Contact
Telephone: 01780 781650, email:
enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk or via the website
www.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 Chief of Staff Personnel and Air Secretary Air Vice Marshal Mike Lloyd
Cover Photograph – ‘In Action’ by SAC Joe Lockley.
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 Deputy: Chris Taylor
Communications Manager: Ann Dewar Issues/Liaison Team Manager: Jenny Ward Liaison Team Member: Colin Jones Issues Assistant: Andy Higgins 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 2009 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.
Your Money
What goes Around Comes Around ................................................................................................................23 Don’t Miss the Opportunity to Talk Money .....................................................................................................24
The Workplace Programme Future Brize ................................................................................................................................26
You and the RAF Surveys ........................................................................................................................................................28 Task Force ....................................................................................................................................................29 When there is a Serious Complaint to be Made .............................................................................................30
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
Community
Exceptional Care...........................................................................................................................................31 Be Part of Something Special.........................................................................................................................34 To Everything there is a Season .....................................................................................................................35
Reader Offers From a Winner .............................................................................................................................................35 12th Anniversary Prize Draw .........................................................................................................................35
www.raf-ff.org.uk Autumn 2009 1
Emerging Issues Loft Insulation ................................................................................................................................................4 HICs can now access JPA ................................................................................................................................4 Service Spouses employed as MoD Civil Servants ............................................................................................4 MHS Extend their Working Hours ....................................................................................................................4 Expansion of the RAF Regiment ......................................................................................................................4 The Forces have a New Bishop .......................................................................................................................4 The Fight Against Disadvantage ......................................................................................................................4 Opportunities from Battle Back ........................................................................................................................4 Opening of a Remembrance Garden ................................................................................................................4 You Must Use the New SFA Form from 1 Sep 09 ..............................................................................................4 Marriage Breakdown ......................................................................................................................................4 New Allowance for Op Tours Over 9 Months ...................................................................................................4 Alcohol Testing ...............................................................................................................................................4 Quacking Charity Event...................................................................................................................................4
Features
The Job of Air Officer Commanding No 2 Group ..............................................................................................6 When Everybody Else Goes Home ..................................................................................................................8 Seasaidh Sinn Ar Tir ......................................................................................................................................10 It Takes Courage, but it’s Worth It… .............................................................................................................12
REGULARS Education Matters Beyond their Comprehension ........................................................................................................................16 Housing
Substitute ....................................................................................................................................................17 Finally a thing of the Past? ............................................................................................................................18 Going Out with a Man in a Van ....................................................................................................................20
Federation News Capturing Your Views ...................................................................................................................................13 A Rare Privilege ............................................................................................................................................14 BFPO Closures in NATO and its Consequences ...............................................................................................14 The Chairman’s Trek .....................................................................................................................................15
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