AVM Richard Hill CBE, Senior Logistician (Royal Air Force) visits RAF Benson

AVM (Air Vice Marshall) Richard Hill, Director Support Transformation and Senior Logistician (Royal Air Force), along with the Logistics Professions Advisor Team visited RAF Benson 6-7 Oct 22.

The purpose of the visit was to engage with Logs personnel from across the station and discuss current and emerging issues. The visit also served to provide a realistic picture of life at an operationally focused rotary base.

Suppliers from the Priority Progression Cell gave a succinct brief on the supply chain supporting 1563 Flt in Brunei.

Stock Holding Flight gave a thorough brief on efforts to modernise and improve services from Barrack and Clothing Stores, including showcasing the ‘how-to’ video on how personnel can access clothing using both the ‘click and collect’ process and the new ‘Smart Lockers’.

Lorry Mounted (CALM), ably operated by MT. Showing how to conduct a lifted onload of a traffic cone, the controls were swiftly passed to the AVM who successfully completed the reverse off-load.

The second day of the visit began with a Skype call with the Deployed Support Group in Brunei to understand how 1563 Flt is supported logistically. The AVM commented on how this enabled him to ‘hear first-hand how the actions of a small group of determined professionals are minimising the tyranny of distance and overcoming the associated challenges of a constrained Supply Chain’.

RAF Benson is home to all Logistics Professions (with the exception of Musician) all with different challenges and perspectives that make up the lived experience.

It is easy to assume that all Logisticians (Logs) are part of the Logs Sqn, but in fact there are Logistics personnel in every Wing at RAF Benson including the Force Headquarters. From Caterers and Air Ground Stewards in Base Support Wing to Logs Part Time Volunteer Reserves on 606 Sqn to TG18 Logs (Movers) on JHSS, the Logistics Professions are notable for their ubiquity.

To best engage with all personnel and provide matters-of-the-moment updates, the Professions Advisors Team delivered a series of rank ranged presentations. Collectively they addressed personnel from the Logs Branch, Catering, Movements, Military Transport and Supply specialisations.

After the briefs, RAF Benson personnel delivered a Capability Demonstration in ‘A’ Hangar to provide an insight into how logistics and support at RAF Benson is provided, enabling Joint Helicopter Command to meet Defence tasking.

With static Puma and Chinook displays providing the backdrop, Catering Flight began proceedings by showcasing an example of a Field Kitchen to visually demonstrate responding to R2 (high readiness) commitments whilst simultaneously discussing the Hestia contract. 606 Sqn Catering, Military Transport and Supply Reserves shared their experiences of being trained and mobilised.

Movers within the Mobility Section gave a review of supporting the deployment and recovery of Puma Operations and Exercises. JHSS provided an under-slung load demonstration and discussed the unique capability they provide to Defence.

The serials were ended with a live demonstration of a MAN Crane Attached

The visit concluded with rank ranged open discussions, providing an opportunity for Junior Aviators, SNCOs and Warrant Officers and Officers to ask questions from AVM Hill directly. Subjects of interest ranged from RAF uniform, professions, pensions, and the effects regarding the conflict in Ukraine.

AVM Hill left with a strong sense of ‘Team Benson’ and passed on his gratitude to all the logistics officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and aviators at RAF Benson for their ongoing and impressive commitment.