Foreword from the Station Commander...

Welcome to the spring 2023 issue of the Lions Roar, I trust that you all had a good Christmas and took the time to reconnect with family and friends and enjoy a well-earned break.

You won’t be surprised to hear that the first three months of 2023 have been as busy as ever. As I write, the Puma Force under the banner of 1563 Flight are delivering critical support to Exercise ATAP HURDLE in the demanding jungle conditions of Brunei. Concurrently the deployed footprint of Puma aircrew and engineering in Cyprus are working hard to take over from the Bell 412 Griffin of 84 Sqn at the end of March.

Like Puma Force, Force Headquarters (FHQ) is undergoing a transition and adapting to the challenges faced in Brunei and Cyprus, including a review of the structure to ensure FHQ remains fit to provide a continued high level of support to Benson, deployed Forces and JHC. With spare capacity to increase activity for Aviation Task Force 3 (ATF3), there is opportunity to focus attention on conceptual development - what ATF3 should look like, how it should train, what is the path to validation? Hand in glove, comes input into how Support Helicopter Force is optimised to meet future demands of Defence and an understanding of how Air Transformation work will apply at Benson. Looking ahead, FHQ is leading work to understand requirements of the New Medium Helicopter and ensure Benson, as it’s home, is prepared to meet the demands Defence places on it into the next decade and beyond.

It has been a colossal effort in planning and execution for Engineering and Logistics Wing (ELW) to establish themselves to support the three separate points of presence, (UK, Brunei and Cyprus). With established supply routes to Brunei and Cyprus and effective in country air and ground engineering support, ELW move towards a sustainable position to provide long-term critical engineering and logistic support to all Bensons local and global aviation outputs. The formation of a Puma Logistics Focal Point, investigating new modern ways of additive manufacturing (eg, 3D printing components) and numerous dedicated projects to increase aircraft availability and capability will directly influence a sustainable medium lift capability in the future.

Turning to the Homeplate Project FASTTRACK under the leadership of OC 28 Sqn continues at pace. This whole Station effort looks to expediate the training and graduation of SH aircrew (both Chinook and Puma) to the frontline to enhance both our operational effectiveness and resilience to support UK defence efforts.

606 Sqn the JHC RAF Reserve continues to support JHC in a variety of roles across the professions. Regiment personnel on Ex TIMBERN in Cyprus, Ground Engineers at RNAS Yeovilton, Benson and Brize, Flight Ops personnel at Benson, Odiham and Brize, Chefs catering for JHSS and the Junior Ranks Mess, Suppliers helping Logistics Squadron with Expeditionary Combat Infrastructure and Exercise preparations while MT Flight provide drivers to supplement Benson and Odiham MT to carry out freight and passenger moves. All this whilst delivering Phase 1, 2 and 3 Training ensuring Reserve personnel have the skills and knowledge to operate within their respective professions at front line units alongside Regular cohorts.

As one of my top priorities improving the lived experience and preparing our people for future challenges, the last few months have seen a positive focus on our people through the Station Health and Wellbeing Day and Op TEAMWORK ALL STOP day. Both emphasising the importance of Value, Challenge and Inclusivity. The Health and Wellbeing Day was an excellent showcase of what is on offer to our whole force and their families. This offer will increase with the opening of the Benson Wellness Hub providing opportunities for our whole force and their families who provide vital support to serving personnel. The Op TEAMWORK ALL STOP day was an opportunity for the station to down tools, and focus on building an inclusive positive culture with a thought provoking key speaker, Steven Bartlett – the youngest ever Dragon on Dragons Den! This is critical for us to continue to develop and build a culture at Benson which is comfortable with challenge, inclusive and understands what should be provided to our teams to make them feel valued.

The Community Support team also remain busy, pulling together the Community Needs Analysis, used by Air Command and Service charities to set priorities and funding streams for the coming year and restarting the Dandelions Family Support Group. Alongside this the deployment support package has brought 18 families together through the deployed family lunches. The coming months will see them offering a river cruise, theatre trip and Legoland visit. Easter activities and adult crafting sessions are in