RESERVES Reservists
Families’ Day –atruly Reservist occasion of 4624 Movements Squadron RAuxAF
By Flt Lt CJ Krolikowski
After months of planning by asmall team, the Families’ Day for 4624 Movements Squadron RAuxAF,based at RAF Brize Norton, went ahead in glorious sunshine. This was despite the possibility of the day becoming a mini Glastonbury due to the week- long wind and rain. Over 320 serving squadron personnel, their families and friends gathered to make the day truly memorable.
Following the opening address by the Commanding Officer,Wing Commander Bev Peart, the annual Medals and Squadron Awards ceremony began, this year held on Squadron lines in front of alarge and appreciative audience. The Presenting Officer was the Squadron’s Honorary Air Commodore, Air Marshal Philip Sturley CB MBE FRAeS CCMI RAF (Rtd) who graciously presented firstly the Volunteer Reserve Service Medals (VRSM) and Clasp before moving onto the Squadron awards. These awards take various forms from HAC’sCertificates through to the Commanding Officer’s Trophy,and ultimately,the highly coveted Honorary Air Commodore’s Trophy awarded this year to SACPauline Griffiths-Jeans.
For the first time in the Squadron’s history, the opportunity was given to families and friends to experience military flights. The Officer Commanding 622 Sqn, Sqn Ldr Roisin O’Brien, originally offered the squadron acouple of C130 Hercules flights-brilliant we
thought.Aweek before the event, she also offered an A400M! This was quite unprecedented and music to our ears and we are so appreciative of the support and personal assistance she gave us. Ultimately 3x C130 and 2xA400M flights flew, taking
16 Envoy Autumn 2017
atotal of 209 passengers on the trip of a lifetime. Passengers were given full access to the flight deck in-flightand the crews were fantastic, especially towards the more nervous passengers. Families were even treated to flying with the ramp open, alittle daunting for some at first, but it offered fantastic views of the local area and drew jealous comments from squadron members yet to experience this!
Passengers were processed solely by squadron personnel; an opportunity for the Operational Flights to showcase the Airport of Embarkation (APOE) element of their Logistics (Movements) role. The ATSy role was carried out by corporals from No.3 (RAuxAF) Tactical Police Squadron from RAF Honington. Passengers were scanned, bags checked and given the security brief following which they boarded the coach to their allocated aircraft. This was the closest any family member will get to going through the same process squadron personnel undertake when deploying overseas on operations.
There were plenty of activities on offer; around the Squadron the Operational Flights hosted their own activity areas including an auction and tombola arranged by AFlight. It was so popular that they quickly ran out of tickets to sell!
Proceeds went to one of the Squadron’s chosen charities –Prospect Hospice in Swindon –raising £300 for this very
3TPS carrying out Sy checks.
raf-ff.org.uk
worthwhile cause. The only dedicated end of life care provider in the Swindon, Marlborough and north east Wiltshire area, it is funded through voluntary donations. “The £300 could pay for five families to be fully supported by our Family Support team” said their Events and Community manager Genevieve Arney.
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