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 Air Commodore Nigel Beet, Assistant Chief of Staff Personnel Policy


Cover Photograph – Decompression at Bloodhound Camp, Cyprus. Courtesy of RAF Akrotiri


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 Communications Assistant: Nick Crouch Evidence Manager: Jenny Ward Evidence Co-ordinator: Colin Jones Evidence Assistant: Jenny Scott Evidence Assistant (Housing): Stan Brathwaite Office Manager: Julie Goodson


Published quarterly by Method Publishing, a division of Scottish Provincial Press Limited, on behalf of Envoy


Design and Typography: © Method Publishing 2011 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


36 www.raf-ff.org.uk Envoy Summer 2011 43 3


Emerging Issues ..............................................................................................................7 Features


Awesome Flying ........................................................................................................ 10 Peace and Love...........................................................................................................12 A Stitch in Time ..........................................................................................................14 Time in the Sun ..........................................................................................................17 Letter to Nowhere .......................................................................................................18


REGULARS Federation News


The New Line is On-line ..............................................................................................20 RAF FF Focus on Accommodation ................................................................................20 Briefing from Senior Staff at PJHQ ................................................................................20 Appearing before the House of Commons Defence Committee .....................................25


Education Dealing with the Difference between the Scottish and English Educational Systems .......26 Your Money Helping you Feel Better about your Finances ................................................................29 Your Health


Exercise is Good for You ..............................................................................................30 Good Health? .............................................................................................................31 What Tipped You Out of Bed This Morning? .................................................................32


Housing DE is now DIO. What does that Mean? ........................................................................33


In The Workplace Services and Redundancy Advice .................................................................................34 Coming to a Unit near You! .........................................................................................36


You and the RAF


The Inevitability of Leaving the Service ........................................................................37 The Armed Forces Covenant. What should we make of it? ............................................38 Defence Cuts may Boost Business ................................................................................40


Community Storybook Wings, Could you be an Editor? ..................................................................41 Airplay Is in Full Swing! ...............................................................................................42 Win tickets to this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo .................................................43


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