photograph – A Brief Respite, courtesy of the Imperial War Museum.
Envoy – The magazine of the RAF Families Federation, published 4 times a year.
Editor: Ann Dewar RAF Families Federation, 13-15 St Georges Road, Wittering, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE8 6DL 01780 781650
Chairman: Dawn McCafferty Communications Manager: Ann Dewar Evidence Manager: Jenny Ward Evidence Co-ordinator: Colin Jones Evidence Assistant: Jenny Scott Communications Assistant: Nick Crouch Admin Co-ordinator: Julie Goodson
Published quarterly by Method Publishing, a division of Scottish Provincial Press Limited, on behalf of Envoy
Design and Typography: © Method Publishing 2010 Editorial Matter and Illustrations: © Envoy Printed in Great Britain by: Warners Midlands plc
Advertisement Office (UK): Method Publishing, Sutherland Press House, Main Street, Golspie, Sutherland, KW10 6RA Tel: 01408 633871 Fax: 01408 633876 Advertisement Manager:
Jeanne Alker:
j.alker@
methodpublishing.co.uk
Views expressed in Envoy, unless stated otherwise, are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of Envoy, the RAF or the Ministry of Defence.
No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in Envoy can be accepted by the Publishers or Printers and advertisements are accepted on the express condition that the advertiser warrants that they in no way contravene the provisions of The Trades Descriptions Act 1968 nor any other prevailing legislation in the United Kingdom.
The Publishers reserve the right to refuse acceptance of any advertisement without stating a reason.
The RAF Families Federation is an independent
organisation parented by The RAF Association.
Patron: Her Majesty the Queen
Registered Charity Number 226686
Scottish Charity Number SCO37673
Emerging Issues
RAFA has new Secretary General .........................................................................................................................6 Major Change to R & R is Announced .................................................................................................................6 Bereaved Families Are Offered Free Legal Advice .................................................................................................6 What More Can We Do? – The Legion Asks ........................................................................................................6 OFSTED Has Now Put it in Writing ......................................................................................................................6 Your Child’s Chance to Win an all-paid Trip to London for Six ..............................................................................6 This is Taranis… .................................................................................................................................................6 The Tri Service Fiji Support Network ....................................................................................................................6 Midwives say People Need to Know....................................................................................................................6 SMILE by Spirited Children ..................................................................................................................................6 New Advice from the FSA ...................................................................................................................................7 Two Year Pay Freeze for Personnel Earning Over 21K ...........................................................................................7 Human Rights DO NOT Apply on the Front Line ...................................................................................................7 IN LAW, A New Covenant ...................................................................................................................................7 From Now On HIC Lines Will Close at 3pm ..........................................................................................................7 Operational Allowance is Doubled ......................................................................................................................7 SSAFA Ask You to Man your Teapots ...................................................................................................................7 Campaign Medal Qualification Extended .............................................................................................................7 From Sir John Chilcot ..........................................................................................................................................7 Don’t Believe All You Read ..................................................................................................................................7
Features
The Royal Air Force in Africa – Serving in Sierra Leone .........................................................................................8 The Battle of Britain ..........................................................................................................................................10 Under The Heat of the Texan Sun ......................................................................................................................14 The Injured Mind in the Armed Forces ...............................................................................................................16 Outburst from Mrs H….....................................................................................................................................20
REGULARS Federation News
Capturing the Views of the Warrant Officers ......................................................................................................22 The Senior (Senior) RAF Officers Add their Thoughts...........................................................................................22 Reaching RAF Families ......................................................................................................................................22 While we are on the subject… .........................................................................................................................23 To which the reply has to be: ............................................................................................................................23 A Fond Farewell................................................................................................................................................23
Education Going to Afghanistan ........................................................................................................................................24
Housing
The Housing Officer, Friend or Foe? ...................................................................................................................26 Incoherent Multi-Coloured Carpets… ................................................................................................................28 Tested your heating yet? Now is the time… ......................................................................................................28 Buying a Share in a Home of Your Own.............................................................................................................30 Lending You the Money to Buy a Home ............................................................................................................33
Your Health Embracing Service Personnel .............................................................................................................................34
Your Money
Do You Have it Covered? ..................................................................................................................................36 Tax Relief on Duty Travel ...................................................................................................................................39
In The Workplace On Tour with The Air Cadets ..............................................................................................................................40
You And The RAF Coalition Commitments .....................................................................................................................................42 Community
From the Other Side of the Fence .......................................................................................................................43 Girls! Girls! Girls!...............................................................................................................................................44 On Board with The Blades! ................................................................................................................................45
www.raf-ff.org.uk Autumn 2010 3
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