Contact


Telephone: 01780 781650, email: enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk or via the website www.raf-ff.org.uk


A Quarterly Magazine for RAF Personnel and their Families Contents


Editor’s words/From the Chairman/The RAF Families Federation Foreword by Air Vice-Marshal Ross Paterson OBE, Chief Executive Service Personnel and Veterans Agency


Cover Photograph – Wg Cdr Paul Owen’s pup Oban, ambassador for the newly formed charity, Hounds for Heroes.


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 2012 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


12 www.raf-ff.org.uk Envoy Spring 2012 18 3


Emerging Issues ..............................................................................................................6 Features


Improving Morale at the Frontline ...............................................................................11 Federations Fly to the Falklands ..................................................................................12 The Dog that Saved ‘Us’ .............................................................................................14 Creation of a New (soon not to be) Unruly Squadron ....................................................16 Open House at Kandahar Airfield .................................................................................18 Missing Mum .............................................................................................................20


REGULARS Federation News


Our Annual Report for 2011 ........................................................................................23


Education Top Ten Tips for Choosing GCSEs .................................................................................24


Money


The AFPRB is still in Business .......................................................................................28 The Hidden Benefits of AFPS 05 ..................................................................................29


Health & Wellbeing Relationships ..............................................................................................................30 Sikh Ministry within the Armed Forces .........................................................................31 The Hidden Disability ..................................................................................................32


In The Workplace FREEDOM in the Workplace ........................................................................................33 Reasons to Go, Reasons to Stay...................................................................................34


You and the RAF The Work of RAF Community Support ..........................................................................36 The Covenant and what it means for Families ..............................................................38


Community Sea Cottages ..............................................................................................................41 Community Covenants ................................................................................................42


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