F o r e w o r d FOREWORD BY
CHIEF OF STAFF PERSONNEL AND AIR SECRETARY AIR VICE MARSHAL MIKE LLOYD
I
was delighted to visit the Headquarters of the Families Federation and to spend time with the team so early on in my tour as the Chief of Staff for Personnel and the Air Secretary. It is clear that the Families Federation team has fully
established itself in dealing with the matters that concern you and helping to address your concerns and issues that will make things better for all our serving personnel and their families.
One of the key areas we discussed during the visit was how best to keep ourselves up-to-date with your issues and concerns so that we can focus on resolving the important issues in appropriate priority order. It is evident that communication is key to our success and depends on an effective two-way dialogue with you.
I have been fortunate enough to have already visited many units and stations and have enjoyed meeting the people who are engaged across the spectrum of Community Support activities. But it has been particularly rewarding to meet with family members and to hear first hand what concerns you have. I greatly appreciate the sincere and open discussions on areas such as: what can we do better, what are we not doing that we should/could be, and what is it that we are getting just about right? I therefore urge you to continue to say it how it is and to encourage your friends and neighbours to do the same; it is invaluable and I would like to know how you feel and what is important to you.
But don’t just tell us, tell the Families Federation. They have a great set-up and an incredibly capable and enthusiastic team who want to hear from you by phone, e-mail, letter or even better go along to one of their interactive workshops which, by their very nature, gives everyone an equal vote and an equal voice.
Family issues are also at the very heart of our ability to operate effectively as a fighting force. I am responsible for the welfare of those who are on Operations whether they are part of a formed unit (Squadrons) or non-formed units (often made-up from individuals coming together in theatre to perform a given role). By meeting your needs and making life as good as we are able, we allow those who are deployed to focus on doing a good job safely. From speaking to our personnel during my recent visit to Afghanistan, it was clear that knowing that their families are properly supported while they are absent, helps them immensely.
Family issues are at the very centre of our concerns and the Families Federation has considerable credibility as your representative and as an independent voice. I hold them in the highest regard and very much look forward to working closely with them to make certain we deliver the right solutions for you.
DON’T FORGET THE WEBSITE
Do you even know we have a Website? Masses of information is available at the touch of a button. There is lots about the Federation, who we are, what we do and why we are there. There are stories of interest to anyone connected to the RAF and information about changes in policy. Take just a few moments to look at the site – we think you will be pleasantly surprised.
We have it on good authority that RAF staff within Air Command and at MoD use our site as a quick reference guide and because it is current and relevant, informative and in a very readable
style.www.raf-ff.org.uk
www.raf-ff.org.uk Autumn 2009 3
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