Welcome from the Editor Station Commander’s Foreword

Group Captain V C McPhaden ADC MA(Oxon) MCIPD RAF

Since the Spring issue, there has been significant, high-profile activity across the Station, particularly, of course, in respect of Op GOLDEN ORB. Many of the articles highlight the varied, key roles that the Station undertook over that period. The imminent departure of the Station Commander, Gp Capt McPhaden, heralds another new chapter for RAF Northolt and I’m sure the next publication in Winter will be just as packed full of interesting articles, showcasing WholeForce output.

It has been such a tremendous privilege to command the Station through such a monumental period in our Nation’s history and RAF Northolt and our people have been at the very centre of all those events throughout the last 12 months. I am enormously proud of what everyone has achieved and want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support to me during my tenure. A heartfelt thank you too for welcoming me and my family (and our crazy dog!) into the Northolt family and community; it has truly been a fantastic couple of years for us all.

This edition of the magazine sees coverage of our contribution to the Coronation in Operation GOLDEN ORB – a huge number of Northolt people were involved in various events across the weekend. We also review the fabulous Standard Presentation for 600 Squadron which took place recently – the first during the reign of His Majesty the King and take a look back at our enormously successful Boxing Night. Despite being very busy operationally and ceremonially, the Boxing Night was but one example of the vibrant community we have and the great events we have staged in the last few months. I am also tremendously excited by the arrival of our Robomower, which we have for a 12 month trial to see if it is a viable safer, more efficient and more sustainable way of managing our airfield grass. There is much to look forward to in coming months on Station and I wish the contingents representing us up at the Edinburgh Tattoo all the very best of luck through the summer.

Thank you again for a superb tour, I couldn’t have done it without all your support and I wish the Station all the very best of luck going forward.